3o8 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



and, in all, forming perhaps the most remarkable 

 bird rookery in the world. ' ' 



"And that's where we're going!" Shan cried, 

 in delight. 



*'Yes," the Feather Man agreed; ''I've never 

 been there myself, but it must be a wonderful sight. 

 On Laysan Island, alone, several millions of birds 

 breed every year. Naturally, because the island 

 is small, it would be impossible for all the birds 

 which resort to the island to nest on it at the same 

 time, and as the result of ages of experience, each 

 species comes in its regular turn and thus secures 

 room. 



''Even so, nesting place is scarce, and the birds 

 live like flat-dwellers in a to\\m. The Petrels and 

 Shearv\^aters nest in underground burrows. Terns 

 nest on the ground, in the bushes may be found 

 the nests of the Laysan Finch and the Miller War- 

 bler, while the uppermost accommodations are 

 taken by the Boobies and the Man-o'-war birds." 



"Well," declared the boy, "if I don't make 

 some great photos there, it won't be my fault !" 



"On the contrary," the Feather Man answered, 

 "if you don't, it will be your fault. The birds 

 are quite tame and they have a curious nuptial 

 dance, called the 'cakewalk.' " 



