Report of an Expedition to Laysan Islands in 1911 



283 



"While the main activity of the plume-hunters was directed against the 

 Albatrosses, they were by no means averse to killing anything in the bird line 

 that came their way. As a consequence large numbers of all the different 

 species of birds that occur on this island were killed. Among the species 

 slaughtered may be mentioned Black-footed Albatross, Laysan Albatross, Sooty 

 Tern, Gray-backed Tern, Noddy Tern, Hawaiian Tern, White Tern, Bonin 

 Island Petrel, Wedge- tailed Shearwater, Christmas Island Shearwater, Red- 

 tailed Tropic Bird, Blue-faced Booby, Red-footed Booby, Man-o'-war Bird, 



^^^^^^^^ySS^^I?^^^^ 



*«i-. 



ALBATROSSES WINGS PILED IN AN OLD SHED BY MILLINERY COLLECTORS ON 



LAYSAN ISLAND 



By permission of the Biological Survey 



Bristle-thighed Curlew, and without doubt many of the few species of the 

 smaller birds peculiar to Laysan as well as those that visit it as migrants. 



"Fortunately, serious as were the depredations of the poachers, their 

 operations were interrupted before any of the species had been completely 

 exterminated. So far as the birds that secure their food from the sea are con- 

 cerned, it is reasonable to suppose that they will increase in number, and that 

 nature will in time restore this island to its former poj)ulous condition if no 

 further slaughter is permitted." 



Professor Bryan concludes his report with "Recommendations for the 

 Future Protection of the Reservation" which it is hoped will be made effective. 



