HISTORICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF HOMING. 



55 



birds would eat of their own accord ; it was not eaten. On the whole trip only 3 birds 

 learned to eat of their own accord. The others were fed entirely by forcing. We give the 

 table below in order that the future investigator may know (1) that the birds may reach 

 their destination in good condition when forced feeding has to be resorted to, and (2) 

 because it will enable the investigator to know the number of minnows, etc., required to 

 maintain metabolism. 



♦Offered food, but would not eat. 



The cages were kept in what had lieen the dining saloon of the ship (the 

 San Marcos was formerly a Mallory passenger and freight boat; it had been 

 converted entireh' into a freighter) . The canvas hoods of the cages were kept 

 closed, except at feeding time, so that the birds had practically no chance to 

 see anything which would give them their bearings. The following is a record 

 of the releases en route to Calveston and at Galveston; the behavior of the 

 birds on release follows: 



May W: Two birds released at night. Nos. 19 and 23 were selected as the best fed of the 

 lot. No. 19 had 31 fish in all; 7 of them at 4 p. m. and 6 at 7 p. m. No. 23 had had 

 29 fish in all; 6 at 4 p. m. and 4 at 7 p. m. Both birds were in excellent condition, 

 perfectly dry and clean. The tips of their wings were frayed for half an inch and the 

 two lateral feathers of the tail. No. 23 was most active and the strongest of the 

 noddies. It had never eaten of its own accord. No. 19 began to eat, without forcing, 

 the day of release. The birds were released at S^ 4.5° ship time, and after all traces 

 of sun had gone. The ship was headed a little north of west. The smoke was carried 

 forward from the stack, which meant that there was a more than 10-mile breeze from 



