Vol XXI 

 1904 



I W. K. F'iSHER, Habits of the Laysan Albatross. I I 



better view of matters and began to preen its feathers. But even 

 with these vicissitudes, and the persecution of jealous mothers of 

 other young (to be related presently) they have few amusements 

 to vary the monotony of the long day, for in this topsy-turvy land 

 it is the grown-up folks who play while the young are grave and 

 demure. 



The old birds received us at once on equal terms with any 

 feathered inhabitant of the island. They did not care a whit for 

 our presence, and continued their domestic occupations and 

 amusements as if we were part and parcel of the community. 

 They would not tolerate any familiarity, however, and if we 

 attempted to stroke their plumage they backed off with agility, 

 unless hindered by some obstructing grass tussock, when their 

 surprise was amusing to witness. They have a half-doubting 

 inquisitiveness, and if we sat quietly among them, they would 

 sooner or later walk up to examine us. (Plate IV, Fig. 2.) 

 One bird became greatly interested in the bright aluminum top to 

 my tripod, which it carefully examined from all sides. Finally it 

 tested the cap with its beak, and appeared much surprised, yet 

 pleased, with the jingling sound, repeating the experiment until 

 satisfied. 



The old birds have an innate objection to idleness, and so for 

 their diversion they spend much time in a curious dance, or per- 

 haps more appropriately a ' cake-walk.' This game or whatever 

 one may wish to call it, very likely originated in past time during 

 <he courting season, but it certainly has long since lost any such 

 significance. I believe the birds now practise these antics for the 

 pure fun they derive, and should anyone challenge my belief that 

 birds are capable of such a high degree of intelligence as to dis- 

 criminate so finely, I would be tempted to answer: "Go to Lay- 

 san and be convinced." Let us imagine we are on the island, and 

 can stop for a moment to watch a pair of Gonies close at hand. 

 We will have some difficulty in choosing, for from where we are 

 seated, among the grass, near the edge of the plain, we can 

 exsily count twenty-five couples hard at play. This is what we 

 see. 



At first two birds approach one another, bowing profoundly and 

 stepping heavily. They swagger about each other, nodding and 



