1 8 W. K. Fisher, Habits of the Laysa?i Albatross. ^^^^ 



I frequently saw the young sleeping, their eyes being tightly 

 closed and bill tucked under the wing, the usual bird fashion. At 

 night I was much surprised to walk up to the sleeping youngsters, 

 and see how they slumbered on oblivious to the various distractions 

 of their surroundings — the startled cries of terns, the Ah-h-h's of 

 Albatrosses, and caterwauling of shearwaters. The feeling of 

 absolute safety has evidently dulled that characteristic alertness, 

 which we are apt to associate with sleeping wild creatures. I 

 have even succeeded in sitting down beside them, without disturb- 

 ino- their slumber, but when I at last patted their heads they very 

 suddenly came to, and the awakening was highly diverting. They 

 appeared confused for a moment, and would then back off most 

 rapidly, snapping the beak with remarkable speed. The old birds 

 seem to be wide awake at night, but about ten o'clock in the morn- 

 ing they frequently sleep near their young, with the bill and one 

 eye covered by the wing. 



Albatrosses are inquisitive creatures, especially on the ocean. 

 Anything unusual will immediately attract them, and on land I 

 have had them come trotting up evidently actuated by some other 

 motive than the search for food. One day the dory, rather over- 

 loaded, was making for the beach through a choppy sea. Sud- 

 denly a wave curled aboard, and then the boat capsized, leaving 

 the occupants struggling in the water. A Gony at some distance 

 perceived the disturbance, and came flapping in great haste over 

 the waves, hoping perhaps for a tender morsel. It settled near 

 the plumpest member of the party, and swam about on a little tour 

 of inspection. The look of anticipation on the creature's face v/as 

 so unmistakable, that the carpenter at length became uneasy, and 

 exclaimed, "Can't you wait till I croak." 



The Albatrosses live on Laysan nearly ten months of the year. 

 During the last days of October, before the winter storms set in, 

 the first vanguard of the mighty army appears, and for days they 

 continue to flock in from all points of the compass. Dr. H. 

 Schauinsland, who witnessed their advent, says that in exposed 

 places the island becomes literally white with the countless throng, 

 as if great snow-flakes had suddenly descended upon the scene. 

 So vast is the number of birds that many are obUged to be con- 

 tent with rather unsuitable nesting spots, while late-comers must 



