314 NATURAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



cuiiditiuns, conveniences and location that appeal most to their fancy, and they 

 occupy the site selected by the colony to its fullest capacity. In the bunch- 

 grass the little flightless raiP^ is found, nesting among the thick stems close 

 down to the ground. The miller bird ^''^ and the Laysan canary -^ nest in the 

 main stems of the bushes, and next above them the tastefully arranged nests of 

 the Laysan honey-eater -i is placed. On the tops of the bushes, occupying 

 the choice top-flats, tm-ns, boobies and man-o'-war birds contend among them- 

 selves and with their neighbors for the desirable locations; while overhead the 

 air is literally filled with swarms of birds. 



Laysan is a veritable bird-lovers' paradise, for, having no knowledge of 

 man, most of the species are without fear and may be lifted from the nest with 

 the hands like a setting barnyard fowl. 



The Albatross Dance. 



By reason of their number, size and unusual personalities, there are no 

 more interesting birds in the colony than the two species of albatross to which 

 allusion has already been made. The Laysan or wdiite-breasted species are 

 most abundant and are widely distributed over the island. From the middle 

 of October, wdien they begin to reach the colony — returning from, nobody 

 knows wdiere — all through the winter months and until the young are ready 

 to leave with tlieir ])a rents the following July, the island is covered with 

 albatross. Looking in any direction, one can see the old birds standing 

 stolidly about, sitting on their nests, or engaged in their curious dance — a 

 singular performance for which the albatross is justly famed. 



This game, or dance, or cake-walk, or whatever one may care to call it, is 

 more than a form of courtship, since it is indulged in at all times, day or night, 

 during the entire period of the birds' long stay on the island. It is without 

 exception the most amusing performance I have ever seen birds indulge in. 

 The dance is so aptly described by Dr. W. K. Fisher, that I quote from his 

 account : 



"Tw^o albatrosses approach each other, bowing profoundly and stepping 

 rather heavily. They circle around each other, nodding solemnly all the 

 time. Next they fence a little, crossing bills and whetting them together, 

 pecking meanwhile and dropping stitf little bows. Suddenly one lifts its 

 closed wdngs and nibbles the feathers underneath or, rarely, if in a hurry 

 merely turns its head, and tucks its bill under its wing. The other bird dur- 

 ing this performance assumes a statuesque pose and either looks mechanically 

 from side to side or snaps its liill loudl}^ a few times. Then the first bird boAvs 

 once again, pointing its head and beak straight up. and utters a prolonged 

 nasal groan, the other 1)ird snapping its lull loudly and rapidly at the same 

 time. Sometimes both birds raise their heads in tlu^ aii" and either one or both 

 utters the indescribable aiul ridiculous bovine groan. When they have fin- 

 ished they begin bowing to eacli other, almost always I'apidly and alternately, 



^8 Prozanida pahneri. "> Acrocephalus familiaris. "" Telespiza cantans. -' Eimatione freethi. 



