174 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 97 



trosses were wearing- a downy coat of a dark brownish color, 

 which gave way a few weeks later to one of white feathers 

 on the breast and abdomen and dark feathers on the back 

 and wings. When the down has nearly disappeared, the 

 young bird begins to try its strength by spreading the wings 

 and rising on its feet like the adult birds. It is laughable to 

 see the youngsters tottering along and fanning their wings 

 in a futile attempt at flight. At this stage they play and quar- 

 rel with one another a good deal, and frequently amuse them- 

 selves by gathering together any loose material that may be 

 near the nest. One young bird had surrounded itself with a 

 pile of the bleached bones of its dead ancestors. 



In flight the albatross, like an aeroplane, must rise against 

 the wind; with its wings fully extended the bird runs swiftly 

 along the ground until it has gained headway enough to rise. 

 If thrown into the air it cannot fly as do most birds, but in- 

 stead falls heavily to the ground. 



Much of the time of the Laysan albatross is spent in car- 

 rying out a very strange performance. This dance, as it has 

 been called, varies, but usually proceeds in the following or- 

 der: one bird approaches another with an indescribable 

 squeaking sound, bowing all the time. If the one addressed 

 feels like performing, as is usually the case, he bows in re- 

 turn. Thereupon they cross bills rapidly several times. Then 

 one bird turns his head and lifts one wing in such a manner 

 that the primaries point directly out at the side. In the mean- 

 time his partner keeps up a loud noise that sounds like the 

 neighing of a horse. The bird taking the lead then walks 

 around his companion, stepping high like a negro cake- 

 walker. This part of the procedure is usually closed by one 

 or both of the birds pointing their beaks straight up in the 

 air while rising on their toes, pufling out their breasts and 

 uttering a long-drawn groan. The same thing is repeated 

 many times, with slight variations. 



The black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes, Audubon) 

 has taken almost complete possession of the beaches along the 

 north, east, and south sides of the island. While an occasional 



