EXPEDITION TO LAYSAN ISLAND IN 1911. 9 



WATER AND NATURAL FOOD SUPPLY. 



Frequent but short showers supplied us with plenty of drinking 

 water. I have recorded theni as follows: April 24, April 27, May 2, 

 May 3, May 14, and June 2. We carried a small still for use in case 

 our water supply failed us, but did not have occasion to use it, 

 although our supply was reduced at times. There is an old well on 

 the island, but it is no longer of use. The pump is rusted out and 

 the well has partly filled with sand. 



Plenty of good fish can be found in the still water between the 

 surrounding barrier reef and the shore, and they can easily be shot 

 with a good rifle. Crawfish also are obtainable and are easily caught 

 in the evening by using a small lantern and a spear. 



Large turtles are found along the beaches, where they crawl out 

 to sun themselves. When turned on their backs they are helpless. 

 We killed one of these turtles and found the meat very good, but the 

 eggs we did not find palatable. This turtle was 4 feet long, 3 feet 

 wide, and 1 foot 5 inches from carapace to plastron. We estimated 

 her weight to be 300 pounds. 



The rabbits are good for food and their flesh seems to be entirely 

 free from parasites. When not frightened they may be easily caught 

 in the hands. 



Although there were many edible shore birds on the island, our 

 party did not kill any of them for food. The only birds eaten were 

 those collected for scientific purposes. 



A little-known species of seal * is reported to live in the region of 

 Laysan Island. Mr. Max Schlemmer says that during the 15 years 

 he lived on the island seven of these animals were killed. He at one 

 time gave Dr. Schauinsland a fine large skull of this species, which 

 was taken to Germany. No signs of seals were noted while we were 

 on the island, notwithstanding a sharp lookout was kept by the 

 members of our party. 



RABBITS INTRODUCED ON LAYSAN. 



Mr. Max Schlemmer, the former manager of the guano company 

 on Laysan, introduced domestic rabbits, Belgian hares, and English 

 hares into the island at different times, and left them there to breed, 

 intending to start a rabbit canning business. He could not give the 



1 This species has been described by Dr. Matschie as Monachus sckauinslandi (Sitz. Ber. Ges. Naturf. 

 Freunde, Berlin, p. 254, 1905). In 1900 a sick or helpless seal was caught by the natives in Hilo Bay, Ha- 

 waii, towed ashore, killed, and eaten. Unfortunately I was too late to secure any part of the animal for 

 identification, but the natives assured me that solitary seals occurred on the coast about once in 10 years 

 or so. They were very curious and asked many questions as to the habitat of the animal, its nature,. food, 

 and habits, about which they knew nothing.— H. W. Henshaw. 



26461°— Bull. 42—12 2 



