52 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
inheritance involves at most an innate desire for 
travel; that the young learn to migrate through 
the example of the adults; that the adults are 
guided by physical phenomena over areas that 
experience has rendered familiar; that migration 
in its finality becomes in each bird an impelling 
habit; therefore, a bird that has passed the stage 
of dependency migrates because it was born of' a 
race of migrants, and has followed the example 
of its elders until migration has become second 
nature. 
In short, it is contended that the cause of 
bird migration are ascertainable facts and not 
impenetrable mysteries lying beyond the domain 
of scientific enquiry. 
Mr. Edward W. Gifford, one of the members 
of the expedition of the California Academy of 
Sciences to the Galapagos Islands, has this to 
say about some of the habits of the Galapagos 
Albatross (Diomedea irrorata) : — 
"The nestlings sat bolt upright or lay 
stretched out on the ground. When the sun was 
out they moved about a little. The old birds were 
iing them during drizzling weather and warning 
off Galapagos Hawks or human intruders by snap- 
ping the bill threateningly. 
The curious Albatross pastime, variously 
styled billing, fencing, and dancing, was of 1 con- 
stant occurrence. Standing opposite one another, 
each bird threw its head up, the bill in this posi- 
tion be ; ng nearly or quite vertical, then the pair 
bowed, then fenced for perhaps a minute, using 
the bills as foils. Other features were often 
added, which did not seem to have any regular 
order. In these the birds usually performed al- 
ternately. While one was doing the stunt, the 
other assumed a statuesque pose, standing very 
erect, intently watching the performance. At its 
conclusion, the two joined in a fencing bout. 
Then the second bird performed, and afterwards 
the fencing was repeated, and so on to the finale. 
The additions were as follows : — 1, Bird touched 
ground beside it with bill; 2, Mouth was opened 
very wide; 3, Bill was pointed straight upward 
and a moaning note uttered; 4, Bird reached 
around and touched wing with bill. Occassional!}' 
a third bird took part at the beginning, but one 
soon dropped out. Sometimes two birds go 
through the fencing exercise with one or both 
sitting. Often when a person bows to an Alba- 
tross immediately after a performance, the bow 
will be returned. 
When disturbed, these Albatrosses displayed 
signs of anger by raising the feathers of the 
head, notably those over the eyes and by viciously 
snapping the bill. On one occasion when a bird 
was being chased, its mate left the egg and fol- 
lowed in full pursuit for fifteen or twenty yards, 
menacing with its bill. 
The adults have a hoarse croaking note which 
seemed to be used in anger and in talking to the 
young and to each other. Often an adult would 
look down at its young and utter several hoarse 
notes. Another note was a sort of moan uttered 
when alone or when in company with another bird 
and usually with neck outstretched and bill point- 
ing upwards. The young, a few days old, had a 
kind of chuckle which was given in a rather high 
VERMIN EXTERMINATION IN 
SOUTH AFRICA. 
The " Uitenhage Times" reports the follow- 
ing :— 
The quarterly meeting of the Circle Com- 
mittee for the extermination of Wild Carnivora, 
was held in the Divisional Council Chamber on 
Wednesday morning. 
Present : Messrs. C. Mackay (Chairman), 
R. F. Hurndall, G. N. J. Hayward, J. Thomas, 
W. Weeks, J. Martin and the Secretary (Mr. H. 
Heugh). 
On apology was received for the absence of 
Mr. Knight. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read 
and confirmed. 
FINANCES. 
The Secretarv reported that he had received 
=£80 from the various Divisional Councils, in 
grants, out of which £30 odd had been expended 
leaving a balance of £50 odd, but it was estimated 
the expenditure to the end of the year would be 
£56, exclud : ng the delegates' expenses to Con- 
gress. 
It was resolved that Mr. Hurndall and the 
Secretary draw up a letter to the Administrator, 
putting the whole position before him, and re- 
questing his assistance, as provided for in the Act. 
DESTRUCTION RETURNS. 
The following returns of the destruction of 
wild carnivora, were received : — 
Uitenhage, for the period 6th October, 1917, 
to 30th June, 1918, 561 jackals, 76 lynx, 196 
baboons, 1 tiger. 
Alexandria, period 1st January to 30th June, 
1918, 241 jackals, 19 lynx and 19 baboons. 
Stevlerville, period 1st November, 1917, to 
30th June, 1918, 312 jackals, 9 lynx, and 199 
baboons. 
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