]. TB E ISLAND OF LAYSAN. 



INTRODUCTORY XOTES. 



Scattered about in a north-westerly direction from the Sandwich Islands arc a number of 

 small islands, rocks, and reefs — namely, Necker Isle, French Frigate Slioals, Gardner Island, 

 Maro Reef, Lisiamky, Laysan or Moller Island, and some others. Although ornithologists 

 have had their eyes on these islands for a long time, they had not been trodden by the foot 

 of any ornithologist until I sent my collector, Henry Palmer, to explore them. 



From the results of his collecting-tour it was evident that none of these islands are 

 inhabited by land-birds, except Laysan or Moller Island. This island is therefore by far the 

 most interesting one to ornithologists. 



The island was named Moller by Capt. Stanikowiteh, in 182S, after his vessel; but it had 

 been discovered before by an American ship and received the name of Laysan, under which 

 it is best known at the present time. (Sec Findlay, ' North Pacific Ocean and Japan 

 Directory,' p. 1113.) 



Captain Brooks, in 1859, describes it as follows : — " Laysan Island is in lat. 25° 16' X., 

 long. 171° Itf W., is 3 miles long and '2\ miles broad, and covered with a luxuriant growth 

 of shrubs. It is surrounded by a reef about half a mile from the land. Outside of this reef 

 there is a bank 5 miles wide, on which I found from It to 11) fathoms water. There is a 

 boat-passage inside the reef nearly the whole way round the island, the only obstruction 

 being on the south and S.E. sides. Good landing can be found anywhere, excepting on the 

 south and S.E. sides; good anchorage anywhere on the west side; the best, however, 

 is about half a mile from the SAW point, in from 8 to 12 fathoms water. It can be 

 approached from any point of the compass, no dangers existing within half a mile of 

 the reef. 



"There is a lagoon on the island, about 1 mile long and half a mile wide, with 5 fathoms 



a 



