Nov., 1904 I 
THE CONDOR 
155 
youngster sitting in one of the bowl-like hollows which serve the albatrosses as 
nests. Two others, unoccupied, will be seen directly over the nestling’s head. 
The young bird near the center, middle distance, also occupies a ‘nest’ and belongs 
to the two old birds standing near. Figure 4 is a corner in one of the colonies 
near a little brackish pond. The young bird in the foreground is practising its 
wings and is just beginning to stand upright. This picture was taken soon after 
the young had been fed, about ten in the morning. Both old and young rest at 
this time, and the adults frequentl}’ go to sleep with the bill and one eye 
hidden by the wing. 
Figure 5 demonstrates the remarkable indifference exhibited by the birds to 
human presence. The w^riter is making some small noise to attract the bird’s at- 
tention. At the left two birds are about to commence a dance. Note the absolute 
fearlessness of the young as shown by their pose. It was near this spot that an 
FIG 8. LAST STAGE IN DANCE— ONE SINGING. THE OTHER SNAPPING BEAK 
old albatross became greatly intere.sted in the bright aluminum top of 1113- tripod, 
which it carefull}^ examined from all sides. Finall}' it tested the cap with its beak, 
and appeared much surprised, yet pleased, with the jingling sound, repeating the 
experiment until satisfied. 
The gonies indulge in a curious dance, which probabE" originated during the 
courting season, but which now seems to be practised all through the year for the 
sake of amusement. That the habit is very old and deep-seated is proved by the 
fact that such widel}^ different species as Diomedca nig ripes (Laysan) and D. irror- 
ata (Galapagos Is.) likewise indulge in the diversion, bhgures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are 
successive steps in the performance. Two birds approach one another, bowing 
profoundl}^ and stepping heavily. The3^ swagger about each other nodding and 
courtesying solemnly, then suddenly begin to fence a little, crossing bills and 
