KIN (I KIN = 1.32 POUNDS) - YEN 
Steller’s Albatross — AUSTIN 
293 
600,000 
500,000 
400,000 
300,000 
200,000 
100,000 
LEGEND 
EZZ3 AMOUNT 
mm value 
iiiiiii 
fl) CD ® (O 01 
CD CD ® ® © 
N K) ^ 
inn 
8 o 
<t> at 
SOURCE: FOREIGN TRADE OF JAPAN (1935), P 30 
Fig. 1. Export of feathers from Japan. 
until every possibility of its survival has been 
investigated and exhausted. Even then the nega- 
tive evidence is unsatisfactory, and the hope 
always remains that in some overlooked corner 
of the globe the species will once more be 
found, even as Notornis was so recently re- 
discovered in the mountain fastnesses of South 
Island, New Zealand. 
It is to be noted that Steller’s Albatross has 
been reported several times since 1933, most 
recently in 1944 and 1945, as having been seen 
at sea in Alaskan and Aleutian waters on the 
species’ summering grounds. As the species is 
reputedly a shy bird which seldom follows or 
comes close to ships, it is difficult to observe 
except on or near its breeding grounds, and it 
must be remembered that the species may be 
confused easily at a distance with the other two 
North Pacific albatrosses. Adults resemble the 
Laysan Albatross, but lack its black back; im- 
matures resemble the Black-footed Albatross, 
but have a flesh-colored instead of a black bill. 
Hence, sight records made at sea, even by the 
most careful and reliable observers, must be 
regarded as doubtful unless amply substantiated. 
As mentioned previously, in March and April, 
1949, I cruised for 10 days in the southern Izus 
and the northern Bonin Islands, the best known 
former breeding grounds of Steller’s Albatross. 
In its normal life cycle we know that this species 
did not leave the breeding grounds until late 
May and June, so at the time of my visit any 
surviving individuals should have been in the 
vicinity attending their fairly well grown young. 
I was able to sail within close inspecting dis- 
tance of every island in this chain on which 
Steller’s Albatross is known to have bred. I 
also visited every other island in the area which 
