Extracts from George WilletSs Report on the Bureau of Biological Survey Expedition to 
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 193^.-1913® Data pertaining to Laysan Island 
(Extracted from cards by R.B.Clapp, 7 April 1969) 
Millet 1 s Remarks 
Hemidactylus gamstii 
Observed on Laysan Island; occasional. (This observation is 
of particularly significance since it it the only other 
record of this lizard's occurrence on Laysan besides the one 
published as a result of the Albatross visit in 1902.- RBC) 
Monacus schuuhnslandi ' An adult taken on Laysan Island 
Ablepharus boutonii 
Observed on Laysan Island, abundant 
Pterodroma hypoleuca / Wa 
Oceanodroma tri strain! J 
most abundant bird on the reservation during our sjsay, 
Estimated 50,000 prs. on Laysan Island. On Dec. 22 when ve 
arrived on Laysan, the birds were courting and preparing 
to nest® Nesting began in January, with the first eggg. noted 
Jan. 9® A very considerable mortality noted, hundreds 
smothered to death in burrows from drifting sand. No 
v 
seriously affected by losses as numbers are so considerable. 
Estimated there were about 10,000 pairs nesting on Laysan 
Island on arrival Dec. 22, 1912. The birds on Laysan nest 
lew and the water would often rise and drown the birds in the 
burrows, so the percentage of youngxaddbi raised to maturity 
must be quite small. Est. that about 20$ of the birds succeeded 
in raising young this spring (1913)® The eggs are laid in 
late December and early January; if the first is lost another 
egg is deposited. Measurement of 6 breeding males and 6 . 
breeding females given in report. 
* » 
iaomedea mgripes 
The nest by actual count on Laysan us. were 7722 
total 
;";S 
O 
of over 15,000 birds. Count was made in Feb. when 
were laid. This species begins nesting by Dec. 15 
eggs are laid by Jan. 15. Incubation period found 
31 days. This species has a very low death rate, 
not renest if the first is unsucessful. First young were noted 
Jan. 21 and soon became plentiful® 
or a 
all 
and all 
t o be 
and does 
Diomedea immutabilis 
<9 & 
o 
. actually counted 12,231 prs. Laysan Is. (Dill had reported 
180,000 on Laysan Is., and three was nothing to indicate tSLi 
the birds, had been disturbed since his visit in 1911)• Mortality 
ather high and est. that 50% are lost, of 12,321 nests 
found on Laysan, 9201 were occupied and 3126 were deserted, 
st young not^d Jan. 22. This species does not renest 4 ^ 
nesting is unsuccessful. 
JLJL 
f* * i 
t i y ct 
Buffinus pacificus \/ Only(bird seen during winter^ was a dying bird on Dec. 2 
Puffinus na 
■» - .*•»> w wi 
s / 
Began appearing March 10 when 3 were seen on Laysan. (Contest 
of remarks on other islands suggests that none were found 
breeding on Laysan). 
v 'w*‘ ^ & 
First seen on Laysan Is., 
had become abundant by Marcr 
Island. At this time they were 
t !i 
3 
3, when 2 were seen by Bailey 
when they were seen all over 
courting and nest buildin 
x.' 
Mii 
ei 
Wy**’" 
