* t 
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, ? April 1969) 
&p#cies 
Millet*s Remarks 
Hemidactylus gamfctii 
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 1902RBC) 
Monacus schuuimslandi An adult taken on Laysan Island 
Ablepharus boutonii 
Pterodroma hypoleuca 3 
Oceanodroma tristrami 
Diomedea nigripes 
Diomedea immutabilis ; 
Buffinus pacificus 
- s ■ Puffinus nativitatus 
Observed on Laysan Island, abundant 
Was most abundant bird on the reservation during our sjgay. 
Estimated 50,000 prs. on Laysan Island. On Dec, 22 when we 
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. Not 
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 
low and the water would, often rise and drown the birds in the 
burrows, so the percentage of young-saiatac 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. 
The nest by actual count on Laysan Is. were 7722, or a total 
of over 15,000 birds. Count was made in Feb. when all eggs 
were laid. This species begins nesting by Dec. 15 and all 
eggs are laid by Jan, 15. Incubation period found to be 
31 days. This species has a very low death rate, and does 
not renest if the first is unsucessful. First young were noted 
Jan. 21 and soon became plentiful, 
... actually counted 12,231 prs. Laysan Is. (Dill had reported 
180,000 on Laysan Is., and three was nothing to indicate 
the birds had been disturbed since his visit in 1911). Mortality 
is rather high and est. that 50$ are lost, of 12,321 nests 
found on Laysan, 9201 were occupied and 3126 were d eserted. 
First young not#d Jan. 22. This species does not renest if 
first nesting is unsuccessful, 
Only(bird seen during winter^ was a dying bird on Dec. 2k. 
Began appearing March 10 when 3 were seen on Laysan. 
of remarks on other islands suggests that none were found 
breeding on Laysan). 
First seen on Laysan Is., Feb. 13, when, 2 were seen by Bailey 
had become abundant by March 11, when they were seen all over 
Island, At this tmme they were eourting and nest building. 
