18 - 
too far from our camp, but further up on the ridge, which evidently serves 
as a major rookery for the Hawaiian noddies, for at dusk this tree filled 
with several hundred of them. 
The tameness of these birds is amazing. I can walk among the nesting 
albatross and very few will fly. The ne sting birds all come alert immediately 
and follow my progress with much clacking of bills. But you have to come 
within inches of them before they actually strike. The bill clacking of some 
immediately wakens sleeping birds ne .rby and soon all birds in the area are 
alert to the fact that something strange is going on. If a bird decides 
to take off it becomes oblivious to things in its way. In the colony birds 
run over eggs, chicks and other birds indescriminately in their efforts to 
get aloff. And each time a nesting bird is disturbed by anything it responds 
by clacking its bill at the intruder. And this, as I mentioned, quickly sets 
off others near by. 
The behavior of these goonys is most interesting. The height of the 
mting seaBon is now past by many birds can still be seen engaging in 
portions of the mating dance. One bird may start the motions alone, or as 
many as four or five may be involved together. I have not yet followed a 
full sequence, but movements incl tide alternate lowering and raising of the 
head, stretching high on tip toes, placing the head under an outstretched 
wing, shaking the head from side to side, and clacking the bill vigorously. 
In addition the birds make a variety of sounds, whistles, groans and clattering 
while doing the dance 
