central triangle, a small portion of which extends beyond the 750~ 
foot limit, was included. This triangle was the site of the previous 
season's experimental kill (Kenyon, et al. 1958). The killing area 
comprised part of zone 7, and all of zones 8 and 9, as delimited by 
the Midway Islands Naval Station (see figure 2). This area was 
selected because it is adjacent to the portion of the runway where 
the greatest frequency of strikes occurs (see Albatross Problem in 
Aircraft Operations -- Location of Strikes in Relation to Terrain 
and Wind Direction). 
Only Laysan albatrosses were killed, except in the central 
triangle area (zone 8) where both species were eliminated; in zone 8 
birds from a small black-foot colony flew to and from the beach at a 
critical point in plane takeoff action. Black-footed albatrosses were 
spared because, in view of their negligible contribution to the air- 
craft hazard, and of the experimental nature of the program, it was 
not deemed justifiable to further reduce their low and perhaps de- 
creasing population. Only adult birds were killed; eggs (and the 
few chicks which hatched) were not destroyed.* 
The albatross elimination program was started on 15 January 
1958, and was discontinued on 7 March 1958, after having been in 
operation for 7% weeks, or 38 working days. It was carried out in 
accordance with plans agreed upon by the Commanding Officer of the 
Midway Islands Naval Station, his staff, a representative of the 
Bureau of Aeronautics, and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife 
biologists. 
The entire program was carried out under the technical super- 
vision of the biologists, who personally gathered and recorded all 
pertinent data. The killing was done by a crew of 15 enlisted men, 
permanently assigned to the project, who were under the direction of 
a chief petty officer. Killing was done with heavy wooden clubs, the 
birds being dispatched instantly by a strong blow at the base of the 
skull. 
During the first 6 weeks, the killing was carried on during 
daylight hours (0800-1600). On the night of 11 February, an experi- 
mental night kill was conducted. This was so successful that the 
crew was placed on a night schedule (0100-0930) during the last 2 
weeks (25 Feb.-7 Mar.) to facilitate the killing of unemployed birds, 
many of which successfully eluded the killing crew during the day. 
* Many of the orphaned chicks were "rescued" by members of the 
killing crew and taken to other parts of the island, where they 
were given to breeding pairs which had lost their own egg or chick; 
at this age, chicks are readily accepted by foster parents. 
26 
