By permission of the Hon. Walter Rothschild] [Tring.
NESTING ALBATROSSES ON LAYSAN ISLAND.
This colony was of enormous size, and included thousands of birds.
For the wonderful photographs of the albatross at home we are indebted to the Hon. Walter Rothschild. They are from his book on the avifauna of Laysan Island, in the North Pacific. Unfortunately for the albatrosses and other birds, traders have been attracted to Laysan for the sake of the guano deposits. The birds were strictly protected during the occupation of Mr. Preece, but when he left they had no friend to shield them, and their eggs were taken in cart-loads, as the accompanying photograph shows.
Photo by D. Le Souef] [Melbourne.
WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSS ON EGG.
Professor Moseley describes the egg of the albatross as being held in a sort of pouch.
When an albatross makes love, Professor Moseley tells us, he stands "by the female on the nest, raises his wings, spreads his tail and elevates it, throws up his head with the bill in the air, or stretches it straight out forwards as far as he can, and then utters a curious cry.... Whilst uttering the cry the bird sways his neck up and down. The female responds with a similar note, and they bring the tips of their bills lovingly together. This sort of thing goes on for half an hour or so at a time."