Nov., x9o 4 ] THE CONDOR 55

youngster sitting in one of the bowl-like hollows which serve the albatrosses as nests. Two others, unoccupied, will be seen directly over the nestling's head. The young bird near the center, middle distance, also occupies a 'nest' and belongs to the two old birds standing near. Figure 4 is a corner in one of the colonies near a little brackish pond. The young bird in the foreground is practising its wings and is just beginning to stand upright. This picture was taken soon after the young had been fed, about ten in the morning. Both old and young rest at this time, and the adults frequently go to sleep with the bill and one eye hidden by the wing. Figure 5 demonstrates the remarkable indifference exhibited by the birds to human presence. The writer is making some small noise to attract the bird's at- tention. At the left two birds are about to commence a dance. Note the absolute fearlessness of the young as shown by their pose. It was near this spot that an old albatross came greatly interested in the bright aluminum top of my tripod, which it carefully examined from all sides. Finally it tested the cap with its beak, and appeared much surprised, yet pleased, with the jingling sound, repeating the experiment until satisfied. The gonies indulge in a curious dance, which probably originated during the courting season, but which now seems to be practised all through the year for the sake of amusement. That the habit is very old and deep-seated is proved by the fact that such widely different species as Diomedea ni,'ripes (Laysan) and D. irr- ala (Galapagos Is.) likewise indulge in the diversion. Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are successive steps in the perfornmnce. Two birds approach one another, bowing profoundly and stepping heavily. They swagger about each other nodding and courtesying solemnly, then suddenly begin to fence a little, crossing bills and