Husted, Dayle N., 1964
Page 24
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Husted, Dayle N. 1964 24 and a Bonin Island Petrel. I hope to be able to collect one of these birds. Warren is having a bad time with the blunderbuss, but I would too if the beast had about taken my finger off. The strap was taken off of the cannon, so that won't be any problem anymore. The rest of the day was quiet with not much being seen. While one was at the hydro there was a flock in front of us, but there was nothing that could be done about it. July 22--Today we had some very good luck and some rather bad luck. The sea was very calm which made shooting easy. Evidently Warren calmed down because he started hitting birds today. About 0805 this morning he shot a Dark-rumped Petrel and about 5 minutes later he got a White-necked Petrel. Next I shot a Dark-rumped Petrel. Then I got lucky on a long shot and got another. About 1440 this afternoon Warren got another one. About 1630 two Dark-rumped Petrel came by and I shot one and hit him in the wing. The bird started for the water so I shot again bringing him down. The bird fell into the sun, and I lost sight of him, but Paul Shiota who was the bow also, kept track of him. Johns made a half way attempt at a U turn, but didn't complete it and took off back south. The boys on the bridge shouted at him, but it didn't do any good. If Johns didn't want to alter course he could have told me and I wouldn't have shot anything. Warren went running up to the bridge to find out what was the matter, but got no explanation. These people just don't see the importance of getting a series of birds. This is not going to happen again, because I am going to check and see each time if they are going to allow the ship to alter course.