STUDYING BIRO LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 293, 11 December 1925, Page 8

STUDYING BIRO LIFE.

THE WHITNEY EXPEDITION.

YACHT FSAKeE ARRIVED. PUTS IN FOR OVERHAUL. A small white-painted motor yacht arrived at Auckland this afternoon, and dropped anchor to the east of the King's wharf. The vessel was not expected at ■Auckland, for a time, and some doubt existed as to her identity. Later, however, it was ascertained that |he was the yacht Trance, which is making a cruise of the Pacific Islands in the interests of the Whitney Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History.

As the little vessel had not been passed by the port doctor at the time the "Star" went to press, it was impossible to give any details of her cruise.

From information, supplied by the master, Captain E. A. Stenbeek, however, it is learned that the France, having on board the members of the expedition, left Suva on October 26. Since that date she has been cruising the waters between Fiji and New Zealand, the expedition studying the bird life of those parts. Captain Stenbeek is well known at Auckland, having been in charge of a number of vessels trading out of this port. Mr. R, H. Beck, who is in charge of the expedition, has spent several year? in the study of oceanic birds, and wher cruising within 200 miles of the-New Zealand coast "encountered five specie* of shearwaters, which he had previously become acquainted with on the American coast. Shearwaters are more familiarly known in Auckland ac mutton birds. Mr. Beck is particularly interested in visiting the home localities of gome of the birds that he has 00l lected on the Californian coast. Mr. am , Mrs. J. G. Correia, who are assisting th. work of the expedition, came to Auckland Mast month for a vacation, having spent two years on. several of the Soutl Pacific Archipelagos.

The France, which ia only a small two-masted saileF, is fitted with auxili ary engines, and has proved herself i fine little sea boat. She is to refit a 1 this port and will probably remain a< Auckland for several weeks, From thif port she will cruise further south and will later return to warmer latitude: to continue the study of the island bin life in the tropics.