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NATURAL HISTORY. 



DIOMEDEA. (Proper name.) 



Exulans (Lai:, banished), the Wandering Albatros. 



The WANDERING ALBATROS, the largest of the genus, is a 

 well-known bird in the southern seas, following ships for many 

 miles in hopes of obtaining the refuse thrown overboard. So 

 voracious is the Albatros, that it will swallow entire a fish of 

 four or five pounds weight. The flight of this bird is peculiar- 

 ly majestic. Its extreme length of wing prevents it from rising 

 at once from the ground, but when once launched into the air, 

 it seems to float and direct its course without effort. Gould in 

 describing the flight of this bird says : 



" The powers of flight of the Wandering Albatros are much 

 greater than those of any other bird that has come under my 

 observation. Although during calm or moderate weather it 

 sometimes rests on the surface of the water, it is almost 

 constantly on the wing, and is equally at ease while passing 

 over the glassy surface during the stillest calm, or sweeping 

 with arrow-like swiftness. before the most furious gale; and 

 the way in which it just tops the raging billows, and sweeps 

 between the gulfy waves, has a hundred times called forth 

 my wonder and admiration. Although a vessel running 



