372 Retrospective Criticism, 



To some of your readers it may be gratifying to learn that 

 Mr. Audubon is now on the coast of Labrador, observing the 

 nidification and habits of the winged inhabitants of those 

 northern regions. He has, I believe, made some important 

 discoveries. In a letter 1 received last week from New York, 

 I am informed that he intends to return to England in Oc- 

 tober. 



It is with much reluctance that I have undertaken to write 

 upon a subject foreign to my own pursuits. Indeed, the fate 

 of some of your correspondents ought to be a general warn- 

 ing to all. It is much safer to put the foot into a hornet's 

 nest, than provoke a swarm of naturalists. I could not, 

 however, see what appeared to me great injustice done to a 

 highly meritorious character, without endeavouring to repel 

 it. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — R. B. Hampstead, June 10. 

 1833. 



The Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans L., p. 148.) — 

 " Had this albatross been a sea-gull, the above [lines by 

 Coleridge, p. 147, 148.] might have been fact as well as 

 fancy ; " and not less so, it may be remarked, if it be pre- 

 sumed that Coleridge actually speaks of the albatross itself. 

 This bird is one of theZaridae, or gull tribe; and, as our cor- 

 respondent Mr. Main has in person remarked to us, " every 

 voyager round the Cape of Good Hope may have observed 

 it to 'follow' and ' fly round' the passing vessel from day 

 to day." He added, " This large bird seems to subsist on 

 any animal matter which floats on the water. In their fol- 

 lowing of ships, they are easily caught by a strong hook 

 baited with a bit of pork or beef. Their body appears 

 emaciated, being small in proportion to the size of their 

 plumage; as the wings, when extended, measure 9 or 10 ft. 

 from tip to tip. They appear to be very stupid birds, 

 perhaps from being broken-hearted from the paucity of food 

 they meet with 800 miles from the nearest land." 



Dr. Arnott, as quoted by Mr. Rennie, remarks, " How 

 powerful must be the wing muscles of birds which sustain 

 themselves in the sky for many hours ! The great albatross, 

 with wings extended 14 ft. or more, is seen, in the stormy 

 solitudes of the Southern Ocean, accompanying ships for 

 whole days, without ever resting on the waves." 



Mr. Main, whom apprehension of exceeding the truth 

 always leads to speak within bounds, gives above the spread 

 of the wings at " 9 or 10 ft.;" Dr. Arnott, as appears by 

 Mr. Rennie's quotation, at "14ft. or more;" while the 

 specimen in the Zoological Society's Museum, in Bruton 

 Street, and we have seen this specimen, is set down in the 



