ALBATROSS. 



339 



when their feathered enemies compel them to disgorge, and at such 

 times they are rendered so listless and inactive by gluttony, as to 

 allow of being taken by hand. Their voice is said to be harsh, 

 though not remarkably loud, resembling somewhat the honk of a 

 goose but deeper.* They build, with clay and sedge, a rounded nest 

 two or three feet high ; and the eggs are large and several. The 

 flesh is hard and unsavory : but the eggs are eatable. 



These largest of web-footed birds are spread throughout both hemi- 

 spheres, but are especially conunon in the high latitudes of the 

 southern. The genus contains but 4 well ascertained species, only 

 one of which visits the Atlantic. They are much allied to the larger 

 species of Gull. 



* Dr. Mc Murtrie, in a note in liis translation of Cuvier^s B-egne Ammal. 



