AVIATORS 173 



adds to the joy of a sea-voyage as these children of 

 the wind and billows, who range in size from the 

 tiny petrels to the mighty albatross. This gigantic, 

 gull-like bird presents an interesting appearance, 

 with its "powerful body, short, thick neck, large 

 head, extraordinarily long, narrow wings, short, 

 forked tail, a very sharp trenchant beak . . . and 

 plumage very close and thick." Save for its black 

 pinions, it is entirely white, and the contrast gives 

 it a striking and dignified beauty. Its beak is car- 

 nation-red, with a yellow tip; its feet are reddish, 

 and its eyes are brown, surrounded by a rainbow of 

 green. From tip to tip of its wings an albatross 

 often measures ten feet. 



The albatross will follow a vessel on the ocean 

 for several days without once alighting on the 

 water. Its flight is indeed majestic. With out- 

 stretched wings it sails over the sea, now high, now 

 low, wheeling until its wings are at an angle with 

 the horizon, then suddenly descending until it all 

 but touches the water — it is the master aviator of 

 the world! At times it seems to float through the 

 air motionless, except for the quick glances of its 

 eyes and an occasional movement of its head. 



"Tranquil its spirit seemed and floated slow; 

 Even in its very motion there was rest." 



