ORDER OF TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS 



lLSti«V' 



Order Titbiiiaics 



W W OSTRILS opening through tubes are the distinguishing characteristic of this 

 group of birds. Not only is the order cosmopoHtan in distribution, but many 

 of the species are found throughout the world. Two families — the Albatrosses 

 and the Fulmars, Shearwaters, and Petrels — represent the order in North 

 America. In the first of these families the tubes enclosing the nostrils are 

 separated and placed one on either side of the bill ; in the other the tubes are 

 connected and are on top of the bill. 



An unusual range in size is e.\hibited by the Tube-nosed Swimmers: the 

 Storm Petrel is the smallest of the natatorial birds, while the Giant Albatross 

 is unsurpassed in wing expanse in the entire bird kingdom. They are unequaled 

 in the power of flight. As a rule they keep far off shore, only visiting land 

 for the purpose of reproduction. They live practically in the air, flying low over the water 

 and snatching their food of marine life and oily matter from the surface of the sea. So far 

 as is known, but one egg is laid each season; some species nest in a burrow, but others lay 

 the egg on the ground. The young are covered with down when hatched, generally of a 

 sooty or gray color, but are helpless and in need of the parents' care for some time. 



Birds of this order have no bright markings in their plumage and are usually gray, or 

 black, and white. There are no sexual variations in coloration and the seasonal differences, 

 if any, are undetermined. The plumage is very compact and oily. The wings are long, 

 narrow, and pointed, and the tail rather short. The bill is hooked and enlarged at the 

 tip, the upper mandible being longer than the lower and curved downward. The covering 

 of the bill is in several horny plates, showing seams between. The three front toes are 

 webbed and the hind toe, when present, is small and elevated. 



ALBATROSSES 



Order Tnbitiarcs; family Diomcdcidar 



EW birds make a stronger appeal to the imagination than do the Albatrosses, 

 with their complete masten.' of an art which has been a profound mystery to 

 man until very recent years, and in which he can never hope to be more than 

 a clumsy tyro in comparison with these great conquerors of the air. Much 

 mystery has been made of the evident ease with which these great birds follow 

 a rapidly moving ship for hours or even days at a time, with seldom or never 

 an apparent movement of their wings. But an Albatross is not a supernatural 

 creature and therefore cannot defy the laws of physics. Hence it is obvious 

 that the bird must move as the result of the action of some motive force — 

 either the pressure of the wind on its wings or the movement of the wings 

 themselves. On this interesting subject we have a pretty definitely expressed 

 opinion from a trained naturalist, the late Henry N. Aloseley, one of the party of scientists 

 who circumnavigated the globe in the Challenger expedition of 1S72-1876. 



" I believe," wrote Moseley, " that Albatrosses move their wings much oftener than 

 is suspected. They often have the appearance of soaring for long periods after a ship with- 

 out flapping their wings at all, but if thev be verv closelv watched, ver\- short but extremely 



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