DIOMEDEID^E. 261 



They all possess the ambiens muscle. 



The Albatrosses belong essentially to the southern hemisphere, but 

 out of ten or a dozen speeies, two belong to the North Pacific and 

 frequent the Japanese Seas. 



257. DIOMEDEA ALBATRUS. 



(iSTELLER'S ALBATROSS.) 



Diomedea albati'us^ Pallas, Spicilegia Zoologica, pt. v. p. 28 (1780). 



Steller's Albatross is a very large bird (wing from carpal joint 22 

 to 19 inches). The pale form is nearly white, with the wings, the 

 tail, most of the scapulars, and most of the wing-coverts brown. The 

 dark form is entirely brown both above and below. Bill, legs, and 

 feet pale. 



Figures : (light form) Temminck, Planches Coloriees, no. 554 ; 

 (both forms) Gould, Birds of Australia, vii. pi. 39 ; (dark form) 

 Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, pi. 66. 



Head of Diomedea albatrus. \ natural size. 



Steller's Albatross was discovered by the illustrious traveller whose 

 name it bears on the coast of Karatschatka, and was described by 



