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SKETCHES OF A VOYAGE 



lemots, (Uria) were tumbling and rolling along on the surface, half swim- 

 ming, half flying, and looking almost precisely like large eggs as they 

 sported across our bows. From this resemblance, which is very stri- 

 king, they have universally, among the sailors, obtained the name of 

 "• Egg Birds. " Large Cormorants, (Phalacrocorax) of several species, 

 were very abundant, as were also various kinds of Petrels^ (Procella- 

 ria) and Mother Carey's Chickens^ (Thalassidroma.) The last named 

 birds are so called by the sailors from the superstition too well known 

 to be repeated here. In connexion with this superstition, Jack has also 

 the credit of believing, not only that the appearance of this pretty and 

 harmless bird is always indicative of the near approach of a storm, but 

 that if any one has the temerity to catch and kill one, the vessel in 

 which he sails will surely be overtaken by a tempest and destroyed. — 

 This slander has been circulated almost as extensively as the name of 

 the bird is known. That it is a slander, I am perfectly well convinced, 

 from having mingled much with sailors at sea, and conversed freely with 

 them. As a class, it is admitted they are superstitious, though much 

 less so than formerly ; witness the sailing of numerous ships on Friday, 

 a departure from nautical rules which would not have been tolerated a 

 few years since. From this, and other highly favorable changes which 

 have taken place in the feelings and conduct of this class of men, 1 trust 

 soon to hear of their being, in a great measure, disenthralled from the 

 general odium which has so long attached to them, occasioned doubtless 

 by their own obstinacy in following in the steps of their progenitors. — 

 I have never seen an exhibition of the superstition alluded to above, 

 but on the contrary have frequently been aided by sailors in catching 

 "Mother Carey's Chickens." 



As we approached the line, we were gratified by seeing considerable 

 numbers of the beautiful Tropic Bird, (Pha:ton ethnius.) I had been 

 long familiar with this elegant bird from the dried specimens in our Mu- 

 seums, but until I saw it living and sporting in the air, I had no idea of 

 its exquisite grace and symmetry. It is about the size of a Pheasant, 

 ( Tetrao umbellus,) of a pure silvery white all over, the breast and belly 

 strongly tinged with rose-color. It is remarkable for having two cen- 

 tral tail-feathers of a brilliant crimson, and about twice the length of the 

 whole body. I procured several specimens, but unfortunately lost more 

 than I obtained, from their falling into the sea after being shot flying 

 over the ship. The native boys of the Sandwich and Society Islands 

 adopt a singular mode of obtaining the long lanceolate tail-feathers, 

 which are sometimes used as head ornaments by the natives, and arc 

 also sold in bundles as curiosities to strangers. The bitd.s, at certain 



