WATER BIRDS. 233 
ments as might be thrown overboard. I have often 
amused myself by dropping bits of biscuit, and watch- 
ing the race that was made for them by our numerous 
followers; sometimes the powerful albatross would glide 
by on outstretched and motionless wings and snatch up 
the morsel; but oftener the little stormy petrel suc- 
ceeded in picking it up, though sometimes its right 
would be disputed by one of its more powerful neigh- 
bours. It seems to possess more discrimination too 
than some of the latter ; for though I have captured the 
albatross and some of the larger sea birds by the com- 
mon method of baiting a fish-hook with a bit of pork, I 
never succeeded in hooking a storm petrel, though they 
constantly followed in our wake. 
My task is done, and I lay down my pen with some 
regret, for I have in thought lived over many pleasant 
hours, and revisited scenes to which I am much attached. 
I only hope my readers have derived pleasure from my 
scanty notes, and that some may thereby be induced to 
undertake for their own localities, what I have very 
imperfectly attempted for Sherwood Forest. 
