42 



Flight of Sea Birds. 



There is a motive power possessed by some sea birds which 

 I have never heard fully explained and it is to me a mystery. 

 Take for instance the Albatross the largestof the sea birds. They 

 are of considerable size weighing some 20 lbs. or more, and 

 measuring 15- or 16 feet between the tips of the wings. These 

 birds seldom settle on the water unless during a calm or when 

 they ahght for food. They appear to be capable of propelling 

 themselves in any direction either with the wind, (which is 

 simple enough) or against it and without the slightest percept- 

 ible movement of the wings, and they can go even against a 

 brisk gale without any apparent effort. They have a slight cant 

 to one side or the other according to the direction in which they 

 wish to go, but I have never been able to discern the slightest 

 movement of the wings or tail, I have watched them frequently 

 through my binoculars when only a few feet distant and under 

 most favourable times of observation, but I have failed to detect 

 any propelling power to force them against the wind. In calm 

 weather they may give an occasional flap or two of the wings 

 and go on again as happy as ever. I have never heard anything 

 advanced as to how their propelling power is obtained. The 

 bones are all pneumatic and large, and cavities are situtated 

 between the muscles and in the body. 1 may say that every portion 

 of the bird floats in water, bones and all. They have a noble and 

 handsome appearance both when on the wing and on the water. 

 A peculiar feature of these birds as well as of many sea fowl is 

 that when first caught on board ship they vomit a quantity of 

 clear oil of a very fishy smell. I have often wondered is this oil 

 carried by the bird as a store of food when that is scarce; there 

 is an impression that the Albatross will attack a person in the 

 water, I believe they are far too nervous to do so, but will alight 

 close to a man who may have fallen overboard, but at no time 

 have I seen them attempt to attack him. 



Do Fish Sleep ? 



I certainly believe they do, especially the Whale Species, 

 for I have frequently seen them like a log in the water when 

 they would not move unless disturbed. I once ran down a whale 

 between Ceylon and Aden, we were at dinner about 6.30 p.m. 

 when I heard the engine room telegraph bell ring and the 

 engines suddenly stop ; there was a feeling immediately 

 afterwards as if the ship had struck something. It was 

 a case of all hands hurrying on deck when the officer 

 of the watch pointed out a huge whale a short distance off and 



