122 THE ALBATROSS. 



posel" We might here, with propriety, add — ThU wamtt 

 canfirmcUion. 



THE WANDERING ALBATROSS. {Diomedea 

 exulans.) 



This bird is found in the Atlantic Ocean, from Southern 

 Africa to the American coast, as well as in the Pacific. 

 There are three species of the genus, viz : the Albatross of 

 China; the Yellow and Black-beaked Albatross, and the 

 Common or Wandering Albatross. 



The Common Albatross is the species which is most fre- 

 quently met with in the seas of Southern Africa. It is the 

 argest sea-bird known. On account of its size and colour 

 it is often called the Sheep of the Cape, — ^a name under . 

 which it is found in several voyages. The top of the head 

 is a ruddy gray ; the rest of the plumage is white, with the 

 exception of several transverse black bands on the back, and 

 a few of the wing-feathers. The feet and membrane are of 

 a deep flesh-colour the bill a pale yellow. 



The weight of this bird has been variously stated, at from 

 twelve to twenty-eight pounds; and a similar difference 

 appears to exist in authors, with respect to the distance 

 between the extremity of the extended wings. Forster sayi 

 fcbout ten feet, — Parkins, eleven feet seven inches,— -Cook, 

 •leyen feet; another says twelve feet; a specimen in th* 



