14 OCEAN BIRDS. 



Fig. 7 represents the Sooty Albatross {Diomcdca fidiginosa), commonly called at sea 

 the " Stmkpot" — a name which, with all respect be it spoken, might be applied to the 

 whole class. This Albatross differs in appearance from all its tribe, and no one would 

 imagine that it is of the same family as the grand-looking birds described above. It is 

 of much slimmer build, and it is doubtless from this fact that the late Mr. Gould said, 

 "the unrivalled flight of this Albatross carries off the palm from all competitors." Its 

 plumage is sooty-black all over ; eyes golden, and jet-black beak and feet. Its great object 

 at sea appears to be to study minutely the trucks of the masts, especially if vanes are 

 carried, round which it sails in the most marvellous manner, keeping beautifully even 

 pace with the vessel the while. This over-curiosity on its part is tempting to passengers 

 anxious to try the merits of their newly-bought fire-arms. This, however, as might be 

 imagined, would be likely to lead to serious consequences to the rigging ; so in the ship 

 on which the specimen was shot from which Fig. 7 was drawn, only rifles were allowed, 

 and that at stated times, whilst only one person was permitted to fire at a time. The 

 birds themselves took absolutely no notice of the proceedings unless hard hit, and it is 

 a curious fact that no amount of noise or close whirr of bullets appears to have the 

 slightest effect on an Albatross. I shot this particular bird in lat. 40" 05' S., long. 

 3° 11' W., and a more unpleasant job than the skinning of it cannot well be imagined. 

 With respect to this bird, Moseley says: — "The Sooty Albatross (D. fidifiinoaa), called 

 'Prew' or 'Pro' by the sealers, breeds on Marion Island, and does not appear to nest 

 low down like other species." Mr. Gould notes its first appearance in July, in one of his 

 voyages, in lat. 31" S. 



The eighth species of Albatross I have dealt with at the end of this Chapter ; and 

 as I have never seen the bird there is no illustration given. 



The generic characters of the foregoing, as given by Gould, in his magnificent work 

 'The Birds of Australia,' will greatly assist the seafarer to determine the different species. 

 The description of Diomedea iirorata was given me by Mr. Salvin, who possesses the only 

 specimen in this country : — 



1. The Wandering Albatross (Diomrdm exidans). — "Varies much in colour at different 

 ages ; very old birds are entirely white, with the exception of the pinions, which are 

 black; and they are to be met with in every stage from pure white, white freckled and 

 barred with dark brown, to dark chocolate-brown approaching to black, the latter colouring 

 being always accompanied by a white face, which in some specimens is washed with buff; 

 beneath the true feathers they are abundantly supplied with a fine white down ; the bill 

 is delicate pinky white, inclining to yellow at the tip ; irides very dark brown ; eyelash 

 bare, fleshy, and of a pale green ; legs, feet and webs pinky white. The young are 



