NATATORES. 427 



Genus DIOMEDEA, Linnceus. 



This genus, as restricted, coraprises the largest of the 

 oceanic birds. The two or three species known of this form 

 frequent the seas on both sides of the equator. 



Sp. 617. DIOMEDEA EXULANS, Zinn. 



Wandering Albatros. 



Diomedea exulans, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i, p. 214. 

 Plautus albatrus, Klein, Aves, p. 148, no. 13. 

 Alhatrus, Briss. Orn., torn. vi. p. 126. 

 Man-of-War Bird, Albin, vol. iii. p. 34, pi. 81, head. 

 Wandering Albatros, Edw. Glean., pi. 88. 



Diomedea exulans, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. vii. pi. 38. 



It is a very prevalent idea that a lengthened voyage at sea 

 must be attended with much monotony and ennui; such 

 however is not the case, as from experience I can testify that 

 the mind may be so far occupied in observing the hundreds 

 of novelties which are constantly presenting themselves to its 

 notice, that a voyage, however extensive, is neither tedious 

 nor uninstructive, and I shall always look back with feelings 

 of pleasure to that in the course of which I made the circuit 

 of the globe. It was then that I first had an opportunity of 

 observing in a state of nature the noble bird known as 

 Diomedea exulans, by far the largest and most powerful 

 species of its tribe, and which, from its great strength and 

 ferocious disposition, is held in terror by every other bird 

 with which it is surrounded. So sanguinary in fact is it, 

 that it is even said it will attack and tear out the eyes of a 

 drowning man, a feat, from what I have observed of it, I can 

 readily imagine it would attempt, if a human being should 

 unhappily be placed in such a position, and be unable to 

 defend himself. The Wandering Albatros is most abundant 

 between the 30th and 60th degrees of south latitude, and 



