BIRDS OF THE OPEN SEA ays 
as nearly every capture is seized by the rapacious Jaegers 
as soon as raised from the water. Like most  bul- 
lies, the Jaeger never bothers a gull of its own size, 
but chooses its victim from the smaller varieties. 
In the northern regions it destroys eggs and nests of 
other water-fowl, rarely fishing for itself, but living 
by thievery. 
81. BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS. — Diomedea 
nL g ru pes. 
Famity: The Albatrosses. 
Length: 28.50-36.00. 
Adults: Upper parts dark brownish gray ; under parts uniform grayish ; 
tail-coverts and anterior portions of head white ; bill dusky brown ; 
feet black. 
Young: Similar, but upper tail-coverts dark gray, and little or no white 
on head. 
Geographical Distribution: North Pacific, including west coast of North 
America. . 
Breeding Range: Islands of the Pacific near the equator. 
Nest : A depression in the guano, lined or edged with a little seaweed. 
Eggs: 1; white. 
Very little is known of the nesting habits of this 
rover of the high seas. I have been able to find only 
one record of any nest discovered or any egg taken. 
It is said to breed on the islands in the middle of the 
Pacific Ocean toward the equator, in January and Feb- 
ruary. Its cries are said to resemble cat-calls and to 
have a particularly doleful sound heard in the roar of a 
tempest. Of untiring flight, it visits the land only to 
nest, and is seldom seen near the coast, preferring the 
free, bold life on the open sea. 
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