18 WATER BIRDS 
It has been nicknamed “ Gonie” by the fishermen, in 
supposed allusion to a peculiar croaking noise it makes 
when feeding. 
82. SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. — Diomedea albatrus. 
Famity: The Albatrosses. 
Length ; 33.00-37.00. 
Adults: White, merging to straw-yellow on head and neck; tail- 
feathers brownish, primaries having yellow shafts. 
Young: Uniform dark brownish gray, merging to blackish on head and 
neck ; shafts of primaries straw-yellow ; bill and feet light brown. 
Geographical Distribution: North Pacific ; in America from California 
to Alaska. 
Breeding Range: Islands of the Sandwich group and northward to 
Aleutian Islands. 
Nest : The bare ground. 
Eggs: 1; elliptical; white. Size 4.20 X 2.60. 
THE Short-tailed Albatross is found on the Pacific 
Ocean, following the whaling ships to feed on the refuse. 
Mr. Davie says: “It is easily caught with hook and line, 
and when taken on board is unable to rise from the deck, 
as it requires a long range of surface on which to flap its 
wings.” 
It is occasionally seen in the Bay of Monterey in 
December and January, following the whales that fre- 
quently come into the harbor, and it is remarkably fear- 
less. A young bird of this species shot by Mr. Loomis 
was very ferocious, screaming with rage, and trying to 
bite its wounded wing. When approached by the col- 
lector who had shot it, the bird turned its fury upon 
him. The Chinese fishermen regard these monarchs of 
the high seas with superstitious awe, feeding them and 
