MAN-OF-WAR BIRD. 



205 



which they skim along the hollows of the waves, and 

 sometimes over their summits, is very remarkable. Dur- 

 ing the day-time they are generally silent, but in the 

 night they utter an almost unceasing and piercing note. 

 About the month of June they retire to the sequestered 

 parts of the sea-coast, for the purpose of breeding and 

 rearing their young. They feed chiefly on the smaller 

 kinds of fish. 



Their plumage is entirely black, except the rump, 

 which is white, and the three outer tail-feathers, which 

 are whitish at the base. The general length of these 

 birds is about six inches. 



45. ALBATROSS TRIBE. 



The Albatrosses are birds of large size and great vora- 

 city. They subsist on fish and other marine animals, and 

 are chiefly found in the seas of hot climates. There are 

 only four known species. 



Man-of-war Bird, or Wandering Albatross. This is 

 one of the largest, most ferocious, and formidable of all 

 the aquatic tribes, not only preying on fish, but also on 

 water-fowl. In seizing their prey they are said always to 

 do it like the gulls, whilst on wing. These birds float in 

 the air with great ease, and are able to support themselves 

 for a great length of time in that element. They seldom 

 approach the land, except for the purpose of forming their 

 nests, and hatching and rearing their offspring. The nests 

 are formed of earth, upon the ground, and are from one 

 to three feet in height. The eggs are remarkable from 

 the circumstance of the white not coagulating with heat, 

 like the eggs of other birds. The voice of the Albatross 

 is said nearly to resemble that of an ass. 



