7 6 



RAPIDITY OF FLIGHT. 



midst of the Atlantic Ocean, with as much apparent ease as if 

 it had been seeking for mice amongst its native fields. To the 

 distant voyages of this bird we can indeed bear our testimony, 

 when sailing in the Mediterranean. At daylight a Brown Owl 

 was observed on the main-top-gallant yard, and' secured by an 

 active sailor ; for three or four days it was detained, but as it 

 appeared to pine it was again turned adrift. At first it seemed 

 bewildered, but after wheeling round the ship twice or thrice, 

 it steered, direct as an arrow from a bow, for the nearest land, 

 distant about eighty miles. 



We cannot, after this, be surprised to hear that certain sea- 

 faring birds are constantly found at a thousand miles, or often 



The Albatross. 



at greater distances, from land. Three of the most remarkable 

 of these wild wanderers are the Albatross, the Tropic-bird, and 



