362 FLIGHT OF THE ALBATROSS. 



comparatively small numbers of albatross now to be 

 seen in the southern seas, near the Australian and 

 Tasmanian coasts. 



It is however still common, in the wide stretch of 

 waters extending from New Zealand to Tasmania, and 

 indeed all over the South Pacific, to see eight or ten of 

 them constantly sweeping in wide circles around the 

 ship. When we crossed these seas the season had been 

 one of an almost constant succession of heavy gales, 

 which blew fiercely without intermission for days 

 together; we therefore had every opportunity of 

 observing- their movements during storms at sea and 

 our distinct impression (recorded in notes taken at the 

 time) was that as if conscious of their power, alba- 

 trosses seem very much bolder, and less shy, in storms 

 than during fine weather. We have often passed a 

 considerable time watching them wheeling with motion- 

 less wings for many minutes together close behind 

 and alongside of the ship. The flight of the albatross 

 at such times represents the perfection of ease and 

 grace; they seem to sail along without an effort, 

 sometimes almost touching the crests of the \vaves, 

 descending into the trough of the seas, and out again, 

 with inimitable skill: the next instant sees them per- 

 haps darting away like an arrow from a bow, and 

 soaring to considerable heights above the tempestuous 

 waters : all this being apparently done without a single 

 motion of the wings. 



In heavy gales also, we observed them frequently 

 to alight on the sea, close to the ship, as if in quest 

 of food; as in a high rolling sea they have no diffi- 

 culty in rising from the water, as they run up the 

 last foot or two at the crest of a big wave, and sail 



