THE ALBATROSS. 373 



ready assembled on the poop of the vessel to 

 receive the stranger ; where, on its arrival, it 

 remains the patient, stupid-looking subject of a 

 hundred passing remarks : the ladies give their 

 due share of praise to its large bright eyes, fine 

 sleek and clean plumage ; the expansion of 

 wings is duly measured, the bird, during the 

 time remaining sitting in a quiet manner, ap- 

 pearing very sulky, and apparently unmindful 

 of all around, until a few practical jokes keep 

 its bright eyes on the alert against all per- 

 sonal attacks. After having been admired and 

 pitied (as much as its situation may be con- 

 sidered to require) by the fair sex, and having 

 satisfied the curiosity of both sexes, it is con 

 signed either to the anatomist to be dissected 

 and stuffed for the benefit of science, or to form 

 a skeleton to grace some of the museums in 

 England ; or sometimes regains its liberty, with 

 a piece of ribbon tied around the neck, by which 

 it may be readily recognised should it continue 

 to follow the ship, which it usually does for a 

 long time after. Sometimes the passengers on 



sound, and that which sometimes proceeds from them is a 

 raucous but not a loud sound. None of the oceanic birds 

 seem to have a very loud note, that of the tropic bird seems 

 the most shrill ; the Storm Petrel, or " Mother Carey's 

 chicken,'' has a pleasing twittering note. 



