46 THE ALBATROSS. 



are capable of flying, seems almost incredible, 

 although often ascertained by birds having 

 been caught, marked, and again set at liberty. 

 When seizing an object floating on the water, 

 they gradually descend with expanded or up- 

 raised wings, or sometimes alight, and float 

 like a duck on the water, while devouring 

 their food ; then, elevating themselves, they 

 skim the surface of the ocean with expanded 

 wings, giving frequent impulses, (as the great 

 length of their wings prevents their rising 

 with facility from a level surface,) as they 

 run along for some distance, until they again 

 soar in mid-air, and recommence their erratic 

 flights. It is interesting to view them during 

 boisterous weather, flying with, and even 

 against, the wind, seeming the " gayest of the 

 gay" in the midst of howling winds and foaming 

 waves. 



To watch the flight of these birds used to 

 aff'ord me much amusement ; — commencing with 

 the difficulty experienced by them in elevat- 

 ing themselves from the water. To eff'ect this 

 object, they spread their long pinions to the ut- 

 most, giving them repeated impulses as they run 

 along the surface of the water for some distance. 

 Having, by these exertions, raised themselves 

 above the wave, they ascend and descend, and 

 cleave the atmosphere in various directions, with- 



