THE ALBATROSS. 47 



out any apparent muscular exertion. How then, 

 it may be asked, do these birds execute such 

 movements ? The whole surface of the body in 

 this, as well as, I believe, most, if not all, the 

 oceanic tribes, is covered by numerous air-cells, 

 capable of a voluntary inflation or diminution, by 

 means of a beautiful muscular apparatus. By 

 this power, the birds can raise or depress them- 

 selves at will, and the tail, and great length 

 of the wing, enable them to steer in any 

 direction. Indeed, without some provision of 

 this kind, to save muscular exertion, it would 

 be impossible for these birds to undergo such 

 long flights without repose, as they have been 

 known to do ; for the muscles appertaining to 

 the organs of flight, although large in these 

 birds, are evidently inadequate in power to the 

 long distances they have been known to fly, 

 and the immense length- of time they remain on 

 the wing, without scarcely a moment's cessa- 

 tion. 



When several species of the albatross, as well 

 as petrels and other oceanic birds, are about the 

 ship at the same time, no combats have been seen 

 to take place between them ; but on the death of 

 one, the others soon fall upon and devour it. 

 When one of this tribe of birds is captured and 

 brought upon the deck, it appears to be a very 



