17$ ALBATROSS. 



beneficial in medicine, generally take care to seize them 

 by surprise. 



-One species of these birds, known by the name of the 

 stormy petrel, from their appearance being deemed a 

 presage of bad weather, are almost continually at sea* 

 They are dispersed over the vast Atlantic Ocean, at the 

 greatest distance from land, often following vessels, in 

 expectation of picking up any thing that uay chance to 

 fall overboard. 



THE ALBATROSS. 



This bird is one of the largest and most formidable of 

 all the tribes of aquatic fowl. It abounds in the Southern 

 Ocean, particularly about the Cape of Good Hope and 

 Cape Horn. The body is large ; and the wings, when ex- 

 tended, measure ten feet from tip to tip. The bill, which 

 is six inches long, is yellowish, and terminates in a 

 crooked point. The top of the head is of a bright brown, 

 the back is darker, and the belly is white. 



Such are the leading features in the figure of the alba- 

 tross ; but these alone would give us a very inadequate idea 

 of its history. It preys when on the wing, and devours 

 not only a large quantity of fish, but also such water-fowl 

 as it is able to take by surprise. In our northern seas> 

 indeed, a dreary expanse, alone ruffled by winds, and 

 seemingly abandoned by every class of animated nature, 

 presents itself; but in the tropical seas, and in the southern 

 latitudes, the scene is enlivened by fishes and birds, 

 alternately pursuing and pursued. Every different species 

 of the gull kind is there seen hovering on the wing, at an 

 immense distance from the shore. The flying-fish is con>- 

 tinually rising to elude its enemies of the deep ; but, in 

 escaping one danger, it frequently falls into another. 

 Just as it rises, the dolphin is seen to dart after it, though 

 generally in vain ; but the gull is often successful ; while 

 the albatross, pursuing the gull, compels it to relinquish 

 or disgorge its prey. Thus the whole horizon presents 



