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THE WANDEKING ALBATROSS. 



molluscs, which are found in abundance on the surface of the sea, es- 

 pecially on the floating masses of algse, and will for days keep pace 

 with a ship for the sake of picking up the refuse food thrown over- 

 board. Indeed, to throw the garbage of fish into the sea is a toler- 

 ably certain method of attracting these birds, who are sharp-sighted 

 and seldom fail to perceive anything eatable. The name of Petrel 

 is given to the bird on account of its powers of walking on the water, 

 as is related of St. Peter. 



This Petrel breeds on our northern coasts, laying a white egg in some 

 convenient recess, a rabbit-burrow being often employed for the purpose. 



The well-known Wandering Albatross is the largest of all the 

 species. 



This fine bird is possessed of wondrous powers of wing, sailing along 

 for days together without requiring rest, and hardly ever flapping its 



The Wandering Albatross {Diomedea exulans). 

 wings, merely swaying itself easily from side to side with extended 

 pinions. It is found in the southern seas, and is very familiar to all 

 those who have voyaged through that portion of the ocean. Like 

 the Petrel, it follows the ships for the sake of obtaining food, and so 

 voracious is the bird that it has been observed to dash at a piece 

 of blubber weighing between three and four pounds and to gulp it 

 down entire. 



