358 



HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



THE ALBATROSS. 



has a wide range upon the ocean, both within and 

 without the tropics. It has a large strong yellow bill, 

 terminated by a stout hook on the upper mandible; 

 the plumage is white, the back and wings marked with 

 black lines, and the feet a carnation red ; it has only 

 three toes, webbed. It is a very voracious bird, and 

 commits great depredations on the salmon, which are 

 found in shoals at the mouths of rivers in these coun- 

 tries ; and it is the greatest enemy of the flying-fish, 

 when forced to seek refuge in the air from the pursuit 

 of its destroyers in the sea ; nor are its ravages con- 

 fined to the finny tribes — it makes a prey likewise of 

 the smaller water-fowl, when it can contrive to surprise 

 them. In return, however, it finds powerful antago- 

 nists in the sea eagle, and the skua gull, especially 



