60 BIRD LIFE IN AMERICA. 



to tlie northern coasts of both countries. Many pay a 

 visit to our OAvn islands towards the close of the year ; 

 remain during the winter months ; and with the first warm 

 rays of spring betake themselves to the rivers, creeks, and 

 channels of higher latitudes. The sea-birds on the North 

 Pacific and Behring Strait are nearly all identical with, 

 or are closely allied to, those which inhabit the waters 

 of Greenland and the North Atlantic. The large white 

 albatross looms through the mists of the Pacific like a rest- 

 less spirit. A true child of the storm, it seems to find a 

 pleasure in the most terrific gales ; tranquilly spreading 

 forth its ample wings, and sailing onward for a whole day 

 without resting its bosom on the surging billows. 



To America as well as to Europe belong several species 

 of eagles and of other birds of prey, and many of the web- 

 footed birds and waders inhabit both continents. It must 

 not be supposed, however, that the North American birds 

 generally resemble those of Europe. As the scenery and 

 climatic conditions differ, so do the birds. There are no 

 humming-birds in Europe, but six species inhabit North 

 America. Europe has not a single representative of the 

 parrot tribe, while America can at least boast of its Caro- 

 lina parrot and its brilliant macaws. The forests are 

 haunted by a complete world of woodpeckers, and their 

 restless tap is to be heard in whatever direction the 

 traveller explores the wooded glades. Pigeons are innum- 

 erable ; the passenger pigeon sweeps over the Northern 

 States in clouds which darken the sky for day after day 

 twice a year. The turkey runs wild in America, and from 

 thence was imported to adorn our European poultry-yards. 



