THE ALBATROSS. 247 



may kill them at what distance of time they please, 

 according as occasions present themselves, they being 

 accounted a good dish at the most plentifull tables. 



" But they commonly appoint three days of driving 

 them, within fourteen days, or thereabout, of the 

 second or third of June; which, while they are 

 doing, some have observed a certain old one that 

 seems to be somewhat more concerned than the 

 rest, being clamorous, and striking down upon the 

 very heads of the men, which has given ground of 

 suspicion that they have some government amongst 

 them, and that this is their prince, that is so much 

 concerned for its subjects. 



" And 'tis further observed, that when there is 

 great plenty of them, the Lent corn of the country 

 is so much the better, and so the cow pastures too, 

 by reason they pick up all the worms, and the fern 

 flyes, which though bred in the fern, yet nip and 

 feed on the young corn and grass and hinder their 

 growth." 



We come next to the largest sea-bird that flies, 

 the "Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans), of 

 which we have already partially spoken ; but large 

 as they are to the eye, they are not so in reality, for 

 so abundantly covered are they with feathers, that 

 when plucked, they appear not above half their ori- 

 ginal size, and, when cleaned, their weight is com- 

 paratively trifling. With this light body, and an 

 immense spread of wing, our surprise is lessened at 

 their being able to venture so far from land ; Captain 

 King* having met with them almost a thousand 

 miles from the nearest shore. 



* King's A ustralia, vol. ii. 



