248 THE ALBATROSS. 



It is a pleasing relief to the eye, when sailing 

 over the landless oceans frequented by the Albatross, 

 and where, except now and then a passing sea-bird, 

 nothing meets the sight but a tract of boundless 

 water, to observe this superb bird sailing in the air, 

 in graceful and elegant movements, seemingly under 

 the influence of an invisible power ; for, when once 

 elevated in the air, there is scarcely any visible 

 movement of its wide wings. Rising as if some 

 concealed power guided its various motions, with- 

 out any muscular exertion of its own, and then 

 descending, it sweeps the air close to the stern of 

 the vessel, with an independence of manner, as if it 

 were monarch of all it surveyed. 



It has been remarked by an observer, who has 

 given the best account of these birds*, that they 

 could lower themselves even to the water's edge, and 

 then again rise without any apparent impulse. 

 Whether with or against the wind, seems to be a 

 matter of indifference to them. No tempest troubles 

 the Albatross, for he may be seen, with equal vigour, 

 sportively wheeling in the blast and carousing in 

 the hurricane. Of this noble bird it may indeed be 

 literally said, 



His march is o'er the mountain wave, 

 His home is on the deep. 



In the gale he will sweep, occasionally, the rising 

 billows, and seem to delight in the spray bursting 

 over him. Tired, in truth, they rarely are ; but 

 should they be, though never seen to swim, they 

 can, in consequence of their feet being webbed and 



* Bennet's Wanderings in New South Wales. 



