250 THE ALBATROSS. 



war, off the island of St. Paul's, in the Southern 

 Indian Ocean, was immediately perceived by two or 

 three Albatrosses ; the boat was lowered with all 

 speed, but nothing was found excepting his hat, 

 pierced through and through with the violent stroke 

 of their beaks, the first of which had, most probably, 

 penetrated the skull and caused instant death. 



These birds are found round the whole circle of 

 the globe in the Southern Seas, retiring to breed in 

 the most desolate and dreary situations. Captain 

 Weddell, who has penetrated further into these 

 inhospitable southern regions than any other navi- 

 gator, met with them, in great numbers, amidst the 

 icy rocks of the New South Shetlands, associating, 

 as we shall hereafter see, with the Penguins ; though, 

 in the dreary island of Tristan d'Acunha, another 

 traveller, Mr. Earle, describes them as the sole occu- 

 pants, without any interloper, whether friend or 

 enemy. In the higher regions, amidst the barren 

 and cindery peaks of black rocks composing that 

 dismal island, he found the young ones on the ground, 

 completely uncovered, and the old ones stalking 

 around them. Each bird lays but one egg, and, 

 after the young one is hatched, it has to remain a 

 year before it can fly. 



Their style of courtship, and of selecting their 

 mates, is described as very ludicrous. The couple 

 approach one another with great apparent ceremony, 

 bringing their beaks repeatedly together, swinging 

 their heads, and contemplating each other with very 

 deliberate attention. Sometimes this will continue 

 for two hours together, like a courtship in a pan- 

 tomime. They have great power in their beaks, 



