Diomedea melanophrys in the Ferée Islants. 109 
All the above-mentioned accounts agree as to the fact 
that the Albatross at Myggenaes migrated with the Gannets 
in the autumn (November), returning with them in the 
spring (February). Scarcely anything has been heard from 
other places about the migrating of the Albatrosses. It is 
certain that they leave the colonies after the breeding season, 
and that the rest of the year is spent over the sea, on the 
surface of which they probably sleep (cf Hutton, 16); 
within certain latitudes their roamings even extend around 
the earth; but if they assume the character of regular 
migrations, or if they only are guided in any direction, 
wherever they happen to find an abundance of food, is not 
quite established. It is said, however, about the species in 
the Northern Pacific, that they occur in the seas around 
Kamtchatka and Okhotsh at certain seasons, and return 
south at the end of a few weeks. This, compared with the 
habits of the Myggenaes Albatross, might perhaps indicate 
that the “roamings” are more than accidental. 
A very important side of the bird’s life has not yet been 
elucidated. To the question whether the Albatross has ever 
been seen breeding on Myggenaes Holm, Mr Bergh’s in- 
formant gives a decided negative answer, while both Mr 
Joensen and Mr Abrahamsen more cautiously reply: “it 
cannot be stated with any degree of certainty.” It cannot 
be denied, that it would be very strange, if the bird volun- 
tarily had given up the instinct of breeding for so long 
a period. And what motive should have taken it back, 
year after year, to the very same islet, but the instinct 
which directs all other birds from their winter quarters to 
the breeding-places? I have not the slightest doubt that 
the answer is given at the end of Mr Joensen’s letter, in his 
account of the “curious young Gannet.” Of course, we can 
only surmise what this “young Gannet” has been; it has 
certainly perished long ago; but I think the few words said 
about it are sufficient to lead us into the right track. Only 
three possibilities may be conjectured: it has been an 
abnormal young, a hybrid, or an Albatross. That it was a 
deformed young Gannet is not very probable. It is expressly 
stated that it “had a bill like that of the Albatross,” there- 
