BIRDS. 61 



At times thirty or more are gathered close about the vessel, aud again only two or three are 

 visible far otf toward the horizon. A few scraps of food thrown overboard is sure to attract the 

 nearest ones, aud the others take the cue from them and hurry in from all sides. They have a 

 curious guttural note as they quarrel over the food aud a whining cry when ou the wing. 



When taking wing they half spread their wings aud paddle rapidly along as if running ou 

 the water, until they gain sufBcieut impetus to glide easily up. In rough weather they rise 

 easily from the crest of a wave as though impelled by some unseen force, but in a calm they 

 rise with much more difficulty. Like other albatrosses the flight of this bird is a marvelous 

 exhibition of grace aud ease. Their wings are exceeding thin aud shari>, as viewed ou either edge, 

 aud the tips appear sensitive to every breeze aud ripple in the air. 



lu Mr. Ball's notes upou this species in bis several papers he credits them with being able to 

 distinguish a discolored spot in the water a yard across at least 5 miles away. The same natu- 

 ralist learned from Capt. George Holder that these birds nest, during the winter months, on the 

 coral island of Caspar Eico, near the equator. This gentleman was on a voyage in search of new 

 guano islands, aud found these birds nesting as described. They are not known to nest anywhere 

 ou our coast, nor on the adjacent islands. 



According to Dr. T. U. Bean the fresh birds measure nearly SO inches iu extent by 28.50 in 

 length, Avith a bill from 3.7i» to ■l.Sl inches long. The iris is umber-brown, aud the base aud tip of 

 bill black, the remainder plumbeous. 



The naturalist just quoted considers latitude 51° north as the northern limit otnigripes. 



DiOMEDEA ALBATRUS Pall. Short-tailed Albatross. 



From latitude 50^ iu the North Pacific this fine bird becomes more or less numerous, and 

 thence north nearly or quite replaces the preceding species. 



During May, 1877, 1 found them very common between the islands east of Unalaska. 



The birds were very conspicuous from their white plumage and great size. During calm days 

 they were most numerous, aud ten or fifteen were frequently in sight at a time. Unlike the Black- 

 footed Albatross these birds do not appear to follow vessels, aud, iu fact, are so shy that as a 

 rule they give a wide berth to any si^ecies of sailing craft. 



They were found throughout the Aleutian chain by Dall, who observed the carcass of a very 

 young one on Attn in August. They are resident about the islands, and iu the ancient shell-heaps 

 their bones are of common occurrence. Elliott states that they were numerous about the Fur Seal 

 Islands thirty years ago when the whale-fishery was carried on in that part of Bering Sea. Since 

 the decline of this the birds have become more and more uncommon there. They rarely visit 

 Norton Sound, but the writer found them common about Bering Straits in summer. A number 

 were seen about the Diomede Islands, and others about Saint Lawrence Island and the opposite 

 Siberian shore. A number of their beaks were found iu some deserted Eskimo villages on the 

 latter island. 



During his summer cruise Dr. Bean found these birds around the Gulf of Alaska, but consid- 

 ered the mouth of Cook's Inlet and the vicinity of the Barren Islands as their favorite resort. He 

 also found them shy and difficult to secure. The Kadiak Eskimo call them " Kay-mah-rye-erk'." 

 The natives of Alexandrovsk sometimes spear them from their kyaks. A bird secured by Dr. 

 Bean measured iu the flesh SS inches in extent; wing, 21; tail, G.75; bill, 5.19; tarsus, 3.87; 

 middle toe and claw, 5.12. 



Turner reports this species common about the Near Islands in March. 



In about latitude 40° 30' K., and longitude 112o 23' W., Dr. Bean observed an albatross which 

 his notes indicate to be Diomedea melano2)hrys. This brings the bird within the range of nigripes, 

 aud it is barely possible that it may reach the Aleutian chain. The colors, as noted, were : Head, 

 neck, lower parts, and rump, white; under surface of wings light colored; elsewhere the bird is 

 dark gray, like nigripes. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., v. 170, 1883.) It is slightly smaller than the 

 latter species. The bill is light, and a dark streak extends frosu the bill behind the ear. 



