THE TROPICAL SEAS 135 
Brilliant as raindrops, when the western sun 
Sees his own miniature of beams in each. 
** High on the cliffs, down on the shelly reef, 
Or gliding like a silver-shaded cloud 
Through the blue heaven, the mighty albatross 
Inhaled the breezes, sought his humble food, 
Or, where his kindred like a flock reposed, 
Without a shepherd, on the grassy downs, 
Smooth’d his white fleece, and slumber'd in their 
midst.” 
An old writer gives a striking picture of 
the habits of the Albatross, including that of 
the Tropical seas and their sea-birds. ‘‘ The 
Alcatraz,” says he, ‘‘ is one of the most fierce 
and formidable of the aquatic tribe, not only 
living upon fish, but also such small water- 
fowl as it can take by surprise. It preys, as 
all the Gull-kind do, upon the living, and 
chiefly pursues the Flying-fish, that are 
forced from the sea by the Dolphins. The 
ocean, in that part of the world, presents a 
very different appearance from the seas with 
which we are surrounded. In our seas, we 
see nothing but a dreary expanse, ruffled by 
the winds, and seemingly forsaken by every 
class of animated nature. But the Tropical 
