ORDER PALMIPEDES. 571 



enlarged at its base, and its inner edges have ver- 

 tical laminae, pointed, and very fine, analogous to 

 those of the ducks. 



Broad-billed Petrel. Procel. Vittata and Ccerulea, 

 Forst. 



Tail, wedge-shaped, rounded, shorter than the wings ; 

 above, bluish-ash ; tips of quills and wing-coverts, 

 black. Forster, MSS. t. 87, Kuhl Beitr. t. 11, f. 13, 

 head. Indian Seas. 



The Albatros, Diomedea,* Lin., 



Are the most massive of all water birds. Their bill, 

 large, strong, and trenchant, has marked sutures, 

 and is terminated by a thick crook, which seems to 

 be articulated ; their nostrils are cylindrical, short, 

 and bent on the sides of the bill ; their feet have no 

 thumb, nor even the little claw which exists in the 

 petrel. They inhabit all the southern seas, and live 

 on the fry of fish, moUusca, &c. 



TVandering Albatros y Lath. Di. Exulans, Lin. Enl, 

 237, Vieill. Gal. 29S, 



Is the best known species to our sailors, and is called 



* The ancient name of certain birds, inhabiting the island of that name 

 near Tarentum, and which were said to receive the Greeks, but to attack 

 the barbarians. As to the word albatros, I find that the earliest navigators 

 of Portugal called the boobies, and other sea birds, Alcatros, or Alcatras. 

 Dampier applied this name to the present genus ; Grew changed it into 

 Albttros, and Edwards to Albatros. 



