BIEUS. 61 



At times thirty or more are gatliered close about the vessel, and agaiu only two or three are 

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

 nearest ones, and 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 and a whining cry when on the wing. 



When taking wing they half spread their wings and paddle rapidly along as if running on 

 the water, until they gain sufficient 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 and ease. Their wings are exceeding thin and sharp, as viewed on either edge, 

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



In Mr. Ball's notes upon this species in his several i)apers 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 Gaspar Eico, near the equator. This gentleman was on a voyage in search of new 

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

 on our coast, nor on the adjacent islands. 



According to Dr. T. H. Beau the fresh birds measure nearly 80 inches in extent by 28.50 in 

 length, with a bill from 3.75 to 431 inches long. The iris is umber-brown, and the base and tip of 

 bill black, the remainder plumbeous. 



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



DiOMEDBA ALBATKTJS Pall. Short-tailed Albatross. 



Prom latitude 50° in 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, and ten or fifteen were frequently in sight at a time. Unlike the Black- 

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

 rule they give a wide berth to any species of sailing craft. 



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

 young one on Attu in August. They are resident about the islands, and in 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 in 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-mS,h-rye-erk'." 

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

 Bean measured in the flesh 88 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' N., and longitude 142° 23' W., Dr. Bean observed an albatross which 

 his notes indicate to be Diomedea melanophrys. This brings the bird within the range of 7iigripes, 

 and 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 from the bill behind the ear. 



