THE ALBATROSS. 



SOUTH of the equator line, away down in those great 

 wildernesses of ocean, where the long rolling billow 

 can travel for thousands of miles without breaking 

 on any coast or island crag, the Albatross has his home. 



Where go the sailing ships there goes he, hovering 

 easily above the white clouds of canvas, and gliding 

 forward without effort and without rest. In fancy one 

 might take him to be an Eittendant spirit, sent to companion 

 the vessel with its freight of precious lives. For he seems 

 to "come from nowhere" — appearing suddenly and un- 

 expectedly ; then hour after hour, and day after day, he 

 keeps the ship in sight through squall and sunshine ; till 

 one day the deck-hands miss the familiar movement of the 

 long grey wings, and lo ! he has vanished, and the vessel is 

 plunging onward alone. 



If the truth be told, the Albatross has very little of the 

 guardian angel about him. And as for watching over the 

 lives of "poor Jack" and his messmates the great bird has 

 shown an ugly disposition to attack the sailor who falls 

 overboard and is drifting helplessly away. 



For that, however, we must not judge the Albatross too 

 hardly. He has an immense appetite, and all is lawful food 

 that comes in his way, especially if he finds it lying on one 

 of his own sea-paths, as if abandoned to him. 



It is not his voracious appetite, but his flying powers, 

 that are so wonderful. Seen at rest on some seagirt rock, 

 with pinions folded, he looks a compact heavy bird ; but 



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