WINGED ROBBERS AND NEST-BUILDERS. 1 65 



months of excessive feeding, or rambles over the 

 table-land in search of whatever it yields of worms 

 and snails. It is certain that it manages in some 

 way to thrive, for when found " it is lively and in 

 good condition." 



When the old birds again return from their long 

 voyage, the young albatross, that appears to re- 

 member its parents, immediately proceeds to caress 

 them by pecking with its hard hooked bill their 

 heads until that portion between the beak and the 

 eyes is bare of feathers, sore and bloody. This 

 rough kind of fondling is endured for a short time, 

 as if they wished to make amends for their negli- 

 gence, and then the youth is harshly turned away, 

 while these old mariners at once begin to repair 

 the same nest for another season of housekeeping. 

 When they again set sail, the child of the previous 

 year, that has now attained sufficient strength of 

 wing, accompanies them, to be in turn taught the 

 mysteries of the sea ; and after a long and stormy 

 voyage over unknown waters and strange coasts it 

 will return to this island of Desolation, there to 

 choose a mate and rear a little one to take its part 

 in the restless life which the albatross seems to 

 love so well. 



