118 WANDERING ALBATROSS. 



with the bill, and utter a harsh and disgusting cry. 

 Early in August they quit these inhospitable climes 

 for the more congenial regions of the south, into 

 which they penetrate sometimes as low as the latitude 

 of 67°." 



In the ^''Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia," 

 by Dr. Bennett, p. TO, et seq., there is a very interesting 

 account of the diiferent species of Albatross which 

 frequent the Australasian seas, especially of the one 

 now under notice, from which I will make some 

 extracts. 



"The large species of Albatross varies in plumage 

 more from age than sexual distinction. In some the 

 wings above are of a dark brownish black, with the 

 back most delicately pencilled, and abdomen white; 

 others have the rest of the plumage dark brown, the 

 head and abdomen white. In the movements of this 

 bird there is no laborious elFort, but energy and vigour 

 combined with grace is displayed in all its actions. 

 With what elegance it sails along, cleaving the air 

 obliquely, inclining from one side to the other, descend- 

 ing and skimming close to the rolling waves, its huge 

 pinions appearing almost to touch the water! It then 

 soars aloft with equal boldness and facility of action, 

 as if using the aid of the wings as a sail. So rapid 

 are its movements that, having been seen near the 

 ship, before a few seconds have elapsed it has passed 

 far away, still ascending and descending towards the 

 surface of the water, seeking for food, and ranging 

 over an immense space in a very short period of time. 

 Sometimes they may be seen floating upon the water 

 engaged in cleaning their feathers, and thus imparting 

 an additional gloss to their plumage." — (Page 79.) 



Further on Dr. Bennett illustrates by the following 



