Major Le Souef reports (Emu, p. 53, 1922) that during a recent trip to 

 England from Sydney Diomedea exulans was much in evidence, and was a faithful 

 follower of the ship. As soon, however, as the outside temperature rose above 

 70 degrees Fahr , at 4 o'clock P.E. the Wandering Albatross invariably left the 

 track of the ship and flew southward in search of cooler weather. In other 

 words, LeSouef thinks that temperature is an important factor in determining 

 the range of this bird. He calculated the flight of these albatrosses at from 

 20 to 40 miles an hour. He also noticed that the Atlantic adults have more 

 brown in their plumage than those he saw in the Indian ocean, the latter pre- 

 senting beautiful, pure white wings whose silvery tones are heightened by 

 their black tips. 



I have also noticed the effect of temperature on range (and have re- 

 ported it in the same journal) relative to the New Zealand albatross 

 ( Dionedea regia ), that I regard as the most beautiful, although it is not the 

 largest of the albatrosses. 



■While on the subject of the Albatross one ought, I suppose, %o resist the 

 temptation to quote part of Coleridge's great poem. Although it is hackneyed, 

 oft-quoted and the chant of every school boy, it is, nevertheless, immortal. 

 After ninety-nine per cent, of current verse, good, bad and indifferent, has been 

 cast into the gehenna of f orgetfulness, these deathless lines will appear as 

 fresh and as popular as ever. Perhaps the explanation lies in the fact that 

 this wondrous bird story furnishes a common ground - possibly the only neutral 

 area - on which all the "doxies", ortho-and hetero, may meet in peace and con- 

 cord - the tale of the sinner and his sin; his' repentance, his penance and his 

 final redemption, 



*********** a great sea-bird, called the Albatross, came through the 

 snow-fog, and was received with great joy and hospitality." 



"And a good south wind sprung up behind; 



The Albatross did follow, 

 And every day, for food or play, 

 Came to the mariner's hollo'*" 



And now the grievous sin:- 



"God save thee, ancient l£ariner, 



From the fiends that plague thee thus'. — 

 Why look' st thou so?" -- "With my cross-bow 

 I shot the Albatross ." 

 ******** 



"And I had done a hellish thing, 

 And it would work 'em woe: 

 For all averred, I had killed the bird 

 That made the breeze to blow", 



Eyen when they changed their minds, the .ship became becalmed, and 

 the Albatross was avenged :- 



"AhJ well-a-day'. what evil looks 

 Had I from old and young I 

 Instead of the cross, the Albatross 

 About my neck was hung." 



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