48 



THE ALBATjrOSS, 



tdusdilar birti, — judging fnnii it> external fonii. 

 Tlii< (Icei plJnn i> nr('n>ioii('<l hv I lie r|uaTitirv of 

 down aiul featlicrri, with a very tleiise intcguiiieiit, 

 and the air-cells being often inflated in a slight 

 degi^e. When these mt& retn&vecl, ih^hc^y of 

 t]]e liird is found to be of a sniatle* *ize than 

 would have hocu suppop^ed, aud, roinpaTativoly 

 speaking, does not pOri.^ess the muscular power, 

 whiehj from its long flights, our ideas might lead 

 lid to suppose. I i!«ti^ri£@d tltsLi tl^ ^lbatrc»^ 

 would lower himt^elf even to the wat0T*S edge, and 

 elevate fiimself again witlioiit any apparoiit itu- 

 pulsc ; nor could I observe an)' pereussion of the 

 wings when the flight was directed against the 

 wittd, — thiBfic^ of eonfse, ife progress was 

 tardy. Many, however, have differed witli me 

 in considering' that the liirds neAer fl\' ch-ad 

 against the wind," hut in that numuer, wliicli 

 sailors tenxij close to the wind, ' and tlms 

 makepPdgi^, aided by, when seemingly flying 

 against, the wind.* 

 Thedifterent speciesor varietiesof the albatrosSt 



* tliis htrd Is evta««% awled by its long wings 

 well OS tail in directing its fliglit : tlie\ art' nvwr sten to 

 soar to any great height, aiid are oiten observed to change 

 ttielf course, by turning the wings and IwMly ill s I'Ateral 

 ciircL'titm, and uftentimes. when raising themselves, W0ul4 

 Uend the last joint of the wings dewnwardi?* 



