ALBATROSS-FISHING. 
185 
surveying, the Earl of Pembroke writes amusingly enough. He speaks 
approvingly of the feeling amongst sailors which induces them to resent 
the wanton shooting of sea-fowl from the deck. The smallest Cape 
pigeon becomes a welcome companion in a long voyage, and gives 
a sense of life and friendliness to the " waste of waters." No one is 
justified in shooting sea-birds except for scientific purposes or food. 
They are kiUed far too easily to admit of any real amusement or 
display of skill. But it is fair enough, thinks the earl, to fish for 
albatrosses and Cape pigeons ; though, in the case of the former, what 
is it for a man to set his wit against so foolish a bird ? This fishing, 
though the expression may be more Hibernico, is a strictly legitimate 
sport. You gage your intelligence against theirs, and they have no 
right to grumble, if they lose the game, at paying the stakes. The 
Earl forgets, however, that they are enticed into playing by crafty 
lines. Even if you win your game, he continues, you can throw it 
overboard again, not much damaged, and have a fresh deal. " It is 
not uncommon for an albatross to be caught, thrown overboard, and 
caught again, in a very few minutes." 
Compared with albatross-fishing. Cape pigeon-catching holds the 
same relation as trouting to salmon-fishing. Wary and sharp are the 
little spotted beauties, and fine tackling and delicate handling do they 
require. The best apparatus is a small gut roach-hook, baited with an 
infinitesimal portion of fat; while top-baiting with shreds of fat or 
crumbs of bread is by no means amiss. The albatross cares nothing 
for the coarseness of the line ; but certain rules must be observed even 
with him, — not because he is cautious, but because he is clumsy and 
foolish. There seems to be no foundation for the common report that 
he pounces on his prey, and will with formidable beak split the head 
of a man overboard. No bird has less " picking vip " or " striking 
power " when on the wing. " I never yet," says the Earl, " saw an 
albatross which did not sit down soberly and calmly to his dinner; and 
even then he was as likely to miss it as to get it. Bits of fat, small, 
and floating from the passing ship, or the fragments of squid from the 
whale's jaw, are what he seems to be in quest of ; and very hard work 
he seems to have to find them. When an eligible morsel appears, there 
