THE ALBATROSS. 
is; 3 
islands to the north of Scotland, the Skeling islands off the 
coasts of Kerry, in Ireland, and those that lie in the north 
sea off Norway abound with them. But it is on the Bass 
Island, in the Firth of Edinburgh, where they are seen in 
the greatest abundance. “ It is scarcely possible to walk 
there without treading on them : the flocks of birds upon 
the wing are so numerous, as to darken the air like a cloud; 
and their noise is such, that one cannot, without difficulty, 
be heard by the person next to him.” 
The gannet is a bird of passage. In winter it seeks the 
more southern coasts of Cornwall, hovering over the shoals 
of herrings and pilchards that then come down from the 
northern seas : its first appearance in the northern islands 
is in the beginning of spring ; and it continues to breed till 
the end of summer. But, in general, its motions are deter- 
mined by the migrations of the immense shoals of herrings 
that cotne pouring down at that season, through the British 
Channel, and supply all Europe as well as this bird with 
their spoil. The gannet assiduously attends the shoal in 
their passage, keeps with them in their whole circuit round 
the island, and shares with the fishermen this exhaustless 
banquet. As it is strong of wing, it never comes near the 
land ; but is constant to its prey. The young gannet is 
accounted a great dainty by the Scots, and sold very dear. 
The booby is also a species of the pelican. The upper 
parts of the plumage are brown, the breast and belly white. 
It is found in several parts of America, and is described 
as a very simple bird. 
The Albatross is one of the largest and most formida- 
ble birds of Africa and America. The largest, which is 
called the wandering albatross , is rather larger than a swan ; 
and its wings, when extended, ten feet from tip to tip. The 
bill, which is six inches long, is yellowish, and terminates 
in a crooked point. The top of the head is ot a bright 
brown ; the back is of a dirty, deep spotted brown : and 
the belly, and under the wings, is white. The toes, which 
are webbed, are of a flesh colour. 
This bird is an inhabitant of the tropical climates, and 
also beyond them, as far as the Straits of Magellan, in 
the South Seas. It not only eats fish, but also such small 
water-fowl as it can take by surprise. It prey?, as the gull 
kind do. upon the wing, and chiefly pursues the flying fish 
that are forced from the sea by the dolphins. 
The albatross seems to have a peculiar affection for the 
penguin, and a pleasure in its society. They are always 
