THE BIEDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
The steering is done not with the tail alone, but also with the broad-webbed 
feet. These, when a straight course is being followed, are stretched out, and 
nearly concealed under the tail ; but when a quick turn is required their 
position is altered, and the webs are spread in such a manner as to greatly 
assist the bird in turning. When there is little wind, and the ocean is calm. 
Albatrosses have great difficulty in rising from the water, when there is a swell 
they run along the water and rise with a wave. When alighting, on nearing 
the surface, they bend the head back, curve the wings upwards, beating the 
air with numerous laboured strokes, then, straightening their feet, they let 
themselves faU. They are fast swimmers, but cannot dive. Their food, 
which consists chiefly of some of the lower forms of marine life found floating 
on the surface of the ocean, they scoop up with their bill in the same manner 
as the ducks. 
‘‘ I found that their nests are always placed on sloping ground, and always 
on the most exposed side of the hill. They are composed of earth and grass 
cemented together, and built in the form of a cone. They are usually about 
2 ft. in diameter, and about 18 in. high. Outside they are surrounded 
by a shallow drain, intended to carry ofi the surface-water. 
“ In most cases I found the female on the nest, the male bird standing 
close to her, and occasionally feeding her. I noticed that sometimes the male 
relieved the female, but they never both leave the nest until the young one 
is able to defend itself against the Skua gull {Lestris parasiticus). 
“ On my approaching an albatross’s nest, the old bird seldom left it, but 
set up a croaking noise, clapping its mandibles together, and biting at the 
intruder. After turning it off and taking away the egg, it returned and sat on 
the nest as before. 
“ Notwithstanding the ease and grace of the albatross on the ocean, on 
the land it is a most clumsy and helpless bird. Its walk is slow and waddling, 
lik e that of a duck, and it cannot take flight from a level piece of ground.” 
Mr. Waite notices that : “ When the bird is walking the head is carried 
low, below the level of the back, the neck outstretched, producing an appear- 
ance of cautiousness, though possibly merely to balance the body. Occasionally 
one would walk with wings expanded. Many birds were discovered asleep on 
their nests, and it was quite easy to approach close and awaken them with a 
tap on the beak. 
“ We were witness of many curious antics, apparently connected with 
courtship, two birds, after rubbing their beaks together, would first lower 
almost to between the feet and then raise them vertically in the air, a manoeuvre 
many times repeated. The wings would be outspread to their fullest extent, 
* Svbant. lal. New Zeal., p. 570, 1909. 
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