Jan., 1909 
NOTES ON ALBATROSSES AND OTHER PELAGIC BIRDS 
7 
It is, I believe, generally supposed that albatrosses will follow a ship for long 
distances, on outstretched wings, without apparent movement, but such has not 
been my experience: on the contrary, at comparatively brief intervals there is apt 
to be a well-marked “flap”, usually several times repeated. But upon continued 
observation it seemed to me that this was almost always done with a very definite 
purpose, namely, the execution of a sudden turn, or, to rise quickly and so con- 
tinue in a given direction. In other words, flapping seems seldom required so far 
as mere progression goes, and they can undoubtedly continue in the air and cover 
great distances with no other movement of the wings than a change of curvature in 
balancing. In this manner, they sail with, across, or down the wind, without ap- 
parent effort, tho to increase their elevation it seems necessary to head up against 
the air current. Sailing with the wind, there appears to be always a tendency to 
settle, tho perhaps almost imperceptibly; but even in this position they may still, 
for a time, pursue an undulating course, following, as they often do, the confor- 
mation of the waves. It would seem that their best point of sailing, like a 
schooner’s, is “on the wind”, viz: neither having it directly ahead nor “abeam” 
but between the two. Even so, they are unable to lay a straight course indefi- 
nitely, and soon resort to circles or a few vigorous beats of the wings; apparently 
the selection of either is rather a matter of convenience and time than one of 
necessity. When fairly under way, gliding, the wings are extended stiffly and 
almost horizontally, but in the execution of sudden maneuver the tips may be 
much bent downward, forming a bow, and it has seemed to me that at such mo- 
ments the two wings are not invariably symmetrical. In taking a sharp turn, the 
inclination or “dip” which a bird can make, is one of their most startling per- 
formances, and it really looks sometimes as if they must “turn turtle”: I am sure 
the angle may be as much as 90°, for to the eye the wings seem absolutely perpen- 
dicular, one tip grazing the water, the other pointing to the sky above. 
All in all, if we give him the gale he loves so well, the albatross lives up to his 
reputation, but I must confess that for quiet dignity in flight I have never seen these, 
or any pelagic birds if we except the Frigates, equal the grandeur displayed in the 
endless circles of our larger birds of prey; but the conditions are so different that com- 
parison is, perhaps, unfair. So far as my experience goes, the albatross dislikes a 
calm — which, by the way, he seldom gets in his favorite latitudes — as much as an 
old time sailor. About a week after the trip here referred to, the Atlantic Fleet of 
sixteen battleships was cruising up the west coast of Australia; there was very little 
wind and we repeatedly passed small flocks of these birds resting on the water, and 
altho eight ships passed on either side of them, in no case did I see them rise and 
follow. Certainly this was remarkable, for with ordinary weather conditions they 
had never failed us for more than three thousand miles. 
To the ornithologist on shipboard, the most interesting period is just after 
meal hour, when the cooks are clearing out the “galley”. Ever on the alert, no 
suitable morsel escapes the hungry horde, and it is wonderful how accurately they 
can pick out the “wheat from the chaff”, no second glance being given to the odds 
and ends unfit for food. But with all their eagerness to be first at the feast, the 
prizes go to the ones that can stop and alight the quickest. And most of them 
make a bad mess of it: swooping rapidly to the coveted spot, they find it difficult 
to check their speed, and many have to pass and circle back again. With those 
more fortunate, or expert, wings are thrown suddenly back, the tail is wide-spread 
and depressed, and — a most comical effect — the broad, webbed feet are expanded 
and thrust out forward, exactly as a skater digs his heels in the ice to stop his 
headway. Once on the water, the wings are kept partly expanded and raised high 
