THE ALBATROSS. 
235 
We come next to the largest sea-bird that flies, the 
Wandering Albatross ( Diomedea exulans ), of which 
we have already partially spoken ; hut large as they 
are to the eye, they are not so in reality, for so 
abundantly covered are they with feathers, that, when 
plucked, they appear not above half their original 
size, and, when cleaned, their weight is compara- 
tively trifling. With this light body, and an im- 
mense spread of wing, our surprise is lessened at 
their being able to venture so far from land ; Captain 
King* having met with them almost a thousand 
miles from the nearest shore. 
It is a pleasing relief to the eye, when sailing 
over the landless oceans frequented by the Albatross, 
and where, except now and then a passing sea-bird, 
nothing meets the sight hut a tract of boundless 
water, to observe this superb bird sailing in the air, 
in graceful and elegant movements, seemingly under 
the influence of an invisible power ; for, when once 
elevated in the air, there is scarcely any visible 
movement of its wide wings. Rising as if some 
concealed power guided its various motions, with- 
out any muscular exertion of its own, and then 
descending, it sweeps the air close to the stern of 
the vessel, with an independence of manner, as if it 
were monarch of all it surveyed. 
It has been remarked by an observer, who has 
given the best account of these birds t, that they 
could lower themselves even to the waters edge, and 
then again rise without any apparent impulse. 
Whether with or against the wind, seems to he a 
* King’s Australia , vol. ii. 
*|* Bennet’s Wanderings in New South Wales, 
