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THE ALBATROSS. 
pose!” We might here, with propriety, add — - This wants 
confirmation. 
THE WANDERING ALBATROSS. (. Diomedea 
exulans.') 
This bird is found in the Atlantic Ocean, from Southern 
Africa to the American coast, as well as in the Pacific. 
There are three species of the genus, viz : the Albatross of 
China; the Yellow and Black-beaked Albatross, and the 
Common or Wandering Albatross. 
The Common Albatross is the species which is most fre- 
quently met with in the seas of Southern Africa. It is the 
largest sea-bird known. On account of its size and colour 
it is often called the Sheep of the Cape, — a name under 
which it is found in several voyages. The top of the head 
is a ruddy gray ; the rest of the plumage is white, with the 
exception of several transverse black bands on the back, and 
a few of the wing-feathers. The feet and membrane are of 
a deep flesh-colour ; the bill a pale yellow. 
The weight of this bird has been variously stated, at from 
twelve to twenty-eight pounds; and a similar difference 
appears to exist in authors, with respect to the distance 
between the extremity of the extended wings. Forster says 
about ten feet, — Parkins, eleven feet seven inches, — Cook, 
eleven feet; another says twelve feet; a specimen in the 
