The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-07
THE DAILY DISPATCH

The ALBArRoss.-Our readers will remem-
Der the beautiful lines in the Ancient Mariner,
where tbs Albaiross is described as a sort of
sacred GeniusNbf the Sea. The fate Of the
Bird is associated with superstitions OF the
Sailor, and il usually passes unframed by the
followers of the sea. At Portland, last week,
before the Society of Natural History. Lieut.
George II. Preble, of the United States Navy,
read paper prepared for the occasion, on
the Wandering Albatross, the Diomedea Era
lana OF Linneus, giving many particulars Of
thus species of bird, which are not found in
the writings Of standard ornithologists.
These birds are found in great numbers
about Cape Horn and Cape Of Good Hope,
and at certain seasons Of the year, along the
Pacific coast as far North as Bhering's Straits.
But favorite resort seems to be about the
gloomy regions of Cape Horn where they are
seen hour after hour, and according to DR..
Arnptt, sometimes for days together constantly
on the wing, following in track oil thetenpest-
tossed home OF the mariner, eagerly snatching
at every edible thing that may be thrown over
board.
Some of these birds are of enormous size
individuals not unfrequently measuring from
sixteen to nineteen feet from tip TO tip OF their
wings. They are extremely voracious, and
wherever they fud abundant food, will often
so gorge themselves as to be unable to fly or
swim. Fish spawn, gelatinous molusca, and
various marine animals constitute their ordi-
nary food-but nothing that has nutritive quail
ties seems to come amiss to them. They scent
food great distance, and will soon gather
around the whale which has been harpooned
thousand miles from land.
For their breeding places theylselect a'spot of
ground two or three acres ia extent, opening on
the sea. From this they remove ali the stones
and pebbles, pilng them up on eaclBside SO
as to form a miniature stone fence. This space
IS then plotted of into small squares with in
fervenIng paths intersecting each other at right
angles. In each corner of the squares q pen
gun scoops out a nest, while the Albalross
takes by common consent the centre, and con-
structs small mound of grass and muscles,
eight or ten inches high, on which they make
their nests, which in diameter are about the
size of water pail. Their eggs, which are
larger than those of the goose, are white
spiatched with dark spots at the larger end.
These are never exposed to the air after incu-
baton commences, but when the female wishes
to leave them to seek food, the male crowds
her gently off, and in like manner yields pos
sess ION of the nest to her when she returns.
Around the whole encampment is q wide
path, in which the Albatrosses and penguins
perform patrole duty day and night, but always
under command of an Albatross. A favorite
resort for breeding is the Falkland Islands.
The following are the introductory lines of
Coleridge, 'foreshadowing the voyage and fate
of the AIbatross:
At length did cross an Albatross,
Throug b the fog it csme
As lift had been Christian soul.
We hailed it in Gods name.
IT ate the food it meier had eat.
And round and round 1t flew,
The ice did split, with thunder fit;
The helmsman steered us through
And the good South wind sprung up behind
The Albatross did follow,
And every day, for food or play,
Came to the mariners hollow.
In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,
1t perched for vespers nine,
Whilst all the niyhi. through murke white
Glimmered the white rnooonshine.
ssGod save thee, ancient marineri
From the fends that plague thee thus
Why look thou so"-with my cross bow
/ shot the Albatross.