The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-02-20
RIDING AN ALBATROSS.
A Mariner Relates Queer Adventure II
the Southern Ocean.

tho southern oCeaus
All the southern ocean birds can be
kept alive for any length of time in
cold weather., and with perfect comfort
to themselves, on ships deck. They
require some attention, but there
should be no difficulty about bringing
the gigantic wandering albatross to
Europe in a properly-cooled compart-
ment to carry it through the tropics.
! kept an albatross for six weeks,
giving it a good bath every morning
and tying its feet up in constantly wet
flannel bags to keep the delicate men,
brane of the web from injury. 1t re-
fused to eat at first, but l overcame its
objections by hitting it on the beak
with pieces of pork until it snapped at
them, and getting slice in its mouth
it swallowed it from mere force of
habit. l killed it when we reached
the tropics and found it the latest al
batross ever skinned.
If the wandering albatross were in
PRODUCED into our hemisphere it would
indeed be a noble addition to our BIRDS
can see no reason why it should not
be; it's lesser congener thrives well
enough.
There is a famous story of man
having kept himself ahoat, after fall
ing overheard, until picked up, by
seizing hold of an albatross that came
within reach. There is nothing i'm
probable in this. I have been over
board with an albatross myself, and
found the bird quite manageable in the
water. was one day catching cape
hens and mollyhawks with fine Irvine
line and light hook made from bent
needle, when large albatross
pumped suddenly down on my
bait. and was hooked before !
could prevent him. The ship
was barely moving through the water,
SO that l was able, after long time, to
keep him on and play the big bird right
up to the stern. Now came the crisis
would my line lift him out of the
water? thought it would l raised
his weight gently, pulled cautiously
up--anOther foot, and l would have
been able to grasp the neck. At that
moment he gave wave of his wings;
the extra resistance broke the Irvine
and down he Topped into the water,
wings extended, but making no effort
to leave the spot For second or two
ne lay still under me. almost within
my reach and yet free. Off / went
onto him, seized wing in my right
hand and found myself having a rough
and tumble with the bird in the water.
1t never offered to bite. | was able
to change hands and get the strug-
Cling brute by the feet with my right
hand; then drawing my breast up
over his tail grabbed the neck with
my left hand. had a pretty hard tus-
lie to do this. for the bird was very
strong and fought from under me; hut
when had the neck in my left hand l
let go the feet with my right and took
hold of the right wing close to the
body. had only dropped about ten
yards astern in doing this, but now the
bird swan with me on its back, and !
was able to steer it after the ship. l
made great way, oyerhauled the ship,
and swan right alongside. A ropes
end was thrown me, and | made the
bird fast, let it 60, and saw it hauled
on board. swimming with the ship.
Afterwards | went up the rope's-end
myself, having actually caught and
mastered an albatross in the water by
hand, feat in bird pursuit to be proud
of as an ornithologist or sailor. -Bos'
| ton Commercial Bulletin.