The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-10-16
SAVED BY A BIRD.
Drowning Sailors Miraculous Escape
frOra Death.

IrOhH cealh
Among the birds OF the sea the petrol
is the smallest, while the albatross is
the other extreme grand creature,
the spirit of the solitary regions of the
southern oceans. Found vast distances
from land, soaring over the waves in
the fercest storms, it is well calculated
to arouse in the superstitious mind of
the sailor feeling akin to fear.
The albatross attains an enormous
spread of wing, fifteen feet having been
recorded, while its strength can be as
sumed from the following incident:
A vessel was blowing through the
waters of the South Atlantic when the
cry of Man overheard" was heard.
The man at the wheel brought the ship
up in the wind, and boats were lowered,
but by the time this was accomplished
the sailor was a quarter of a mile
astern. He kept up, however, and as
the boat approached a big albatross was
seen to dart at him and the next mo-
ment to struggle, then away went the
bird, tapping violently, towing the
sailor along at the surface. The men
had to pull hard to gain upon it, and
then it was found that the sailor was
uninjured, and perhaps had been saved
by the bird. He was almost exhausted
when the albratross flew over him in
evident curiosity, and as it passed he
seized its feet. The bird, in its fear and
terror, was strong enough to tow him
along the surface at a rapid rate.
There are several varieties of the al,
batross, the great white one being the
most striking. At Marion island, in
the Southern ocean, they nest in great
numbers, their white shapes dotting
the plains and forming conspicuous obs
jects. The nest is low mound, Il foot
and half at the least in diameter at
the top. The female sits on the nest
the male standing beside her, both re-
fusing to move when approached, sim
ply swapping their bills together vio-
lently. The most remarkable feature
is that often, when bird is taken from
the nest, no egg appears, and for long
time it seemed difficult to find one. The
secret was that the albatross conceals
its eggs in a pouch, so that it can step
aside and actually carry it. The latter
red at the end, and but one egg is de-
posted. During the time of incubation
the birds do not fly, being apparently
helpless. The birds are affectionate
lovers, the male being self-appointed
guardian, standing by the nest, spread
ing his tail and wings, throwing his
head into the air, and all the time utter
ing a curious cry. The female responds;
they touch bills in an albatrossian kiss,
and then the Hopping, singing (?) and
bill-lifting go on by the half-hour at
time
The albatross known as the molly
hawk (Dio medea culminata) is smaller,
but equally interesting. Its nest looks
from distance on the plain like high
cheese being a pillar or column
with overhanging edges about fourteen
inches in diameter and foot in height
The egg is about as large as that of
goose, and as in the case cited, is held
in pouch during incubation. The male
watches by the nest, and now and then
utters a loud, shrill, laugh-lile sound.
In and about the haunts of the alba
trosS is found the hawk of the gull fam
lily, the skua, extremely bold and saw
age, evidently having no fear of man.
The skua has all the elements of the
hawll-a powerful curved bill and sharp
claws AS soon as bird is shot these
ravenous scavengers dart at it and have
to be beaten off with clubs. Prof. Mos
ley tells of an instance at Kerguelan
He shot duck and ran for it, but the
skua was too quick for him, dashing
down and easily bearing off the game
in its bill
When robbing the nest of the skua
and taking the young birds, the parents
made savage rushes, and a club had to
be constantly used for protection.-C
+. Holder in n. Y. Ledger.