The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-01-23
SAVED CY A BIRD.


a Urowning sailors iracuIous Escape
from p"nth.
Among the birds of the sea the petrol
is tine smallest while the albatross is
the other extreme II grand creature,
the spirit of the solitary regions of the
southern oceans. Found vast distances
from land, soaring over the waves in
the iierccst storms, it IS well calculated
to arouse in the supcrstitious mind OF
the sailor Il feeling akin to fear.
The albatrOSS attninS an enormous
spread of wing, fifteen feet having been
recorded, while its strength can be as
sumed from the following incident:
A vessel was plowing through the
waters of the South Atlantic when the
cry of MAN ovcrboard!' was heard.
The man at the wheel brought the ship
up i'll the wind, and boats were lowered,
but by the time this was accomplished
the sailor was quarter of mile
aStcrn. He kept up, however. and as
the boat approached Il big alhatross was
seen to dart at him and the next mo-
mcut to struggle, then away went the
bird, tapping violently, towing the
sailor along ut the surface. The men
had to pull hard to gain upon it, and
then it was found that the sailor was
uninjurcd, and perhaps had been saved
by the bird. He was almost exhausted
when the albratrosS flew over him i'll
evident curiosity, and as it passed he
seized its feet. The bird, in its fear and
terror, was strong enough 10 tow him
along the surface at II rapid rate.
There are several varieties of the al
batross, the great white one hcing the
most striking. At Marion island, in
the Southern ocean, they nest in great
numbers, their white shapes dotting
the plains and forming conspicuous OBJ
iects. The nest is a low mound, Il foot
and half at the least in diameter ut
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. Tho
secret was that the albatross conceals
its eggs in a pouch, so that it can step
aside and actually carry il. The latter
is about five inches long. specllcd with
red ut 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 affcctionatc
lovers the male being Il self-appointed
guardian, standing by the nest, spread
| ing his tail and wings, throwing his
head into the air. aud all the time utter
ing curious cry. The female responds;
they touch bills in an albatrossian kiss,
and then the Hopping, singing t?) and
bill-lifting go on by the half-hour at a
time.
The albatrosS known as the molly
hawk (Dio Incdea culminata) is smaller,
but equally interesting. It's nest looks
! from II distance on the plain like Il high
chcesc-box, being pillar or column
with overhanging edges about fourteen
inches in diameter and foot in height.
| The egg is about as large as that of n
goose, and as in the case cited, is held
in a pouch during incubation. The male
watches by the nest. and now and then
utters loud, shrill, laugh-lilic 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
hawlI--a powerful curved bill and sharp
claws. AS soon as bird is shot these
ravenous scavcngers dart at it and have
to be beaten off with clubs. Prof Mos
ley tells of an instance at Kcrguclan.
He shot duck and ran for it, but the
sllua was too quick for him, dashing
down and easily bearing off the game
in its bill.
When robbing the nest of the slSua
and taking the young birds. the parents
made savage rush"s, aud Il club had TO
be constantly used for protection.-C.
| T.. Holder, in y. Y. Ledger