The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-09
BIRDS OF THE OCEAN.
The AIbatrOss Comes on MOtiOnlesD
Pinions Out of the Blue.
london Snectator.

London Spectator.
In obedience to the, growing demand for
more intimate knowledge of birds and
their habits whole libraries have been
written, and still this literature increases.
but while in this there is nothing to
cavil at one cannot help feeling that
the marvellous life Of the sea birds has
received far from adequate attention. Like
SO many other denizens of that vast and
densely populated world of waters, their
inaccessibility has hindered that close OBJ
servation by trained naturalists necessary
in order to describe them as they deserve.
And this want is really to be wondered at,
seeing how fascinating is the study OF
oceanic fauna, and remembering what a
wealth of leisure is enjoyed by masters OF
sailing ships. which alone afford oppor-
tunities for observing the life of the sea
people.
Easily first in point of interest, as well
as size. comes the lordly albatross whose
home is far south of the line, and whose
empire is that illimitable area of turbu-
lent waves which sweep resistless round
the world. Compared with his power OF
vision (salors give all things except a ship
the epicene gender "he,)" the piercing gaze
of the eagle or condor becomes myopic, un-
less, as indeed may be the case he pos
sesses other senses unknown to us by means
or which he is made aware of passing
events interesting to him at incredible dis
tanceS from them. Out of the blue void he
comes unhastfng. on m9tionless pinions, yet
at such speed that, one moment a speck
hardly discernible, turn but your eyes away.
and ere you can again look around he is
mageStically overhead.
Despite his Incompatible grace of fight.
Wnen glolnS through mlddlr with his
mighty wings outspread, when ashore or on
deck he is clumsy and i'll at ease. Even
seated upon the sea his proportions appear
somewhat ungainly, while his huge hooked
beak seems too heavy to be upheld On
land he can hardly balance himself and the
broad silky webs OF his feet soon become
lacerated. Thus his visits to the lone and
generally inaccessible rocks which are his
breeding places are az brief as they may
be, since even conjUgal delights are dearly
purchased with hunger and painful restraint.
a true child OF the air. land is hateful TO
him, and only on the wing does he appear
to be really at home and easeful.
At the bottom Of the size scale. but IN
point of affectionate interest second to none.
comes the stormy petrol, or Mother Carey's
chicken, darling wee wanderer common
to both hemispheres, and beloved by all
sailors With its delicate. glossy black and
brown plumage, just fieclxed with white on
the open wings, and its slender legs reaching
out first on one side and then on the other
as IL to feel the sea, 1t nestles under the
very curl of the most mighty pillows or
skins the sides of their reverberating green
abysses content as does the lark over a
lush meadow. Howling hurricane or search
ing snow blasts unheeoed over that velvety
black head. Tbs brave, bright eye diIhs not
nor does the CHEEKY little note faltef, even
If the tiny traveller must needs cuddle up
close under the lee OF some big ship for
an occasional crumb