Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-12-16
BIRDS OF THE SEA.
THEIR iNACCESSlBlLlTY HlNOERS ANY
CLOSE OBSERVATION.

Habits OF the AIbatross-COmes on Notion
less Pinions out OF the Blue-The True
Children Of the Ajr-Beautiful Mother
Carey's Chickens.
A writer in the London Spectator
says Of sea birds: 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; Jut
while in this there is nothing to cavil
at, one cannot help feeling that the
marvellous life Of the sea birds has re-
ceiyed far from adequate attention.
Like so maGy o,her denizens Of that
vast and densely populated world Of
waters. their inaccessibility has hinder
ed that close observation by trained
naturallsts necessary in order to de-
scribe them as they deserve. And this
want Is really to be wondered at, see
ing how fascinating is the study Of
oceanic fauna, and remembering what
a wealth Of leisure is enjoyed by mas
ters Of sailing ships, which alone af-
ford opportunities for observing the
l.fe OF the sea-people.
Easily first in point Of interest, as
we'll as size, comes the lordly alba
tross, whose home is far south OF the
line. and whose empire is that illim-
table area Of turbulent waves which
sweep resistless round the world.
Compared with his power of vision
sailors give all things except a ship
the epicene gender "heD, the piercing
gaze Of the eagle or condor becomes
myopic, unless, as indeed may be the
case. he possesses other senses un-
known to us by means OF which he is
made aware Of passing events interest
ing TO him at incredible distances from
them. Out OF the blue void be comes
unhasting, on motionless 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 gliding majesticaliy over
head.
Despite his incompatible grace Of
flight, when gliding through mid-air
with his mighty wings ou,-pls ED. when
ashore or on deck he Is clumsy and
ill-at-ease. Even seated upon the sea
his proportions appear somewhat un-
calmly. 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 yis-
its 70 the lone and generally inacces-
sible rocks which are his breeding
places are as brief as may be. since
even conjugal delights are dearly pur-
chased with hunger and painful re-
straint. 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 easeiul.
At the bottom OF the size scale, but
in point Of affectionate interest second
to none. comes the stormy petrol. or
Mother Careys chicken, darling wee
wanderer common TO both hemi-
spheres. and beloved by all sailors.
With its delicate, glossy black and
brown plumage just Aecked with white
on the open wings, and its long slender
legs reaching out first, on one side aud
then on the other as II to feel the sea,
it nestles under the very curl OF the
most mighty billOws or skins the sides
Of their reyerberating green abysses
content as does the lark over lush
meadow. Howling hurricane or search
ing snow blasts pass unheaded over
that yelyety black head The brave.
bright eye dims not, nor does the
CHEEKY little note falter, even II the tiny
traveller must needs cuddle up close
under the lee Of some big ship for an
occasional crumb.