West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1899-05-30
BIRDS OF THE SEA.
THEIR UNNECESSARILY FINDERS ANY
CLOSE OBSERVATION.

Habits Of the Albatross-Comes on Motion
less Pinions Out Of tho BIue-The True
Children of tho Air Beautiful Mother
Carays 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; but
while in this there is nothing to cavil
at, one cannot help feeling that the
ms-~?lous life of the sea birds has re-
ceived far from adequate attention.
Like so may other denizens of that
vast and densely populated world of
waters, their inaccessibility has hinder
ed that close observation by trained
naturalists necessary in order to de-
scribe them Gs they deserve. And this
want is really to be wondered at, see
ing how fascinating is the study of
oceanic fauna, and remembering what
wealth Of leisure is enjoyed by mas
tiers of sailing ships, which alone at
ford opportunities for observing the
life of the sea-people.
Easily first in point Of interest, as
well as size, comes the lordly alba
tross, whose home is far south of the
line, and whose empire is that illim-
liable area Of turbulent waves which
sweep resistless round the world
Compal ed with his power of vision
(sailors give all things except a ship
the epicene gender "he"O, 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 he comes
unhasting, on motionless pinions, yet
at such speed that, one moment a specG
hardly discernible, turn but year eyes
away, and ere you can again look
around he is gliding majestically over
head.
Despite his incompatible grace OF
flight, when gliding through mid-air
with his mighty wings outspread when
ashore or on deck he is clumsy and
lll-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 Wis
its to the lone and generally inacces-
slble 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 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, a darling wee
wanderer> common to both hemi-
sphersss and beloved by all sailors.
With ltsHdelicate, glossy black and
brown plumage just flecked with white
On the open wings, and it's long 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
or their reverberating green abysses
content as does the lark over a lush
meadow. Howling hurricane or search
Ing snow blasts pass unheeded over
that velvety black head. The brave
bright eye dims not, nor does the
CHEEKY little note falter, even If the tiny
traveller must needs cuddle up close
under the lee of some big ship for an
occasional crumb.