The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-07-26
CATCHING THE ALBATRoss.

The Absence OF Fear Of Man in This
Great and Famous Sea Bird.
By the time that we had approached
Tristan da Cunha three or four species
OF albatross had congregated round the
ship. as many as thirty birds settling
on the water astern in a manner highly
satisfactory for close and continuous
observation. After half gale of wind
a lull not infrequently occurs, when the
speed is reduced to two or three knots;
then the hungry creatures literally
clamor for food. Directly bird in
tends to alight the legs appear strad-
ding downward in ungainly fashion
n moment when even an albatross looks
like an Ill balanced goose of unwieldy
size. For half minute il runs along
the surface OF the waves. treading wa
ter, 50 TO speak, until the enormous
wings become manageable. Then the
bird swims with both wings thrown
back like pair of lateen sails, a very
argonaut on the translucent sea. At
length the difficulty Is overcome, the
wings are packed away, and-like a
large guilt rides the waves with con-
summate ease. Sometimes IL paddles
to and fro. or. again, 1t dives grace
fully beneath the surface after squids
or similar ocean dainties. Half a dozen
birds. perhaps, gravely assemble to in
spect an empty beer bottle thrown
overheard, to bob up and down idly on
the waves, and inquisitive bills peck
vigorously at the unsatisfactory fiot-
sam, until a battle royal disperses the
family party. The wiser ones mean
while hover in midair. craning their
necks to throw penetrating glances
from n superior height.
|, With the birds settling by the dozen.
" II easy enough to capture specimens
for examination without causing injury
!, or pain. Any sharply barbed hook is
altogether superfluous. The aIbatross
absolutely enjoy the excitement AMI
the sport obtained Is not without a
novel interest. a small metal franc
. should be made In the shape of a hollow
triangle, attached to a hundred yards
OF stout line, and kept afloat by n good.
2 sized piece OF cork. The sides of this
E metal frame are then covered with bits
[ OF fat pork. the hard skin of which
? Is securely bound thereto; the bait 1.
3 thrown astern. and the line is SLOWLY
: paid out. Presently a great albatros.
: swoops through the air, impelled by
h curiosity TO investigate the nature o
r the floating cork. 1t settles before tn,
Z dainty morsel of food, numbers of bird
). follow suit each one made bold b,
J. competition, and then the sport begins
4 AT this moment additional line must b.
& given in order to compensate for tn
II progression OF the ship. thus enablin,
: the bird 10 seize the desired food. Wit
: sudden rush the supreme effort /
4 made. Once or twice the attemp
= proves Intellectual. but, rendered boil
: by greediness, n final grab finds tn
curved bill securely wedged inside tn
j. apex of the triangle, as the fierce tug
Il on the line quickly Indicate. Steadil
n the haul is made hand over hand. unit
e a helpless albatross Is bodily lifted O
'e To the poop in an absolutely uninjure
"a condition. A slackened line enables tn
" bird TO escape, and IL scattered wit
" permitted such an effort, sudden figt
"a would also obtain release. The othe
h. birds Invariably commence to attack
l. captured comrade. a steady pull bein
Pr required. even II the line does cut yoU
3 hands, to save II from its friends.
rs Once safely on deck. the mandiblt
Is are tied together. for otherwise the biz
In throws up an oily fluid, n disagreeab
b. habit possessed by all the tribe. Sui
or ject To this precaution. II may wand,
n gravely around TO survey the new hor
Mt zon OF life. The large eyes gaze wit
n truly pathetic confidence. expressi'
ly OF anything but fear IL Is n strani
tie spectacle To witness the inquisitive BIZ
he solemnly waddle 20 and fro among II
equally inquisitive human bein
OF around. True. II objects slightly 70 n
be process OF measurement, peckil