THE ALBATROSS-THE PELICAN.

189

around our vessel, crying and wailing most piteously, and some dropped on the decks. The sky and sea were dreadful to look upon; but the hurricane passed us, and we only HEARD of its ravages. (Psalm cvii. 23, 31.)

The Albatross.

This may be called

the eagle of the wa

sea

ters, for it has no
equal among the
aquatic or
fowls. It abounds
in the Southern
Ocean, and about
Cape Horn, and
the Cape of Good
Hope. The body
is large; and the
expansion of the
wing from six to
eight, and at times

even ten feet; the

bill, which is yel

low, is nearly six

inches long, and terminates in a hooked point. It preys on the wing; and, unlike the eagle, it seizes on every thing, fish and fowl alike. The albatross lives, however, in friendly relations with the penguin; and they frequently build near each other in some remote and desolate spot.

The Pelican.-In shape the pelican is like the swan, but larger. Its neck is long; and its toes all connected by webs. Its chief peculiarity, however, is its enormous bill, and what may be called THE FISH-WELL; this is a large pouch, which, when distended, will hold about fifteen quarts of water. The bill is generally one foot and a quarter long, and the pouch extends its whole length. An ancient writer says this bag will hold enough fish to dine six hungry men. This singular bird,

when he goes fishing, does not eat his prey, but fills his pouch first, and then, when he has enough, retires and gets his meal at leisure. Some naturalists say that the pelican can be tamed to labour for man.

THE PENGUIN-THE FLAMINGO.

191

bill is straight and long, and curved at the extremity; wings large; legs short. The British Islands abound with this family.

The Penguin.-This bird is

more truly a water-fowl than almost any other; and its wings are not adapted for flight: indeed, the water seems to be its element, and it dives and swims with great ease and admirable swiftness. These birds walk with their head erect; and their little wings, and white breasts, have led some to compare them to children with white aprons. They are gregarious; that is, they associate in numbers.

Linnæus was very happy in the naming of the FOURTH ORDER. The word Gralla, which he applied to it, means stilts; and if all this family were placed before you in a drawing, you would see the aptitude of a name. The legs of this order are all very long; and so are their necks and bills also: but this exactly meets their wants; for their appointed food lying at the bottom of pools, if they had not this provision they could not reach it. The bodies of this order are slender; their tails short. They live on animal food; and generally build their nests on the ground.

The Flamingo. This is a tall and most beautiful bird. In size it may be compared to the swan; but its legs and neck are so long, that when upright, it is as tall as a grenadier. The plumage of the flamingo is a vivid red. It was once known in Europe, but man had so many inducements to pursue it, that it left that quarter altogether, and is now known only in some parts of Africa and America. It is said that numbers live together in great harmony. They sometimes, according to

Dampier, are found three hundred in a flock. When feeding they have a sentinel, who screams as the enemy approaches, when the whole army are in an instant on the wing, leaving the pursuer far behind.

The Spoon-bill.-The shape of the bill of this bird gives it its appropriate name. This member is jet-black, and light as whalebone; but the plumage is pure white, and on the head is a crest of the same colour. The spoon-bill is of the crane family, and is known in Europe; also in America; but in the latter country it is of a beautiful rose colour.

The Crane.-The home of the crane is in the Arctic regions. Its plumage is ash-coloured; and two large tufts of feathers terminate each wing: these used to be set in gold, and worn as

THE STORK-THE HERON.

193

a costly ornament. Cranes are gregarious; and they are represented as living together in all faithful attachment, affording a pattern to mankind, both of conjugal and filial love; indeed, many of the feathered race teach man important les

sons.

The Stork is a bird of passage. This is especially noticed in the prophet Jeremiah, where the Lord is remonstrating with Israel, chap. viii. 7. The crane and stork are much alike; but their habits are dissimilar. The stork is larger than the crane; but its neck is shorter. The head, neck, breast, and belly, are all white; and the rump, with the exterior feathers of the back, dark. The stork is a silent bird: the crane has a loud piercing voice. The stork loves

the haunts of men: the crane flees from them. As the stork destroys a great number of noxious reptiles, it is considered a great friend to man; and from time immemorial has been venerated. In Holland, the stork is even protected by the laws, and builds its nest on the tops of houses, without molestation. There is also a black species of stork, the modern ibis of Egypt; and another species in America.

The Heron. This bird is usually seen sailing high in the air. He is a great robber of ponds; and pitches his tent always near ponds that are well stocked. One species of this family is called the night-heron, from its flying in the night, and its hoarse voice.