Storm-Tossed Albatross Becomes Family Pet

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 70, 19 July 1948, Page 5

Storm-Tossed Albatross Becomes Family Pet

Following a reecnt storm, childTen found a big albatross on the hills above the beach near Mr W. Moore’s home at Thornton. The bird, which had evidently been buffeted "by the storm, seemed weak, but showed signs of viciousness at first. However, it responded to kindness, and after the children had fed it on frost fish for a few days, - it it came quite tame. Largest of the sea birds, the albatross has been known to grow a wing span of up to Vi feet. This one had a span of ■only 11' feet, but even that represents a substantial sized bird. Clumsy on land, the albatross needs the lift of the waves to help him to take off, so the children who had befriended him, when they felt lie was able to look after himself again, took him out to sea and launched him. At first he seemed reluctant to leave this land of friendly advances and free feeds, but finally headed for the horizon, not without many a backward glance before he spread Tiis great pinions - and rose from the ■crest of a wave to wing his way into the sunlit distance with leisured grace.