INTERVIEW WITH AN ALBATROSS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 507, 11 March 1949, Page 13

INTERVIEW WITH AN ALBATROSS

PECIMENS of albatross, the legendary bird of Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, are not seen’ every day in New Zealand, so when the manager of Station 4YZ Invercargill heard that one had

been found near by, he acted quickly. He got in touch with the Rt. Rev. C. J. Tocker, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, and a keen naturalist, who went out to the coast near Dacre where the bird was stranded, and brought it to town in the back seat of his car. Later he took it round to 4YZ, where’ an interview was broadcast in which the bird was described, its habits detailed, and so. on. When this had been done he took it to Bluff, where it was liberated and -flew quickly out to sea.

The accompanying photograph shows Mr. Tocker holding the ‘albatross outside 4Y¥Z while the interview is being recorded. This specimen is believed to" be an immature member of the wandering albatross family (diomedea exulans), the most commonly known variety, which lives in the Pacific, The albatross is the largest sea bird when fully grown, attaining a length of four

feet, a weight of 25 pounds, and the unique wing-spread of 17 feet. It is remarkable for its soaring flight, and feeds upon fish and offal, Often when it is gorged it may be unable to fly. Both sexes are white, streaked with dark bands on the back and with dark wings. The bird lays’ one white egg, about four inches long, on the ground, and the species is noted for the birds’ unusual joint courtship dance.

Altogether about 20 types of albatross are known, the black-footed albatross and short-tailed albatross being found in the North Pacific from California to Alaska. The yellow-nosed albatross and the sooty. albatross, of related species, are casual visitors found as far north as the state of Oregon in the United States.