130 NATURAL HISTORY IBirds. 



Species 2. — The Stormfinch. 



Sib. Hist. Fife, 48. Procellaria pelagica, Liii. Sys. 212. Wil. Oiii. SQo. 

 Brit. Zool. 434. Brit. Zool. Jlhis.pl. SO.. Jig. 1. Ore. Alamouti. 



The Stonnfinch is very frequent in all the seas round Ork- 

 ney. I met with it in Stronsa Frith and elsewhere ; but it 

 never approaches the shore except in the breeding-season. 

 This is performed in the rocks and uninhabited isles; and as 

 soon as this is over, it betakes itself to sea, and we never see 

 it till that time twelvemonth. 



Our fishermen often fall in with the stormfinch at sea, but 

 they do not like them, for they are sure of a gust of wind im- 

 mediately to follow as often as they approach the land. 



I never could observe it but on the wing, or skipping from 

 wave to wave, dipping its bill now and then in the water, as 

 if in search of insects, nor does it seem to be a diver. 



