AVES 



587 



Procellariifonnes (Albatrosses and Petrels). — The former are birds 

 of the open sea with a wing spread of ten or twelve feet. They will 

 follow ships for days without landing by gliding on nearly motion- 

 less wings. They come to land usually on islands in colonies, to lay 

 their eggs. Laysan Island, far out in the Pacific, is noted for them. 

 The petrels are small and may be found in midocean. They nest in 

 crevices on rocky shores and islands. The members of this order 

 have tubular external nostrils, fully webbed toes, and long narrow 

 wings. 



Fig. 309. — American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, stake driver. Sometimes 

 called shikepoke in common parlance. (From Metcalf, Textbook of Economic 

 Zoology, published by Lea and Febiger.) 



Pelecaniformes (Totipalmate swimmers). — The cormorants are the 

 widely distributed, well-known representatives of the order. They 

 have long necks, long, hooked bills, and webbed feet. Their habits 

 are gregarious, and they dive for fish which can be eaten under 

 water. The oriental peoples take advantage of this ability to catch 

 fish, and train them to retrieve for the master. 



