FULMAR PETREL. 333 



If it come to land no west wind is expected for some time, 

 and the contrary when it returns and keeps to sea." 



Its food is chiefly fish, particularly those that are the most 

 fat, its stomach is indeed generally charged with oil, which 

 it has the power of ejecting forcibly from the bill and nos- 

 trils, as a mode of defence. It attends the fishing vessels 

 on the banks of Newfoundland, feeding on the liver and 

 offal of the cod-fish which is thrown overboard, and is 

 known to the sailors by the quaint name of John Down. 

 It is also taken by means of a hook baited in this manner 

 with the offal ; and the inhabitants of Baffin's and Hudson's 

 Bay are said to salt them for winter provision ; though Pen- 

 nant, in the Arctic Zoology, adds that their flesh is rank and 

 fetid in consequence of their unpleasant food, yet they 

 are still considered as no indifferent dish by the hungry 

 Greenlanders, and they breed usually about Disco. Like 

 the birds of the preceding, and nearly allied genus, they 

 nest in holes in the rocks, in great companies, at St. Kilda, 

 about the middle of June, laying but one large, white, and 

 brittle egg. The Fulmar is now and then, though very 

 rarely, seen on the temperate coasts of Europe and the 

 United States. The feathers are very close and full, cloth- 

 ed below with a thick and fine down. 



The length of this species is about 17 inches. With the head, 

 neck, all the lower parts,* rump, and tail pure white. Back, scapu- 

 lars, wing coverts and secondaries of a pure bluish-ash. Quills pale 

 greyish-brown. Tail much rounded and forming a cone. Bill bright 

 yellow, the nasal tube tinged with orange. Irids and feet yellow. 



T7ie young of the year, have all parts of the body pale grey, shaded 

 with brown. The feathers of the back and wings tipped with much 

 darker brown. Quills and tail feathers of a single shade of grey- 

 brown. Before the eyes there is an angular black spot. Bill and feet 

 yellowish-ash. 



