62 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



storms. None of the species is remarkable for 

 any brilliant coloured plumage, the prevailing 

 tints being blacks, browns, greys, and white. 

 In all known species the sexes are similar in 

 colour. Many of the species are of nocturnal 

 habits, especially the smaller forms of Petrels 

 and the Shearwaters, but the Albatrosses and 

 Fulmars are chiefly diurnal. Some of the most 

 remarkable forms in this order are the Diving 

 Petrels, which appear to be more terrestrial in 

 their choice of haunt, frequenting fiords and 

 inlets. These birds possess the habit of diving, 

 but little seems to be known respecting their 

 economy. The notes of these birds are harsh, 

 cackling, and grunting. The birds often become 

 very vociferous at night at their breeding-places. 

 Some of the species are remarkably silent, notably 

 the Fulmars. These birds breed on remote 

 ocean islets and lonely coasts, some burrowing 

 into the ground, others making their rude nests 

 upon the earth, or on cliffs or amongst boulders. 

 None of the species lays more than one egg for a 

 brood, and this egg is white and chalky, in some 

 cases sprinkled or dusted with a zone of reddish- 

 brown spots. They feed upon crustaceans, 

 cephalopods, jellyfish, and similar marine crea- 

 tures, varied in some cases with scraps of sorrel 



