58 



Genus — Puffinus. Shearwaters. 



General Description. Tube-nosed Swimmers from 17 to 20 inches long. The nasal 

 tubes are apparent but much less pronounced than in either the Fulmar or the Petrel. 



Distinctions. The only two east Canadian species that the ordinary observer is likely 

 to meet are either very dark or seem almost crow black from a distance. 



Field Marks. The long narrow wings held stiffly at right angles to the body and the 

 long ghdes of half a mile or more on fixed wings are distinctive. Their colour in browns 

 should separate them from the Fulmar which is grey but has much the same flight habits. 



Nesting. Very little is known of the nesting habits of the Shearwaters. Many of 

 them nest in the southern hemisphere, migrating north in the summer. 



Shearwaters are wonderful fliers, breasting the storms and gales with 

 the ease and grace of swallows. They are rarely seen by the casual observer 

 except from the decks of transatlantic steamers. 



Economic Status. Gleaning from the surface of the high seas, taking 

 small fish or such offal as is thrown from deep sea fishing or whaling boats, 

 their economic influence is too small to be appreciable. 



89. Greater Shearwater, fr.— le grand puffin. Puffinus gravis. L, 20. The 

 larger of our two commoner Shearwaters, lighter below with under tail coverts ashy grey. 



Distinctions. Its hght coloiu- below should separate this from the Sooty Shearwater; 

 and its general browTiness of back instead of greyness and its variegated colour differenti- 

 ate it from the Fulmar. 



Field Marks. Flight habits as described previously, together with brown coloration 

 and white imderparts should separate this in life from either the Fulmar or the next species. 



Nesting. There is little if anything known of the nesting habits of this species. Pro- 

 bably breeds in the southern hemisphere on lonely islets that have not been ornithologically 

 investigated. 



Distribution. Ranges over the whole Atlantic ocean from the Aictic to Cape Horn. 

 Visits Canada irregularly in summer. 



Economic Status. Of no economic importance. 



95. Sooty Shearwater. Puffinus griseus. L, 17. The smaller of our two more 

 common Shearwaters. Very diirk brown, almost black, and but little hghter below. 



Distinctions. Size, when possible to estimate or measure, and general dark coloration. 



Field Marks. Flight habits as described imder Shearwater and very dark, almost 

 crow black, appearance in life are probably the best field distinctions. 



Nesting. In burrows in the ground. 



Distribution. The oceans of the southern hemisphere, migrating up our coasts in 

 summer rather rarely. 



The two Shearwaters and Wilson's Petrel are the only species of 

 Canadian birds that are known to nest at the southern extremity of their 

 migratory range instead of at the northern. Specimens seen here in the 

 summer are migrants, not nesting birds. 



Economic Status. Of no economic importance. 



Genera — Oceanodroma, Oceanites. Petrels. 



General Description. The Canadian species of Petrel are small birds, scarcely as large 

 as robins and of even dark brown coloration. 



Distinctions. Small size, general sooty-brown coloration, and white rump. 



Field Marks. Size, colour as above, and the habit of pattering up and down the waves 

 as if walking on the water are diagnostic of the Petrels. 



The origin of the name Petrel is after Peter who walked the sea of 

 Galilee. The birds are also well known to sailors and voyageurs under 



