CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 199 



STORMY PETREL. 



Case 264. 



Though but seldom observed, except by seafaring- 

 people, the Stormy Petrel is common all round the 

 British Islands. 



I have often noticed these poor little birds terribly 

 distressed by the buffetings they receive during a pro- 

 tracted gale, at times hovering and settling among the 

 breakers, and occasionally being carried before some 

 blinding squall, almost helpless, inland. 



After a storm of several davs' duration in November, 

 1872, I observed scores of these birds resting on the 

 water a few miles off the coast of Norfolk, a]3parently 

 thoroughly worn out, with their heads buried in their 

 feathers. On visiting one of the lightships, I learned 

 that several of the Stormy, as well as a single specimen 

 of the Forked-tailed Petrel, had come on board while 

 the gale was at its height. 



It is late in the year before the Petrel arrives at 

 its nesting-quarters, eggs, I believe, seldom being 

 laid before the first or second week in June. 



The birds in the case were shot in the English 

 Channel, in May, 1872. 



HAWFINCH. 



Case 265. 



The Hawfinch is frequently seen in considerable flocks 

 in the south of England during winter. I have also 

 noticed small parties at the same season in the midland 



