STORIES ABOUT TITIDS. 



to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, but does not remain to rear its brood, 

 passing northwards in the spring. 



Geese Hve principally on vegetable diet; by means of the hard margins of 

 their beaks they are able to crop grass and various kinds of vegetables. They 

 likewise procure small animals and plants from the bottom of the pond or river. 



The spur-winged goose, of which we give an illustration, is a native of 

 Central and South Africa. It is very rarely to be seen in England, although 

 specimens have been shot in Yorkshire, and also in Cornwall. 



THE STORMY TETREL. 



The stormy petrel is a bird of the sea, and very different in its habits from 

 the birds we have been describing. In colour it is of a sooty black. Its 

 wings are like those of the swallow, and enable it to mount high in the air ; 

 and they are so strong that it can keep all day on the wing, and may be heard 

 throughout the night. Indeed, it rarely comes to land, except to make its 

 nest in some clift"or steep rock at a great height above the sea. And it can 

 hardly be said to swim. The fore toes are webbed, and the hinder toe is a 

 mere claw. It runs about upon the surface of the waves, or sits down and 

 floats along. 



The sailors call the petrel by the name of " Mother Carey's chicken," 

 and dread to see one near their ship. They say the bird foretells a storm, 

 and is come to wait for the wreck that it may feast upon the prey. But the 

 sailors are mistaken. In time of danger the petrel is seen in the track of the 

 vessel, but it is only to obtain a shelter, by placing the ship between itself and 

 the tempest. 



In disposition the petrels are very harmless. They live in pcncct good- 

 fellowship with each other, and rarely seek the company of other birds. 'I heir 

 food consists of all sorts of soft-bodied animals, picked up from the surface of 

 the ocean. 



Casseli., Petter, & Gali'in, BiiLi.E Sauvage Works, London, E.G. 



rj75 



