THK S'lOIiMY ri'/riiEI.. 



The Stormj' Petrel, or " Mother Carey's Chicken," is seen by navigators in every 

 part of the ocean, skimming over the surface of a heavy rolling sea. Before a storm, 

 these birds flock under the wake of a ship, and are looked upon by the sailors as 

 foreboding evil. "But," says that accurate naturalist, Alexander Wilson, "as well 

 might they curse the midnight lighthouse, that, star-like, guides them on their watery 

 way, or the buoy, that warns them of the sunken rocks below, as this harmless wanderer, 

 whose manner informs them of the approach of the stoim, and thereby enables them to 

 prepare for it." 



Barry Cornwall thus sweetly sings : — 



'■ A thousand miles from Iniid arc wo, 

 Tossing; about on the roaring sea ; 

 Fiom billow to bounding billow east, 

 Like fleecy snow on the stormy blast : 

 'I'lic sails are scattered abroad like weeds, 

 The strong masts shake like quivering reeds, 

 'J he mighty cables, and iron chains, 

 'J he hull, which all earthly strength disdains — 

 They strain and they crack, and hearts like stone 

 Their natural hard pioud strength disown. 



" Up and down ! up and down ! 

 From the base of the wave to the billow's crown, 

 And amidst the flashing and feathery foam 

 The Storniv Petrel finds a home — 



Procellaria Pela"ica, 



2 N 



