procellaridj:. 



533 



SUB-FAMILY I. 

 Procellarix.e. The Petrels iwoper. 



Gen. Charac. — Nostrils placed on the basal portion of the culmen, tubular, 

 and generally opened in front. 







Fig. 207.— the storm petrel. 

 {Procellaria pelagica.) 



Tliese birds live in tlie higher latitudes of both 

 hemispheres during the summer, and^ as the winter 

 approaches, migrate in numerous flocks to the more 

 temperate seas. Their flight is usually rapid and 

 continuous, or performed in graceful curves near 

 the surface of the ocean, where they seek fishes and 

 other marine animals, on which they prey. It is 

 indeed an interesting sight to observe these little 

 birds in a gale, coursing over the waves, down the 

 decli\4ties, and up the ascents of the foaming surf, 

 that threatens to burst over their heads ; sweeping 

 along the hollow troughs of the sea, as in a sheltered 



