542 THE SHEARWATER. 



and on a rough sea. A large and odd looking bird, it 

 was some 20.00 long and 45.00 in extent; the wings being 

 very long, narrow and pointed, the tail very short, and the 

 general color a brownish-gray, like that of an immature 

 Gull. It was no doubt the "Great or Wandering Shear- 

 water {Puffijius major), in form and habits strictly like the 

 Petrels, — a sort of giant among his diminutive brethren. 

 This was no doubt an immature specimen, as the mature 

 bird is white underneath, and, breeding far north, would 

 not be likely to be found in this latitude in early summer. 

 It is common, however, on the banks of Newfoundland and 

 on the fishing grounds near Sable Island, accompanying 

 the fishing vessels in search of the offal. In winter it is 

 more or less common off the New England coast. Its 

 breeding habits are said to be similar to those of the 

 Petrels, depositing a single white ^^'g in a burrow in the 

 ground, or in some recess among the rocks. 



The Fulmar Petrel [Fulviarus glacialis), is occasionally 

 found off the coast of New England, and as it breeds very 

 far to the north, it must also be an occasional visitor at least 

 off the coast of Nova Scotia. Nearly 20.00 in length, and 

 32.00 in extent, it is a large species of its kind. Robust, 

 back and wings bluish-ash, primaries brownish, head and 

 under parts white, it bears a strong resemblance in color to 

 the Common Gull. The young have also a gray plumage, 

 similar to that of young Gulls. The Fulmar Petrels breed 

 in holes of rocky cliffs, and feed their young, at first, with 

 an oil which they vomit on the slightest provocation. The 

 one elliptical, white ^gg is some 2.78X2.02. 



Mr. Stearns describes the Sooty Shearwater {^Puffinus 

 fuliginosus) as " dark sooty-brown, blackening on the quills 

 and tail; paler and grayish below, usually with some whitish 

 on the lining of the wings. * * * Length, 18.00; 



