432 FULMARUS GLACIALIS. 



jjrass and the Avithercd tufts of the sea-pink, in Avliich the 

 hird deposits a single egg, of a pure Avhitc colour when 

 clean, which is seldom the case, and varying in size from 

 2 inches 7 lines to 3 inches 1^ line in length, and 1 inch 

 11 lines to 2 inches in breadth. On the oOth of June, 

 having partially descended a nearly perpendicular precipice 

 GOO feet in height, the -whole face of which Avas covered with 

 the nests of the Fulmar, I enjoyed an opportunity of ob- 

 serving the habits of this bird, which has fallen to the lot of 

 fcAv of those who have described them, as if from personal 

 observation. The nests had all been robbed about a month 

 before by the natives, who esteem the eggs of this species 

 above all others ; those of the Auk, Guillemot, Kittiwake, 

 and Puffin ranking next ; and the Gannet, Scart, and Cor- 

 morant last of all. Many of the nests contained each a 

 young bird, a day or two old at farthest, thickly covered with 

 long white down. Such of the eggs as I examined in situ 

 had a small aperture at the broad end, at which the bill of 

 the chick was visible, sometimes protruding a little way. 

 Several addle eggs also occurred. The young birds were 

 very clamorous on being handled, and vomited a quantity of 

 clear oil, with which I sometimes observed the parent birds 

 feeding them by disgorging it. The Fulmar is stated in 

 most works on ornithology to possess the power of ejecting 

 oil with much force through its tubular nostrils, using this 

 as a mode of defence ; but although I surprised several upon 

 the nest, I never observed them attempt this. On being 

 seized, they instantly vomit a quantity of clear amber-coloured 

 oil, which imparts to the whole bird, its nest and young, and 

 even the very rock which it frequents, a peculiar and very 

 disagreeable odour. Fulmar oil is among the most valuable 

 productions of St. Kilda, and is procured of two kinds by 

 different processes. The best is obtained from the old bird 

 by surprising it at night upon the rock, and tightly closing 

 the bill until the fowler has secured the bird between his 

 knees, with its head downwards. By opening the bill the 

 Fulmar is allowed to disgorge about a table-spoonful, or 

 rather more, of oil into the dried gullet and stomach of a 

 Solan Goose, used as a reservoir for that purpose. These, 



