WILSON'S STORM-PETREL. 459 



been placed for its reception. The egg measures an inch and 

 a half in length, by seven-eighths of an inch in breadth, is 

 almost equally rounded at both ends, and has a pure white 

 colour. These Petrels copulate on the water, in the same 

 manner as the Hyperborean Phalarope. By the beginning 

 of August the young follow their parents to sea, and are then 

 scarcely distinguishable from them. During incubation, they 

 remain in the burrows, or at their entrance, rarely going to 

 seek for food before the dusk. 



" On wing, this species is more lively than the Forked- 

 tailed, but less so than the Common Stormy Petrel. It keeps 

 its wings nearly at right angles with its body, and makes 

 considerable use of its feet, particularly during calm weather, 

 when it at times hops or leaps for several feet, or pats the 

 water, whilst its wings are extended upwards with a flutter- 

 ing motion, and it inclines its head downwards to pick up its 

 food from the water, and I have observed it immerse the 

 whole head beneath the surface, to seize on small fishes, in 

 which it generally succeeded. It can walk pretty well on 

 the deck of a vessel, or any other flat surface, and rise from it 

 without much difficulty. Its notes are difierent from those of 

 the Forked-tailed Petrel, and resemble the syllables kee-ree- 

 kee-kee. They are more frequently emitted at night than by 

 day. This species, like the other, feeds on mollusca, small 

 fishes, Crustacea, marine plants, excrements of cetaceous 

 animals, and the greasy substances thrown from vessels. 

 "When caught, they squirt an oily substance through the 

 nostrils, and often disgoi'ge the same." 



A few specimens have been obtained in England. I 

 have not met with any statement indicating its occurrence in 

 Scotland. Mr. Thompson does not consider himself autho- 

 rized to admit it as Irish, but femarks that there can be little 

 doubt, from the distribution of the bird, of its occasionally 

 visiting that country. 



