468 THALASSIDROMA PELAGICA. 



summer, but seems to reside on the open sea during winter. 

 In Ireland, according to Mr. Tliompson, it *' is to be met 

 with at all seasons about some parts of the coast, and breeds 

 in several of the islets." 



It is rather surprising to Mhat an extent destruction is 

 caused to this species by gales and hurricanes, dead or dying 

 birds being often found on such occasions, not only on or 

 near the coast, but far inland. The continued prevalence of 

 a strong sea-wind occasionally drives them in great numbers 

 to the coast. Thus Mr. Thompson relates that, in October 

 1843, hundreds appeared about Anstruther, in Fifeshire, 

 after a storm from the east. Mr. Harry D. S. Goodsir, his 

 informant, stated that " some of them appeared about the 

 town ; but as the storm died away, they gradually went 

 fiirther out to sea. He one day followed them, and in a 

 heavy sea captured thirty, by flinging pieces of the liver of 

 cod-fish over the gunnel of the boat, Avhen several fighting 

 for the food were caught at a single sweep of a landing-net. 

 Single birds, too, were captured by the lumds of the boat- 

 men. The following day my friend took about fifty in the 

 same manner, and many more might have been procured." 



Young, — The young, which do not leave the nest until 

 fledged and able to fly, are similar to the adult, with this 

 difference, that the feathers of the upper parts are of a 

 lighter tint, and margined with reddish-brown. 



