PROCELLARIID^. 



727 



THE STORM-PETREL. 



Procellaria pelagica, Linngeus. 



The Storm-Petrel is generally distributed throughout British 

 waters ; and during rough weather it is often met with inland, 

 especially at the time of the autumnal migration, when individuals 

 are frequently taken whilst fluttering against the lanterns of 

 light-houses and light-ships. Unusual numbers occurred between 

 October 27th and November 4th 1883 on the east side of England; 

 and in 1886, according to Mr. Harvie-Brown, "a regular stream 

 of migration of Petrels seems to have taken place with the ' great 

 rush ' of other species on the 5th-6th of October, as they were 

 reported from several stations " — in Scotland. The same writer 

 adduces evidence that this bird remained on South Uist during 

 November, December, and January 1822-23; though as a rule it 

 does not voluntarily approach the land until May. In Scotland and 

 Ireland its breeding-places are numerous, owing to the abundance 

 of low islets and other suitable situations; there are several on 

 the coast of Wales and one in the Scilly Islands, while a few pairs 

 are believed to nest on an islet off Lundy ; eastward of which no 

 resorts are known in England. 



Southward, this species breeds in the Channel Islands and along 

 the coast of Brittany, as well as on both sides of the Mediterranean 

 as far as the Ionian Sea ; while storm-driven examples have been 

 obtained far inland on the Continent. It visits the Azores, Madeira 



