2 t4 



British Birds. 



The Petrels.— Or^/,/- Procellarhfurmes. 



THE TRUE 

 STORM-PETRELS. 



Snh-ftiiiiily 

 PROCELLARIIN.E. 



THE 



STORM-PETREL. 



{Pi'octllaria 



pclngica.) 



Petrels may always be distinguished from Gulls, which many of them resemble in 

 appearance, by their tubular nostrils. The Order contains a number of species, 

 mostly inhabitants of the southern or tropical seas. But few species breed in the 

 north, and, therefore, most of our Petrels are rare or occasional visitors. 



The members of this Sub-family are small black 

 birds, and are distinguished by ha\ing the nostrils united 

 above the ridge of the bill. The secondary quills are 

 thirteen in number, and the claws are sharp and 

 compressed. 



The Storni- 

 Petrel is recog- 

 nised b }• its 

 rounded or even 

 tail. It is sooty- 

 black, with the rump and upper 

 tad-coverts white, the latter tipped 

 with black. It breeds on the islands 

 off the coasts of Wales and Scotland, 

 as well as in similar localities in 

 Ireland, where some large colonies 

 are known to nest. The single 

 white egg is laid in holes of rocks 

 or burrows, with a few blades of 

 grass for a nest, and many birds are 

 found breeding in close proximity. 

 The Storm-Pctrel does not venture forth from its burrow during the day-time, 

 but is very active at night. The egg measures a little more than an inch in 

 length, and is white, with a thin sprinkling of tiny reddish-brown spots, some 

 times forming a zone round the larger end. 



The Storm-Petrel. 



