2i8 PETRI-: L GROUP 



the small islet known as the Calf of Man, where, however, it has been 

 completely exterminated by rats. Unlike its larijer relative, it breeds 

 on the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, both on the American 

 and the European side ; some of its favourite resorts in the latter 

 being Iceland, the Faroes, Norwa\', the Orkneys, Shctlands, Hebrides, 

 and thence locally along the west coast of Great Britain as far south 

 as the Scilly Islands, as also on many parts of Ireland where there 

 are either bold cliffs on the mainland or islets off the shore. In winter 

 the species ranges as far south as the Canaries, Azores, and Madeira, 

 where it also breeds, in one hemispliere, and Brazil in the other. Of 

 the small British islands, other than those north of Scotland, to which 

 this species specially resorts for breeding, mention ma}- be made of 

 Annet in the Scilly group, Caldy in Carmarthen Bay, Skomer and 

 Skokhum, farther up the Pembrokeshire coast, and Rum in Scotland. 

 On the cast side of Great Britain no breeding -places arc known, 

 although the bird, which is the commonest of tlie British shearwaters, 

 may be met with at the proper season from Essex to the north of 

 Scotland. 



In the Shetlands and Orkneys fwhere they are known as lyric-birds) 

 these shearwaters make their appearance for the breeding -season 

 towards the latter part of April or early in Max- ; and immediately 

 on arrival set vigorously to work to drive tunnels in the sand\' soil, or 

 to put those of last year into suitable repair, for the reception of 

 the eggs and the accommodation of the female during the period of 

 incubation. 



The burrow, which is oficn of considerable length, appears to be 

 entirely excavated with the beak, while the soil is thrown out in a 

 heap at the entrance by means of the legs : if this heap be disturbed 

 to any extent the bird is almost sure to desert its nest. Small cuttle- 

 fishes and seaweed and other vegetable substances have been taken 

 from the stomachs of these birds ; but it is probable that fish 

 constitutes a portion of their diet. During the breeding - season 

 these birds generally pass the whole daj- in their burrows, so that 

 any one who is ignorant of their habits might imagine that they are 

 absent from districts where they abound. When they do come out, 

 in the evening, they are active enough ; and their prolonged wailing 

 cries may often be heard throughout the night. While one observer 

 testifies that when taken from their burrow^ they emit the oil}' fluid 

 from the mouth characteristic of petrels in general, another writer 

 states that none of the shearwaters possess this disagreeable habit. 

 The name of shearwater, it ma\- be mentioned, is believed to be 



