7 6 



BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



its habit of laying eggs in the nests of the Common Partridge 

 and Pheasant, in spite of the fact that it has its own nest to 

 look after. It will temporarily desert the latter, but eventually 

 returns and rears its brood. Not nearly so much liked as its 

 British relative, being more of a wanderer, and not affording 

 such good sport. A very handsome species. 

 Plumage. — White throat and cheeks, encircled with a band of black, 

 which opens out on the breast and sides of neck in the form of 

 spots and lines, with a little white spotted over same; reddish- 

 ash above; flanks marked with crescent-shaped spots; rust-red 

 near tail; black on centre, with white borders; bright - red 

 orbits, beak, and feet. Length. — Thirteen and a half inches. 



PETREL, FORK-TAILED (ProceUaria Icucorrhoa) 



Local Names. — Bullock's Petrel, Leach's Petrel. 



Haunt. — The sea coast and neighbourhood. 



Nesting Period. — June. 



Site of Nest. — Underneath stones and in holes of rocks and stone walls. 



Materials Used. — Very few. A few stalks and blades of grass, also 

 lichen or moss. 



Eggs. — One. White, with small red specks at one end ; rough texture. 



Food. — Fish, offal, and various marine creatures. 



Voice. — A shrill chirp, and when on nest a double note somewhat 

 like that of the Lapwing, " peur-wit, pcur-wit." 



Chief Features. — Breeds in the Outer Hebrides and on the Irish 

 coast. Has a hesitating flight, skimming and half-circling. 

 Sits very close when nesting. It is about the size of the Swift. 



Plumage. — Sooty-brown; upper tail-coverts white; some of under 

 tail-coverts same colour; tail very forked; brown irides; dusky- 

 black bill, leers, and feet. Length. — About seven inches. 



PETREL, FULMAR [Fulmar us glacialis) 



Local Names. — Malduck, Mallemoke, Malmarsh, Molly. Northern 



Fulmar. 

 flaunt. — The sea and its immediate vicinity. 

 Nesti)ig Period. — End of May and early June. 

 Site of Nest. — Burrows in the earth and on sea cliffs. 

 Materials Used. — When any, a little dry grass. 

 Eggs. — One. White; rough and chalky; it has a strong odour, 



which alone is sufficient to identify it. 

 Food. — Offal, blubber, and meat. 

 Voice. — A very silent species, and no account of the notes uttered 



seem to be recorded. 



