144 BIRDS OF ICELAND 



[Cymochorea leucorrhoa (Vieill). 

 Fork-tailed Petrel. 



A somewhat larger bird than the following, with a 

 longer bill and forked tail, which has been reported 

 from Iceland {Vcrzeiclmiss, p. 370 ; also, Skyrsla, p. 46). 

 It has occurred in Greenland, and is more abundant on 

 the west side of the Atlantic. The general coloration 

 is the same as that of the Storm Petrel, and the length 

 is 8 inches, wing 6 inches.] 



Procellaria pelagica, Linn. Storm Petrel. 



Native name : ' Druc)i ' (?) 



Very plentiful all round the coasts, especially in the 

 south, but is not known, so far, to breed in Iceland, 

 though it breeds abundantly in the Faeroes, whence 

 the late Sysselmand Mliller gave me a number of eggs. 

 I think it probable that it may be found to breed in 

 Iceland. Its nest should be looked for in stone heaps, 

 and under boulders and in cracks of rocks — occasion- 

 ally it makes a burrow for itself in the turf — and 

 generally collects a little dead grass for lining. Small 

 islands are a very favourite breeding-place. The single 

 egg is white, sometimes faintly spotted, or even zoned, 

 with light red, and about 1-J inches long. Storm 

 Petrels are late breeders, and eggs are hardly likely to 

 be found in Iceland till quite the end of June. 



The bird distantly suggests a House Martin when on 

 the wing, and is sooty-black all over, including the bill 



