4 PROCELLARIID^. 



above a few inches iu extent, is occupied with one or more 

 of its nests. The nest is formed of herbage, seldom balky, 

 generally a mere shallow excavation in the turf, lined with 

 dried grass, and the withered tufts of the sea-pink, in which 

 the bird deposits a single egg, of a pure white colour when 

 clean, which is seldom the case, and varying in size from 

 two inches seven lines to three inches one line in length 

 by two inches in breadth.* On the 30th of June, having 

 partially descended a nearly perpendicular precipice, six 

 hundred feet in height, the whole face of which was covered 

 with the nests of the Fulmar, I enjoyed an opportunity of 

 watching the habits of this bird, and describe from personal 

 observation. The nests had all been robbed about a month 

 before by the natives, who esteem the eggs of this species 

 above all others. Many of the nests contained each a young 

 bird a day or two old at farthest, thickly covered with long 

 white down. The young birds were very clamorous on being 

 handled, and vomited a quantity of clear oil, with which I 

 sometimes observed the parent birds feeding them by dis- 

 gorging it. The Fulmar is stated in most works on orni- 

 thology to possess the power of ejecting oil with much force 

 through its tubular nostrils, using this as a mode of defence ; 

 but although I surprised several upon the nest, I never 

 observed them attempt this. On being seized they instantly 

 vomit a quantity of clear amber-coloured oil, which imparts 

 to the whole bird, its nest and young, and even to the rock 

 which it frequents, a peculiar and very disagreeable odour. 

 Fulmar oil is among the most valuable productions of St. 

 Kilda. The best is obtained from the old bird. The Fulmar 

 flies with great buoyancy and considerable rapidity, and when 

 at sea is generally seen skimming along the surface of the 

 waves at a slight elevation, though I never observed one to 

 alight, or pick up anything from the water. "f 



Before proceeding further, it will be convenient to state 



* Average 2 "9 by 2 in. The sliell, which is rough, and pervaded by a strong 

 musky odour, is sometimes minutely freckled with rusty red. 



f A more recent account is given by Capt, H. J. Elwes in ' The Ibis,' 1869, 

 pp. 32-35. 



