on the Fulmar Petrel.



3



curious fact that, although one may travel day after day on the

northern part of the North Sea or on the North Atlantic Ocean in

very rough weather and see hundreds of Fulmars all the time, it is

quite infrequently that one sees one of these birds resting on the

water, and yet, of course, they must sleep thereon.


From the sudden way in which a few Fulmars in mid-ocean

may augment their numbers it seems as if they tend to go about in

company, apart altogether from their habit of congregating to follow

certain ships.


It has been stated that a Fulmar, when flying near the shore,

shows the greatest reluctance to cross dry land; the same dis¬

inclination to cross the deck of a ship, even when quite high above

it, is very noticeable. It does so, but very, very rarely. A Fulmar

may cross the stern of a ship a hundred times with the wind strongly

behind or ahead of the bird, and yet not once will it appear above

the head of an observer standing right aft.


These birds are remarkably tame, or unusually bold—which it

is is a matter of opinion — but they often fly so close to the rail that

with a stick one could easily strike them. When passing close by

the observer in this manner the great pace at which they are

travelling is very obvious.


Associated with the Fulmar is very frequently the Kittiwake,

but this elegant and very skilful little aviator cannot compare with its

more robust companion, either in point of pace or endurance, and it

is very often seen resting on the water even in the heaviest sea, and

breaking waves disturb it not in the least.


If a wave or white-crested curler breaks into surf over a

swimming Fulmar it does not usually raise itself up in the water to

meet it as the Kittiwake does, but often it will take to flight, beating

the sea with its feet as it rises into the air.


It having on one occasion happened that the writer of these

notes had to cross the Atlantic from the North of Scotland to Nova

Scotia at the end of one year and to return in the beginning of the

next, notes were kept of the incidence of the Fulmar Petrel during

both voyages.


On the outward voyage on the first day not a few Fulmars

were noted, and this day was calm and bright.



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