§26 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
Srorm Perren, Thalassidroma pelagica. This 
little Petrel, the last on my list, as well as on that of 
British birds, is not only the smallest of the Petrels, 
but the smallest of all the British web-footed birds. 
I add it to my list on the authority of Montagu, who 
says that a specimen was killed in the neighbour- 
hood of Bath,* for, like the Forktailed Petrel, this 
little ocean wanderer is occasionally driven inland, 
especially in the autumn. 
The Storm Petrel, or “ Mother Carey’s Chicken,” 
as it is called by the sailors, is regarded with a good 
deal of awe by them as being the sure forerunner of 
stormy weather. Montagu says that during a voyage 
to America he noticed two or three small congrega- 
tions of these birds, and they followed the ship for 
several hours, flying round and playing about, in the 
manner of Swallows, frequently stooping to pick up 
bits of biscuit thrown over for them. Fortunately, 
however, he adds, “‘ we looked in vain for the accom- 
panying tempest, which these bewitched chickens of 
Mother Carey were supposed to forebode.” 
The food of this bird is much the same as that of 
the Forktailed Petrel,—namely, small fish, Mollusca 
and Crustacea, to be found in floating masses of sea- 
weed,—and it also accompanies vessels to look out 
for any edible matter that may be thrown over- 
board. 
* Montagu’s Dictionary, by Newman. 
