PROCELLARIIDM. 19 



therefore, with all modesty, compelled to disagree with Waterton, and all who affirm that 

 this little Petrel is only found in stormy weather. 



There is, however, no denying the fact that by many mariners the Stormy Petrel 

 is considered the sure harbinger of storms and calamities, and by such looked upon as 

 a bird of ill-omen. Thus the name of Stormy Petrel, or "Stormfogel" of Northern 

 Europe ; and Procellaria, from procdla, " a storm." 



Especially was this the case in the old superstitious days, when, in addition, the birds 

 were looked upon as a sort of repository for the souls of departed seamen, giving to them 

 a knowledge on storm-lore unattainable by other birds, but considered of so ghostly a 

 character that no practical use appears to have been made of it by the sailor. 



" Outflying the blast and the drifting rain, 

 The Petrel telleth her tale in vain ; 

 For the mariner curseth the warning bird 

 Who bringeth him news of the storms miheard." 



Barry Cornwall. 



Now doubtless the manner of all birds will foretell the coming storm to those able 

 to read the signs aright ; for as Davenport Adam says : — 



" From birds, in sailing, men instruction take ; 

 Now lie in port, now sail and profit make." 



And amongst them must, of course, be included the "Mother Carey;" but surely nothing 

 uncanny should be attributed to this the most vivacious, the most contented little bird on 

 the whole wide ocean. Food, weather, and general surroundings may be as contrary to 

 their natural tastes as possible, but they will appear as cheery as ever. 



This contented disposition struck me most forcibly in the poor little half-starved 

 specimen I caiight at Greenwich. Imagine it prostrate on flannel, thoroughly exhausted, 

 and dripping with oil (what an insult to a "Mother Carey," who gives us the purest oil 

 imaginable) ; and yet there it lay sucking the make-shift off its feathers without so much 

 as a grimace, and between whiles singing a sweet little warble, suggestive of the purring 

 of a well-fed petted tabby. How easily pleased ; Mark Tapley himself could not have 

 behaved in a more exemplary manner. 



I feel sure that in their own bird-world they never grumble ; and this in itself, 

 by-the-bye, should for ever free them from the imputation of being possessed of the souls 

 of departed sailors ; for who ever heard of a Jack Tar that did not occasionally indulge 

 in a growl — a sailor's privilege all the world over. And how our little friendly Petrel 

 loves a game : who has not seen them at sea racing the skij^jacks for the pure fun of 



p 



