DIVIXG PETRELS. 89 



applies: " Onrcfiilly wnloliin<x tlic I.ivds flying to ;in(l fro nliout the rocks, wc obsorved 

 tluit they oi-easit)iially disapjjcared into ercvices amongst piles of loose stone.s, and 

 ere]it under loose masses of rock. rTaving meanwhile ascertained their call, we were 

 able, by listening attentively, to detect the exact positions of several of these hidden 

 liirds. They were easily caught when the stones were rolled aside ; but they were in 

 couples, merely prejiaring for laying, and therefore wo did not find any eggs." It 

 mnv be remarked that the petrels usually are found in pairs in the holes before tlie 

 breeding commences. Later, only one of tlie parents occupies the nest, while the other 

 one brings food to the breeding mate during the night; after the cluck is hatched, 

 both ]iaronts stay away during the day, only visiting and feeding it after dark. "The 

 egg," Mr. Eaton continues, "is laid upon the bare grounil, within the recess selected 

 by the birds, either in a chance depression formed by contiguous stones, or in a shallow, 

 circular hollow excavated in the earth by the parent. Having found numbers of tluir 

 nestinij-places I will describe my method of se.Trching for them. AYhenever tliere was 

 a calm night, I used to walk witli a darkened bull's-eye lantern towards some rocky 

 hillside, such as the petrols wonlil be likely to frequent. It was best to shut off the 

 light and keep it concealed, using it only in dangerous places where falls would be 

 attended with injury, and progress in the dai-k was hardly possible, lest the birds, see- 

 ing it, should bo silenced. On arriving at the ground selected, it was probable that 

 storm ]>etrels would be heard in various directions, some on the wing, others on their 

 nests, sounding their call at intervals of from two to five minutes. Those on nests 

 could be distinguished from others flying, by their cries ]iroceeding from fixed ]iosi- 

 tions. Having settled which of the birds should be searched after, a cautious advance 

 had to 1)0 made in her direction, two or three steps at a time, when she was in full 

 cry. As soon as she ceased, an abrupt halt was im]ierative, an<l a ])ause of some min- 

 utes might ensue before she recommenced her cry and jiermitted another slight 

 advance to be effected. In the course of this gradual a]iproach, the position of the 

 bird miijht be ascertained a|i]iroximately ; but it had to bo determined precisely, and 

 to learn exactly where she was, she had to lie slalked in the dark noiselessly. Xo gleam 

 could be permitted to escape from the lantern. Loose stones, and falls over rocks, — 

 to avoid them it was sometimes necessary to dispense with slip])ei-s, an<l feel one's way 

 in stockings only, for should the petrel be alarmed once with the noise or the light, 

 she would probable remain silent a considerable time. Now and then it would ha]ppcn 

 that, upon the boulder bonc.ith which she w.as sitting being almost attained, the bird 

 would cease calling. 'When this occurred, and many minutes elapsed without her cry 

 being resumed, it was advisable to make a detour, and approach the rock from the 

 o])posite side, as her silence might be attributed to her seeing a i)erson advancing 

 towards her, and she would probably recommence her call as soon as he was out of 

 sight. If she did not, a small jK'blple thrown amongst the rocks would usually elicit 

 some sounds from her, as .she would most likely conclude that the noise was JHing 

 made by her mate returning to the nest. When the stone beneatli which the bird 

 was domiciled was gained at last, redoul)led care had to be exercised. I>y 

 stooping down, and listening very attentively, her jwsition could be accurat«-ly 

 ascertained. Then the lantern was suddeidy turned upon her before she had time to 

 creep out of sight, and her egg could bo secured with the hand, or with a spoon ii< d 

 on to a stick." 



Amoim the Prooellariina? sever.il gi-oups may also be distinguished: firef, the 

 small stormy petrels, 'Mother Carey's chickens,' as they mo usually called. 



