304 THE FULMAR PETREL 
contained air only, we could but conclude that our apparition had 
taken refuge in a hole under the bank. | 
Early in spring, when Dabchicks leave the small streams and 
watercourses for broader pieces of water, they have been observed 
to fly; and during the building season also they have been seen 
circling round in the air near the locality of their intended nest. 
The nest itself is constructed of weeds of all kinds, forming a thick 
mass raised but a few inches above the surface of the water, and 
invariably far enough from the bank to be inaccessible except by 
wading. The Dabchick lays five or six long-shaped eggs, pointed 
at either end, of a chalky white colour. These the bird, when 
she leaves the nest, covers with weeds for the purpose of conceal- 
ment, and on her return continues the work of incubation without 
removing the covering, so that the eggs soon lose their white hue, 
and before the period of hatching have become very dirty. The 
young birds can swim and dive immediately on leaving the egg. 
I have never myself seen a Dabchick fly through the air or walk 
on land, neither have I ever heard its note. The latter, a low 
clicking and chattering sort of noise, it is said to utter in spring. 
It breeds even in St. James’ Park. Females smaller than males. 
ORDER TUBINARES 
FAMILY PROCELLARIIDA 
THE FULMAR PETREL 
PROCELLARIA GLACIALIS 
Head, neck, under plumage, and tail, white ; wings bluish ash, the primaries 
brownish grey; beak, irides, and feet, yellow. Young of the year grey 
tinged with brown, mottled on the back with deeper brown ; bill and feet 
yellowish ash. Length nineteen inches. Eggs white. 
In some of the Outer Hebrides Fulmars breed ; but the great station’ 
to which tens of thousands annually resort, is the remote island 
of St. Kilda. To the Fulmar indeed, and in a less degree to the 
Gannet and two or three other sea-birds, the island is indebted for 
its being able to boast of human inhabitants. Eggs and birds, 
fresh or salted, furnish them with food; the Fulmar with oil: 
and feathers pay their rent. In the Shetlands it is said to be increas- 
ing. 
Dieieacse James Wilson says: ‘The oil is extracted from both 
the young and old birds, which, however, they must seize on sud- 
denly and strangle, else, as a defensive movement, the desired (and 
pungent) oil is immediately squirted in the face and eyes of their 
opponent.’ This oil is ejected, not, as it is sometimes said, through 
tubular nostrils, but directly through the throat and open mouth. 
