SOOTY SHEARWATER 
94. Puffinus griseus. 17 in. 
Sooty grayish-black all over except the under wing 
coverts, which are whitish; eye brown, bill and feet 
black. A few of these may usually be seen with flocks 
of the Greater Shearwaters, and sometimes a flock com- 
posed entirely of this variety will be encountered. They 
are expert swimmers on the surface of the water, but 
I have never seen one dive. Their food is almost if not 
wholly composd of oily refuse gathered from the sur- 
face of the water. In order to take flight, they paddle 
along the water a few steps; it is difficult for them to 
rise, except against the wind. If you sail upon them 
irom the windward, they go squawking and pattering 
over the water in all directions, and can frequently be 
caught in nets. They are very tame, and will some- 
times take food offered them, from the hand. 
Notes.—Guttural squawks like those of the large 
species. 
Range.—North Atlantic coast in summer. 
