48 STORMY PETREL. 



examine into the reality of these things ; to dissipate the clouds of error 

 and superstition wherever they begin to darken and bewilder the human 

 understanding ; and to illustrate Nature with the radiance of truth. 

 With these objects in view, we shall now proceed, as far as the few 

 facts we possess will permit, in our examination into the history of this 

 celebrated species. 



The Stormy Petrel, the least of the whole twenty-four species of its 

 tribe enumerated by ornithologists, and the smallest of all palmated 

 fowls, is found over the whole Atlantic Ocean, from Europe to North 

 America, at all distances from land, and in all weathers ; but is par- 

 ticularly numerous near vessels immediately preceding and during a 

 gale, when flocks of them crowd in her wake, seeming then more than 

 usually active in picking up various matters from the surface of the 

 water. This presentiment of a change of weather is not peculiar to the 

 Petrel alone ; but is noted in many others, and common to all, even to 

 those long domesticated. The Woodpeckers, the Snow-birds, the Swal- 

 lows, are all observed to be uncommonly busy before a storm, searching 

 for food with great eagerness, as if anxious to provide for the privations 

 of the coming tempest. The common Ducks and the Geese are infallibly 

 noisy and tumultuous before falling weather ; and though, with these, 

 the attention of man renders any extra exertions for food at such times 

 unnecessary, yet they wash, oil, dress and arrange their plumage with 

 uncommon diligence and activity. The intelligent and observing farmer 

 remarks this bustle, and wisely prepares for the issue ; but he is not so 

 ridiculously absurd as to suppose, that the storm which follows is pro- 

 duced by the agency of these feeble creatures, who are themselves equal 

 sufferers by its effects with man. He looks on them rather as useful moni- 

 tors, who from the delicacy of their organs, and a perception superior 

 to his own, point out the change in the atmosphere before it has become 

 sensible to his grosser feelings ; and thus, in a certain degree, contribute 

 to his security. And why should not those who navigate the ocean con- 

 template the appearance of this unoffending little bird in like manner, 

 instead of eyeing it with hatred and execration ? As well might they 

 curse the midnight light-house, that, star-like, guides them on their 

 watery way, or the buoy, that warns them of the sunken rocks below, 

 as this harmless wanderer, whose manner informs them of the approach 

 of the storm, and thereby enables them to prepare for it. 



The Stormy Petrels, or Mother Carey's Chickens, breed in great num- 

 bers on the rocky shores of the Bahama and the Bermuda Islands, and 

 in some places on the coast of East Florida and Cuba. They breed in 

 communities like the Bank Swallows, making their nests in the holes and 

 cavities of the rocks above the sea, returning to feed their young only 

 during the night, with the superabundant oily food from their stomachs. 

 At these times they may be heard making a continued cluttering sound 



