PETRELS. 245 
in the North Sea. Occasionally storm-driven birds 
may be met with close inshore. The Fulmar 
Petrel is one of the most familiar birds of high 
latitudes, following in the wake of whaling vessels 
and sealers, and known to the sailors by the name 
of “Molly Mawk.” In its actions above the sea, 
the Fulmar very closely resembles a Gull, beating 
about in the same dilatory manner, and searching 
for any food chancing to float upon the surface, 
following in the wake of vessels for miles to pick 
up the scraps thrown overboard. Its usual food, 
however, appears to be cuttlefish and sorrel. It is 
also very partial to whale blubber. It often alights 
upon the sea, either to rest or sleep, or to eat its 
food; whilst its flight is not only powerful, but 
capable of being sustained for long periods. When 
searching for food, this bird flies close to the waves, 
every now and then gliding along with wings 
nearly motionless, maintaining its speed with a 
few vigorous beats from time to time. 
The Fulmar Petrel becomes by far the most 
interesting at its breeding stations. These, how- 
ever, are isolated and few. In the British area 
there is only one important nesting place of this 
species, and that is at St. Kilda—a group of rocky 
turf-covered islets, that form an ideal haunt for every 
species of Petrel that frequents the British seas, or 
even a considerable portion of the North Atlantic. 
A fortnight’s sojourn on St. Kilda has made me 
familiar with many of the Fulmar’s habits during 
