BIRDS OF THE SEA 117 



dark brown and barred ; under parts white. Band of 

 pale brown spots across breast. Bill blackish horn- 

 colour. Cere and legs lead-colour. Length 22 in. 

 Female : brown marks on breast more distinct ; length 

 24 in. Young : paler above, and tail distinctly barred. 

 Nestling covered with blackish down. 



Language. — A sharp, shrill cry or scream. 



Habits. — It hovers much like the Kestrel, and plunges 

 down into the water to take its prey. Flight rapid and 

 graceful. 



Food. — Fish. 



Nest. — April or May. One brood. 



Site. — At the top of some tree, or on some isolated 

 rock ; always near water. 



Materials. — Sticks and turf, lined with wool and moss. 



Eggs. — Two or three. Creamy white, well blotched 

 with chestnut-red and claret, with purplish underlying 

 markings. 



GREAT SHEARWATER {Puffinus gravis). 



A fairly regular visitor to our waters, usually in autumn, 

 more especially to the south-west. The upper parts are 

 ash-brown, the feathers having lighter edges on the 

 mantle ; under parts white. Length 19 in. In habits 

 it much resembles the other Petrels ; it dives well, and 

 feeds principally upon squid. Its nest and eggs are 

 unknown. 



SOOTY SHEARWATER {Puffinus griseus). 



Occasionally met with in autumn and wmter, but 

 rarer than the last. In appearance it is very dark. 

 Length 18 in. Breeds in the Southern Hemisphere. 



