282 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



are often dispensed with altogether. More generally a little 

 dry grass is the only material used. This bird when handled 

 emits a quantity of oilj and the whole bird is impregnated 

 with a scent which has been compared to exaggerated musk, 

 so strong that it still retains it even though it may have been 

 stuffed for years. It is a very voracious feeder, robbing the 

 herring nets, and seizing on masses of blubber even when 

 the men are engaged in flensing a whale. 



SOOTY SHEARWATEE. 



Piiffinus gyiseus. 



The first example obtained in Sussex was, I believe, one 

 brought to Mr. Dennis, respecting which he tells me, in a 

 letter dated July 4th, 1850, that it was picked up dead after 

 a gale, under the cliff at Seaford, a few days previously. Of 

 its habits little appears to be known. It is said to burrow in 

 peaty ground for three or four feet horizontally, and then 

 turning slightly to the right or left, to construct a rude 

 nest of twigs and leaves, in which it deposits a single q^^. 

 In New Zealand, where it is said to breed, the Maories 

 esteem the young birds as a delicacy, and hold them over 

 their mouths to swallow the oily matter which they disgorge. 

 The old birds roost on sliore, and are very noisy during the 

 nisht. The food of this Shearwater is of the same nature as 

 that of its congeners. (See Yarrell, B. B. vol. iv. p. 19.) 



Mr. Parkin, of Hastings, sent me notice that a male of 

 this species was shot off that town on the 3rd of September, 

 1890. This example was taken to Mr. Bristow, the well- 

 known naturalist of St. Leonards-on-Sea, by whom it has 

 been beautifully mounted, and it is now in my collection. I 



