382 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



this strength and courage, it is considered by other birds as the 

 pirate of the shores. 



Richardson's Jager, Lestris Richardsotiii, visits the coast 

 of Massachusetts and Maine, in the winter season, when it is 

 seen on the inland bays about Boston, flying in pairs, or sitting 

 on the water. Its flight is firm and long continued, and it takes 

 advantage of it to pursue other sea-birds, and force them to 

 disgorge their prey. It breeds in the fur countries, but, res- 

 pecting its habits at that season, very Uttle is known. Audu- 

 bon has doubts whether it is a distinct species from the one 

 which follows. 



The Arctic Jager, Lestris parasiticus, inhabits the north- 

 ern sea shores in summer, and in winter is found in Florida. 

 It resembles the preceding in its habits of plundering other 

 birds of the fruit of their labors. By means of its long tail, it 

 can suddenly check its flight or change its direction, so that 

 the victims of its oppression cannot escape its pursuit. 



The PoMARiNE Jager, Lestris pomarinus, is a bird which 

 Audubon never had the opportunity of examining till he went 

 to Labrador, but Dr. Brewer has obtained it in Massachusetts 

 bay, and thus authorized us to claim it as a visiter of ihe State. 

 So far as its habits are ascertained, they are like those of other 

 gulls, but its history is very imperfectly known. 



The Stormy Petrel, Thalassidroma Wilsonii, is found on 

 almost all the Atlantic, and known to seamen, who look upon 

 it with very little affection, by the name of Mother Carey's 

 chicken. It follows the vessel in its course through the deep, 

 not caring whither it goes, and when the tempest rises, seems 

 so indiff'erent to its raging, or rather to enjoy it so much, that 

 the superstitious formerly believed that this harmless bird had 

 some agency in raising the storms. It is called the Petrel, from 

 its walking, like the apostle Peter, on the surface of the water, 

 where it gathers any food that may be thrown from the vessel 



