

22 Ocean between Europe and America. 



... 

 Of amphibious animals, or reptiles ; we met 



twice with a Turtle, one of which was 



fleeping, the other fwam without taking 



notice of our fhip; both were of two feet 



diameter. 



Birds are pretty frequently feen on the 

 ocean, though Aquatic Birds are more com- 

 mon than Land Birds. 



The Petrel fProcellaria Pelagica, Linn. J 

 was our companion from the channel to the 

 fhores of America. Flocks of this bird were 

 always about our (hip, chiefly in that part 

 of the fea, which being cut by the fhip, 

 forms a fmooth furface, where they fre- 

 quently feem to fettle, though always on 

 the wing. They pick up or examine every 

 thing that falls accidentally from the (hip, 

 or is thrown over board : little fifh feem to 

 be their chief food ; in day time they are 

 filent, in the dark clamorous ; they are re- 

 puted to forebode a ftorm, for which rea- 

 fon the failors difliking their company, 

 complimented them with the name of 

 witches-, but they are as frequent in fair 

 weather, without a ftorm following their 

 appearance. To me it appeared as if they 

 flayed fometimes half an hour and longer 

 under the waves, and the failors affured me 

 they did. They look like fwallows, and 

 like them they fkim fometimes on the 

 water. The 



