A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



distribution is nearly cosmopolitan. As a 

 rule, shearwaters are divided into two groups 

 according to whether their under parts are 

 white or dusky. In the Mediterranean, 

 Western Europe, and East Atlantic occurs 

 the cinereous shearwater (Puffinus kuhli), 

 whilst the great shearwater (Puffinus major) 

 is found in the Atlantic Ocean (being also 

 an occasional autumnal visitor to the British 

 Isles). 



The Manx shearwater (Puffinus anglorum) 

 frequents the whole of the North Atlantic, 

 and is the commonest British representative 

 of the group. The dusky shearwater 

 (Puffinus obscurus) is found in both the 

 Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, whilst the 

 sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) has an 

 equally extensive range, being recorded as 

 an occasional straggler to our islands. 

 Following the shearwaters comes the genus 

 Oestrelata ; the capped petrel (Oestrelata 

 hcesitata) is a member of this group, and is 

 found in the warmest parts of the Atlantic. 

 Mention must also be made of Bulwer's 

 petrel (Bulweria columbina), which frequents 

 the Atlantic in the vicinity of the Canaries 

 and Madeira. The Cape petrel (Daption 



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