A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



the Australian seas, whilst the white-bellied 

 petrel (Cymodroma grallaria) is found in 

 tropical seas. All these petrels are noted 

 for their powers of swimming and flight, 

 but have little skill as divers. There is, 

 however, a remarkable aberrant petrel 

 (Pelecanoides urinatrix), inhabiting the 

 Straits of Magellan. This bird differs from 

 all its congeners in possessing short wings 

 along with great diving powers. In appear- 

 ance it is said to resemble an auk, but 

 ornithologists unhesitatingly class it among 

 the petrels. The late Professor Mosely 

 wrote that these birds were to be seen in 

 large numbers in Royal Sound, where they 

 could be observed diving with rapidity, and 

 then fluttering along the surface of the 

 water to disappear once again. All these 

 feathered tramps wander far afield beyond 

 the reach of man save for the occasional 

 passing vessel. Their home is "on the 

 waters deep," and rarely do they visit land. 

 To them is given the ceaseless strength and 

 energy to " travel the uncharted." 



