THE STORMY PETREL. 449 



be doubted, but for numberless recorded instances; for 

 there is scarcely a county in England in which they hare 

 not been seen. 



In 1832 upwards of twenty instances occurred, and 

 many of them in the midst of crowded towns; thus, 

 after a series of tempestuous weather, one was captured, 

 which had been seen flying up and down the streets of 

 a populous town, about seven or eight feet above the 

 ground, apparently much exhausted ; and in October, 

 1846, one was picked up in Broad Street, Halifax, 

 remaining alive only a few hours, driven inland no doubt 

 by recent stormy weather ; while others, after severe 

 storms, have been seen flying about the iron-furnaces 

 at Low Moor, near Bradford, in the West Riding of 

 Yorkshire, probably attracted by the blaze of their 

 immense fires. 



They do not, however, always follow ships merely for 

 shelter; we suspect that the scraps of food or grease, 

 which occasionally fall overboard, frequently attract 

 them. We have heard of one which accompanied a ship 

 from the Channel to the very shores of America, picking 

 up or examining everything that fell overboard. It was 

 observed to be more . clamorous during the night than 

 the day. It appeared, moreover, to those who watched 

 it, to dive, and remain under water for half an hour or 

 more ; and we have heard this power of immersion 

 attributed to it by others; but we are inclined, never- 

 theless, to doubt even its power of diving at all; its form, 

 lightness, thick coating of feathers, all being against its 

 remaining under water for any length of time; added 

 to which, such a power would be unnecessary, its food 

 being prepared for it on the surface of the waters, and 

 not below. 



2G 



