PROCELLARIID^. 353 



hood of Table Bay in large flocks ; but I have never seen them 

 remain sufficiently long to allow a vessel to pass them, or even 

 to come abreast of them, as they invariably rise first ; other 

 Petrels will frequently allow a vessel to pass them, often within 

 a stone's throw. I have seen this denied ; but I state a fact. A 

 large number of Whale-birds may frequently be seen hovering 

 over a whale as he disports himself; they fly very low on such 

 occasions, traversing rapidly the spray and foam ejected from 

 the whale's nostrils, as if it afforded them some kind of food ; 

 and probably such is the case. I have also seen them hover 

 about spots where a quantity of seaweed is floating, no doubt 

 with the object of picking up such insects &c. as may be found 

 attached to the weeds." ED.] 



406. Daption capensis (Linn.). Cape-Petrel. 



Daption capensis, Gould's Birds of Australia, vol. vii. pi. 53. 

 Layard's Cat. No. 671. 



This is the most common Petrel off the south and 

 south-west coast of Africa, but is rarely seen much to 

 the north of 27 lat. It is pretty generally known as 

 the " Cape-pigeon ; " why, it is hard to say, except it be 

 from its comparative fearlessness of man. 



The first appearance of these birds after a long voyage 

 is hailed with universal pleasure ; for, whether on the 

 wing and sailing round and round the vessel, or quietly 

 resting on the surface of the water, they equally present 

 a picture which never fails to attract and delight the 

 eye. 



The same birds have been known to follow a vessel 

 for several consecutive days. 



Their food is various, consisting chiefly of mollusca, 

 but including such refuse as is thrown overboard from 



2 A 



