STORM PETREL. 259 



corded are both numerous and widely scattered, 

 extending from Shetland, St. Kilda and the Orkneys 

 to the Scilly and Channel Islands. We have seen 

 small parties off Douglas Harbour in the Isle of 

 Man in June, but did not discover any breeding 

 station ; several instances of dead or very exhausted 

 birds have been picked up inland, and large flocks 

 appear at times to be driven from their proper course. 

 In the Natural History of Yarmouth, it is stated 

 that between two and three hundred were shot in 

 Nov. ]824 after severe gales, and Mr. Yarrell tells 

 us of Mr. Gould having exhibited to the Zoological 

 Society twenty-four in a large dish. Mr. Thompson 

 mentions some Irish breeding stations. The geogra- 

 phic range appears to be very extensive, but we 

 have not verified what is recorded, by the examina- 

 tion of specimens. It reaches northward to Faroe 

 and Iceland, southward to Italy, * and South Afri- 

 ca, t Audubon obtained specimens on the banks 

 of Newfoundland. 



In habits this bird is entirely maritime, except 

 during incubation, feeding on floating marine mo- 

 lusca, &c. ; it will keep company with ships for 

 days together, perhaps assisted by the draft of their 

 wake, and will feed on the little bits of bread or 

 meat which may be thrown towards it or fall from 

 the vessel, and is thus sometimes procured by using 

 small hooks. When we have seen them, they 

 allowed the vessel to pass, and seemed the lightest 

 and mos+- buoyant things that could be imagined. 

 * Savi, Birds of Italy. t Smith. 



