BIRDS, 245 



On volcanic and other abrupt coasts, the frigate-bird 

 builds its nest in the crevices of high cliffs ; but where 

 these do not exist, as on the low coral islands of the 

 Pacific Ocean, it selects the loftiest trees, both for roost- 

 ing and nidification. 



THE PINTADO PETREL. 

 (Procellaria Capensis.} 



The Pintado, or Painted-petrel, is perhaps the hand- 

 somest of antarctic sea-birds ; and its ermined plumage 

 corresponds well with the blue ocean it frequents. Its 

 natural habitat is the high south latitudes, and chiefly 

 about the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn ; al- 

 though, when seduced by ships, it will occasionally 

 enter the heart of the tropics. 



The half-mourning garment of this bird is as neat 

 and elegant as can well be imagined. The head and 

 neck are black, with a semilunar white mark beneath 

 the eye; the back and wings prettily mottled black 

 and white ; the throat and abdomen white ; the tail 

 black, with transverse white bars. The skin is covered 

 with a thick slate-coloured down, short, but of fine qua- 

 lity. The beak is jet black ; and the legs are uniformly 

 of the same hue in some individuals, whilst in others 

 they are variegated with white. The toes are com- 

 pletely webbed, and the heel is provided with the short 

 sessile spur that characterizes the petrel family. The 

 plumage of the female is browner and less vivid than 

 that of the male. The size of the species is about that 

 of a small duck its average entire length eighteen 

 inches. 



The size of the bird, its innocent expression of 

 countenance, and some peculiarities in its flight, have 

 induced sailors to give it the name of Cape-pigeon. 



