BIRDS OF THE SEA 117 



dark brown and barred ; under parts white. Band of 

 pale brown spots across breast. Bill blackish horn- 

 colour. Cere and legs lead-colour. Length 22 in. 

 Female : brown marks on breast more distinct ; length 

 24 in. Young : paler above, and tail distinctly barred. 

 Nestling covered with blackish down. 



Language. A sharp, shrill cry or scream. 



Habits. It hovers much like the Kestrel, and plunges 

 down into the water to take its prey. Flight rapid and 

 graceful. 



Food. Fish. 



Nest. April or May. One brood. 



Site. At the top of some tree, or on some isolated 

 rock ; always near water. 



Materials. Sticks and turf, lined with wool and moss. 



Eggs. Two or three. Creamy white, well blotched 

 with chestnut-red and claret, with purplish underlying 

 markings. 



GREAT SHEARWATER (Puffinus gravis). 



A fairly regular visitor to our waters, usually in autumn, 

 more especially to the south-west. The upper parts are 

 ash-brown, the feathers having lighter edges on the 

 mantle ; under parts white. Length 19 in. In habits 

 it much resembles the other Petrels ; it dives well, and 

 feeds principally upon squid. Its nest and eggs are 

 unknown. 



SOOTY SHEARWATER (Puffinus griseus). 



Occasionally met with in autumn and winter, but 

 rarer than the last. In appearance it is very dark. 

 Length 18 in. Breeds in the Southern Hemisphere. 



