STORM PETREL 



Procellaria pelagic a 



Storm Petrel breeds in many places throughout 

 Great Britain and Ireland, but it is not known to breed 

 anywhere on the east coast of Scotland or England. It 

 breeds in the Scilly Isles and on several of the islets 

 off the Welsh coast. In Scotland it is pretty generally 

 distributed during the breeding season on the islands off 

 the west coast, and is common at that season on the 

 Orkneys and Shetlands, and on Soay, one of the St. Kilda group. Off the 

 west coast of Ireland, especially on the Blasquets, it also breeds in some 

 numbers. After gales the Storm Petrel is often picked up inland in an 

 exhausted condition, but except during the breeding season this little bird 

 seldom visits the land. 



The Storm Petrel is the smallest web-footed bird ; it is strictly an 

 oceanic species, and even during the breeding season, when it is compelled 

 to come on shore to visit and feed its young, it only does so after dark. It 

 is only during this season, however, that it can be called a nocturnal bird, 

 for it may be seen all day, generally in little flocks, following in the wake of 

 some ship, to pick up any scraps of oily matter which may be cast overboard. 

 It can swim on the water with the greatest ease, but is generally seen on the 

 wing, sometimes hovering over the waves and paddling with its feet as if 

 walking on the water, whence it is sometimes known as ' Little Peter.' 

 Sailors call them ' Mother Carey's Chickens,' and say that their presence 

 foretells a storm, probably because it is almost the only bird which is not 

 frightened away by the raging gale. The Storm Petrel feeds on any oily 

 substances which it finds on the surface of the water. Its stomach is always 

 found full of oil, and when caught it usually disgorges a small quantity of 

 oil which possesses a peculiarly strong musky odour. 

 VOL. iv. 2 B 93 



