540 LEACH'S PETREL. 



red mould seldom on a few dried grasses it is generally 

 quite soiled. 



On approaching the breeding grounds in day-time, not a 

 Petrel is to be seen. Those which are not in their burrows 

 are far out at sea. As night comes on those in their bur- 

 rows sally forth, and those out at sea come in; and where 

 they breed in large numbers, the whole night long till the 

 dawn of day, the air seems alive with them. They hurry- 

 skurry near the ground, and cut through the air higher up, 

 passing and repassing each other, and uttering their pecul- 

 iar twitter, until their clatter and noise become a positive 

 nuisance. The night is, indeed, their time of rendezvous. 



Out at sea their flight is truly beautiful, very much re- 

 sembling that of the Swallow. But for its conspicuous white 

 spot on the rump, the unpracticed eye might easily mistake 

 the species fora Black Martin. Tossing and dashing hither 

 and thither, it seems to toy and sport with every breeze. No 

 gale can overpower its vigorous flight. Playing on the 

 very crest of the wave, ever and anon it will drop into the 

 leeward of the heavy billows, to enjoy the temporary calm 

 of those gorges and ravines of the sea. Noticeable to every 

 eye is its patting the surface of the most troubled waters 

 with its tiny webbed feet, thus, Peter-like, walking on the 

 waves, and so acquiring its common name Petrel. 



In day-time it is nowhere to be found along the shore, 

 but miles out at sea it is the constant companion of the 

 fisherman; sporting under the bow or the stern of his boat, 

 gorging itself with bits of liver thrown overboard, or tak- 

 ing, perchance, the coveted morsel even from his hands. 

 Great numbers accompany the fleets of fishing vessels on 

 the banks. Ships at sea are followed for great distances 

 by these little creatures in search of the bits thrown over- 

 board by the cook . 



