310 ANSERES. PROCELLARIAM2. 



GENUS THALASSIDROMA. (VIGORS.) 



In these little birds, the smallest of web-footed 

 fowl, the beak is short, much compressed in front 

 of the nasal tube ; the tip of the upper mandible 

 suddenly curving downwards, that of the lower 

 angled and following the curve of the upper. The 

 nostrils contained in one tube, but shewing two 

 orifices. The tarsi long and slender; fore-toes 

 webbed : hind-toe merely a small, dependent nail ; 

 the wings long and pointed; the tail square or 

 slightly forked. 



Several species seem to have been formerly con- 

 founded under the name of the Stormy Petrel, 

 which are now found to be distinct : we select for 

 illustration that known as Wilson's Petrel (Tha- 

 lassidroma Wilsoni, BONAP.), the most commonly 

 seen in the Atlantic. It is about as large as a 

 Lark ; of a sooty black hue, with a broad band of 

 rusty brown across each wing, and one of pure 

 white across the rump ; the legs are long, and, 

 with the toes and their membranes, are black, with 

 the centre of the latter pale. 



The habits of this species are well described by 

 the admirable ornithologist to whose memory it is 

 dedicated. " In the month of July, on a voyage 

 from New Orleans to New York ... on entering 

 the Gulf Stream, and passing along the coasts of 

 Florida and the Carolinas, these birds made their 

 appearance in great numbers, and in all weathers, 

 contributing much, by their sprightly evolutions of 

 wing, to enliven the scene, and affording me every 

 day several hours of amusement. It is indeed 

 an interesting sight to observe these little birds in 



