PE TRELS—SHEA R IV A TERS 2 5 5 



and small in size. The most common is the storm-petrel (Procellaria pelagica) 

 which measures only 5h inches in length, and is the smallest web-footed bird met 

 with in the British Isles. Its colour is blackish, relieved by a white band across the 

 rounded tail. To its habit of skimming the surface of the wave this bird owes its 

 name of petrel, or peterel, the equivalent of little Peter. 



An allied species, the fork-tailed petrel {Oceanodroma leucorrhoa), likewise 

 breeds on the islands of the North Atlantic, especially those on the American side, 

 and also occurs in the Pacific. Slightly larger than the storm-petrel, this bird is 

 distinguished by the white band being restricted to the upper surface of the tail, 

 which is deeply forked. 



STORM PETREL. 



If the petrels may be compared to swallows, their relatives the 

 Sti63,rw3,tGrs 



shearwaters may be likened to swifts, since when on the wing they 

 assume the form of a crossbow. The flight of these birds is indeed remarkable, 

 the members of a flock darting about almost with the swiftness of arrows in all 

 directions, although generally following one another in single file. One of the 

 best known forms is the white -breasted Manx shearwater (PufJUnus anglorum), 

 remarkable on account of the length of the winding burrows it excavates for its 

 nest. About 14 inches long, this bird is blackish grey in colour, with greyish 

 pencillings on the head and neck and a white breast. Its home is the North 

 Atlantic from Iceland to the Canaries on the one side, and from Greenland to 

 Brazil on the other. Its food consists of fishes and other creatures to be met with 

 near the surface of the water. Although this bird captures its prey while 

 swimming or diving, it never descends deep into the water, and never follows in 

 the wake of a ship for the sake of the offal. It takes its name from the manner 

 in which it ploughs through the weaves as it alights. 



