418 THE STORMY PETREL. 



of them in the midst of crowded towns ; thus, after a series 

 of tempestuous weather, one was captured, which had been 

 seen flying up and down the streets of a populous town, 

 about seven or eight feet above the ground, apparently much 

 exhausted; and in October, 1846, one was picked up in 

 Broad Street, Halifax, remaining alive only a few hours, 

 driven inland, no doubt, by recent stormy weather ; while 

 others, after severe storms, have been seen flying about the 

 iron -furnaces at Low Moor, near Bradford, in the West 

 Riding of Yorkshire, probably attracted by the blaze of their 

 immense fires. 



They do not, however, always follow ships merely for 

 shelter ; we suspect that the scraps of food or grease, which 

 occasionally fall overboard, frequently attract them. We have 

 heard of one which accompanied a ship from the Channel to 

 the very shores of America, picking up or examining every- 

 thing that fell overboard. It was observed to be more 

 clamorous during the night than the day. It appeared, 

 moreover, to those who watched it, to dive, and remain under 

 water for half an hour or more ; and we have heard this 

 power of immersion attributed to it by others ; but we are in- 

 clined, nevertheless, to doubt even its power of diving at 

 all ; its form, lightness, thick coating of feathers, all being 

 against its remaining under water for any length of time ; 

 added to which, such a power would be unnecessary, its food 

 being prepared for it on the surface of the waters, and not 

 below. 



