WILSON'S PETREL. 641 



afterwards republished in this country, in the first volume 

 of the Zoological Journal, p. 425. 



Mr. Audubon, says, " Wilson's Petrel breeds on some 

 small islands situated off the southern extremity of Nova 

 Scotia, and called Mud Islands, but which are formed of 

 sand and light earth, scantily covered with grass. Thither 

 the birds resort in great numbers, about the beginning of 

 June, and form burrows to the depth of two, or two and a 

 half feet, in the bottom of which is laid a single white egg ; 

 a few bits of dried grass, scarcely deserving the name of a 

 nest, having been placed for its reception. The egg mea- 

 sures an inch and a half in length, by seven-eighths of an 

 inch in breadth ; is almost equally rounded at both ends, 

 and has a pure white colour. By the beginning of August 

 the young follow their parents to the sea, and are then 

 scarcely distinguishable from them. During incubation 

 they remain in the burrows, or at their entrance, rarely 

 going to seek for food before the dusk. On wing this 

 species is more lively than the Forked-tailed, but less so 

 than the Common Stormy Petrel. It keeps its wings 

 nearly at right angles with its body, and makes consider- 

 able use of its feet, particularly during calm weather, when 

 it at times hops, or leaps for several feet, or pats the water, 

 whilst its wings are extended upwards with a fluttering 

 motion, and it inclines its head downwards to pick up its 

 food from the water ; and I have observed it immerse the 

 whole head beneath the surface, to seize on small fishes, in 

 which it generally succeeded. It can walk pretty well on 

 the deck of a vessel, or any other flat surface, and rise from 

 it without much difficulty. Its notes are different from 

 those of the Forked-tailed Petrel, and resemble the syl- 

 lables kee-re-keer-kee. They are more frequently emitted at 

 night than by day. I have rarely seen Wilson's Petrel 



VOL. III. T T 



