MANX SHEARWATER. 421 



coverts, and have been named Puffinus yelkouan. There does not, how- 

 ever, seem to be any evidence that these forms are even subspecifically 

 distinct ; both of them, as well as intermediate examples, occur in the 

 Mediterranean and on the coasts of our islands. The light and dark forms 

 of this species, if such they can be called, like those of the Fulmars and 

 the Skuas, do not appear to be geographically distinct. 



The Manx Shearwater appears to be an Arctic form of the tropical 

 Shearwater (Puffinus obscurus) , inaptly named the Dusky Shearwater, but 

 is represented in the Pacific by a still closer ally, the Black-vented Shear- 

 water (P. opisthomelas) ; but the specific distinctness of the three forms is 

 generally admitted. The Manx Shearwater may be distinguished from the 

 former by its larger size (wing 8^ inches or more), and by the white of the 

 underparts not extending up to the eye and on the lores, and from the 

 latter by its white orbits. 



The Manx Shearwater is the best-known species of its kind to be met 

 with in the British seas. Like the other species of Shearwater it spends 

 most of its time far out at sea, dashing quickly over the water in erratic 

 course, following the curves of the waves, now high up flitting bat-like 

 over a green sea, now deep down in the trough. In many of its actions it 

 puts one in mind of a gigantic Swift, its long narrow wings sometimes 

 seeming to be moved alternately. Sometimes it is seen to hover above an 

 object floating on the sea, letting down its legs and beating the water with 

 its feet. In summer the Manx Shearwater is almost entirely nocturnal 

 in its habits, remaining close in its hole during the daytime, but in winter 

 it may be seen abroad at all hours. It often alights on the sea, where it 

 swims with ease, sitting rather low in the water. It may be noticed abroad 

 even in the most stormy weather, and like the Petrels seems to take a 

 delight in wildly careering too and fro over the dark waves when the 

 gale is at its height. The food of the Manx Shearwater is probably 

 chiefly composed of small cuttlefish, mollusks, and scraps of offal found 

 floating on the sea ; it also eats great quantities of sorrel, and the remains 

 of seaweed have been found in its stomach. 



Dixon made the following notes on this species during his visit to St. 

 Kilda in June last year : " The Manx Shearwater, or ' Scrapire/ as it is 

 locally termed, is one of the commonest birds of St. Kilda. Its great 

 stronghold is on the island of Soay, but many pairs breed on St. Kilda 

 and a few also on Doon. Unfortunately I was unable to land on 

 Soay, owing to the tremendous swell which was breaking over it. The 

 landing-place on this rocky islet is on the extreme south-eastern 

 portion, where the narrow strip of sea separates it from St. Kilda. In 

 this narrow strait are situated several ( stacks ' of rock, which afford 

 abundant accommodation for thousands of birds. At all times the 

 landing on this outlying island is difficult, if not dangerous, as the island 



