138 



WILSON'S PETREL. 



FroceHaria Wilsoni, JENYN'S. 



Thakutidroma TVilsoni, TEMMINCK. 



Procellaria. Procella A storm. IVilsoni Of Wilson. 



THIS Petrel was first described as an European one by the 

 Prince of Canino, Charles Lncien Buonaparte. One was ob- 

 tained from the Azores or Western Islands; it is said to have 

 also occurred on the coast of Spain. In America, it is seen 

 on the coast of Florida, and is plentiful about Charleston, in 

 the United States, and breeds in Nova Scotia; it is also 

 common on the coasts of Chili and Brazil. It is stated by 

 Meyer to have been found at the Cape of Good Hope, and 

 on the coast of North Africa. 



Two specimens were captured in the British Channel by 

 the captain of a ship. Another is said to have been taken 

 at Salthouse, in Norfolk, some years since. One was found 

 dead in a field near Polperro, in Cornwall, in the month of 

 November, 1838. The occurrence of another was recorded by 

 T. C. Heysham, Esq., of Carlisle; and one in Sussex, by Mr. 

 F. Bond. 



'Like the other Petrels, this species remains in or near its 

 nest or burrow during the day, and goes in search of food 

 on the approach of evening.' 



The present, like some of the kindred kinds, follows in the 

 wake of ships in stormy weather, either for the sake of what 

 small shelter may there be afforded, or to pick up any chance 

 morsels of food thrown overboard. 



Sailors, always, as it would seem, prone to superstition, deem 

 Mother Gary's bewitched Chickens to forerun a storm ; 'but,' 

 says Wilson, 'as well might they curse the midnight light- 

 house that, star-like, guides them on their watery way, or the 



