256 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



close above the waves, this way and that, one 

 moment high above the horizon, the next deep 

 down in the trough of the billows, pausing here 

 and there for a moment with rapid beating wings, 

 legs let down, and feet striking the water, to pick 

 up some scrap of food. During the breeding 

 season it is for the most part nocturnal in its habits, 

 but at other times it seems to be abroad both by 

 day and night. That it can swim well and buoyantly, 

 I know from abundant experience, but whether it 

 dives, as some writers assert, I am not prepared to 

 say. Some Petrels, however, are habitually known 

 to do so, as, for instance, the species composing the 

 genus Halodroma. Shearwaters delight in a rough 

 sea and a brewing storm, every bit as much as the 

 smaller Petrels ; no weather seems too boisterous 

 for them. When on our rough night voyage to St. 

 Kilda, we must have passed hundreds of Shear- 

 waters, holding high carnival above the gray waters, 

 flitting round our vessel in weird, erratic flight, like 

 bird ghosts, their gambols in the gloom being most 

 interesting. So far as my experience extends, the 

 food of the Manx Shearwater consists entirely of 

 cuttle-fish and sorrel, but the bird will pick up 

 various scraps thrown from vessels. At St. Kilda 

 this Shearwater is regarded as a delicacy. The 

 natives also obtain quantities of oil from it. 



Throughout the summer the Manx Shearwater is 

 nocturnal, and at the approach of darkness becomes 

 very garrulous. Its note may be expressed as kitty- 



