CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 8. NATATORES. 



351 



THE STORMY PETREL. 



least, of one of us being saved ; draw your knife, and cut away below !" was the cool and intrepid 

 order of the parent; "Exert yourself; you may yet escape, and live to comfort your mother!" 

 There was no time for discussion or further hesitation. The son looked up once more, but the 

 edge of rock was cutting its way, and the rope had nearly severed. The knife was drawn, the 

 rope was divided, and his father and brother were launched into eternity ! 



The Fulmar Petkel, P. glacialis, is nineteen inches long, pearl-grav above and white be- 

 neath. It is seen in all parts of the North Atlantic, and is a constant attendant on the whale 

 fisheries ; nothing cjin exceed the voracity with which these creatures devour the portion of 

 fat which falls to their share on the cutting up of a whale. 



The Giant Fulmar, P, gigantea, is the largest known species, being somewhat larger than a 

 goose, and is called the Bone-Breaker. Its plumage is blackish-gray ; it feeds on insects, mol- 

 lusca, fish, and the flesh of dead cetacea that it meets with floating on the sea. Found from 

 Cape Horn to the Cape of Good Hope. 



The Cape Petrel or Fulmar, P. Capensis, is of the size of a small duck ; its general plumage 

 above is black, with masses of white ; beneath it is white. This bird is called Damier and 

 Pintado by the French. It inhabits the southern seas. 



Other species are the Slender-billed Fulmar, P. tenuirostris, and the Tropical Fulmar, 

 P. meridionalis, the first found on the Pacific coast, and the latter on the Atlantic coast of 

 North America. The Pacific Fulmar, P. Pacijica, is found on the Pacific coasts of North 

 America. 



Genus TIIALASSIDROMA : Thalassidroma. — This includes the True Petrels, which are 

 much smaller than the Fulmars, some of a light swallow-like form and appearance. The Stormy- 

 Petrel, T. pelagica, is the smallest of web-footed birds. The length is about six inches ; the 

 plumage almost entirely black. It inhabits nearly the whole Atlantic, and is always seen by 

 vessels crossing this ocean, sometimes following in their wake for days together, picking up 

 pieces of meat and fat that are thrown overboard. Often half a dozen birds Avill descend on a 

 single fragment and struggle for the possession of it. In a storm, they are seen whirling amid 



