232 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE STORMY PETREL. 



STORM FINCH, LITTLE PETREL, OR MOTHER CAREY'S 

 CHICKEX. 



(Thalassidroma Pelagica, Vig. Thalassidrome, 

 tcmpetc, Temm.) 



Is the least of all the web-footed birds, measur- 

 ing" only about six inches in length, and thirteen 

 in breadth. The bill is half an inch long, hooked 

 at the tip; the nostrils tubular. The upper parts 

 of the plumage is black, sleek, and glossed with 

 bluish reflections : the brow, cheeks, and under 

 parts, sooty brown; the rump, and some feathers 

 on the sides of the tail, white : legs slender, 

 black, and scarcely an inch and three quarters in 

 length, from the knee joint to the end of the toes. 



This bird resembles the Chimney Swallow in 

 general appearance, in the length of its wings, 

 and the swiftness of its flight. It is met with by 

 navigators on every part of the ocean, running on 

 foot, or skimming over the surface of the heavy 

 rolling waves of the most tempestuous sea, quite 



