270 LARID^J. 



SPECIES 261 THE STORM PETREL. 



Thalassidroma pelagica. Jardine. 



Thalassidrome tempete. Temm. 



Mother Carey's Chicken. Martenoil. 



THIS interesting species, the smallest in size of our Irish 

 web -footed birds, is indigenous, and remains on our coasts 

 during the year. However, to the great majority it is a rare 

 bird, opportunities of seeing it seldom occur, as its " residence 

 on the waters" precludes all, except the mariner and the na- 

 turalist, from observing it. 



Its appearance to the wave-tossed mariner brings dread 

 and apprehension of fearful dangers, which find a place at 

 once in their predisposed minds ; whilst, on the contrary, the 

 ornithologist who fortunately observes it, looks with pleasure 

 after the wave-washed course of this harmless and unjustly 

 maligned bird. The food of the storm petrel consists for the 

 most part of animal substances and mollusca, obtained float- 

 ing on the surface of the ocean ; although its appreciation 

 of the comforts of civilized life is easily observable by its al- 

 lowing itself to be captured on a fish-hook, baited with bread 

 or meat ; and, when following in the wake of vessels, small 

 particles of bread, fat, or suet, are eagerly picked up and 

 swallowed. Not being annoyed, they will frequent the vici- 

 nity of one vessel, perhaps, for weeks following in her wake, 

 regardless alike of storm or sunshine, light or darkness, and 

 continue undeviatingly in their course. 



The storm petrel breeds principally about. the bare and 

 deserted islands of the west of Ireland, either in holes in the 

 earth or under rocks, and often in singularly damp situations. 

 It lays but one egg, oval in form and pure white in colour; 

 the young when hatched have a curious appearance, and are 

 covered entirely with down. On the Galway coast, where 

 they are denominated " martenoils," J. P. Patten, Esq., has 

 frequently obtained both the young and eggs. 



By the ancients the petrel was believed to hatch its eggs 

 beneath its wing, as at all seasons, and in every sea, they had 

 been remarked flying, whilst their appearance on land was 

 never noticed. 



The prejudices against these " wanderers of the waters" 

 are many, and principally exist in the minds of the seafaring 

 men of all countries, alike with the boatmen of the Clad- 

 dagh, the fishermen of Cadiz, and the seamen of the Cyclades. 



