18 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



Stormy Petrel seldom exceeds six inches ; the iris is dark- 

 brown ; the head, neck, wings, back, chin, throat, breast, 

 belly, and vent, are a dull sooty-black. The tertiaries, or 

 rather the outer edges, are white ; the upper tail-coverts 

 and the sides of the vent are also white ; the legs, toes, 

 and webs are black. The bill of the Stormy Petrel is 

 black, and like that of all the Petrel tribe, is very peculiar 

 in construction ; the end of the upper mandible is strongly 

 hooked, and has just the appearance of being a separate 

 piece put on or added to the true bill; there is, lying 

 over the upper portion of the beak, a distinct lump or 

 prominence formed by the tubular structure of the 

 nostrils, which show two distinct orifices in front ; the 

 lower mandible follows the curved line of the upper one, 

 but is slightly augulated, and terminates somewhat 

 abruptly. Until about twelve months old the young birds 

 are more rusty in colour than the adults ; they are with- 

 out the white edges to the tertiaries, and the sides of the 

 vent are not so white. 



According to Buffon, the name Petrel is derived 

 from Peter the Apostle, who walked upon the water ; 

 the habit of apparently running along on the waves, 

 so noticeable in this bird, having clearly suggested the 

 synonym. 



The Storm Petrel is said to be found in greater or less 

 numbers in nearly every part of the open sea, at great' 

 distances from the land, and most frequently at twilight 

 or in dull, gloomy weather ; they have, however, been 

 seen far inland, at times when unusually strong gales 

 have been prevalent; and many of the Continental 

 museums have specimens that have been obtained from the 

 large inland lakes. Mr. Mitchen says they breed in one 



