PALMIPEDES, 368 
region by sailors. They are recognized either by the complete absence of 
the thumb, or,by having an exceedingly small one; by their very long wings; 
by their bill, which, instead of being notched, is hooked at its extremity in 
the first of the genera, and is but simply pointed in those comprising the 
remaining genera. Their inferior larynx has but one peculiar muscle on 
each side, their gizzard is muscular, and their cxca short. 
Procexuaria, Lin. 
The Petrels have a bill hooked at the end, the extremity of which 
seems to consist of a distinct piece articulated to the remainder. Their 
nostrils are united and form a tube which lies on the back of the upper 
mandible: there is a nail planted in the heel, instead of a thumb. Of all 
the Palmipedes, these remain most constantly at a distance from land, and 
when a tempest supervenes, they are forced to seek shelter on reefs and 
ships, from which circumstance they derive their name of Storm Birds: 
that of Petrel—Little Peter—has been given to them on account of their 
habit of walking on the water, which they effect by the aid of their wings. 
They make their nests in holes of rocks, and eject on those who attack 
them an oily fluid, with which it would appear that their stomachs must 
be always filled. The greater number of species inhabit the Antarctic 
Seas. 
Those species are more particularly called PerreLs—PRocELLARIA— 
whose lower mandible is truncated. 
Proc. gigantea, Gm.; Petrel géant; Quebranta huessos, or Bri- 
seur d’os; Lath. Syn. III, pl. 100 (the Giant Petrel), is only 
found in the South Seas. ‘It surpasses the Goose in size. Its 
plumage is blackish, though there are some varieties in which it is 
more or less white. 
In the same seas are found, 
Proc. capensis; Petrel du Cap; Le Damier; Pintado, &c.; 
Enl. 964, (the Cape Petrel), is the size of a small Duck, white 
above, spotted black and white beneath. It is frequently spoken of 
by navigators *. 
We see, sometimes, on the coast of France, 
Proc. glacialis ; Petrel gris-blanc, or Fulmar; Petrel de Saint- 
Kilda, Enl. 59; Brit. Zool. pl. M, f. 1. (The Fulmar). White, 
with an ash-coloured mantle; bill and feet yellow; size of a stout 
duck. It breeds among the cliffs on the coasts of the British 
islands, and of the whole north +. 
Certain small species, with a somewhat shorter bill, and rather 
longer legs and black plumage, the THarasstproma, Vigors, are 
particularly designated by sailors under the name of Storm Birds. 
The most common, Proc. pelagica, Briss. VI, xiii, 1; Wils. VII, 
* Better known to mariners as the Cape Pigeon.—Ene. Ep. 
¢ Add the Petrel hartie, Temm., Col. 416;—the Petrel bérard, Freycinet, 37 ;— 
Proc. cinerea, Lath.;—Proc. desolata, 1d.;—Proc. turtur, Forst. 
{ The“ Mother Carey's Chickens’ of the English and American seamen.—EnG. Ep. 
