PROCELLARIIDiE — THE PETRELS — FULMARUS. 360 



Europe, and Asia, being best known and probably most numerous in the waters north 

 and northwest of Europe. It is a very abundant species, and yet the localities where 

 it has been ascertained to breed are but few in number. 



Messrs. Evans and Sturge met with it in abundance in "ihe waters around Spitz- 

 bergen, where they were attracted toward the vessel in a large flock by the carcass 

 of a seal. At first the birds were very timid, only skimming over it, and settling on 

 the water at some distance, to reconnoitre. At last one ventured to alight upon it, 

 and began to feed, but was soon interrupted by the arrival of others, among whom 

 a lively contest ensued for the best positions. By the time they had been left 

 far in the wake of the vessel, they had assembled in a vast crowd. At other times 

 they were seen skimming swiftly over the water, after the manner of a European 

 Kestrel, and as noiselessly as an owl. One of the lofty peaks of the mountains, 

 known as the Alkenfels, that stood out like an immense horn, was literally alive with 

 swarms of Fulmars, Brunnich's Guillemot, Black Guillemots, and Kittiwake Gulls. 

 These had their nests in its inaccessible fastnesses, secure from the depredations of 

 man or beast. 



This bird was found abundant all around Spitzbergen, and was also met with at 

 the very northernmost point attained by Parry's Expedition. Dr. Malmgren found 

 it breeding by the thousands on the north side of Brandywine Bay, lat. 80° 24' N 

 It was also found breeding, but in smaller numbers, on the Alkenhorn, where Pro- 

 fessor Newton obtained its eggs. Dr. Malmgren also found it breeding plentifully on 

 Bear Island. Professor Newton adds, in a note, that the very limited number of 

 breeding-places of the Fulmar forms a curious contrast to the extraordinary abundance 

 of the species. Among the British Islands, St. Kilda is said to be its only place of 

 abode. About the year 1839 it was first found breeding about the Faroe Islands, 

 where it has since much increased, and now occupies several spots in that group of 

 islands. In Iceland it has four or five stations. 



Captain Elmes, who visited the breeding-place above referred to — St. Kilda — 

 (" Ibis," 1869) gives a full account of it. Soon after landing he started with some 

 of the best cragsmen for the cliffs at the north side of the island. On reaching the 

 summit of Conachan, the highest point, he came suddenly on a precipice not less than 

 1220 feet in height. The whole of this immense face of rock was so crowded with 

 birds that the water was seen far below as if through a heavy snow-storm, and the 

 birds, which were flying in front of the cliff, almost obscured the view. All the 

 ledges near the top were covered with short turf, full of holes, in which the Fulmars 

 were sitting on their eggs, with their heads and part of their bodies exposed outside. 

 In some cases they were quite concealed ; but generally the soil was too thin for them 

 to make more than a slight excavation. Thousands of Fulmars were flying backward 

 and forward, with a quiet, owl-like flight ; and although the air was full of them, 

 hardly one ever came over the top of the cliff. 



After admiring the scene for some time the Captain prepared to descend; and on 

 arriving at the first ledge, where the Fulmars were, he had no difficulty in collecting 

 the eggs, which were laid in small holes among the stones, or in the turf on a few 

 bits of grass, or on the stems of the sea-pink, and so slightly built as hardly to suffice 

 to keep the eggs from the bare ground. The birds were very tame, and sometimes 

 allowed themselves to be caught with the hand. The eggs were quite fresh ; and all 

 that he took on that part of the cliff were distinctly marked with reddish-brown dots 

 and freckles. All the eggs from other places were spotless. 



The young Fulmars, as soon as fledged, are eagerly sought for as food by the St. 

 Kildians ; and even the old birds — as Mr. Scoresby states — when cleared of the skin 



VOL. IT. — 47 



