PROCELLARIID^ — THE PETRELS — CYMOCHOREA. 409 



Mr. Dall, in his paper on the Birds of the Easter : Aleutian Islands, states that 

 though this species was often seen in the region south of lat. 50° N., it was not 

 noticed by him in the region east of Unalashka. In his subsequent paper upon the 

 Western Aleutians, he further states that though not noticed east of Ainchitka, this 

 bird breeds abundantly on tlie rocky islets off Atta and on the highlands of Kyska 

 and Amchitka. As is also noticed in regard to the habits of 0. furcata, the male 

 seems to do a large proportion of the incubation. As a rule, the female was found 

 to lay only one white egg, in a burrow from six inches to a foot in horizontal length. 

 This burrow was usually in the side of a turfy bank, and often curved considerably 

 to one side ; and he never met with one absolutely straight. When handled, this bird 

 disgorges a reddish oily fluid of a strong and disagreeable musky smell ; and if the 

 burrow was tenanted, this could be easily recognized by its smell. On the coast of 

 Mendocino Co., Cal., this bird is known as the " Musk Bird." While breeding it 

 is largely nocturnal in its habits. Fresh eggs were found from June 10th to the 

 end of July. The specimens of this bird taken on the Western Aleutians are said 

 to be darker than those from Sitka. They are summer residents only, going south 

 in winter, and arriving at the islands in May. It was found abundant at Sitka by 

 Bischoff, the specimens taken being more rusty-colored than is usual with birds of 

 this species. 



The appearance of Leach's Petrel in different parts of Europe has been found in 

 all instances to have been caused by severe storms, the birds, exhausted by inability 

 to procure food, and overpowered by the wind, having been dashed upon the shore, or 

 even driven far into the interior. Since attention has been drawn to the subject, the 

 records of their appearance in this manner in England, France, Portugal, and other 

 places have become more frequent. Dr. L. von Schrenck obtained examples of this 

 species at the Kurile Islands, and Mr. Wosnessensky procured others on the Island 

 of Schauschu. 



In the summers of 1850 and 1851 I found this species breeding on a number of 

 small islands in the Bay of Fundy, on the coast of New Brunswick ; and since then 

 Dr. Bryant has several times met with it, also breeding in large numbers, on the low 

 islands on the opposite shore of Nova Scotia. I first noticed it at sea, off the coast 

 of Maine, about the middle of June, 1850. Our steamer had been overtaken by a 

 violent northeasterly gale, and for eight hours was unable to make any headway. 

 The sea had been lashed by the tempest into a violent commotion, and the Petrels 

 were about in countless numbers, and seemed to be totally unmindful of the storm. 

 They flew singly, and in no instance did I see two together. I was doubtful Avhether 

 they succeeded in procuring any food ; yet they appeared to be very busy, and where- 

 ever a wave broke and its crest descended in foam, the Petrel might be seen skimming 

 its surface. Whether the sea was full of Petrels, as it appeared to be, or whether 

 the same birds were constantly reappearing, it was impossible to tell ; but not more 

 than three or four were in sight at any one moment. I first found this species breed- 

 ing on Great Duck Island, a large and inhabited island near Grand Menan, a consid- 

 erable portion of which was covered by a thick growth of spruce and birch trees. 

 The birds nested in holes among the thick network of roots, where they were nearly 

 inaccessible. It was only with the aid of an axe and with considerable hard work 

 that we could get to their retreats. Although it Avas already the 24th of June, in 

 only one of the nests we opened was there an eg^, the male bird being present ; in 

 all the other nests both birds were found, but no egg. I have since observed that 

 during the daytime, except when the weather is lowering, the pair may always, pre- 

 ceding the deposition of the egg, be found in their hole. In all instances we were 

 VOL. II. — 52 



