( 486 ) 

 WILSON'S PETREL. 



ThALASSIDROMA WiLSONlI. 

 PLATE CCLXX. Male and Female. 



A LONG voyage would always be to me a continued source of suffer- 

 ing, were I restrained from gazing on the vast expanse of tiie waters, and 

 on the ever-pleasing inhabitants of the air that now and then appear in the 

 ship's wake. The slightest motion of the vessel effectually prevents me 

 from enjoying the mirth of my fellow passengers, or sympathizing with them 

 in their sickness. When the first glimpse of day appears, I mdke my 

 way on deck, where I stand not unlike a newly hatched bird, tottering 

 on feeble legs. Let the wind blow high or not, I care little which, pro- 

 vided it waft me toward the shores of America. If the sky be clear, the 

 first sight of the sun excites emotions of gratitude towards the Being 

 by whose power it was formed, and sent forth to shed its benign influence 

 on surrounding worlds. Silent adoration occupies my soul, and I con- 

 clude with ardent wishes for the happiness of friends left far behind, and 

 those toward whom I am proceeding. But now, ever flapping its wing- 

 lets, I have marked the little bird, dusky all over save a single spot, the 

 whiteness of which contrasts with the dark hue of the waters and the 

 deep tone of the clear sky. Full of Ufe and joy it moves to and fro, ad- 

 vances toward the ship, then shoots far away, gambols over the swelling 

 waves, dives into their hollows, and twitters with delight as it perceives 

 an object that will alleviate its hunger. Never fatigued, the tiny Pe- 

 trels seldom alight, although at times their frail legs and feet seem to 

 touch the crest of the foaming wave. I love to give every creature all 

 the pleasure I can confer upon it, and towards the little things I cast 

 over the stern such objects as I know they will most prize. Social crea- 

 tures ! would that all were as innocent as you ! There are no bickerings, 

 no jealousies among you ; the first that comes is first served ; it is aU the 

 result of chance ; and thus you pass your lives. But the clouds gather, 

 the gale approaches, and our gallant bark is trimmed. Darkness spreads 

 over the heavens, and the deep waters send back a blacker gloom, broken 

 at intervals by the glimmer of the spray. You meet tlie blast, and your 

 little wings bear you up against it for a while ; but you cannot encounter 



