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THE DUSKY PETREL. 



PUFFINVS OBSCURUS, Cuv. 

 PLATE CCXCIX. Male. 



On the 26th of June 1826, while becalmed on the Gulf of Mexico, 

 off the western shores of Florida, I observed that the birds of this species, 

 of which some had been seen daily since we left the mouth of the Missis- 

 sippi, had become very numerous. The mate of the vessel kiUed four at 

 one shot, and, at my request, brought them on board. From one of them 

 I drew the figure which has been engraved. The notes made at the time 

 are now before me, and afford me the means of presenting you with a short 

 account of the habits of this bird. 



They skim very low over the sea in search of the floating bunches of 

 marine plants, usually called the Gulf Weed, so abundant here as some- 

 times to occupy a space of half an acre or more. In proceeding, they 

 flap their wings six or seven times in succession, and then sail for three or 

 four seconds with great ease, having their tail much spread, and their 

 long wings extended at right angles with the body. On approaching a 

 mass of weeds, they raise their wings obliquely, drop their legs and feet, 

 run as it were on the water, and at length alight on the sea, where they 

 swim with as much ease as ducks, and dive freely, at times passing seve- 

 ral feet under the surface in pursuit of the fishes, which, on perceiving 

 their enemy, swim off, but are frequently seized with great agility. Four 

 or five, sometimes fifteen or twenty of these birds, will thus alight, and, 

 during their stay about the weeds, dive, flutter, and swim, with all the 

 gaiety of a flock of ducks newly alighted on a pond. Many gulls of dif- 

 ferent kinds hover over the spot, vociferating their anger and disappoint- 

 meat at not being so well qualified for supplying themselves with the same 

 delicate fare. No sooner have all the fishes disappeared than the Petrels 

 rise, disperse, and extend their flight in search of more, returning perhaps 

 in a while to the same spot. I heard no sound or note from any of them, 

 although many came within twenty yards of the ship and alighted there. 

 Whenever an individual settled in a spot, many others flew up directly 

 and joined it. At times, as if by way of resting themselves, they alighted, 



