ARCTIC CINEREOUS SHEARWATER. 89 



several occasions in Great Britain. In size and locality it agrees 

 very well -with, the description of the Wandering Shearwater given by 

 the American writers. Occasionally it is found in the north-west of 

 Europe, but it belongs to the Arctic fauna, and its appearance in 

 our latitudes is purely accidental. 



''On approaching the banks of Newfoundland," says Nuttall, ''but 

 far west of soundings, we see the soaring and wandering Lestris, 

 and every day the wild Shearwater, but more particularly in blowing 

 and squally weather; sometimes also in fine weather we see them 

 throughout the day. Their course in the air is exceedingly swift and 

 powerful. With their long wings outstretched and almost motionless, 

 they sweep over the wild waves, fearless of every danger, flying out 

 in vast curves, watching at the same time for their finny prey. Like 

 the Stormy Petrel, they are often seen to trip upon the water with 

 extended feet and open wings; they likewise dive for small fish, and 

 find an advantage in the storm, whose pellucid mountain waves bring 

 to view its shining prey to more advantage; it is therefore often 

 seen most active at such times, watching the sweeping billow as it 

 rises and foams along, harassing and pursuing its quarry with 

 singular address, snatching it from the surface, or diving after it 

 through the waves, on which they are often seen to sit as they 

 mount to the sky, or sink into the yawning abyss of the raging 

 deep." 



Like the other Shearwaters, this species lays a single white e^g, 

 which I figure from a specimen sent me by Mr. Tristram. 



The male has the top of the head, cheeks, and occiput brown 

 black; the nape ash grey; upper part of the scapularies russet brown, 

 the lower brown, fringed with white. Wing coverts dark brown; 

 primaries and tail black, the inner web of the former not so white 

 as in the last described species; upper tail coverts white mottled 

 in the middle with grey; throat, sides and front of neck, crop, and 

 abdomen white; under wing coverts grey, light brown, and white; 

 flanks and under tail coverts brown; beak black, lighter below and 

 on the claw-like hook at the end of upper mandible. Feet and legs 

 yellow on the inside, darker brown on their outer aspect; iris brown. 



My figure is from a specimen kindly sent to me by Mr. Tristram, 

 and is from Greenland. 



VOL. V. N 



