204 FULMAR PETREL. Class IL 



egg ; and the young are hatched the middle of 

 June. No bird is of such use to the islanders 

 as this : the Fulmar supplies them with oil for 

 their lamps, down for their beds, a delicacy for 

 their tables, a balm for their wounds, and a 

 medicine for their distempers. The Fulmar is 

 also a certain prognosticator of the change of 

 the wind ; if it comes to land, no west wind is 

 expected for some time ; and the contrary when 

 it returns and keeps the sea. 



The whole genus of Petrels have a peculiar 

 faculty of spouting from their bills, to a consi- 

 derable distance, a large quantity of pure oil ; 

 which they do by way of defence, into the face 

 of any who attempt to take them : so that they 

 are, for the sake of this panaccea, seized by sur- 

 prise; as this oil is subservient to the above- 

 mentioned medical uses. Martin tells us, it 

 has been used in London and Edinburgh with 

 success, in rheumatic cases. 

 Descrip- The size of this bird is rather superior to 

 that of the common gull : the bill very strong, 

 much hooked at the end, and of a yellow color. 

 The nostrils are composed of two large tubes, 

 lodged in one sheath; the head, neck, whole 

 under side of the body, and tail, are white; 

 the back, and coverts of the wings, ash colored; 



TION. 



