826 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



These are Petrels of lengthened form, with long slender bills, 

 and the tarsus compressed and set far backwards. They are 

 stated to be somewhat nocturnal in their habits, to run along the 

 surface of the waves, feeding on putrescent fish and other floating 

 animal matter. Their flight is rapid, and, like the Stormy Petrels, 

 they are most busy in stormy weather. 



No representatives of the Flying Petrels, Blue Petrels, or Shear- 

 waters appear to have been hitherto observed in the Bay of 

 Bengal or Indian Ocean. 



Two species of Petrel have been observed by myself, of only 

 one of which I obtained a specimen, from the neighbourhood 

 of Madras, where I had, on several occasions, observed it not far 

 from the shore, during rather rough weather ; I lost this, however, 

 before an accurate description was taken, and I can only say that I 

 suspect it belongs to the division JEstrelatew, of Bonaparte, and 

 probably to the genus Pterodroma, Bonap.: indeed, it appeared 

 to be very similar to P. macroptera of Dr. A. Smith, figd. in 

 Zool., South Africa, Birds, pi. 50. It was entirely of a dull 

 sooty-brown colour, palest beneath ; length nearly 18 inches ; wing 

 12£ ; tail 5 ; bill at gape nearly If. 



Procellariece. 



Gen. Thalassidroma, Vigors. 



Of small size ; bill short, curved at the tip in both mandibles, 

 much compressed ; tarsus long, reticulated, a short claw in place of 

 the hallux ; nostrils in double tubes ; wings long, the second quill 

 longest ; tail even or slightly forked. 



The Stormy Petrels are well known to all who have crossed the 

 seas, being birds of small size, that are most frequently seen in 

 stormy weather near ships, perhaps in consequence of their being 

 unable, during a storm, to get their usual food from the disturbed 

 state of the ocean surface. They are said to be crepuscular or 

 nocturnal birds, concealing themselves during the day in holes 

 of rocks, &c, and feeding chiefly on oily substances floating on 

 the surface of the sea. They are of a dark, almost black hue, 

 relieved with white in most, have a very swift flight, and resemble 



