STORMY PETREL. 221 



This species inhabits the temperate northern re- 

 gions of the old world, and prefers the open seas to 

 the land ; which it only visits during the period of 

 incubation, and during its migrations. They fly in 

 small flocks, even in the midst of the Atlantic. They 

 are called Mother Gary's Chickens by mariners, and 

 their appearance is much dreaded by them, as they are 

 supposed to be the harbingers of an approaching storm. 

 They are fond of sheltering themselves in the wake 

 of a ship, probably for the sake of the various articles 

 of food that are occasionally thrown overboard : but 

 even in the most tempestuous weather they often 

 amuse themselves by skimming along with the most 

 incredible velocity among the hollows of the waves, 

 and sometimes over their summits. 



In the breeding season they betake themselves to 

 the fissures of the rocks and rear their young, which 

 they conduct to the watery element as soon as hatched : 

 they lay one large egg, of a white colour, with an 

 obscure band of purplish-brown, formed by minute 

 specks at the larger end. 



They are remarkably fat and oily, and the inha- 

 bitants of the Feroe Islands are said to draw a wick 

 through the body of the bird, which, being lighted 

 at one end, serves for a candle, the fat and oil of the 

 body feeding the flames ! 



.Although these birds are generally seen at sea, 

 several instances have occurred of their being found 

 inland ; specimens having at different times been 

 killed at Oxford, Bath, near London, and in Derby- 

 shire : and Montagu says that they are frequently 

 picked up dead on the British coasts. During the 



