60 



95. Sooty Shearwater, fb. — le puffin fuligineux. Puffinus griseus. L, 17, 

 The slightly smaller of our two more common Shearwaters. Very dark brown, almost 

 black, and but little lighter below. 



Distinctions. Size, when possible to estimate or measure, and general dark coloration- 



Field Marks. Flight habits as described under Shearwaters and very dark, almost 

 crow-black, appearance in life are probably the best field distinctions. 



Nesting. In burrows in the ground. 



Distribution. The oceans of the southern hemisphere, migrating up our coasts in 

 summer rather rarely. 



The two Shearwaters and Wilson's Petrel are the only species of 

 Canadian birds that are known to nest at the southern extremity of their 

 migratory range instead of at the northern. Specimens seen here in the 

 summer are migrants, not nesting birds. 



Economic Status. Of no economic importance. 



Genera — Oceanodroma and Oceanites. Petrels. 



General Description. The Canadian species of Petrel are small birds, scarcely as large 

 as Robins and of even dark brown coloration. 



Distinctions. Small size, general sooty-brown coloration, and white rump. 



Field Marks. Size, colour as above, and the habit of pattering up and down the 

 waves as if walking on the water are diagnostic of the Petrels. 



The Petrel takes its name from Peter who walked on the sea of 

 Galilee. The birds are also well known to sailors and travellers under 

 the name of "Mother Carey's Chickens" and their appearance is said to 

 presage a storm. In spite of their diminutive size they are met with far 

 out at sea and are seldom seen by the longshoreman except in the vicinity 

 of their breeding grounds. 



Economic Status. The Petrels though feeding on fish are too small 

 and they live too far from civilization to be of measurable economic 

 importance. 



106. Leach's Petrel, fr. — lb petrel de leach. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. L, 8. 

 A small, sooty-brown bird, very slightly lighter below, with a white rump. Tail forked 

 about one-half an inch deep. 



Distinctions. Forking of the tail, slightly lighter general coloration, and all black 

 feet will separate this from Wilson's Petrel, the only one likely to be confused with it. 



Field Marks. The slight forking of the tail is perhaps the surest specific guide in life. 



Nesting. In burrows in the ground or under rocks. 



Distribution. Inhabits both the north Pacific and north Atlantic oceans, breeding 

 on the eastern side of the continent, from Greenland to Maine. 



This is the only Petrel breeding on our coasts. It may be locally very 

 abundant in the nesting season and its burrows may riddle the ground 

 without the observer having a suspicion of its presence. It remains in its 

 burrow through the day, but at night comes out in great numbers, wheeling 

 about the deserted neighbourhood, uttering a low, wierd, oft-repeated 

 little song with most eerie effect. 



Economic Status. Of no economic importance. 



109. Wilson's Petrel, mother caret's chicken, fr. — le petrel de wilson. 

 Oceanites oceanicus. L, 7. A slightly smaller bird than Leach's Petrel, of the saute 

 general colour but averaging slightly darker, less forked tail, and with toe webs mostly 

 yellow instead of all black. 



