Birds of Britain 



with us throughout the year, feeding chiefly on fish, offal, 

 etc., that it finds on or near the surface. 



During the nesting season it retires to secluded parts of 

 the coast, where it lays its single white egg in rabbit-burrows 

 or other crevices. It is not known to breed on the east 

 coast, but down the west from Wales northwards as well as 

 in Ireland it breeds commonly, though from its nocturnal 

 habits the nest is not always easy to find. 



It may be distinguished when flying by its rounded 

 wings and its habit of progressing with wings held motion- 

 less close over the surface of the water. 



The crown, nape, and upper parts are sooty black, under 

 parts white, except for a patch of sooty brown behind the 

 thighs; legs and feet flesh-coloured; outer toes black. 

 Length 15 in. ; wing 9*5 in. 



THE LITTLE DUSKY SHEARWATER 



Puffinus assiinilis, Gould 



This is another species inhabiting the Salvages and 

 islands off the west coast of Africa. 



Some three or four examples have been obtained, which 

 were originally wrongly identified as P. dbsewrus, an American 

 species. 



The upper parts are slaty black and under parts white. 

 Bill and legs blackish; webs yellow. Length 10 '5 in.; 

 wing 7*4 in. 



39 6 



