52 



Reed also writes to me stating that there is a specimen in Mr. Bartram's collection, at Bermuda, 

 which was captured some years ago whilst sitting on its solitary egg. There is no other record 

 of its breeding there ; but it is possible that it used to do so in numbers, like the unfortunate 

 Puffinus ohscurus, which is now nearly exterminated; and it is probable that it still breeds 

 amongst the rocks off St. David's Island. 



Essentially an inhabitant of the ocean, the present species is usually seen far out at sea, and 

 only visits the land during the breeding-season. I have frequently seen them in considerable 

 numbers some distance from land, skimming along over the troubled waters with a Swift-like 

 flight, every now and again touching the surface of the water as they glide along; and even 

 during rough stormy weather they appear quite at home on the waves. During the winter 

 season they are dispersed about the sea ; and in all probability most of those which breed in the 

 north migrate further south as the cold weather sets in. 



Macgillivray says that the flight of this Shearwater is " gliding, rapid on occasion, buoyant 

 and easy. It flies low over the sea, descending into the troughs of the waves, and mounting 

 'again. When hovering over an object seen in the sea, it lets down its feet and pats the water 

 with them. In dark or stormy weather it has an ominous aspect as it glides rapidly along and 

 disappears in the haze. Its food consists of various animal substances ; but the particular kinds 

 have not been determined, its gullet and stomach having usually been found filled with decom- 

 posed matter and oil, which it vomits on being seized." 



By many observers this Shearwater is stated to be crepuscular in its habits ; but this appears 

 to be the case chiefly, if not entirely, during the breeding-season, when they remain in their 

 retreats during the daytime and appear outside when the shades of evening set in : in the 

 winter season I have seen numbers about at all times of the day. The nest is in a burrow dug 

 in the soil of the steep cliffs ; and this burrow is said to vary in depth from one to two feet. The 

 nest itself consists merely of a few straws or dry herbs ; but sometimes the egg (for only one is 

 deposited) is laid on the bare soil. The same hole is frequently used for several years in 

 succession ; but occasionally the bird will dig a new one, either after its first nest has been 

 robbed or when it reappears in the spring. The first eggs are generally deposited early in May ; 

 and sometimes fresh eggs are found about the middle or end of June. The egg is pure white in 

 colour, about the size of a common hen's egg, but very smooth in texture, though with scarcely 

 any gloss ; and those in my collection average in size 2^|- by 1 f % inch. 



The young birds, which are fit for taking in August, are greatly sought after by the fisher- 

 men, and are looked on as a great delicacy ; and Mr. Low says that the country people salt them 

 down for winter provision and boil them with cabbage. 



The specimens figured are an adult male from the Orkneys and a young bird in down from 

 the Faeroes, both of which are in my collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. JE. Dresser, 

 a, dad. Orkneys, 1869 (Dunn), b, 6 . Leadenhall Market, 1868 (H. E. D.). c. Faroes (H. C. Mutter). 

 d, pull. Faroes, July 23rd, 1872 (H. C. M.). e. Bosphorus (H. Seebohm). 



3c 



