STORM PETREL. 
189 
NATATORES. 
LARTDJE. 
PLATE CCCXIX. 
STORM PETREL. 
PROCELLARIA PELAGICA. 
The Storm Petrel is the well-known “Mother Carey’s 
Chicken” of mariners, which, from its natural habits, pre¬ 
ferring gloomy weather to fine, is considered as the ill-omened 
indicator of storms and shipwrecks, and is therefore, naturally 
enough, greatly feared by superstitious seamen. 
On the coasts of Great Britain this bird is known to breed, 
provided the locality suits its fancy, and heavy gales also 
frequently drive whole flights or flocks of this species, not 
only towards our shores but far inland v; many of which be¬ 
come attractive objects in poulterers’ shops, in London and 
other towns. 
The geographical distribution of this Petrel extends, in 
Europe, over the seas that wash its more rocky shores, 
whether north or south ; but owing to the ever-changing 
atmosphere of the Scottish islands, greater numbers are ob¬ 
served in those parts than elsewhere ; on the coasts of Hol¬ 
land, France, and Italy, it is also met with. In America it 
