216 



THE DUSKY SHEARWATER. 



^PUFFINUS OBSCTTRUS, Lath. 



PLATE CCCCLVIIL— Male. 



On the 26th of June, 1826, while becalmed on the Gulf of Mexico, off 

 the western shores of Florida, I observed that the birds of this species, of 

 which some had been seen daily since we left the mouth of the Mississippi, 

 had become very numerous. The mate of the vessel killed four at one shot, 

 and, at my request, brought them on board. From one of them I drew the 

 figure which has been engraved. The notes made at the time are now 

 before me, and afford me the means of presenting you with a short account 

 of the habits of this bird. 



They skim very low over the sea in search of the floating bunches of 

 marine plants, usually called the gulf iveed, so abundant here as sometimes 

 to occupy a space of half an acre or more. In proceeding, they flap their 

 wings six or seven times in succession, and then sail for three or four seconds 

 with great ease, having their tail much spread, and their long wings extended 

 at right angles with the body. On approaching a mass of weeds, they raise 

 their wings obliquely, drop their legs and feet, run as it were on the water, 

 and at length alight on the sea, where they swim with as much ease as 

 Ducks, and dive freely, at times passing several feet under the surface in 

 pursuit of the fishes, which, on perceiving their enemy, swim off, but are 

 frequently seized with great agility. Four or five, sometimes fifteen or 

 twenty of these birds, will thus alight, and, during their stay about the 

 weeds, dive, flutter, and swim, with all the gaiety of a flock of Ducks newly 

 alighted on a pond. Many Gulls of different kinds hover over the spot, 

 vociferating their anger and disappointment at not being so well qualified 

 for supplying themselves with the same delicate fare. No sooner have all 

 the fishes disappeared than the Petrels rise, disperse, and extend their flight 

 in search of more, returning perhaps in awhile to the same spot. I heard 

 no sound or note from any of them, although many came within twenty 

 yards of the ship and alighted there. Whenever an individual settled in a 

 spot, many others flew up directly and joined it. At times, as if by way of 

 resting themselves, they alighted, swam lightly, and dipped their bills fre- 

 quently in the water, in the manner of Mergansers. 



