WILSON'S PETREL. 225 



occasionally breed. The latter then, though more abundant in America, 

 belongs to Europe also. Wilson was not aware that the species now named 

 after him was any thing else than "the Stormy Petrel, Procellaria pelagica 

 of Linn-Etxs;" and he remarks that it "is found over the whole Atlantic 

 ocean, from Europe to North America, at all distances from land, and in all 

 weathers." 



Wilson's Petrel breeds on some small islands situated off the southern 

 extremity of Nova Scotia, and called "Mud Islands," but which are formed 

 of sand and light earth, scantily covered with grass. Thither the birds 

 resort in great numbers, about the beginning of June, and form burrows of 

 the depth of two or two and a half feet, in the bottom of which is laid a 

 single white egg, a few bits of dry grass, scarcely deserving the name of a 

 nest, having been placed for its reception. The egg measures an inch and a 

 half in length, by seven-eighths of an inch in breadth, is almost equally 

 rounded at both ends, and has a pure white colour. These Petrels copulate 

 on the water, in the same manner as the Hyperborean Phalarope. By the 

 beginning of August the young follow their parents to sea, and are then 

 scarcely distinguishable from them. During incubation, they remain in the 

 burrows, or at their entrance, rarely going to seek for food before the dusk. 



On wing this species is more lively than the Forked-tailed, but less so 

 than the Common Stormy Petrel. It keeps its wings nearly at right angles 

 with its body, and makes considerable use of its feet, particularly during 

 calm weather, when it at times hops or leaps for several feet, or pats the 

 water, whilst its wings are extended upwards with a fluttering motion, and 

 it inclines its head downwards to pick up its food from the water, and I have 

 observed it immerse the whole head beneath the surface, to seize on small 

 fishes, in which it generally succeeded. It can walk pretty well on the deck 

 of a vessel, or any other flat surface, and rise from it without much difficulty. 

 Its notes are different from those of the Forked-tailed Petrel, and resemble 

 the syllables kee-re-kee kee. They are more frequently emitted at night 

 than by day. I never could ascertain whether or not these birds alight on 

 the rigging at night, but my opinion is that they do not, for the sailors, to 

 whom I had offered premiums for catching some of them, told me that 

 although they flew about them while aloft, they could not see one standing 

 anywhere. 



During my several visits to the coasts of the Floridas, I saw scarcely any 

 of these birds in the course of several months spent there, but I found them 

 pretty abundant on returning towards Charleston. This species, like the 

 others, feeds on mollusca, small fishes, Crustacea, marine plants, excrements 

 of cetaceous animals, and the greasy substances thrown from vessels. When 



Vol. VII. 33 



