OF ORNITHOLOGY 133 



FAMILY LIX PROCELLAIQDAE THE 

 PETRELS 



Latin procella, connected with a storm, something stormy, a storm bird. 

 The Petrels, at least the True Petrels, may best be com- 

 pared to the familiar common Dove or Pigeon : They are, in 

 fact, Sea Pigeons to all appearances when viewed from a little 

 distance. Near to, the technical difference is much greater. 

 Taken as a family, they vary greatly as to size. Professor 

 Baircl thus characterizes the family as a whole : 



" Bill much or less lengthened, compressed, and deeply 

 grooved, appearing to be formed of several distinct parts ; the 

 tip is strong, much hooked, and acute ; the nostrils open from 

 distinct tubes, either single or double, and are situated at the 

 base of the upper mandible." 



While the above is, probably, as accurate as the circum- 

 stances will permit, we must look at the two sub-families, 

 which differ very materially from each other, for a better 

 knowledge of the group. The hind toe is very small, and 

 more or less elevated, even sometimes altogether wanting — 

 at least for all practical purposes. They are strong swim- 

 mers, and their flight is easy, not ungraceful, and capable of 

 long continuance. They pick their food up from the top of 

 the water, and are not divers. Their long wings and short 

 tails, together with their curious habits of Hying close to the 

 water — probably most of the time — render them conspicu- 

 ous objects at sea. We know so little of the general habits of 

 this family that anything really new about them would be a 

 boon to science ; they are worthy of a very special and careful 

 study. We have two sub-families : 



Sub-family a DXOMEDEINiE Albatrosses 



The technical difference between the Albatrosses and the 

 True Petrels is very evident, the shape and position of the nos- 

 trils alone would distinguish them regardless of size. As a 

 matter of fact, the Albatrosses are immense creatures : the 

 Giant Fulmer alone approaching it partially as to size. The 



