BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 261 
1836, many Storm Petrels appeared on the coast. Some were 
killed near the shore at Cullercoats, and at Pape’s game-shop 
several were sold.” One of these birds was killed by a stone. 
One was caught on the lantern on St. Mary’s Island on 
Noy. 19th, 1898, and is in the possession of Mr. Crisp, who 
lives there. There are many more occurrences of this species 
here. I am informed that recently a Petrel was noticed swim- 
ming about in the bay north of the island for several hours 
during a heavy gale. 
Manx SHEARWATER (Puffinus anglorum). — Probably occurs 
more frequently some distance out to sea thanis generally sup- 
posed. J. Hancock says: ‘‘I know of the capture of but two 
individuals within the district [Northumberland and Durham 
coast|; one was killed off Cullercoats on 20th May, 1870.” 
In the ‘ Field’ (June 4th, 1870), C. M. Adamson says of 
this specimen :—‘‘ When on the coast of I bought a Shearwater 
Petrel, which I was told had been drowned by having got 
entangled in the fishermen’s nets. It was saturated with salt 
water and dirty. I washed it in fresh, soft water, and next 
morning it was as clean and dry as it probably ever had been. 
It was the first I have seen recently killed; and what a singular 
bird it is, apparently approximating to various genera. In form 
and colour, when lying dead, it resembles a foolish Guillemot 
in its winter dress, but it is smaller. The plumage, particularly 
the primaries and other wing-feathers, instead of being harsh 
to the touch, as in the Auk’s, are soft, more like some land 
bird’s, and resemble in some degree those of an Owl; the beak, 
which is black, resembles that of a Cormorant (Willughby 
remarks this). The feet and legs resemble those of the Red- 
throated Diver, and the leg-bone, which joins the thigh-bone, 
is elongated, asin the Diver. The colour of the legs is singular, 
the outside being pink, irregularly spotted black, with a hard 
outline. The wings, which are placed further back than most 
species, when extended, resemble those of an Albatross. From 
the formation of this bird one is led to suppose that it can dive 
for food as well as take it from the surface of the sea when 
flying, as other Petrels are said to do, and this bird’s having 
been taken as it was rather confirms this supposition. [This 
theory has been proved correct within more recent years; vide 
