1883.] 405 [Brewster. 



the smaller Petrels, rarely coming near our vessel and never fol- 

 lowing her wake. Their flight, also, is wholly different. The 

 long, narrow wings are set stiffly at right angles with the body 

 and the bird frequently glides half a mile at a time without mov- 

 ing them perceptibly. It usually follows a direct course and in- 

 variably skims close over the waves. I know of no other sea- 

 bird whose movements are as easy and graceful. Indeed at 

 times, especially during a gale, its evolutions will compare in 

 grace and spirit with those of the Mississippi or Swallow-tailed 

 Kites. 



The preceding speculations respecting the breeding of Wil- 

 son's Petrel will apply nearly as well to this and the following 

 species, both of which occur during the entire summer on our off 

 coast fishing grounds. The Sooty Shearwater is never very com- 

 mon, but P. major may be found in certain places by thousands, 

 at any time from June to September. Nevertheless I cannot 

 learn that an authentic egg of either species has ever been taken 

 on our shores. Bryant inferred that they bred along the Straits of 

 Belle Isle, because he found the birds numerous there in what he 

 assumed must be their breeding season; but Mr. George O. 

 Welch, who has spent the past season collecting along the coast 

 of Newfoundland, assures me that no one there has ever seen the 

 egg or young of a Shearwater, although both P. major and P. fulig. 

 inosus summer abundantly in the neighboring waters. 



84. Pufl&nus fuliginosus, Strickl. — Sooty Shearwater. 



This species was seen only off the coast of Nova Scotia where 

 it was less common than P. major. Its flight and habits seem to 

 be identical with those of major, but its uniform dark coloring 

 gives it a very different appearance. At a distance it looks as 

 black as a Crow. 



85. Colymbus torquatus, Brttnn. — Common Loon. 



A sj)ecies of general distribution in the Gulf, but especially 

 numerous along the North Shore, where we often heard its mourn- 

 ful cries at night, or in the early morning saw the stately birds 

 swimming on the smooth surface of the land-locked bays and 

 channels among the islands. I did not learn much about its hab- 

 its there, but was told that it breeds only in fresh water. 



86. Colyixibus septentrionalis, Linn. — Red-throated Loon 

 We saw the Red-throate 1 Diver among the Magdalens, at Anti- 



