THE FULMAR 



THE FULMAR. 



Fulmarus glacialis (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 80. 



Inhabiting the North Atlantic Ocean, the Fulmar, which has recently extended 

 its breeding range in the British Islands, nests on a good many of the islands of 

 Northern and North-western Scotland, including the Orkneys, Shetlands, St. Kilda, 

 Outer Hebrides, and others, as well as on the mainland. 



The female lays one pure white egg, presenting a chalky surface, and having a 

 decided odour of musk, on some ledge of rock or in a depression among the short 

 turf on the slopes of a cliff. On being handled or disturbed on their nests, the 

 birds eject from their mouths a clear yellowish coloured oil, apparently as a means 

 of defence. Howard Saunders {A Manual of British Birds, 2nd ed. p. 752) 

 describes the note as a " low croon." After the breeding season the birds disperse, 

 and are then found roaming far and wide at sea, and often approach fishing boats 

 and whalers, when they feed chiefly on oily matter or offal floating on the surface 

 of the water. 



Variations of colour occur in this species ; occasionally pure white birds are 

 seen, while an entirely slaty-grey form is not uncommon. Like most, if not all, of 

 the other Petrels, the Fulmar appears to be unable to stand on its feet, and rests 

 when on the ground in a crouching attitude. 



IV. 



97 



N 



