362 



PETREL. 



Cornw. p. 247. t. 29.— Lath. Syn. 6. p. 411. 18.— Ib. Supp. p. 269.— Lewin's 

 Br. Birds, 6. t. 219.— Pult. Cat. Dorset, p. 19. — Wale. Syn. 1. t. 91.— Bewick's 

 Br. Birds, 2. 249 Wils. Am. Orn. 7. p. 90. 



Provincial. — Little Petrel. Witch. Mother Gary's Chicken. Mitty. 

 Assilag. Spency. Sea Swallow. Allamoth. 



This species is about the size of a swallow, and in its general appear- 

 ance and flight, not unlike that bird. Length about six inches ; colour 

 of the plumage above, black ; beneath of sooty brown or dusky ; some 

 of the secondary quills are white at the ends ; rump and vent white ; 

 tail white at the base of the inner webs; legs black. 



* There seems to be some variety in the plumage of this species, for 

 three others, examined by Colonel Montagu, weighed about an ounce 

 each ; the coverts of the secondary quills were tipped with white, not the 

 quills themselves, and a little white was observable on the under part of 

 the wing ; the vent in these was not white, but the rump and over 

 the thighs, was of that colour ; the feathers of the upper tail coverts 

 were white at the base, tips black ; the tail composed of twelve very 

 broad feathers, and, when closed, nearly even at the end ; their colour 

 dusky black, all except the two middle ones, more or less white at the 

 base. * 



The Petrel is rarely seen on our shores, except in some of the 

 northern islands, where it breeds in the holes of rocks. * It seems also 

 to breed on the rocky coast of north Cornwall, from whence a gentle- 

 man in Devonshire had received two specimens, taken off their eggs in 

 the month of June. Mr. Fleming also assured Montagu that it 

 breeds in all the islets of Zetland ; but is never seen on land during 

 winter. Thus it has been found to be truly indigenous to the British 

 dominions, extending from the southern to the most northern extremi- 

 ties. It is, however, local, and by no means generally diffused ; but is 

 attached to particular spots for the purpose of nidification. Like most 

 other rock birds, it makes no nest, but deposits one large egg about the 

 size of that of a blackbird, but more regularly oval, of a white-colour, 

 with an obscure zone of purplish brown, formed by minute specks at 

 the larger end. 



We cannot believe the assertion that this bird is expert in diving; 

 the form, levity, and large proportion of feathers should alike render 

 them incapable of immersion ; and they have not the form for pur- 

 suing their prey under water, nor do they appear to possess the means 

 of diving, collecting their sustenance from the surface of the sea. 



" As the Stormy Petrel," says Mr. R. Drossier, " is scarcely ever 

 seen near the land, except in very boisterous weather, one of the 



