2 
iMANX SHEARWATER. 
opportunity as the boat rose on a wave, there Avas little difficulty in dropping on board, and the landing Avas 
eventually effected Avitbout shipping a drop of AA^ater. The combined fishing and salmon creAvs quartered 
in the village having rushed doAvn into the surf, our craft Avas hauled high and dry without delay, and 
the anticipated drenching avoided. On tlie lotli, the weather having moderated, Ave Avere again at sea, this 
time in a fishing-lugger, witli bands sufficient to pull four long oars if required, and several ShearAvaters 
Avere observed a mile or two outside the Bass. The birds proved exceedingly restless, seldom remaining 
quiet for any length of time, constantly rising, hovering for a few moments over the Avater, and then 
dashing off on an extended flight toAvards the open sea ; the Avind increasing after midday, aa^c were forced 
to put back Avithout obtaining a single specimen. A fcAv days later (August 19th) the weather was all 
that could be desired, a light Avcsterly breeze extended a fcAV miles off the land, Avhile the surface of the 
AA-ater toAvards the centre of the Firth Avas as smooth as glass. Numbers of Kittiwakes and Guillemots 
Avere scattered here and there in flocks as far as the eye could reach ; often intermixed Avith these ravenous 
sea-foAvl small parties of from tAvo or three to half a dozen Shearwaters could be distinguished. The latter 
AA^ere engaged in busily sAvimming from one spot fo another, occasionally skimming the Avater Avith their 
beaks, but rising on Aving and gliding off Avhen tbe Divers and Gulls took flight. A few single birds Avere 
met Avith, and these took little notice of the boat, seldom attempting to escape till Avithin the distance of 
tAventy or thirty yards; during the morning I procured tAvo or three AAith perfectly Avhite breasts, and one 
on Avhich the plumage of the throat, breast, and belly AAns of a uniform dusky grey. No opportunity 
of examining the young having fallen to my share, I am unable to state the colouring of their first 
feathers ; it is probable, hoAvever, that these dark-tinted birds Averc immature. 
The flight of the Shearwater, when viewed for the first time, is sure to attract attention ; and the bird 
as it glides Avith an undulating motion over the AAaves may readily be recognized at almost any distance. 
W^hile cruising in company Avith the herring-fleet in the North Sea during the latter end of autumn, I 
observed at different times numbers of single birds, all apparently bound for the south, being usually met 
Avith in stormy or threatening Aveather, passing steadily on their course Avithout turning to the right or left 
or pausing in their flight. 
