256 
AVES. 
the rest ; their nostrils are united to form a tube, which lies along the hack of the upper raandihle ; 
and their feet, instead of a l)ack toe, have merely a claw implanted in the heel. They are, of all the Pal- 
mipedes, those which remain most constantly at a great distance from land ; and when a tempest comes 
on, they are often compelled to seek refuge on reefs and ships, from which circumstance they derive their 
name of Storm-hirds: that of Petrel (a diminutive of Peter,) has been applied to them from their habit 
of walking on the waves, which they do with the assistance of their wings. They nestle in the holes | 
of rocks, [producing but a single egg,] and spurt upon those who disturb them an oily fluid, with 
which their stomachs appear to be always filled. The greater number of species inhabit the Antarctic 
seas. [Their stomach is extremely capacious, and but slightly muscular, and they feed principally on 
oily substances.] 
Those are more particularly called Petrels (Procellaria), the lower mandible of which is truncated. 
The largest species, or Giant Petrel (Proc. gigantea), inhabits the Austral Seas, and exceeds a Goose in size. Its 
plumage is blackish, but with varieties more or less white. In the same seas is found 
The Spotted Petrel (Pr. capensis).—'S,ize: of a small Duck, and white, spotted with black above. It is often 
mentioned by navigators [as the Cape Pigeon]. “ 
The Fulmar Petrel (Pr. glacialis). — White, with ash-coloured mantle, the bill and feet yellow, and size that of ^ \ 
a large Duck. It nestles in the precipitous coasts of the [northern] British isles, and is found throughout the | 
whole north. [It has been computed that this species is the most numerous in individuals of the whole class. 
Though I'are in our latitudes, its numbers in the Arctic seas are inconceivable.] 
Fiyp 127. — Sternum of Storm Petrel. 
The Storm-Petrels (Thalassidroma, Vig.) — 
Are certain small species, with a somewhat shorter bill, rather longer legs, and black plumage, which 
are more particularly designated Storm-birds [and 
Mother Carey' s Chickens'] by mariners. [Their habits 
are crepuscular and nocturnal, as are also those of 
most of the tribe : and their flight considerably 
resembles that of a Swallow.] 
The most common {Proe. pelagica, Brisson) is scarcely ^ 
larger than a Lark, but stands higher on the legs. It is J; 
entirely brown-black, except the croup, which is white, ” 
and there is a trace of white on the greater wing coverts. I ' 
When this bird seeks a shelter upon vessels, it is a sign of | 
an approaching storm. [That of America (Ph. Wilsonii) is ’ 
distinct, and is sometimes met with on our shores ; as is ^ ’ 
also a third species with a forked tail, Th. BullocMi. After tempestuous weather, these birds are not unfrequently f ‘ 
found far inland, generally upon the high road, unable to rise]. 
We separate, with Brisson, by the name of - [ 
The Shearwaters (Puffinus ), — * • 
Those species in whieh the tip of the lower mandible is curved downwards, like that of the upper, and ** 
the nostrils of which, although tubular, do not open by a common orifice, but by two distinct holes.|f' 
Their beak also is proportionally longer. S 
The Cinereous Shearwater (P. cinereus ; Proc. puffinus, Gm.) — Ash-coloured above, whitish beneath, with the® 
wings and tail blackish ; the young rather more deeply coloured. Its size is nearly that of a Crow, and it is 
found almost everywhere, [but rarely so far north as on the British shores]. 
A smaller species was long confounded with it, black above and white below, the Manks Shearwater (P. anglo- 
rwm), which inhabits the northern shores of Scotland and its isles in immense numbers, and which the inhabitants j 
salt for winter provision. [A third (P. obscurus, Vieillot) has occurred in Britain, and there ai*e two or three j 
more, further south.] 
Navigators sometimes mention, under tbe name of Petrels, certain birds of the Antarctic seas, which f 
should make two particular genera. One is 
The Haladrome {Halgdroma, Illiger), — 
Which, with the beak and form of the Petrels and Shearwaters, has a dilatable throat like the Cormo-"^ 
rants, and entirely wants the thumb, as in the Albatrosses. 
Such is Pr. urinatrix, Gmelin. 
The other is 
