362 
PETREL. 
Cornw. p. 247. t. 29. — Lath. Syn. 6. p. 411. 18. — Ib. Supp. p. 269. — Lewiii'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 Cary’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 Irom 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 
