STORM PETREL. 
259 
corded are both numerous and widely scattered, 
extending from Shetland, St. Kilda and the Orkneys 
to the Scilly and Channel Islands. We' have seen 
small parties off Douglas Harbour in the Isle of 
Man in June, hut did not discover any breeding 
station ; several instances of dead or very exhausted 
birds have been picked up inland, and large flocks 
appear at times to be driven from their proper course. 
In the Natural History of .Yarmouth, it is stated 
that between two and three hundred were shot in 
Nov. 1824 after severe gales, and Mr. Yarrell tells 
us of Mr. Gould having exhibited to the Zoological 
Society twenty-four in a largo dish. Mr. Thompson 
mentions some Irish breeding stations. The geogra- 
phic range appears to be very extensive, but we 
have not verified what is recorded, by the examina- 
tion of specimens. It reaches northward to Faroe 
and Iceland, southward to Italy, * and South Afri- 
ca. t Audubon obtained specimens on the banks 
of Newfoundland. 
In habits this bird is entirely maritime, except 
during incubation, feeding on floating marine mo- 
lusca, &c . ; it will keep company with ships for 
days together, perhaps assisted by the draft of their 
wake, and will feed on the little bits of bread or 
meat which may bo thrown towards it or fall from 
the vessel, and is thus sometimes procured by using 
small hooks. When we have seen them, they 
allowed the vessel to pass, and seemed the lightest 
and most buoyant things that could be imagined. 
* Savi, Birds of Italy. + Smith, 
