GREATER SHEARWATER. 
273 
mon in the Mediterranean and on the southern coasts of Spain 
and Provence, but never proceeds to the Adriatic. 
On approaching the banks of Newfoundland, but far west of 
soundings, we see the soaring and wandering Lestris, and every 
day the wild Shearwaters, but more particularly in blowing 
and squally weather; sometimes also in fine weather we see 
them throughout the day. Their course in the air is exceed- 
ingly swift and powerful. With their long wings outstretched 
and almost motionless, they sweep over the wild waves, fearless 
of every danger, flying out in vast curves, watching at the same 
time intently for their finny prey. Like the Petrels, these 
Shearwaters are often seen to trip upon the water with ex- 
tended feet and open wings ; they likewise dive for small fish, 
and find an advantage in the storm, whose pellucid mountain 
waves bring to view the shiny prey to more advantage, — the 
birds are therefore often seen most active at such times, watch- 
ing the sweeping billow as it rises and foams along, harassing 
and pursuing their quarry with singular address, snatching it 
from the surface, or diving after it through the waves, on which 
they are often seen to sit, mounting to the sky or sinking into 
the yawning abyss of the raging deep. 
The Greater Shearwater probably breeds on the islands of the 
North Atlantic, though no authentic account of the nest and eggs 
has been published Some eggs received from Greenland, and 
supposed by good authorities to be of this species, are described 
as white, and averaging about 2.80 X 1.90- 
The name Cinereous, applied to this bird by Nuttall, is now 
restricted to an allied species, Pnffinus kiihlii, which breeds on 
various islands in the Mediterranean and on the Azores. 
Our bird is numerous on the shores of Greenland up to about 
latitude 65°, and is quite common off the New England coasts dur- 
ing the winter, though usually far away from the shore. 
The fishermen call it the “ Hagdon,” in common with others of 
the genus and the Fulmar. 
In the illustration the Greater Shearwater is represented by the 
lower figure ; the upper one represents the Sooty Shearwater. 
voi. II. — 18 
