108 
WILSON’S PETREL. 
occasionally breed. The latter then, though more abundant in America, 
belongs to Europe also. Wilson was not aware that the species now named 
after him was any thing else than “ the Stormy Petrel, Procellaria pelagica 
of Linn^us ;” and he remarks that it “ is found over the whole Atlantic 
ocean, from Europe to North America, at all distances from land, and in all 
weathers.” 
Wilson’s Petrel breeds on some small islands situated off the southern 
extremity of Nova Scotia, and called “ Mud Islands,” but which are formed 
of sand and light earth, scantily covered with grass. Thither the birds 
resort in great numbers, about the beginning of June, and form burrows of 
the depth of two or two and a half feet, in the bottom of which is laid a 
single white egg, a few bits of dry grass, scarcely deserving the name of a 
nest, having been placed for its reception. The egg measures an inch and 
a half in length, by seven-eighths of an inch in breadth, is almost equally 
rounded at both ends, and has a pure white colour. These Petrels copulate 
on the water, in the same manner as the Hyperborean Phalarope. By the 
beginning of August the young follow their parents to sea, and are then 
scarcely distinguishable from them. During incubation, they remain in the 
burrows, or at their entrance, rarely going to seek for food before the dusk. 
On wing this species is more lively than the Forked-tailed, but less so 
than the Common Stormy Petrel. It keeps its wings nearly at right angles 
with its body, and makes considerable use of its feet, particularly during 
calm weather, when it at times hops or leaps for several feet, or pats the 
water, whilst its wings are extended upwards with a fluttering motion, and 
it inclines its head downwards to pick up its food from the water, and I 
have observed it immerse the whole head beneath the surface, to seize on 
small fishes, in which it generally succeeded. It can walk pretty well on 
the deck of a vessel, or any other flat surface, and rise from it without much 
difficulty. Its notes are different from those of the Forked-tailed Petrel, 
and resemble the syllables kee-re-kee Jcee. They are more frequently emitted 
at night than by day. I never could ascertain whether or not these birds 
alight on the rigging at night, but my opinion is that they do not, for the 
sailors, to whom I had offered premiums for catching some of them, told me 
that although they flew about them while aloft, they could not see one 
standing anywhere. 
During my several visits to the coasts of the Floridas I saw scarcely any 
of these birds in the course of several months spent there, but I found them 
pretty abundant on returning towards Charleston. This species, like the 
others, feeds on mollusca, small fishes, Crustacea, marine plants, excrements 
of cetaceous animals, and the greasy substances thrown from vessels. When 
