TROPIC-BIRDS 
51 
109. Wilson’s Petrel, mother carry’s chicken, le petrel de wilson. Oceanites 
oceanicus. L, 7. A slightly smaller bird than Leach’s Petrel, of same general colour but 
averaging slightly darker, less forked tail, and with toe webs mostly yellow instead of 
all black. 
Distinctions. An Atlantic species. Smaller size, slightly darker coloration, square 
instead of forked tail, and the yellow foot webs will separate this petrel from Leach’s, 
and the yellow webs from the Stormy. 
Field Marks. Square instead of slightly forked tail is probably the most reliable 
guide to the specific identity of this petrel in life, but accurate observation is necessary 
to make the distinction. 
Nesting. In ground burrows or rock crevices. 
Distribution. From the Antarctic to Labrador and to the British Isles across the 
Atlantic. 
Wilson’s Petrel is notable as being; one of the very few North American 
species that nest at the southern end of their migratory range. Hence, 
individuals seen here in the summer are migrants and do not breed. 
Order— Pelicaniformes. Fully webbed Swimmers 
General Description. Birds with webs between all four toes, making three webs 
instead of the usual two as in other orders (Figure 7, page 25). 
Distinctions. The feet characters are always distinctive. 
This order is represented in Canada by three suborders: Phaethontes, Tropic-birds; 
Pelecani, Pelicans, Gannets, and Cormorants; and Fregatae the Frigate-birds of only 
casual occurrence on our east coast. 
Economic Status. This order, being composed of large birds, all fish- 
eaters, and many of them frequenting inshore or inland waters in con- 
siderable numbers, is open to a certain amount of suspicion as to its econo- 
mic effect. However, no step should be taken against any species until 
careful investigation has proved its necessity. 
SUBORDER— PHAETHONTES. TROPIC-BIRDS 
Medium-sized birds, largely white in colour, with greatly elongated whip-like central 
tail feathers (Figure 89). 
113. Red-billed Tropic-bird, l’ OISEAU I>ES TROPIQUES A DEC ROUGE. PhaSthon 
aethereus. L, 33, of which 22 inches may be tail. In contrasting black and white like 
next species, but back finely barred with black and white and bill bright red. 
Distinctions . With gently tapex*ed, sharp-pointed bill and long whip-lash centre 
tail feathers, to be mistaken only for the Yellow-billed Tropic-bird, for which see above 
characters. 
Distribution. Tropical seas on both sides of the continent. There is a single record 
for the Newfoundland Banks. 
Yellow-billed Tropic-bird; head scale, R Tail much reduced. (Compare with Figure 93.) 
112. Yellow-billed Tropic-bird, l’oiseau des tropiques a bec jaune. Phaethon 
lepturus. L, 30, of which 20 inches may be tail. Contrasted black and white, back not 
barred. Bill yellow. 
