418 
THE STORMY PETREL. 
of them in the midst of crowded towns ; thus, after a series 
of tempestuous weather, one was captured, which had been 
seen flying up and down the streets of a populous town, 
about seven or eight feet above the ground, apparently much 
exhausted ; and in October, 1846, one was picked up in 
Broad Street, Halifax, remaining alive only a few hours, 
driven inland, no doubt, by recent stormy weather ; while 
others, after severe storms, have been seen flying about the 
iron-furnaces at Low Moor, near Bradford, in the West 
Biding of Yorkshire, probably attracted by the blaze of their 
immense fires. f 
They do not, however, always follow ships merely for 
shelter ; we suspect that the scraps of food or grease, which 
occasionally fall overboard, frequently attract them. We have 
heard of one which accompanied a ship from the Channel to 
the very shores of America, picking up or examining every- 
thing that fell overboard. It was observed to he more 
clamorous during the night than the day. It appeared, 
moreover, to those who watched it, to dive, and remain under 
water for half an hour or more ; and we have heard this 
power of immersion attributed to it by others ; hut we are in- 
clined, nevertheless, to doubt even its power of diving at 
all ; its form, lightness, thick coating of feathers, all being 
against its remaining under water for any length of time ; 
added to which, such a power would he unnecessary, its food 
being prepared for it on the surface of the waters, and not 
below. 
