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The Stormy Petrel 393 
our coasts ; gliding with beautiful ease and swiftness 
through the air, skimming the surface of the water in 
pursuit of their prey, or reposing upon its bosom. 
Even their rather harsh and discordant cry is in har- 
mony with the wild and imposing heights on which 
they love to dwell. This, however, does not protect 
them from the frequenters of our seaside towns, with 
whom seagull shooting is a favourite amusement ; an 
amusement the more to be reprehended as the flesh of 
the bird is quite useless. 
Gulls are frequently caught alive, and, after having 
their wings clipped to prevent their escape, are kept to 
satisfy their voracious appetite on snails, slugs, and 
other garden pests. 
5^ 
THE STOEMY PETEEL, OE MOTHEE CAEY'S 
CHICKEN. (Thalassidroma pelagica.) 
" O'er the deep ! o'er the deep ! 
Where the whale, and the shark, and the sword-fish sleep, 
Outflying the blast and the driving rain, 
The petrel telleth her tale in vain ; 
For the mariner curseth the warning bird, 
Who bringeth him news of the storm unheard ! 
Oh ! thus does the prophet, of good or ill, 
Meet hate from creatures he serveth still ; 
Yet he ne'er falters : — So, Petrel ! spring 
Once more o'er the waves on thy stormy wing." Procter. 
The Stormy Petrel is not larger than a swallow; and its 
