394 Birds. 
colour is entirely black, except the coverts of the tail, the 
tail itself, and the vent-feathers, which are white : its legs 
are slender. Banging over the expanse of the ocean, and 
frequently at a vast distance* from the land, this bird is 
able to brave the utmost fury of the storms. Even in 
the most tempestuous weather it is frequently observed 
by the mariners skimming with almost incredible velo- 
city along the billows, and sometimes over their summits. 
They often follow vessels in great flocks, to pick up any- 
thing that is thrown overboard ; but their appearance is 
looked upon by the sailors as the sure presage of stormy 
weather in the course of a few hours. It seems to seek 
protection from the fury of the wind in the wake of the 
vessels ; and it is probable that for the same reason it 
often flies between two surges. The nest of this bird is 
found in the Orkney Islands, under loose stones, in the 
months of June and July. It lives chiefly on small 
fish; and although mute by day, it is very clamorous 
by night. The young of this bird are fed with an oily 
matter or chyle, which is ejected from the stomachs of 
the parents. 
Mudie, in his very entertaining work on British Birds, 
says that they are called Petrels, or "little Petrels," be- 
cause they move along the surface as if they were literally 
walking on the water. He also informs us that they are 
at times very full of oil, and that the Faroese, taking ad- 
vantage of this circumstance, convert them into lamps, 
by fixing them in an upright position and drawing a 
wick through their bodies, which thej' light at the 
mouth. 
