870 
BIRD-LIFE. 
heads turned in the very teeth of the gale, only remaining 
still for a few moments at a time. They will bravely 
defy the raging elements for days together, though if the 
storm lasts too continuously they at last become tired, 
and have to give in, in spite of all their courage: aye, 
many find a grave in the lap of their mother ocean, and 
many a one perishes miserably on the shore. Towards 
the end of a gale, that has lasted some considerable time, 
these little creatures will not only seek shelter under the 
lee of the vessel, but also under the land, probably less 
from fear of the storm than from the want of food, which 
now begins to be felt. 
As far as we yet know they feed exclusively on medusas 
and jelly-like animalculae, which they glean from the 
surface of the water. Hitherto nothing solid has ever 
been found in their stomachs; only a liquid, oily 
substance,—but of that, plenty. Some have erroneously 
asserted this greasy matter to be fish-oil. Reliable 
authorities, however, are of opinion that it is nothing 
else than a solution of the component parts of these 
animalculae. In heavy weather these tiny water-coloured 
morsels are certainly difficult to find, and at last are not 
to be met with at all; so that these otherwise persevering 
children of the storm necessarily become enfeebled, as 
does our Swallow by continued rain. Whether or not the 
aforesaid matter is really composed, as Pajeken supposes, 
of train-oil, or the fatty portions which float on the top 
of the water used for washing-up in the “ caboose,” 
and thrown over board, is still an open question. 
Under the wretched pressure of an empty stomach the 
wonderfully lasting energy even of the Stormy Petrel’s 
wing must flag in the end, and the bird be compelled to 
seek a locality where it may hope to find food. 
