Genus THALA SSIDROMA.

Gen. Cuoar. Bill shorter th:
- un. the head ; much compressed in front of t]
the tip of the upper mandible sydd; Ne
I PI randible suddenly curving and hooking d 2
be Me 2 J S “18 downwards, ; |
lower one slightly angulated and following the curve ee

of the upper r
one tube or sheath, but showing two d RI i

! | istinct orifices in front.
with the first quill shorter than the third

s contained in
Wines long and aCumil

the second bei a
. w IN the longe { Ti /
shieht] J fork d. oe 0 z aa ; >] CSL. ah square oy;
5 Nj N Legs having the tarsi rather lone and slender ret | ted ki |
. e ; t ( 9 ( Culater tl
toes, unite 7 ¢é > ne ys } : ae
S, ted by a membrane ; hind toe represented by a small] tre |
‘ t « a) ralg 1t depe ndent nail

FORK-TAILED STORM PETRE L.

Phalassidroma Leachii,

Le Petrel de | each,

7 . : ; . ae i
HE first discovery s Petre are
ery of this Petrel in Europe is due to the researches of Mr. Bullock, who, in the year 1818

while on a tour through the northern and western isles of Scotland, found it breeding on the island of S
’ CUS e island of St.

Kilda, whence he brought the original speci ° .
nce original spec i ie a :
, 8 ginal specimen from which M. remminck took his description. In his

‘ My, Orn 40? ay PES :
Manuel @ Ornithologie, under the article alluded to, he dedicates the bird to Dr. Leach Dy the title of
. se = Se OF

Dy» “9, ofa since > ry] atc ts ¥ :
Procellaria Leach. Since the period of its first discovery, when it appeared to be a bird of extreme rarity

it has been found, and that not unfrequently, on most parts of the British coast, and in the channel inter-
vening between our island and the Continent,

In ee manners, food, and nidification it so strictly resembles the Common Storm Petrel that the sam
description will serve for both. It differs from that bird, as also from all other European Storm Petrels, in
being one of the largest in size, in having a forked tail, and remarkably short tarsi.

The colour of the plumage is a sooty black, with the under tail-coverts and a patch on the rump white

COMMON STORM PETREL.
Thalassidroma pelagica, Sedby.
Le Petrel tempéte.
Tus, the least of web-footed birds, though by no means the least important, has been long celebrated by the

name of ‘‘ Mother Carey’s Chicken,” bestowed upon it by the British sailors. as the foreboder of storm and

tempest to the mariner.

The habits and manners of this singular group of birds may be described as being both nocturn il and
oceanic. During the bright glare of day they conceal themselves in the crevices of rocks, stones, &e., |! rom
whence they depart on the approach of evening, and skim over the surface of the sea ip search of food :
approaching storms and dull murky weather also rouse them from their retreats to visit a ae

of gales anc

element; hence it is that when seen at a distance from the shore they intimate the approach

: i » company of ships, which they follow
severe weather. When out at sea they appear partial to the company of ships, which they follov |
: in fact, the only period of rest they

frre lax
ror ¢ Vs

together, and, surprising to say, are never seen to settle on the water ;
h extended wing, they skim, half fl
ssly formed for this manceuvre,

i fli i i i ying half tripping, over the
appear to allow their organs of flight is while, wit ‘ PI
< ; : ae ee
surface of the billows; and it would appear as if the bones of the legs were ex]
. . . . Es 5 - = ae o "ESS ure or
being sufficiently flexible to bend without breaking to any opposing Pres
‘ may be
‘on of the water which the vessel occasio!

sudden concussion. While
. ‘ . ale _ of
i 1 1 i ; i atters thé hrown overboard, and-also any
skimming around ships they pick up any refuse oily matters that t
the small mollusca that may be brought to the surface by the agitat
in her progress.
The Common Storm Petrel is abundant over

rocky islands of Scotland, where it breeds in the crevice

. 1
: mn Sei Europe, especially in the

the whole of the northern seas of Europ peciall a
s of rocks, among loose stones, and occasionally in

The young remain 1! their retreats

. Ree ee tae ‘e white.
holes on the ground, generally laying a single egg OL ae -derable period before they are able to
S 2 re ; . ‘t is a considerable pe ’
until their pinions are sufficiently strong for flight, and it is a considerable |
follow their parents. pot on the

a E . blacl with a white S}
es hich is invariably of a sooty Diack,
Mie adults of both sexes are alike in plumage, which is invariabl; :

rump; the bill and tarsi black.

ry . ae i > ne “al size.
We have figured an adult of each species, of the natur

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