. A popular handbook of the birds of the United States and Canada . f America, whence it wanders even toAfrica and the coasts of Spain. From the ignorance andsuperstition of mariners, an unfavorable prejudice has longbeen entertained against these adventurous and harmless wan-derers ; and as sinister messengers of the storm, in which theyare often involved with the vessel they follow, they have beenvery unjustly stigmatized by the name of Stormy Petrels,Devils Birds, and Mother Careys Chickens. At nearly allseasons of the year these Swallow-Petrels in small flocks areseen wandering almost alon
. A popular handbook of the birds of the United States and Canada . f America, whence it wanders even toAfrica and the coasts of Spain. From the ignorance andsuperstition of mariners, an unfavorable prejudice has longbeen entertained against these adventurous and harmless wan-derers ; and as sinister messengers of the storm, in which theyare often involved with the vessel they follow, they have beenvery unjustly stigmatized by the name of Stormy Petrels,Devils Birds, and Mother Careys Chickens. At nearly allseasons of the year these Swallow-Petrels in small flocks areseen wandering almost alone over the wide waste of theocean. On the edge of soundings, as the vessel loses sight of thedistant headland and launches into the depths of the un-bounded and fearful abyss of waters, flocks of these dark, swift-flying, and ominous birds begin to shoot around the vessel, andfinally take their station in her foaming wake. In this situa-tion, as humble dependants, they follow for their pittance offare, constantly and keenly watching the agitated surge for 1. Brant. 2. Wilsons Petrel 3. Roseate Tern .4 Canada Goose. Wilsons petrel. 265 floating moUusca, and are extremely gratified with any kind offat animal matter thrown overboard, which they invariably dis-cover, however small the morsel, or mountainous and foamingthe raging wave on which it may happen to float. On makingsuch discovery they suddenly stop in their airy and swallow-like flight, and whirl instantly down to the water. Sometimesnine or ten thus crowd together like a flock of chickensscrambling for the same morsel; at the same time, patteringon the water with their feet, as if walking on the surface, theybalance themselves with gently fluttering and outspreadwings, and often dip down their heads to collect the sinkingobject in pursuit. On other occasions, as if seeking relief fromtheir almost perpetual exercise of flight, they jerk and hopwidely over the water, rebounding, as their feet touch the sur-face, w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1905
