. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. M THE n-ypREL. m to ]iht and dark o-roon. Tlie sliii])(3 of tlie ; is very lil:t' that of a ja-.^onoUe pear, and tlie .n'cnural colour is blnisli <i\von with spots, sphtslics, and streaks of redihsh hrown and black. The ci;,ns arc ohtaincd l)y men who are let down hy ropes over the precipices, and gather up thciv si)oil from the narrow ledges on which tliey are placed. So narrow, indeed, are some of the hnlges, that the I'gg seems liable to be blown over the edge with every b
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. M THE n-ypREL. m to ]iht and dark o-roon. Tlie sliii])(3 of tlie ; is very lil:t' that of a ja-.^onoUe pear, and tlie .n'cnural colour is blnisli <i\von with spots, sphtslics, and streaks of redihsh hrown and black. The ci;,ns arc ohtaincd l)y men who are let down hy ropes over the precipices, and gather up thciv si)oil from the narrow ledges on which tliey are placed. So narrow, indeed, are some of the hnlges, that the I'gg seems liable to be blown over the edge with every bree'/,e. The head and upper surface of this bird, with the excejition of the white tips to the secondaries, are dull black, and the under surface is pure white. The bill is black, and the legs and toes dark brown. The length of the adult bird is aliout eighteen inches. Tlun'e are several other British species belonging to this sub-family, among which may be nu'ntioned the Black Guillemot (Urid <jr//Ui'}, known by its smaller size and its bliick plumage with a large white patch on the wing. The Little Auk, or IIotche {Arctioi (lUii), so well known in northern seas, also belongs to the same gi'oup. The curious family of the Petrels now comes before us. A well-know n British example is the Stoemy Petuel, known to sailors as the Mother Carey's Chicken, and hated by them after a most illogical manner because it foretells an approacliiiig stjrm, and therefore by a curious process of reasoning is taken for its cause. A sailor once told me very frankly, after I had held a shin't argument with him, that '' they mostly takes things wrong-side forrards," and so it is with the Stormy Petrel, the pilot-lish, and many other creatures. This bird has long lieen celebrated for the manner in which it passes over the waves, pattering with its webbed feet and Happing its wings so as to keep itself above the surface. It thus traverses the ocean with woiulerful ease, tlu; Inllows rolli
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
