D U S K Y P E T R E L.
Puff}mis obscnrus, florin. TFVIMINCK.
" " BuOKAPAJtTK. D X O L A N D.
Procdlaria obscura, TEMMINCK.
Piiffinus— ? Obscurus—Obscure.
T H E present species is common along the western coast of Africa to
the Cape of Good Hope, and occasionally occurs on the coasts of the
.Mediterranean. It belongs also to the Canary Islands and Madeira.
A breeding-place is on the Dczcrtas, a group of small islands near the
latter, as stated by Edward Vernon Harcourt, Esq. A few have occurred
in France and Italy. One was obtained by Captain Cook at Christmas
Island. In America it is given by Nultall as belonging to Canada,
and so on by the States to the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Georgia, and
other parts; also in Bermuda.
A specimen of this Petrel flew on board a small sloop, near the
Island of Yalentia, off the south-west coast of Ireland, late in the
evening of the 11th. of May, 1853.
They are very tameable birds.
They are able in flight, and skim low over the sea in search of
food, and, says Audubon, on approaching a mass of weeds, raise their
wings obliquely, drop their legs and feet, run as it were on the water,
and at length alight on the sea, where they swim with much ease and
dive freely, at times passing several feet under the surface. Whenever
an individual settles in a spot, many fly up directly and join it.
They appear to make use of the bill to assist them in climbing up
rocky places. They roost in the daytime in crevices and under stones,
namelv when on the land, reposing otherwise on the bosom of the deep,
and coining forth towards evening to prowl and prey, the dim light
of the 'cold pale moon' being more suitable to their habits than the
bright glare of the sun.
They feed on fish, and almost any kind of food.
The egg, for one only is laid, is pure white.