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The Petrel.
Numb. X C I I .
T T S Bill was black, half an Inch long, the Noftrils placed in a Pro*
-*■ tuberance on the middle of the upper Mandible, which I ’never ob-
ferved in any other Bird: The breadth, when the Wings were expanded,
twelve Inches, length fix Inches; the top of the Head and Back
very dark, almoft black; on the Rump is a large Spot of white, the °
Belly and Wings fomething paler; the Wings are an Inch and a quarv
ter longer than the Tail, which was made up of twelve brown Fea-'
thers an Inch and a half long; the Leg was an Inch and a half and
half a quarter: It was Web-footed, both Legs and Feet dark brown.
When thefe Birds make towards a Ship at Sea they foretell a Storm at
hand, and will keep behind the Stern of the Veflel, as a Shelter for
them till the Storm is over j fometimes Flying and fometimes feeming
to run on the Waves with incredible Swiftnefs, for which reaion they
have given it the Name of Petrel from Peters walking on the Water.
This Bird I had from Conful Sherwood\ who was pleafed to lend
it me to draw a Picture from it. .
Mr. Willoughby calls a Bird which he defcribes fomething like it,
but of different Colours, the Storm Pink. See his appendix page 395.
See Dampeirs Voyage Vol. the 3d, page 97. who calls it the Petrel.