the good fortune to discover a breeding-haunt; it is,
however, well known to nest on many of the numerous
islands of that sea.
According to Buffon the name of " Petrel" was
applied by English sailors to this bird from its frequent
habit of touching the water with its feet, thereby recalling
the attempt of the Apostle Peter to walk upon
the Lake of Tiberias, but most of the modern seafaring
men of my acquaintance call the present species
" Mother Carey's Chicken " or " Sea-Swallow." Many
authors are agreed as to the excellence of the flesh of
the Storm-Petrel. These birds roam the ocean through-out
the night, in fact they are seldom seen abroad near
their breeding-places during the period of incubation,
till the sun is low upon the horizon.
