SLAVONIAN GREBEPÓDICIPES AURITUSBill strong, shorter than the head, compressed throughout its whole length, black, with the tip red; eyes with a double iris, the inner yellow, the outer red; distance from the nostrils to the tip of the bill six or seven lines; head and bushy ruff glossy black; two horn-like crests orange-red; lore, neck, and breast, bright chestnut; upper plumage dusky; secondaries and under parts white; bill black, rose-coloured at the base and red at the tip.Young—crest and ruff wanting; upper plumage and flanks dusky ash, under parts white; irides white, surrounded by red. Eggs dirty white.The Slavonian, or Horned Grebe, approaches so closely in habits to the two preceding species that it is unnecessary to say more than that it inhabits the northern parts of America and Europe, visiting us from autumn to spring. Audubon describes its nest as a rude structure of weeds, situated at a distance of about twelve feet from the water's edge; but other authors state that though it constructs its nest of these materials, it disposes it among weeds in such a way that it rises and falls with every alteration in the level of the water. It lays from five to seven eggs, and the male is supposed to assist in the office of incubation.THE BLACK-NECKED OR EARED GREBEPÓDICIPES NIGRICOLLISIn summer the head and neck of this species are black, with a triangular patch of long golden-reddish feathers on the ear-coverts. Breast and belly white—flanks a dull chestnut, bill black, upcurved slightly. In winter it resembles the last named Grebe in plumage, excepting that it is white on the primaries. Length twelve inches.This is essentially a bird of the south, visiting us in spring and summer, but also now and again in autumn and winter, but this more rarely. It is said to have bred occasionally in the southern counties, and more often in Suffolk and Norfolk. To the north it becomes more scarce, although it has been observed up to the Orkneys. Just a few instances are recorded from Cumberland, but the bird is rare on our western side. Very few have been met with in Ireland. In Algeria it is said to nest in "societies more densely crowded than any rookery," the nests being raised on islets with stout foundations constructed by the bird. In Denmark the nests observed were on tussocks at the edge of the lake, and they were made of moss, part of which the female used to cover her eggs with on leaving them.THE LITTLE GREBE, OR DABCHICKPÓDICIPES FLUVIÁTILISBill very short, shining, compressed; no crest or ruff; distance from nostrils to tip of the bill five lines; tarsus with a double row of serratures behind; head black; cheeks bright chestnut; breast and flanks dusky, mottled with white; upper parts dark brown, tinged with green; primaries ash-brown; secondaries white at the base and on the inner web, under parts dusky ash, tinged on the thighs with reddish; bill black, whitish at the tip and base of the lower mandible; irides reddish brown; feet externally greenish brown, beneath flesh-colour.Young birdsare ash-brown above, slightly tinged with red; breast and flanks reddish white; belly pure white; bill brown and yellowish ash. Length nearly ten inches. Eggs dirty white.The Lesser Grebe, or, as it is more commonly called, the Dabchick, is the only species with which it is possible to become familiarly acquainted in Britain. It frequents rivers, ponds, and lakes, in all parts of the country, rarely flying, and still more rarely coming to land.Rambling by the side of a sluggish river, the sides of which are linedwith reeds or bulrushes, one may often descry, paddling about with undecided motion, what appears to be a miniature Duck no longer than a Blackbird. It does not, like the Moor-hen, swim with a jerking movement, nor when alarmed does it half swim and half fly in a direct line for the nearest bank of weeds. If you are unobserved, it swims steadily for a short distance, then suddenly disappears, making no splash or noise, but slipping into the water as if its body were lubricated. It is diving for its food, which consists of water insects, molluscs, small fish and worms. As suddenly as it dives so suddenly does it reappear, most likely not far from the spot where you first observed it:A di-dapper peering through a wave,Who, being looked on, ducks as quickly in.Shakspeare.Another short swim and it dives again; and so it goes on, the time spent under the water being far in excess of that employed in taking breath. Advance openly or make a noise, it wastes no time in idle examinations or surmises of your intentions, but slips down as before, not, however, to reappear in the same neighbourhood. Its motives are different: it now seeks not food, but safety, and this it finds first by diving, and then by propelling itself by its wings under water in some direction which you cannot possibly divine; for it by no means follows that it will pursue the course to which its bill pointed when it went down. It can alter its line of flight beneath the water as readily as a swallow can change its course of flight through the air. But wherever it may reappear, its stay is now instantaneous; a trout rising at a fly is not more expeditious. You may even fail to detect it at all. It may have ensconced itself among weeds, or it may be burrowing in some subaqueous hole. That it has the power of remaining a long while submerged, I have no doubt. There is in the parish of Stamford Dingley, Berks, a large and beautiful spring of water, clear as crystal, the source of one of the tributaries of the Thames. I was once bending over the bank of this spring, with a friend, watching the water, some five or six feet down, as it issued from a pipe-like orifice and stirred the sand around like the bubbling of a cauldron, when there suddenly passed between us and the object we were examining a form so strange that we were at first doubtful to what class of animals we should refer it. In reality, it was a Dabchick, which, alarmed probably by the noise of our conversation, was making for a place of safety. As it passed within two or three feet of our faces, we could distinctly see that it propelled itself by its wings; but it appeared not to have observed us, for it kept on in a direct course towards the head of the spring. We searched long in the hope of discovering it again, but failed; and as there were no weeds among which it could possibly hide above water, and we could examine the bottom of the spring almost as thoroughly as if itcontained air only, we could but conclude that our apparition had taken refuge in a hole under the bank.Early in spring, when Dabchicks leave the small streams and water-courses for broader pieces of water, they have been observed to fly; and during the building season also they have been seen circling round in the air near the locality of their intended nest. The nest itself is constructed of weeds of all kinds, forming a thick mass raised but a few inches above the surface of the water, and invariably far enough from the bank to be inaccessible except by wading. The Dabchick lays five or six long-shaped eggs, pointed at either end, of a chalky white colour. These the bird, when she leaves the nest, covers with weeds for the purpose of concealment, and on her return continues the work of incubation without removing the covering, so that the eggs soon lose their white hue, and before the period of hatching have become very dirty. The young birds can swim and dive immediately on leaving the egg. I have never myself seen a Dabchick fly through the air or walk on land, neither have I ever heard its note. The latter, a low clicking and chattering sort of noise, it is said to utter in spring. It breeds even in St. James' Park. Females smaller than males.ORDER TUBINARESFAMILY PROCELLARIIDÆTHE FULMAR PETRELPROCELLARIA GLACIÁLISHead, neck, under plumage, and tail, white; wings bluish ash, the primaries brownish grey; beak, irides, and feet, yellow.Young of the yeargrey tinged with brown, mottled on the back with deeper brown; bill and feet yellowish ash. Length nineteen inches. Eggs white.In some of the Outer Hebrides Fulmars breed; but the great station, to which tens of thousands annually resort, is the remote island of St. Kilda. To the Fulmar indeed, and in a less degree to the Gannet and two or three other sea-birds, the island is indebted for its being able to boast of human inhabitants. Eggs and birds, fresh or salted, furnish them with food; the Fulmar with oil: and feathers pay their rent. In the Shetlands it is said to be increasing.Professor James Wilson says: 'The oil is extracted from both the young and old birds, which, however, they must seize on suddenly and strangle, else, as a defensive movement, the desired (and pungent) oil is immediately squirted in the face and eyes of their opponent.' This oil is ejected, not, as it is sometimes said, through tubular nostrils, but directly through the throat and open mouth.The flesh of the Fulmar is also a favourite food with the St. Kildans, who like it all the better on account of its oily nature.The Fulmar is essentially a sea-bird, and never comes to land except in the breeding season, when it builds its nest of herbage on the grassy shelves of the highest cliffs, and lays a single egg, if which be taken, it lays no more. The young birds are fed with oil by the parents, and on being molested spurt out through the throat and open mouth the same fluid, which, being of a rank smell, infects not only the nest, but the whole neighbourhood. The young birds, which are taken early in August, are boiled, and made to furnish a large quantity of fat, which is skimmed off and preserved for winter use. The old birds are considered great dainties.In the Arctic regions the Fulmar is well known for its assiduity in attending on whale ships, keeping an eager watch for anything thrown over; and when the operation of cutting up a whale is going on, helping itself most greedily to stray pieces of offal, and venturing so near as to be easily knocked down by a boathook or to be taken by hand.Owing to the rankness of its food, the smell of the Fulmar is very offensive. A specimen recently shot was brought to me in Norfolk, early in January, 1862, and being a great rarity, was carefully preserved and set up; but on being sent home from the bird-stuffer's it was banished to an outhouse, where it has remained for three months without losing anything of its offensive odour.THE GREAT SHEARWATERPUFFINUS MAJORBill two inches long; tail pointed; upper plumage dusky; under, deep ash grey. Length eighteen inches.The Great Shearwater is far less abundant than the preceding species, and may indeed be considered a rarity. A few solitary specimens have from time to time been shot on various parts of the coast, and they have occasionally been noticed in considerable numbers off the coast of Cornwall. In the Scilly Islands, where they are called 'Hackbolts', they are said to be yet more frequent. The Great Shearwater differs little in habits, as far as they are known, from the other species.THE MANX SHEARWATERPUFFINUS ANGLORUMBill an inch and a half long; tail rounded; upper plumage brownish black lustrous; under white; sides of the neck barred with grey; sides spotted with grey. Length fourteen inches. Eggs nearly round; pure white.That a bird whose generic name isPuffinusshould sometimes be called a 'Puffin' is not surprising; and the reader who meetswith the name in books should satisfy himself whether the subject of his study be an Auk or a Shearwater, before he admits as facts any statements about the 'Puffin' which may fall in his way. Yarrell, for instance, gives the name of Puffin to the bird already described under the name ofFratercula Arctica, while by Montagu that bird is described under the name of 'Coulterneb', 'Puffin' being given as a synonym for the Shearwater. Off Cornwall it is calledskiddeuandbrew.The Shearwater is so called from its mode of flight, in which it 'shears' or skims the water; and its distinctive name, Manx, it owes to its having been formerly very abundant in the Calf[60]of Man, a small island lying south of the Isle of Man.The Manx Shearwater is, during the greater portion of the year, an ocean-bird, and only ventures on shore during the breeding season. It then repairs to some island, or portion of the coast little frequented by man, and in society with other birds of the same species there takes up its summer quarters. A sandy or light earthy soil, scantily furnished with vegetation, is preferred to any other station. Its nest is a hole in the ground, either the deserted burrow of a rabbit or a tunnel excavated by itself, or less frequently it lays its one egg in the crevice of a rock. During the day Shearwaters, for the most part, remain concealed in their holes, and lie so close that they will suffer themselves to be dug out with a spade and make no attempt to escape. Towards evening they quit their hiding-places, and paddle or fly out to sea in quest of food. This consists of small fish and other marine animals which swim near the surface, and are caught by the birds either while they are floating or 'shearing' the water. No nest ever contains more than one egg, but that one and the chick which it produces are objects of the greatest solicitude.Unfortunately for the poor Shearwaters, their young, though fed on half-digested fish oil, are delicate eating; consequently, some of the stations of these birds have been quite depopulated, and in others their numbers have been greatly thinned.Willughby tells us that in his time 'Puffins' were very numerous in the Calf of Man, and that fully fledged young birds, taken from the nests, were sold at the rate of ninepence a dozen. He adds, that in order to keep an accurate reckoning of the number taken, it was customary to cut off, and retain, one of each bird's legs. The consequence was that the state in which the birds were sent to market was supposed to be their natural condition, and the Puffin was popularly believed to be a 'monopod' (one-footed bird).This station is now nearly, if not quite, deserted; but colonies still exist in Annet, one of the Scilly Islands, on the south coast of Wales, in the Orkneys, and in the Shetlands. In the ScillyIslands the Shearwater is called a Crew, from the harsh note uttered by the bird when its burrow is invaded; in the north, a Lyrie or Scrabe.[60]'Calf', on many parts of the coast, is a name given to the smaller of two rocks in proximity, of which the larger is called the 'Cow'.THE STORM-PETRELPROCELLARIA PELÁGICAGeneral plumage like the last; tail even at the extremity; legs moderate; membranes black. Length scarcely six inches. Eggs white.Under the name of 'Mother Carey's Chickens' the Petrels must be known to all readers of voyages. According to the belief popular in the forecastle, these birds are invisible during calm or bright weather; but when the sky lowers, and a storm is impending, suddenly, no one knows whence, forth come these ill-omened heralds of the tempest, inspiring more terror than would be caused even by the hurricane which they are supposed to commence. In reality, the Petrels are scarcely birds of the day; they love to hide themselves in holes and behind stones. It is not, therefore, surprising that when the sea is calm, and the sun bright, they lurk in their hiding-places, if near enough to land; or, if on the open ocean, lie asleep on the surface of the water, unnoticed, because still and of small size. An overcast sky, however, awakes them as twilight would, and they leave their hiding-places, or rise from their watery bed, not because a storm is impending, but because the cloud which accompanies the storm brings them the desired gloom. When in motion they are more conspicuous than when at rest, and they follow the wake of a ship for the same reason that other sea-fowl do, for the sake of the offal thrown overboard. They will sometimes accompany a ship for days, showing that they have untiring power of wing, and to all but the superstitious greatly relieving the monotony of the voyage.The Petrel builds its nest, a rude structure of weeds and rubbish, either in the hole of a cliff or under stones on the beach, and lays a single egg. It rarely comes abroad by day, and if disturbed ejects from its mouth an oily matter, after the manner of the Fulmar. Towards evening it comes forth from its stronghold, and skims the sea in quest of food, which consists of floating animal matter of all kinds. Its name, Petrel, or Little Peter, is derived from its habit of occasionally skimming along so close to the surface of the sea as to dip its feet in the water, and present the appearance of walking; but its ordinary flight is very like that of the Swallow.The Storm-Petrel breeds in the Orkney, Shetland, and Scilly Islands and a few on the Welsh coast, also in the Channel Islands, but a genuine ocean-bird quits the land as soon as its young are able to accompany it. It is frequently seen in the Atlantic andMediterranean, and is not an uncommon visitor to our shores, especially during severe weather.Its note is only heard during the season of incubation, when its retreat is often betrayed by a low twittering.Storm-Petrels are gregarious birds; they breed in colonies, and skim the sea in small flocks. The French steamers which sail between Toulon and Algiers are said to be regularly accompanied by these birds.THE FORK-TAILED PETRELPROCELLARIA LEUCORRHOAGeneral plumage like the last; tail forked; legs moderate; membrane dusky Length seven and a quarter inches. Eggs white, marked with small rusty spots.The Fork-Tailed Petrel, a native of North America, does not differ materially in habits from the other species. It is met with almost annually on our east coast, and is common off Cornwall. In Ireland it is frequent. This species was first declared to be a British bird by Bullock, who found it at St. Kilda in 1818.GLOSSARY OF COMMON AND PROVINCIAL NAMES AND OF TECHNICAL TERMS.♂: male ♀: femaleAberdeen Sandpiper: a name for the KnotAberdevine: a name for the SiskinAccentor, Hedge: Sparrow, Chanter or WarblerAlk: the Razor-billAllamotte: the PetrelAllan: the SkuaAlp: a name for the BullfinchAnnet: the Kittiwake GullArctic-bird: the SkuaArctic Skua" TernAssilag: the PetrelAwl: the WoodpeckerBadock: the SkuaBankjug: the Chiff-chaff and Willow WarblerBargander: the SheldrakeBarley-bird: the Siskin and WryneckBarred or Lesser-spotted WoodpeckerBar-tailed GodwitBasal: at or near the baseBeam-bird: the Spotted FlycatcherBean Crake: the Land-Rail" GooseBearded ReedlingBee-bird: a name sometimes given to the Flycatcher;sometimes to the Willow Warbler" -eater" -hawk: the Honey BuzzardBeech-finch: the ChaffinchBergander: the SheldrakeBernicle GooseBilly: the Hedge SparrowBilly-whitethroat: the WhitethroatBitternBlack-a-top: the StonechatBlack-billed Auk: a name given to the Razor-bill in the winterplumage of the first yearBlackcap: a name sometimes given to the Black-headed Gull,the Marsh Tit, and Coal TitBlack Duck: the ScoterBlacky-top: the StonechatBloodulf: the BullfinchBlind Dorbie: the Purple SandpiperBlue-backed Falcon: the Peregrine Falcon" -bird: the Fieldfare" -cap: the Blue Tit" Darr: the Black Tern" Hawk: the Peregrine FalconBlue-headed Wagtail: the greyheaded Wagtail" -tailed Bee-eater" Tit: the Tom Tit, the Blue-cap" -winged Shoveler: the ShovelerBoatswain: the SkuaBrake-hopper: the Grasshopper WarblerBrambling, or Bramble-finchBran: the CrowBrancher: the Goldfinch in its first yearBrantail: the RedstartBrent GooseBroad-bill: the ShovelerBronzie: the CormorantBrook Ouzel: a name given to the Dipper, and incorrectly to the Water-RailBrown Owl, or Tawny Owl" -Leader Gull: Black-headed Gull, Red-headed Gull or Hooded Gull" Starling: a name sometimes given to the young of the Starling" Tern: the Tern in its immature plumageBudfinch: the BullfinchBullfinch, Common" Pine, or Pine GrosbeakBunting, Lapland, or FinchBurgomaster: the Glaucous GullBurrow Duck: the SheldrakeBustard, GreatCackareer: the Kittiwake GullCaddaw: the JackdawCalloo: the Long-tailed DuckCargoose: the Crested GrebeCarinate: in the form of a keelCarrion CrowCar-swallow: the Black TernCere: the wax-like membrane which covers the base of the bill in the FalconidaeChaldrick or Chalder: the Oyster-CatcherChanchider: the Spotted FlycatcherChannel Goose: the GannetChanter, Hedge: Sparrow, Accentor or WarblerCharlie Miftie: the WheatearChank, and Chank-daw: the ChoughChepster: the StarlingCherry-finch: the HawfinchCherry-sucker, Cherry-chopper, and Cherry-Snipe: the Spotted Flycatcher.Chevy Lin: the RedpollChickell: the WheatearChickstone: the StonechatChippet Linnet: the RedpollChurch Owl: the White OwlChurn Owl: the NightjarChurr: the DunlinCirl BuntingClack Goose, Clakes: the Bernicle GooseClatter Goose: the Brent GooseClee: the Red ShankCleff: the TernClinker: the AvocetCloven-footed Gull: the TernCoal-and-candle-light: the Long-tailed DuckCoal Goose: the CormorantCoaly Hood: the Bullfinch or Coal MouseCob: the male SwanCob: the Great Black-backed GullCobble: the Great Northern DiverCobbler's Awl: the AvocetCobweb: the Spotted FlycatcherCockandy: the PuffinCock-winder: the WigeonCoddy Moddy: the common Gull in its first year's plumageColdfinch: the Pied FlycatcherColk: the King DuckColin: a name in New Spain for QuailCompressed: flattened verticallyCoot-foot: the PhalaropeCopperfinch: the ChaffinchCorbie: the RavenCorndrake: the Land-RailCornish Crow, or Daw: the ChoughCornwall Kae: the ChoughCoulterneb: the PuffinCrake, Little" SpottedCrank bird: the Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerCraw: part of the stomach in birdsCream-coloured Plover: Swiftfoot or CourserCourser Gull: the Glaucous GullCreeper, Creep-tree, or Tree-creeper. These names are in some places given to the NuthatchCrested Cormorant: the Shag" Heron, Common or GreyCricket-bird: the Grasshopper WarblerCricket Teal: the GarganeyCrooked Bill: the AvocetCrossbill: CommonCuckoo's Leader or Mate: the WryneckCuhnen: the ridge of the upper mandibleCultrate: in the form of a billhook or pruning knifeCurlew-Jack: the WhimbrelCurwillet: the SanderlingCushat: the Ring DoveCutty Wren: the Common WrenCygnet: the young SwanDaker Hen: the Land-RailDanish Crow: the Hooded CrowDarr, Blue: the Black TernDertrumDepressed: flattened horizontallyDeviling: the SwiftDick Dunnock: the Hedge SparrowDippearl: the TernDirty Allen: the SkuaDishwater: the WagtailDiving Pigeon: the GuillemotDobbler and Dobchick: the Lesser GrebeDoor Hawk and Dorr Hawk: the Nightjar.Dorbie: the DunlinDoucker: a popular name for a Grebe or DiverDoveky: the Black GuillemotDove-coloured Falcon: the Peregrine FalconDraine: the Missel ThrushDuck Hawk: the Marsh HarrierDucker: a popular name for a Grebe or DiverDulwilly: the Ring PloverDunkir and Dunair: the PochardDun Crow: the Hooded CrowDundiver: the female and young of the MerganserDung Hunter: the SkuaDunlinDunnock: the Hedge SparrowEarl Duck: the Red-breasted MerganserEasterling: the SmewEbb: the BuntingEcorcheur: the ShrikeEgret: a tuft of long narrow feathers found on the lower part of the neck of the Herons.The name is also sometimes extended to the two tufts of feathers, resembling ears or horns,in some of the OwlsElk: the Hooper SwanEmmer or Ember Goose: the Great Northern DiverEmmet Hunter: the WryneckErne: the EagleFalk or Falc: the Razor-billFaller: the Hen HarrierFallow Chat, Fallow Finch, Fallow Lunch, or Fallow Smich: the WheatearFanny Redtail: the RedstartFauvette: the Garden Warbler, also applied to others of the Warblers.Feather-poke: i.e. "sack of feathers" is the Chiff-chaff, so called from thematerials and form of the nestFelt and Feltyfare: the FieldfareFiddler: the Common SandpiperField Duck: the Little BustardField Lark: the SkylarkFiery Linnet: the Common LinnetFinch, or Lapland BuntingFire-crested Regulus or WrenFire-tail: the RedstartFlapper: a young DuckFlopwing: the LapwingFlusher: the Butcher-birdFoot: The foot of a bird consists of four, never less than three, toes,with their claws, and the joint next above, called the "tarsus"French Linnet: the Redpoll" Magpie: the Red-backed Shrike" Pie: the Great Spotted Woodpecker.Gaggle: a flight of Wild GeeseGairfowl: the Auk and the Razor-billGallinule: the Moor Hen; this name is sometimes applied to the CrakesGallwell Drake: the Land DrakeGannet: the SkuaGarden Ouzel: the Blackbird" WarblerGardenian Heron: the young of the Night HeronGaunt: the Crested GrebeGidd: the Jack SnipeGillhowter: the White OwlGladdy: the Yellow HammerGlaucous GullGlead, Gled, or Glade: the KiteGoat Owl and Goatsucker: the NightjarGoldeneyeGolden-crested Regulus, Warbler or Wren" Oriole or Thrush" PloverGorcock: the Moor CockGorsehatch: the WheatearGorse-duck: the Corn CrakeGorse Linnet: the Common LinnetGoud Spink: the GoldfinchGouldring: the Yellow HammerGourder: the PetrelGouk: the CuckooGraduated: a term applied to the tail of a bird when the middlefeathers are longest and the outer ones are shorter in gradationGreenwich Sandpiper: the RuffGrey: the GadwallGreybird: the ThrushGrey-Duck: the Gadwall" Coot-footed Tringa: the Phalarope" Crow: the Hooded Crow" Falcon: the Hen Harrier" Heron: common or Crested HeronGrey Lapwing, or Sandpiper: the Grey Plover" Linnet: the Common Linnet" Owl: the White Owl" Partridge: the Common Partridge" Shrike, Lesser: the Ash-coloured Shrike" Skit: the Water-Rail" -lag: Fen, Stubble, or Wild GooseGrisette: the WhitethroatGround Lark: the Pipit and Bunting" Wren: the Willow WarblerGuldenhead: the PuffinGull-tormentor: the SkuaGunner: the Great Northern DiverGurfel: the Razor-billGustarda: the BustardHackbolt: the Greater ShearwaterHadji: the SwiftHagdown: the Greater ShearwaterHaggard: the Peregrine FalconHagister: the MagpieHalf-Curlew: the Whimbrel and Godwit" -Duck: the Wigeon, Pochard, etc." -Snipe: the Jack SnipeHarle: the Red-breasted MerganserHarpy: the Marsh HarrierHawk Owl: this name is sometimes given to the Short-eared OwlHay-bird, or Hay-Tit: the Willow WarblerHay-Jack: the Garden Warbler and WhitethroatHeather Bleater: the SnipeHeath Throstle: the Ring OuzelHebridal Sandpiper: the TurnstoneHeckimal: the Blue TitHedge-Chicken: the Wheatear" -Jug, the Long-tailed TitHegrilskip: the HeronHelegug: the PuffinHellejay: the Razor-billHern, Hernshaw, Heronshaw: the HeronHeronsewgh: the HeronHerring-bar: perhaps a corruption of Herring-bird, DiverHerring Gant: the Gannet" GullHew-hole: the WoodpeckerHickwall: the Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerHigh-hoo: the WoodpeckerHiogga: the Razor-billHissing Owl: the White OwlHoarse Gowk: the SnipeHoddy: the CrowHolm Cock and Holm Screech: the Mistle ThrushHoop: the BullfinchHornfinch: the PetrelHorniwinks: the LapwingHorra: the Brent GooseHorsefinch: the ChaffinchHorsmatch: the Red-backed Shrike, the Wheatear and WhinchatHowlet: the Brown OwlHowster: the KnotHuckmuck: the Long-tailed TitHullat: the OwlIcebird: the Little AukImber, or Great Northern DiverIsle of Wight Parson: the CormorantIris (plural, Irides): the coloured circle of the eye surrounding the pupilIsaac: the Hedge SparrowIvy Owl: the Barn OwlJack Curlew: the WhimbrelJackdawJack-nicker: the Goldfinch" Saw: the Goosander" SnipeJar Owl: the Night OwlJay, Jay Pie, or Jay PyetJenny: the WrenJid or Judcock: the Jack SnipeKadder and Kae: the JackdawKamtschatka Tern: the Black TernKatabella: the Hen HarrierKate: the HawfinchKatogle: the Eagle OwlKiddaw: the GuillemotKing-Harry: the GoldfinchKip: the TernKirktullock: the ShovelerKirmew and Kirmow: the TernKnee: a name often given, though inaccurately, to the junction of thetarsus and tibia of a bird.KnotLamhi or Lavy: the GuillemotLand Curlew: the Great PloverLary: the GuillemotLaughing Goose: the White-fronted GooseLavrock: the SkylarkLeg-bird: the Sedge WarblerLesser wing-coverts: the feathers which overlie the greaterwing-coverts, or those next the quillsLing-bird: the Meadow PipitLinlet: a young LinnetLobefoot: the PhalaropeLong-tongue: the WryneckLoom or Loon: the DiverLore: the space between the beak and the eyeLough Diver: the SmewLum, Lungy: the GuillemotLumme: the DiverLyre: the Manx ShearwaterMadge Howlet: the White OwlMaglowan: a name for the DiversMagpie Diver: the SmewMalduck, or Malmarsh: the FulmarMallemoke: the FulmarMandibles: upper and under, the two portions of a bird's billMan-of-war bird: the SkuaManx Shearwater: the Manx PetrelMarketjew Crow: the ChoughMarrot: the Guillemot and Razor-billMay-bird, or Mayfowl: the WhimbrelMavis: the ThrushMeadow Crake, or Drake: the Gallinule" Pipit, Titlark or TitlingMeggy-cut-throat: the WhitethroatMerlie: the BlackbirdMew or Mow: a GullMillithrum: the Long-tailed TitMinute Gallinule: the Little Crake" Merganser: the young Smew" Tringa: the Little StintMire Snipe: the SnipeMistle Thrush, or Mistletoe ThrushMitty: the PetrelMock-bird: the Sedge Warbler" Nightingale: the Blackcap and Garden WarblerMonk: the BullfinchMoor Blackbird, or Ouzel: the Ring OuzelMoor Hen, or Water HenMorrot: the GuillemotMoss-cheeper: the Meadow PipitMother Carey's Chickens: the PetrelsMountain Linnet: the Twite" Ouzel: the Ring OuzelMouse Hawk or Owl: the Hawk OwlMow: a GullMud-plover: the Grey PloverMuggy: the WhitethroatMullet: the PuffinMum-ruffin: the Long-tailed TitMurdering-bird: the Butcher-birdNape: the upper part of the neck behindNeck-a-pecker and Nickle: the WoodpeckerNight-crow, or Night-hawk: the Nightjar" HeronNope: the BullfinchNorfolk Plover: the Great PloverNorie: the CormorantNorthern Crow: the Hooded CrowNorway Lark: the Snow BuntingNun: the Blue TitOke: the AukOlive: the Oyster-catcherOlive-tufted Duck: the GoldeneyeOperculum: a lid or coveringOrbit: the skin that surrounds the eye, and in some birds isdestitute of feathersOuzel, Water, or DipperOven-bird: the Chiff-Chaff, Willow Warbler, and Wood WarblerOwl, Long-eared or Horned" Short-eared or Little-horned" Tawny or BrownPadge and Padge Owl: the Barn OwlPalmipedes: Web-footed BirdsPandle-whew: the WigeonParasitic Gull: the SkuaParrot, Ailsa: the Puffin" Sea: the PuffinParson Mew: the Black-backed GullPasserine: belonging to the order Passeres" Warbler: the Garden WarblerPea-finch: the ChaffinchPearl: the TernPease Crow: the TernPeck: the Bar-tailed GodwitPectinated: cut like a combPeese-weep: the Peewit, also sometimes given to the GreenfinchPeggy: the Wren, Whitethroat and the Garden WarblerPeggy cut-throat: the WhitethroatPetrel: the name Petrel is in some places given to the GodwitPettychaps, Greater: the Garden Warbler" Lesser: the Chiff-chaffPhilomel: the NightingalePianet: the Magpie, and Oyster-catcherPicarini: the AvocetPick-cheese: the Tom-Tit and Great TitPickmire: the Black-headed GullPicktarney and Picket: the TernPictarn: the Black-headed GullPie, Sea: the Oyster-catcherPied Diver: the Smew" Wagtail" Wigeon: the Garganey, and GoldeyePie-finch: the ChaffinchPienet and Piet: the MagpiePiet, Water: the Water OuzelPigeon Hawk: the Sparrow Hawk" Mow, Red-legged: the Black-headed Gull in its winter plumagePigmy Curloo, or SandpiperPine Bullfinch, or Pine GrosbeakPink: the ChaffinchPink-footed GoosePinnock: a TitPint: the Laughing GullPintail DuckPirenet: the SheldrakePlover's Page: the Purple SandpiperPocker, or Poker: the PochardPoke-Pudding: the Long-tailed TitPomarine Skua, or Gull, Twist-tailedPoor-willie: the GodwitPop: the RedwingPope: the PuffinPopinjay: the Green WoodpeckerPort-Egmont Hen: the Common SkuaPost-bird: the Spotted FlycatcherPrimaries: the quills, usually ten, of the terminal joint of a bird's wing.Provence Furzel: the Dartford WarblerProud-tailor: the GoldfinchPuckeridge: the NightjarPudding-poke: the Long-tailed TitPuffinPuffinet: the Black GuillemotPurple SandpiperPurre: the DunlinPuttock: the Buzzard and KitePywipe: the LapwingQuaketail: the WagtailQue: the Night HeronQueest or Quest: the Ring-doveQueet: the Coot and GuillemotQuills: the large feathers of the wing, called primary, or digital;secondary or cubital;and tertiary, or humeral;according as they arise from the terminal, middle, or inner jointQuill-coverts: a row of feathers immediately covering the base of thequills above and below, and therefore called upper and underQuinck: the GooseRafter-bird: the Spotted FlycatcherRail, LandRain-bird: the Green Woodpecker" -Goose: the Red-throated DiverRaptores: Birds of PreyRasores: Gallinaceous BirdsRattle-wings: the GoldeneyeRedcap: the GoldfinchRed Godwit: the Bar-tailed Godwit" GrouseRed-headed Linnet: the Common Linnet and Redpoll" Pochard: the Common Pochard" Wigeon: the Common Wigeon" Hoop: the Bullfinch" -legged Crow: the Chough" " Godwit: the Spotted Sandpiper" " Gull, the Black-headed Gull" " Partridge" -necked Coot-foot, Lobefoot, or PhalaropeRed Sandpiper: the Knot in its summer plumageRedstart, Common" BlackRed-throated DiverRed-winged Blackbird: Maize-bird, or StarlingReed-bird: the Sedge WarblerReed Bunting: the Black-headed Bunting" Fauvette: the Sedge Warbler" Pheasant: the Bearded Tit" Sparrow: the Black-headed Bunting" Warbler or WrenReeve: the female of the RuffRichardson's SkuaRichel Bird: the Lesser TernRind-tabberer: the Green WoodpeckerRing Blackbird: the Ring Ouzel" DoveRinged Dotterel, or Plover" Guillemot" -necked or Great Northern DiverRing-tailed Eagle: the Golden Eagle in its second year's plumageRippock: the TernRochie: the Little AukRock-birds: the Auk, Puffin, and Guillemot" Dove, Rocker Dove, Rockier Dove" Hawk: the Merlin" Lark, or Pipit" Ouzel: the Ring Ouzel" Sandpiper: the Purple SandpiperRodge: the GadwallRood Goose, or Brent GooseRose-coloured Ouzel, Pastor, Starling or Thrush" Linnet: the Redpoll, and Common LinnetRotck, or Rotcke: the Little AukRothermuck: the Bernicle GooseRuddock: the Redbreast, RobinRuddy Goose, or Sheldrake" Plover: the Bar-tailed GodwitRuff (female Reeve)Runner: the Water-Rail" Stone: the Ringed PloverSt. Cuthbert's Duck: the ElderSt. Martin's Snipe: the Jack SnipeSandcock: the RedshankSanderlingSandsnipe: a SandpiperSandwich TernSandy-loo: the Ring Plover" Poker: the PochardSarcelle: the Long-tailed DuckSaw-bill: the MerganserScale Drake: the SheldrakeScallop-toed Sandpiper: the PhalaropeScammel: the Bar-tailed GodwitScapulars: the feathers which rise from the shoulders and cover the sides of the backScar Crow: the Black TernScarf and Scart: the ShagScaurie: the Herring GullScooper: the AvocetScotch Goose: the Brent GooseScout: the Common GuillemotScurrit: the Lesser TernScrabe: the Manx ShearwaterScraber: the Black GuillemotScraye: the TernScreamer and Screecher: the SwiftScreech: the Missel-Thrush" Martin: the Swift" Owl: the Barn OwlScull: the SkuaScuttock: the GuillemotSea Crow: the Cormorant, and Black-headed Gull" Dotterel: the Turnstone" Hen: the GuillemotSea Lark: the Rock Pipit and Ring Plover" Mall, Mew, or Mow: the Gull" Parrot: the Puffin" Pheasant: the Pintail Duck" Pie: the Oyster-catcher" Sandpiper: the Purple Sandpiper" Snipe: the Dunlin" Swallow: the Tern" Titling: the Rock Pipit" Turtle-dove: the Guillemot and Rotche" Wigeon: the Scaup" Woodcock: the GodwitSeaford Goose: the Brent BernicleSecondaries: the quill-feathers arising from the second joint of the wingSedge-bird, Sedge Warbler, or Sedge WrenSelninger Sandpiper: the Purple SandpiperSerrator: the Ivory GullSerrated: toothed like a sawSerrula: the Red-breasted MerganserSheldapple: the Crossbill This name and "Shelly" are sometimes given to the ChaffinchShepster: the StarlingShilfa: the ChaffinchShoeing-horn: the AvocetShore-bird: the Sand Martin" Pipit: the Rock PipitShort-eared or -horned OwlShrieker: the Black-tailed GodwitShrimp-catcher: the Lesser TernShrite: the Missel ThrushSilvery Gull: the Herring GullSkart: the Cormorant, and ShagSkein: a flight of GeeseSkiddaw: the GuillemotSkiddy Cock, Skilty, or Skit: the Water-RailSkite: the Yellow HammerSkitty: the Spotted CrakeSkrabe: the Black GuillemotSnake-bird: the WryneckSnite: the SnipeSnow-bird: the Ivory Gull" -Bunting: Flake, or FleckSnuff-headed Wigeon: the PochardSolan, or Solent Goose: the GannetSolitary Snipe: the Great SnipeSong Thrush: the Common ThrushSparlm-fowl: the female MerganserSpectacle Duck: the GoldeneyeSpeculum: the bright feathers which form a kind of disc of the wing of the DucksSpeckled-bellied Goose: the White-fronted Goose" Diver: the young of the Great Northern DiverSpider-diver: the DabchickSpeney: the PetrelSpink: the ChaffinchSpoonbill, WhiteSpotted-necked Turtle Dove: the Turtle DoveSprat Loon, the young of the Great Northern Diver" Mew: the Kittiwake GullSpurre: the TernStandgale, or Stannel: the KestrelStarling, Common, Stare, or StarenilStaynil: the StarlingSteel Duck, Larger: the Goosander" " Lesser: the MerganserStint: the Dunlin, or any similar bird, is often so called on the coastStock-DoveStonechacker or Stoneclink: StonechatStone Curlew: the Great PloverStonegale: the KestrelStone Hawk: the MerlinStone-smirch: the WheatearStork, WhiteStorm Cock: the Missel Thrush" Petrel, or Storm FinchStraney: the GuillemotSummer Snipe: the Sandpiper" Teal: the Garganey" Duck, or Sheldrake: the Long-tailed DuckSweet William: the GoldfinchSwiftfoot: the CourserSwimmer, Little: the PhalaropeSwine-pipe: the RedwingTail-coverts: upper and under, feathers covering the basal portionof the tail feathers above and belowTailor, Proud: the GoldfinchTammie Cheekie and Tammie Norie: the PuffinTang-waup: the WhimbrelTangle-picker: the TurnstoneTaring, Tarrot: the TernTarrock: the young of the Kittiwake GullTarse: the male Falcon, a name used in falconryTarsus: the bone of a bird's foot next above the toes. In a domesticfowl the tarsus is the portion between what is calledthe "drumstick" and the toes; the shankTatler: a SandpiperTeal Cricket: the GarganeyTeaser: the SkuaTeewit: the PeewitTertiaries: the quills which spring from the third or inner joint of a bird's wingThistlefinch: the GoldfinchThree-toed SandgrouseThrice-cock: the Mistle ThrushThrostle: the ThrushTibia: the joint of a bird's leg next above the tarsus; the "drumstick."Tick: the WhinchatTidley: the WrenTinkershere, or Tinker's hue: the GuillemotTippet Grebe: the Crested GrebeTitlark, and Titling: the Meadow Pipit" Sea: the Rock PipitTom Harry: the SkuaTom Pudding: the DabchickTommy Norie: the PuffinTomtit: the Blue TitTonite: the Wood WarblerTony Hoop: the BullfinchTope: the WrenTor-Ouzel: the Ring OuzelTowilly: the SanderlingTree Pipit, or Lark" Sparrow" Sheeler: the Tree CreeperTuchit: the Lapwing PloverTufted DuckTuliac: the SkuaTurkey-bird: the WryneckTurtle, Sea: the Guillemot and RickeTwink: the ChaffinchTwit Lark: the Meadow PipitTystie: the Black GuillemotUlnia: the Tawny OwlUnder tail-coverts: the feathers which overlap the base of the tail beneathUnder wing-coverts: the feathers which cover the wings beneathUpper tail-coverts: the feathers which overlap the base of the tail aboveUpper wing-coverts: the feathers which overlap the base of the quillsUtick: the WhinchatVare Wigeon: the SmewVelvet Runner: the Water-RailWagell: the young of the Great Black-backed GullWall Hick: the Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerWash-dish and Washerwoman: the Pied WagtailWater-hen: the Moor-hen" Crow, the Dipper" Junket: the Common Sandpiper" Ouzel or Dipper" Sparrow: the Sedge Warbler" Tie: the Wagtail" Wagtail: the Pied WagtailWaxen Chatterer or WaxwingWease-alley: the SkuaWeasel Coot: the young Smew" Duck: the SmewWeet-weet: the Common SandpiperWellplum: the Red-headed PochardWhaup: the CurlewWhautie: the WhitethroatWheel-bird, or Wheeler: the NightjarWheety-why: the WhitethroatWinthrush: the RedwingWhewer: the WigeonWhey-bird: the WhitethroatWhilk: the ScoterWhim: the WigeonWhimbrel or May-birdWhin Linnet: the Common LinnetWhistling Plover: the Golden PloverWhistling Swan: the Whooper SwanWhite Baker: the Spotted FlycatcherWhite-breasted Blackbird: the Ring or Water Ouzel" -faced Duck: the Pochard" Tinch: the Chaffinch" -headed Goosander: the Smew" -headed Cormorant: the Common Cormorant" -headed Harpy: the Moor Buzzard" Nun: the Smew" -spot Cormorant: the Common Cormorant" -tail: the Wheatear" -winged Black Duck: the Velvet ScoterWhit-ile, i.e. Whittle: the Green WoodpeckerWhitterick: the CurlewWhitty-beard: the WhitethroatWhitwall and Witwall: the Green WoodpeckerWierangel: the Ash-coloured ShrikeWillock and Willy: the GuillemotWillow-biter: the TomtitWillywicket: the Common SandpiperWindhover and Windfanner: the KestrelWindle, Winnard, and Wind-thrush: the RedwingWing-coverts: several rows of feathers covering the basal part ofthe quills above and below, and called the upper andunder wing-coverts; the feathers outside these arecalled the lesser wing-covertsWinglet: a process arising from near the base of the terminal joint ofthe wing, answering to the thumb in the human handWinnel and Windle-Straw: the WhitethroatWinter-bonnet: the Common Gull" Duck: the Pintail DuckWinter-Gull, or Mew: the Common Gull in its winter plumage" Wagtail: the grey-headed WagtailWitch: the PetrelWitwall: the Green WoodpeckerWoodcock Owl: the Short-eared Owl" Sea: the Godwit" -Snipe: the Great SnipeWoodcracker: the NuthatchWood Grouse: the CapercaillieWoodpie: the Green WoodpeckerWood Sandpiper" Shrike WoodchatWoodspite, Woodwall, and Woodwele: the Green WoodpeckerWood Warbler, or WrenWriting Lark: the Bunting, so called from the markings of the eggsYaffil, Yaffle, Yaffler, Yappingale: the Green WoodpeckerYardkeep and Yarwhip: the Bar-tailed GodwitYarwhelp: the Stone Plover and GodwitYeldrin and Yeldrock: the Yellow HammerYellow legged Gull: the Lesser Black-backed Gull" Sandpiper: the young of the Ruff" Owl: the White Owl" Plover: the Golden Plover" Poll: the Wigeon" Warbler: the Willow Warbler" Yeldock, Yoit, Yoldrin and Yowley, the Yellow HammerYelper: the Avocet
SLAVONIAN GREBEPÓDICIPES AURITUS
Bill strong, shorter than the head, compressed throughout its whole length, black, with the tip red; eyes with a double iris, the inner yellow, the outer red; distance from the nostrils to the tip of the bill six or seven lines; head and bushy ruff glossy black; two horn-like crests orange-red; lore, neck, and breast, bright chestnut; upper plumage dusky; secondaries and under parts white; bill black, rose-coloured at the base and red at the tip.Young—crest and ruff wanting; upper plumage and flanks dusky ash, under parts white; irides white, surrounded by red. Eggs dirty white.
The Slavonian, or Horned Grebe, approaches so closely in habits to the two preceding species that it is unnecessary to say more than that it inhabits the northern parts of America and Europe, visiting us from autumn to spring. Audubon describes its nest as a rude structure of weeds, situated at a distance of about twelve feet from the water's edge; but other authors state that though it constructs its nest of these materials, it disposes it among weeds in such a way that it rises and falls with every alteration in the level of the water. It lays from five to seven eggs, and the male is supposed to assist in the office of incubation.
THE BLACK-NECKED OR EARED GREBEPÓDICIPES NIGRICOLLIS
In summer the head and neck of this species are black, with a triangular patch of long golden-reddish feathers on the ear-coverts. Breast and belly white—flanks a dull chestnut, bill black, upcurved slightly. In winter it resembles the last named Grebe in plumage, excepting that it is white on the primaries. Length twelve inches.
This is essentially a bird of the south, visiting us in spring and summer, but also now and again in autumn and winter, but this more rarely. It is said to have bred occasionally in the southern counties, and more often in Suffolk and Norfolk. To the north it becomes more scarce, although it has been observed up to the Orkneys. Just a few instances are recorded from Cumberland, but the bird is rare on our western side. Very few have been met with in Ireland. In Algeria it is said to nest in "societies more densely crowded than any rookery," the nests being raised on islets with stout foundations constructed by the bird. In Denmark the nests observed were on tussocks at the edge of the lake, and they were made of moss, part of which the female used to cover her eggs with on leaving them.
THE LITTLE GREBE, OR DABCHICKPÓDICIPES FLUVIÁTILIS
Bill very short, shining, compressed; no crest or ruff; distance from nostrils to tip of the bill five lines; tarsus with a double row of serratures behind; head black; cheeks bright chestnut; breast and flanks dusky, mottled with white; upper parts dark brown, tinged with green; primaries ash-brown; secondaries white at the base and on the inner web, under parts dusky ash, tinged on the thighs with reddish; bill black, whitish at the tip and base of the lower mandible; irides reddish brown; feet externally greenish brown, beneath flesh-colour.Young birdsare ash-brown above, slightly tinged with red; breast and flanks reddish white; belly pure white; bill brown and yellowish ash. Length nearly ten inches. Eggs dirty white.
The Lesser Grebe, or, as it is more commonly called, the Dabchick, is the only species with which it is possible to become familiarly acquainted in Britain. It frequents rivers, ponds, and lakes, in all parts of the country, rarely flying, and still more rarely coming to land.
Rambling by the side of a sluggish river, the sides of which are linedwith reeds or bulrushes, one may often descry, paddling about with undecided motion, what appears to be a miniature Duck no longer than a Blackbird. It does not, like the Moor-hen, swim with a jerking movement, nor when alarmed does it half swim and half fly in a direct line for the nearest bank of weeds. If you are unobserved, it swims steadily for a short distance, then suddenly disappears, making no splash or noise, but slipping into the water as if its body were lubricated. It is diving for its food, which consists of water insects, molluscs, small fish and worms. As suddenly as it dives so suddenly does it reappear, most likely not far from the spot where you first observed it:
A di-dapper peering through a wave,
Who, being looked on, ducks as quickly in.
Shakspeare.
Another short swim and it dives again; and so it goes on, the time spent under the water being far in excess of that employed in taking breath. Advance openly or make a noise, it wastes no time in idle examinations or surmises of your intentions, but slips down as before, not, however, to reappear in the same neighbourhood. Its motives are different: it now seeks not food, but safety, and this it finds first by diving, and then by propelling itself by its wings under water in some direction which you cannot possibly divine; for it by no means follows that it will pursue the course to which its bill pointed when it went down. It can alter its line of flight beneath the water as readily as a swallow can change its course of flight through the air. But wherever it may reappear, its stay is now instantaneous; a trout rising at a fly is not more expeditious. You may even fail to detect it at all. It may have ensconced itself among weeds, or it may be burrowing in some subaqueous hole. That it has the power of remaining a long while submerged, I have no doubt. There is in the parish of Stamford Dingley, Berks, a large and beautiful spring of water, clear as crystal, the source of one of the tributaries of the Thames. I was once bending over the bank of this spring, with a friend, watching the water, some five or six feet down, as it issued from a pipe-like orifice and stirred the sand around like the bubbling of a cauldron, when there suddenly passed between us and the object we were examining a form so strange that we were at first doubtful to what class of animals we should refer it. In reality, it was a Dabchick, which, alarmed probably by the noise of our conversation, was making for a place of safety. As it passed within two or three feet of our faces, we could distinctly see that it propelled itself by its wings; but it appeared not to have observed us, for it kept on in a direct course towards the head of the spring. We searched long in the hope of discovering it again, but failed; and as there were no weeds among which it could possibly hide above water, and we could examine the bottom of the spring almost as thoroughly as if itcontained air only, we could but conclude that our apparition had taken refuge in a hole under the bank.
Early in spring, when Dabchicks leave the small streams and water-courses for broader pieces of water, they have been observed to fly; and during the building season also they have been seen circling round in the air near the locality of their intended nest. The nest itself is constructed of weeds of all kinds, forming a thick mass raised but a few inches above the surface of the water, and invariably far enough from the bank to be inaccessible except by wading. The Dabchick lays five or six long-shaped eggs, pointed at either end, of a chalky white colour. These the bird, when she leaves the nest, covers with weeds for the purpose of concealment, and on her return continues the work of incubation without removing the covering, so that the eggs soon lose their white hue, and before the period of hatching have become very dirty. The young birds can swim and dive immediately on leaving the egg. I have never myself seen a Dabchick fly through the air or walk on land, neither have I ever heard its note. The latter, a low clicking and chattering sort of noise, it is said to utter in spring. It breeds even in St. James' Park. Females smaller than males.
ORDER TUBINARES
FAMILY PROCELLARIIDÆ
THE FULMAR PETRELPROCELLARIA GLACIÁLIS
Head, neck, under plumage, and tail, white; wings bluish ash, the primaries brownish grey; beak, irides, and feet, yellow.Young of the yeargrey tinged with brown, mottled on the back with deeper brown; bill and feet yellowish ash. Length nineteen inches. Eggs white.
In some of the Outer Hebrides Fulmars breed; but the great station, to which tens of thousands annually resort, is the remote island of St. Kilda. To the Fulmar indeed, and in a less degree to the Gannet and two or three other sea-birds, the island is indebted for its being able to boast of human inhabitants. Eggs and birds, fresh or salted, furnish them with food; the Fulmar with oil: and feathers pay their rent. In the Shetlands it is said to be increasing.
Professor James Wilson says: 'The oil is extracted from both the young and old birds, which, however, they must seize on suddenly and strangle, else, as a defensive movement, the desired (and pungent) oil is immediately squirted in the face and eyes of their opponent.' This oil is ejected, not, as it is sometimes said, through tubular nostrils, but directly through the throat and open mouth.The flesh of the Fulmar is also a favourite food with the St. Kildans, who like it all the better on account of its oily nature.
The Fulmar is essentially a sea-bird, and never comes to land except in the breeding season, when it builds its nest of herbage on the grassy shelves of the highest cliffs, and lays a single egg, if which be taken, it lays no more. The young birds are fed with oil by the parents, and on being molested spurt out through the throat and open mouth the same fluid, which, being of a rank smell, infects not only the nest, but the whole neighbourhood. The young birds, which are taken early in August, are boiled, and made to furnish a large quantity of fat, which is skimmed off and preserved for winter use. The old birds are considered great dainties.
In the Arctic regions the Fulmar is well known for its assiduity in attending on whale ships, keeping an eager watch for anything thrown over; and when the operation of cutting up a whale is going on, helping itself most greedily to stray pieces of offal, and venturing so near as to be easily knocked down by a boathook or to be taken by hand.
Owing to the rankness of its food, the smell of the Fulmar is very offensive. A specimen recently shot was brought to me in Norfolk, early in January, 1862, and being a great rarity, was carefully preserved and set up; but on being sent home from the bird-stuffer's it was banished to an outhouse, where it has remained for three months without losing anything of its offensive odour.
THE GREAT SHEARWATERPUFFINUS MAJOR
Bill two inches long; tail pointed; upper plumage dusky; under, deep ash grey. Length eighteen inches.
The Great Shearwater is far less abundant than the preceding species, and may indeed be considered a rarity. A few solitary specimens have from time to time been shot on various parts of the coast, and they have occasionally been noticed in considerable numbers off the coast of Cornwall. In the Scilly Islands, where they are called 'Hackbolts', they are said to be yet more frequent. The Great Shearwater differs little in habits, as far as they are known, from the other species.
THE MANX SHEARWATERPUFFINUS ANGLORUM
Bill an inch and a half long; tail rounded; upper plumage brownish black lustrous; under white; sides of the neck barred with grey; sides spotted with grey. Length fourteen inches. Eggs nearly round; pure white.
That a bird whose generic name isPuffinusshould sometimes be called a 'Puffin' is not surprising; and the reader who meetswith the name in books should satisfy himself whether the subject of his study be an Auk or a Shearwater, before he admits as facts any statements about the 'Puffin' which may fall in his way. Yarrell, for instance, gives the name of Puffin to the bird already described under the name ofFratercula Arctica, while by Montagu that bird is described under the name of 'Coulterneb', 'Puffin' being given as a synonym for the Shearwater. Off Cornwall it is calledskiddeuandbrew.
The Shearwater is so called from its mode of flight, in which it 'shears' or skims the water; and its distinctive name, Manx, it owes to its having been formerly very abundant in the Calf[60]of Man, a small island lying south of the Isle of Man.
The Manx Shearwater is, during the greater portion of the year, an ocean-bird, and only ventures on shore during the breeding season. It then repairs to some island, or portion of the coast little frequented by man, and in society with other birds of the same species there takes up its summer quarters. A sandy or light earthy soil, scantily furnished with vegetation, is preferred to any other station. Its nest is a hole in the ground, either the deserted burrow of a rabbit or a tunnel excavated by itself, or less frequently it lays its one egg in the crevice of a rock. During the day Shearwaters, for the most part, remain concealed in their holes, and lie so close that they will suffer themselves to be dug out with a spade and make no attempt to escape. Towards evening they quit their hiding-places, and paddle or fly out to sea in quest of food. This consists of small fish and other marine animals which swim near the surface, and are caught by the birds either while they are floating or 'shearing' the water. No nest ever contains more than one egg, but that one and the chick which it produces are objects of the greatest solicitude.
Unfortunately for the poor Shearwaters, their young, though fed on half-digested fish oil, are delicate eating; consequently, some of the stations of these birds have been quite depopulated, and in others their numbers have been greatly thinned.
Willughby tells us that in his time 'Puffins' were very numerous in the Calf of Man, and that fully fledged young birds, taken from the nests, were sold at the rate of ninepence a dozen. He adds, that in order to keep an accurate reckoning of the number taken, it was customary to cut off, and retain, one of each bird's legs. The consequence was that the state in which the birds were sent to market was supposed to be their natural condition, and the Puffin was popularly believed to be a 'monopod' (one-footed bird).
This station is now nearly, if not quite, deserted; but colonies still exist in Annet, one of the Scilly Islands, on the south coast of Wales, in the Orkneys, and in the Shetlands. In the ScillyIslands the Shearwater is called a Crew, from the harsh note uttered by the bird when its burrow is invaded; in the north, a Lyrie or Scrabe.
[60]'Calf', on many parts of the coast, is a name given to the smaller of two rocks in proximity, of which the larger is called the 'Cow'.
THE STORM-PETRELPROCELLARIA PELÁGICA
General plumage like the last; tail even at the extremity; legs moderate; membranes black. Length scarcely six inches. Eggs white.
Under the name of 'Mother Carey's Chickens' the Petrels must be known to all readers of voyages. According to the belief popular in the forecastle, these birds are invisible during calm or bright weather; but when the sky lowers, and a storm is impending, suddenly, no one knows whence, forth come these ill-omened heralds of the tempest, inspiring more terror than would be caused even by the hurricane which they are supposed to commence. In reality, the Petrels are scarcely birds of the day; they love to hide themselves in holes and behind stones. It is not, therefore, surprising that when the sea is calm, and the sun bright, they lurk in their hiding-places, if near enough to land; or, if on the open ocean, lie asleep on the surface of the water, unnoticed, because still and of small size. An overcast sky, however, awakes them as twilight would, and they leave their hiding-places, or rise from their watery bed, not because a storm is impending, but because the cloud which accompanies the storm brings them the desired gloom. When in motion they are more conspicuous than when at rest, and they follow the wake of a ship for the same reason that other sea-fowl do, for the sake of the offal thrown overboard. They will sometimes accompany a ship for days, showing that they have untiring power of wing, and to all but the superstitious greatly relieving the monotony of the voyage.
The Petrel builds its nest, a rude structure of weeds and rubbish, either in the hole of a cliff or under stones on the beach, and lays a single egg. It rarely comes abroad by day, and if disturbed ejects from its mouth an oily matter, after the manner of the Fulmar. Towards evening it comes forth from its stronghold, and skims the sea in quest of food, which consists of floating animal matter of all kinds. Its name, Petrel, or Little Peter, is derived from its habit of occasionally skimming along so close to the surface of the sea as to dip its feet in the water, and present the appearance of walking; but its ordinary flight is very like that of the Swallow.
The Storm-Petrel breeds in the Orkney, Shetland, and Scilly Islands and a few on the Welsh coast, also in the Channel Islands, but a genuine ocean-bird quits the land as soon as its young are able to accompany it. It is frequently seen in the Atlantic andMediterranean, and is not an uncommon visitor to our shores, especially during severe weather.
Its note is only heard during the season of incubation, when its retreat is often betrayed by a low twittering.
Storm-Petrels are gregarious birds; they breed in colonies, and skim the sea in small flocks. The French steamers which sail between Toulon and Algiers are said to be regularly accompanied by these birds.
THE FORK-TAILED PETRELPROCELLARIA LEUCORRHOA
General plumage like the last; tail forked; legs moderate; membrane dusky Length seven and a quarter inches. Eggs white, marked with small rusty spots.
The Fork-Tailed Petrel, a native of North America, does not differ materially in habits from the other species. It is met with almost annually on our east coast, and is common off Cornwall. In Ireland it is frequent. This species was first declared to be a British bird by Bullock, who found it at St. Kilda in 1818.
GLOSSARY OF COMMON AND PROVINCIAL NAMES AND OF TECHNICAL TERMS.