BLACK SKIMMER
80. Rynchops nigra. 18 in.
These strange birds are not apt to be mistaken for any other. They are
locally abundant on the South Atlantic coast as far north as Virginia.
Their flight is swift and more direct than that of terns; they fly in
compact flocks, in long sweeps over the water, feeding by dropping their
long, thin mandible beneath the surface and gathering in everything
edible that comes in their path.
Notes.—Baying like a pack of hounds.
Nest.—Their 3 or 4 eggs are deposited in hollows in the sandy beaches.
They are creamy-white, beautifully marked with blackish-brown and gray
(1.75 × 1.30).
Range.—Breeds on the Gulf coast and on the Atlantic coast to New Jersey;
after nesting, they occasionally wander northward as far as Nova Scotia;
winters from the Gulf States southwards.
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TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS—Order Tubinares
SHEARWATERS—Family Procellaridæ
FULMAR
86. Fulmarus glacialis. 19 in.
Bill short and stout, compared to that of the shearwaters, strongly
hooked at the tip and with the nostrils opening out of a single tube,
prominently located on the top of the bill. They have two color phases,
the light one being gull-like, but the tail is gray like the mantle;
eyes brown; bill and feet yellowish. In the dark phase they are
uniformly gray above and below. These plumages appear to be independent
of sex or age. They are extremely abundant at some of their breeding
grounds in the far north. The birds are constant companions of the
whalers, and feed largely upon blubber that is thrown overboard.
Nest.—Their single white eggs are laid upon bare ledges of sea cliffs
(2.90 × 2.00).
Range.—Breeds in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from Labrador and
northern Scotland northward; winters south regularly.
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CORY SHEARWATER
88. Puffinus borealis. 21 in.
This rare bird is found off the coast of New England and in Long Island
Sound from July to September. It is slightly larger than the similar
Greater Shearwater, the back and head are lighter in color, the entire
underparts are white, and the bill is yellowish. Its nesting habits and
eggs are unknown, but they are supposed to breed in the Antarctic
regions.
The majority of specimens that have been taken have been found off
Chatham, Mass.
AUDUBON SHEARWATER
92. Puffinus lherminieri. 12 in.
This small shearwater, except in point of size, is quite similar to the
following, but the under parts are white, except the under tail coverts
which are sooty; the back and head are somewhat lighter too. They nest
in abundance on some of the Bahaman and West Indian Islands, and can
usually be met with off the South Atlantic coast in summer.
Their eggs, which are pure white (2.00 × 1.35), are deposited at the end
of burrows dug by the birds.
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GREATER SHEARWATER
89. Puffinus gravis. 20 in.
Entire upper parts, top and sides of head, bill and feet, grayish or
brownish-black; middle of belly and under tail coverts dusky. This
species is the most abundant of the shearwaters found off our coast.
They are constant attendants of the fishermen when they are at work, and
at other times are usually to be seen flying low over the water, or
resting in large bodies upon its surface. Their flight is peculiar and
distinctive,—three flaps of the wings then a short sail, repeated over
and over. Possibly this habit is acquired by their swooping down into
the troughs of waves, then flapping to clear the next crest. They are
very greedy and continually quarreling among themselves in order to get
the lion’s share of the food. They are called “Haglets” by the
fishermen.
Notes.—Harsh, discordant squawks when feeding.
Nest.—While the habits of these birds are well known their breeding
places are yet a mystery.
Range.—Whole North Atlantic coast in summer.
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SOOTY SHEARWATER
94. Puffinus griseus. 17 in.
Sooty grayish-black all over except the under wing coverts, which are
whitish; eye brown, bill and feet black. A few of these may usually be
seen with flocks of the Greater Shearwaters, and sometimes a flock
composed entirely of this variety will be encountered. They are expert
swimmers on the surface of the water, but I have never seen one dive.
Their food is almost if not wholly composed of oily refuse gathered from
the surface of the water. In order to take flight, they paddle along the
water a few steps; it is difficult for them to rise, except against the
wind. If you sail upon them from the windward, they go squawking and
pattering over the water in all directions, and can frequently be caught
in nets. They are very tame, and will sometimes take food offered them,
from the hand.
Notes.—Guttural squawks like those of the large species.
Range.—North Atlantic coast in summer.
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STORMY PETREL
104. Thalassidroma pelagica. 5.5 in.
Smallest of our petrels, and darker than either the Leach or Wilson;
tail square; upper tail coverts white, tipped with black.
This species is rare on the coasts of this country, but is common on the
shores of the old world. It is the original “Mother Cary’s Chicken.”
They nest abundantly on the shores of Europe and the British Isles.
Their single white eggs, deposited at the end of burrows, are dull white
with a faint wreath of brown dots.
WILSON PETREL
109. Oceanites oceanicus. 7 in.
Tail square at end; coverts white, not tipped with black; legs long,
with yellow webs. This species is very abundant on our Atlantic coast
from July to Sept., spending the summer here after having nested in the
Kerguelen Is. in February. Their upper parts are much more darker than
those of Leach Petrel.
Their note is a weak twittering “keet-keet.”
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LEACH PETREL
106. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. 8 in.
Tail forked; tail coverts white, not tipped with black; legs much
shorter than those of Wilson Petrel, which is the only other common
species on our eastern coasts. Leach Petrel is a very abundant breeding
bird on Maine islands and northward. Some of the soft peaty banks of
islands are honeycombed with entrances to their burrows, which extend
back, near the surface of the ground, for two or three feet, and
terminate in an enlarged chamber. Here one of the birds is always found
during the period of incubation, and sometimes both birds, but one is
usually at sea feeding during the daytime, returning at night to relieve
its mate. All petrels and their eggs have a peculiar, characteristic and
oppressive odor.
Notes.—A weak clucking.
Nest.—Single egg at end of burrow; white with a very faint ring of brown
dots around the large end.
Range.—Breeds northward from Maine; winters to Virginia.
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TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS—Order Steganopodes
TROPIC BIRD—Family Phæthontidæ
YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD
112. Phæthon americanus. 30 to 34 in.
Form tern-like, but with the central tail feathers much lengthened
(about 18 in.); legs short and not very strong; all four toes connected
by webs.
These beautiful creatures fly with the ease and grace of a tern, but
with more rapid beating of the wings. They are strong and capable of
protracted flight, often being found hundreds of miles from land. They
feed upon small fish which they capture by diving upon from a height
above the water, and upon snails, etc., that they get from the beaches
and ledges. They are very buoyant, and sit high in the water with their
tails elevated to keep them from getting wet.
Nest.—A mass of weeds and seaweed placed upon rocky ledges. The single
egg that they lay is creamy, so thickly sprinkled and dotted with
purplish brown as to obscure the ground color (2.10 × 1.45).
Range.—Breeds north to the Bahamas and Bermudas.
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