Oxford.
_Mother Carey's Chickens_ (Vol. v., p. 344.).--Navigators meet with the
Little Petrel, Storm Finch, or Stormy Petrel, the _Procellaria
pellagica_ of Linnæus, in every part of the ocean, diving, running on
foot, or skimming over the highest waves with the greatest ease. It
seems to foresee the coming storm long ere the seamen can discover any
signs of its approach; and they make this known by congregating together
under the wake of the vessel, as if to shelter themselves from it, and
they thus warn the mariner to guard against the coming danger. At night
they set up a piercing cry. This usefulness to the sailor is the obvious
cause of the latter having such an objection to their being killed. I am
unable to say who Mother Carey was; but I might venture a conjecture why
the bird who guards the seaman with such _care_ bears its familiar name.