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THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
Order TUBINARES.
Family PROCELLARIIDAE.
Storm-Petrel: Procellaria pelagica.
Frequents the open seas around the United Kingdom, and breeds
on various islands off the west coasts of England, Scotland, Wales
and Ireland, but is
never met with in Essex,
except when blown in-
land by severe storms.
Lewin says (4. vii. 40)':
" On land it is seldom seen,
though one has been shot at
Walthamstow in Essex."
Donovan, doubtless alluding
to the same specimen, says
(5. vi. Pl. cxxxix) : " We
possess one specimen, for-
merly in the Leverian Col-
lection, which is affirmed to
have been shot at Waltham-
stow in Essex," Sheppard
and Whitear write (9. 54) :
" The oil issued from the
nostrils of one which we killed on the Stour, May 29th, 1820." Yarrell says
(Zool. Journ, ii. 24.) :—" More than a dozen Storm-Petrels were procured on the
eastern coast, principally during the remarkably windy weather that occurred
this month [Nov., 1824]. Mr. Clarke refers (24) to a specimen in the possession
of the Rev. Robert Wilkes, of Lofts Hall, which was picked up many years ago at
Elmdon, and to another found at Audley End in 1836. At Harwich," some are
seen every winter. On Oct. 29th, 1880, several were seen in the harbour there, and
one was picked up dead, probably exhausted by a recent storm" (Kerry—40. v.
26). Mr. Hope says it is seen in winter time in, Harwich Harbour and up the
Orwell. On Nov. 6th, 1880, a dozen were observed round the Galloper Light
Vessel (42). One was observed off Languard Point on Oct. nth, 1882, and
another at the Galloper L. V., Oct. 2nd, 1884 (42. iv. and vi). One was
caught at the Languard L.H. on Oct. 25, 1885 ; several at the Kentish Knock
L.V. on Nov. 11th, 1885 ; one at the Swin Middle L.V on Nov. 10th, 1887 ; and
another on the 14th ; and another on the lantern of Languard L.H. on Dec. 24th,
1887 (42. vii. and ix.). At Marsh House, Tillingham, Mr. Robert Page has a
specimen caught in his decoy there.