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.
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.