File:The birds of Europe (1837) (14770617273).jpg

Identifier: birdsEuropeVGoul (find matches)
Title: The birds of Europe
Year: 1837 (1830s)
Authors: Gould, John, 1804-1881
Subjects: Pictorial works Birds
Publisher: London, Printed by R. and J.E. Taylor, pub. by the author
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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powers of flight are considerable. Their mode of living renders the flesh very disagreeable and unfit for use. Their stomach and body appearto be continually saturated with oil; and the circumstance of their being able to eject or discharge a quantityof this fluid from their nostrils, when irritated or attacked, is both singular and curious. This power appearsto have been given them as a mode of defence, and is characteristic of the whole of the family, from the largestspecies to the elegant Stormy Petrel; and even this little creature has the power of squirting out an oily fluidfrom its nostrils with considerable force. The Fulmar lays one white egg on the grassy ledges of the rocks and cliffs of our northern islands. Theymake no nest; the egg is very large compared with the size of the bird, and has a strong musky smell, whichit retains for some time. Our figure represents the plumage of an adult bird ; young birds of the year havethe back and wings varied with light grey and brown.
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J O <Sbcd 0o -aI1 H 9 M ;1Sg o 3 I fe Genus THALASSIDROMA. Gen. Char. Bill shorter than the head; much compressed in front of the nasal sheath, withthe tip of the upper mandible suddenly curving and hooking downwards, and that of thelower one slightly angulated and following the curve of the upper. Nostrils contained inone tube or sheath, but showing two distinct orifices in front. Wings long and acuminate,with the first quill shorter than the third, the second being the longest. Tail square orslightly forked. Legs having the tarsi rather long and slender, reticulated. Feet of threetoes, united by a membrane; hind toe represented by a small, straight, dependent nail. FORK-TAILED STORM PETREL. Thalassidroma Leachii.Le Petrel de Leach. The first discovery of this Petrel in Europe is due to the researches of Mr. Bullock, who, in the year 1818,while on a tour through the northern and western isles of Scotland, found it breeding- on the island of St.Kilda, whence he brought the

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