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petrel (PE-truhl) - n., any of various species of black, grey, or white tube-nosed seabirds in the order Procellariiformes.
Should have done this one before prion, given I defined that as one of these -- there are many other petrels as well, including the fulmars and shearwaters. Among other sea-birds, most closely related to the albatrosses. All are pelagic, living at sea and coming to land only to nest, and in general there are more in the southern oceans than the northern. The name is altered from earlier (17th century) form pitteral, and tradition claims that it's after St. Peter: certain species will hover just above the ocean waves, feet barely touching the water, thus appearing to walk on water as Peter tried to. Nice story, but unproven. Here's a snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), one of only three species of bird to breed exclusively in Antarctica:
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
Should have done this one before prion, given I defined that as one of these -- there are many other petrels as well, including the fulmars and shearwaters. Among other sea-birds, most closely related to the albatrosses. All are pelagic, living at sea and coming to land only to nest, and in general there are more in the southern oceans than the northern. The name is altered from earlier (17th century) form pitteral, and tradition claims that it's after St. Peter: certain species will hover just above the ocean waves, feet barely touching the water, thus appearing to walk on water as Peter tried to. Nice story, but unproven. Here's a snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), one of only three species of bird to breed exclusively in Antarctica:
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
