240 Mr. George Tate on the Fame Islands. 



Order NATATORES, HI. 



Fam. Anatid^:, Leach. 



Genus Somateria, Leach. 



Sornateria mollissimay Leach. Eider, or St. Cuthbert's Duck. 



These birds having been protected for some years, are now 

 pretty numerous. Towards the middle of April the Eiders 

 assemble in groups along the shores of the mainland, from 

 whence they cross to the islands early in May. The down of 

 the Eider is remarkable for its softness and elasticity. 



Fam. Alcid^, Vig. 



Genus Uria, Briss. 

 Uria Troile. Guillemot. 



A large colony of this species breeds upon the summits of the 

 pinnacles, and upon the ledges of the adjoining rocks; they 

 make no nest, and lay but one large egg, which by its shape, 

 being very narrow at one end and broad at the other, is pre- 

 vented from rolling to any distance. Young herrings and sprats 

 constitute their chief food. 



Alca Torda, Linn. Razor Bill. Auk. 



A few of this species annually breed in company with the 

 Guillemots ; their eggs are not easily distinguished from those 

 of the latter bird. 



Genus Mormon, 111. 



Mormon fratercula, Temm. Puffin. Tommy Noddy. 



Resorts to the Wawmses, where it burrows in the vegetable 

 mould; it lays but one egg, yellowish white, and sits for a 

 month. 



Fam. Pelecanid^e, Leach. 



Genus Carbo, Meyer. 



Carbo cormoranuSy Mey. The Cormorant. 



These birds, which breed in company, have frequently changed 

 the place of their resort. They make a large nest of sea-tangle, 

 sometimes more than 2 feet in height, and lay from four to six 

 eggs, small in proportion to the size of the bird, coated with a 

 rough, white, calcareous deposit. 



Carbo cristatus, Temm. Crested Shag, or Green Cormorant. 



Now a rare bird upon the islands. Formerly a few pairs 

 bred annually in the clefts and upon the ledges of the pinnacles. 



