132 The Irish Naturalist. [June, 



NOTES ON THE RAZORBILL. 



BY EDWARD M'CARRON. 

 With a Prefatory Note by R. M. BarringTON, u,.b , f.i,.s. 



IT might be thought that the changes of plumage of such a 

 common bird as the Razorbill were, by this time of day, 

 thoroughly worked out. 



I do not quite agree with this. They puzzled Colonel 

 Montagu ; and the enclosed Notes from the pen of Mr. 

 M'Carron, one of our Irish Light-keepers (I do not agree with 

 him that there are two species) — coupled with specimens in 

 my collection — show that there is something yet to be done. 



I have a specimen from the Saltees about four days old, 

 with chin and throat sooty black ; one about ten days old, 

 with chin and throat greyish-white ; one was sent me on 

 August 1st, about eight inches long, with throat black; one, 

 apparently full grown, in January, with throat white ; and one 

 in June, also full grown with throat white. 



This last specimen is very puzzling, and if not abnormal 

 would go to prove that the adult breeding plumage is not 

 reached until the second year. If that be so, where are all 

 the birds of the previous year in the breeding season — do 

 they, like the young Kittiwakes, keep far out at sea? 



R. M. B. 



It was in the winter of 1884 when I was on the Tearaght — 

 one of the Blasquet Islands — as Principal Light-keeper, that I 

 first observed the " young Razorbills." It was generally in 

 stormy weather that they came close to our island. They 

 were then quite busy and active in procuring food. Many a 

 day I sat for hours in the shelter of some rock, and as close to 

 the sea as the surging surf would permit, looking at them 

 through my telescope. I could seldom get a glimpse at one 

 of them, for they dived immediately. In fine weather they 

 rested quietly on the water, but kept at a distance from the 

 island. My object was to identify these birds, which were like 

 the Razorbill, with the exception of the neck and bill. None 



