THE PUFFIN.' 



The singular appearance of this bird, the contour of its figure, which is round, thick, 

 and ball-like, and its peculiar physiognomy, naturally attract attention. It makes its 

 appearance at its customary breeding-places about the middle of April, and departs in 

 August to winter on the southern coasts of Spain, Italy, and other parts of Southern 

 Europe. It is very numerous at the Needles in the Isle of Wight, on Priestholni Island, 

 off the coast of Aiigloseu, and in other places. 



The length of the bird is thirteen inches. The bill is deeply furrowed, and bluish- 

 gray at the base, the middle part orange-red, which deepens into bright red at the tip; the 

 legs are orange-red. Perched on the cliff of the craggy precipice, the puffin looks down 

 with eager gaze on the sea beneath, and skilfully throws itself into the abyss. Here it 

 expertly swims and dives ; its food consisting of the smaller fishes, and especially the 

 young of the sprat. 



* Moniiim Knitcrculii. 



