BRITISH BIRDS' XESTS. 245 



^Yitll grey and white. A patch of brownish-black 

 is situated beliind the thigh on each side ; legs, 

 toes, and webs flesh-colour, tinged with yellow. 



The female is similar to the male, but slightly 

 smaller. 



Situation and Localit//. — At the end of a burrow, 

 generally excavated by the bird, and varying from 

 two to ten or twelve feet in depth, in crevices, and 

 under pieces of rock ; sometimes in a small hole 

 scratched out between two stones. In the Scilly 

 Islands, on the islands to the west of Scotland, 

 and in suitable places off the Irish coast. It is 

 possible that its peculiar habit of keeping out of 

 sight during the day and only coming forth at 

 night maj^ have conduced to some of its nesting 

 haunts having been overlooked. The bird is known 

 in one case to have been driven away from its 

 nesting stations by Puffins, and in another by rats. 



Materials. — Sometimes a few dead fern-fronds, 

 or blades of dried grass, at others nothing what- 

 ever. 



Egg. — One ; pure white, smooth, and large for 

 the size of the layer. Size about 2*4 by 1*6'3 in. 



Time. — May and June. 



EemarlxS. — Eesident, but subject to much local 

 movement, except during the breeding season. 

 Notes, said to be a guttural melody, delivered in 

 their holes, and resembling crew cocJcatliodon. Local 

 and other names : Shearwater Petrel, Manx Puffin, 

 Cackle, Skidden, Scraib, Fachach, Lyrie, Scrapire. 

 Gresarious. A close sitter. 



SHELDRAKE, COMMON. See Sheldeake. 



