THE PUFFIN 



{Fratercida arctica) 



We have little opportunity of observing the habits of the 

 Puffin except at its breeding - places, for when once its 

 domestic duties are over it deserts the land and lives almost 

 exclusively at sea. There are few places on the coast at all 

 suitable to the requirements of this bird, where it does not 

 live in abundance, and in some districts its numbers are 

 almost past belief. It is a very gregarious bird, breeding in 

 extensive colonies and frequenting the sea in vast flocks. It 

 cannot be confused with any other bird on the coast, its big 

 bright-coloured beak and singularly comical facial expression 

 being sufficient to identify it anywhere and everywhere. 



Early in spring the Puffins come up from the sea to their 

 various breeding-places, and then their habits can be studied 

 to best advantage. In some places these interesting little 

 birds make their appearance with singular regularity every 

 season, coming almost to a day. This time varies consider- 

 ably in certain districts — in some places it is early in March, 

 in others not before the beginning of April, whilst yet in 

 others not until the beginning of May. From all parts of the 

 sea the birds come to the wonted breeding-place ; in thousands 

 and tens of thousands they arrive, and the cliffs and islands 

 where they nest suddenly swarm with Puffins, all congregated 

 for the summer. The sea near a haunt of the Puffin is 

 almost continually sprinkled with these birds diving and 



