364 MORMON. PUFFIN. 



Plumage dense, blended, firm, but soft. Wings short, 

 narroAv, much curved, acute ; tail very short, slightly 

 rounded, of sixteen feathers. 



They differ from the other birds of this family in digging 

 holes in the turf, in rocky places, in Avhich they nestle and 

 rear their young. Their eggs are white, one only in each 

 nest. The vertically expanded form and bright colouring of 

 the bill render them easily distinguishable, and have pro- 

 cured for them the popular name of Sea-parrots. 



