354 UTAMANIA TORDA. 



position, and one must think it an uncomfortable one, from 

 tlic size of the object of their care. If you shout, some, in 

 their haste, may drive their egf^s over the edge ; at all events, 

 most of them will fly off. But your position is uneasy, and 

 it is safer to ascend, taking with you as many eggs as you 

 can carry, leaving the hands free. 



It is pleasant, at a distance from their breeding-places, to 

 see these birds flying over the sea in small troops, generally 

 in single file, with a direct and rapid flight, beating their 

 short wings without intermission, but frequently turning a 

 little to either side, so as at one time to present the breast, at 

 another the back to the spectator. In flying, the head, body, 

 and tail are direct, the wings extended, and never brought 

 close to the sides, but acting by alternate movements in a 

 nearly vertical direction. In alighting they settle abruptly, 

 but as they never alight from above, they sustain no injury 

 from the slight shock. On the rocks, they have an awkward 

 and hobbling motion, and can scarcely be said to be capable 

 of walking. I have never seen them alight on a sandy beach, 

 or on pasture-ground. 



It is usually on the open sea, around their breeding-places, 

 but often at the distance of many miles from them, that they 

 search for their food, which consists chiefly of small fishes — 

 young herrings, for example — and Crustacea, which they pro- 

 cure by diving. In swimming, they keep the body nearly 

 horizontal, the neck retracted, and, as they proceed, fi-equently 

 immerse their head as if exploring the deep. In diving, they 

 suddenly elevate the hind part of the body, spread out their 

 wings a little, plunge with gi-eat force, and thus fly off, using 

 their wings under water much in the same manner as when 

 flying in the air. They can remain a considerable time 

 under, and are often seen to rise at a gi'eat distance. In 

 general, it is not difficult to approach them on the water, as 

 they allow a boat to come within shooting distance ; but as 

 they dive very suddenly, it is not always easy to shoot them. 

 I have never heard them emit any other cry than a low croak- 

 ing sound. If a wounded bird is seized, it is apt to bite 

 severely, and to be with difficulty disengaged. 



The flesh of this bird is very dark-coloured, and does not 



