412 DIVERS. 



sonal strength alone to support him ; which if faiUng, the fowler 

 is dashed to pieces or drowned in the sea which roars and 

 heaves below. 



In order to study the habits of these marine birds, the cele- 

 brated Edwards spent several days among these terrific and 

 romantic rocks. If a cannon was fired, the air was darkened 

 with a black cloud of the cliff birds, which issued by thousands 

 from every hole and cranny, as if summoned into sudden exist- 

 ence by the work of enchantment. They fly about in silence 

 near to the surface of the sea, perform a few circuits, and on 

 the removal of the cause of alarm return soon to their eyry, or, 

 alighting on the waves, dive out of the way of harm until well 

 assured that no enemy is near. 



These Auks lay but one egg except when robbed of the first, 

 and if this is taken they will sometimes give a third. Mr. 

 Audubon found them breeding in great numbers on the coast 

 of Labrador, generally taking possession of the most rugged 

 and precipitous isles, in the deep indentations and fissures of 

 which they crowded, and deposited their eggs as near together 

 as distinct proprietorship would admit, — commonly upon a 

 nest of pebbles, artificially collected together, under and between 

 which the dripping waters and melting ice thus passed without 

 ever coming in contact with the eggs. The Murre sits on her 

 nest in an upright posture, and with her head facing the wind. 

 The young are fed by regurgitated food until they attain a con- 

 siderable size, after which the small fish, on which old and 

 young principally feed, are merely laid before them. They 

 leave their rock or nest when about half grown, and then 

 immediately commence fishing for themselves. Thousands of 

 these birds are here seen breeding on the same rock. 



The flight of the Razor-bill is rapid, and according to Mr. 

 Audubon sometimes even greatly protracted, but low above 

 the surface of the water, and, sustained by a constant stiff and 

 short flapping of the wings. It dives to great depths and 

 swims under the surface with considerable velocity, using its 

 wings as flattened fins, and in this manner, like the Divers, 

 it may be seen pursuing and seizing its prey. 



