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BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



Plumage. — This bird, like most Grouse, has three moults during the 

 year. Its Winter dress is white, thus affording it much pro- 

 tection when the ground is snow-covered. In the Summer the 

 feathers are dark-coloured, and as Autumn approaches they 

 become grey, matching in a very wonderful manner the sur- 

 roundings of its home at this season of the year. In a mild 

 Winter more of the Autumn feathers are retained than during 

 a severe Winter, when a pure-white plumage is so essential for 

 protective purposes. Length. — Fifteen inches. 



PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica) 



Local Names. — Ailsa Cock, Ailsa Parrot, Bass-Cock, Bonger Cock- 



andy, Coulterneb, Guldenhead, Knife-Bill, Marrot, Mullett, Pope, 



Sea Parrot, Shearwater, Skrabe, Tammy Norie, Tommy, Tommy 



Noddy, Tommy Norie, Tommy 



Tomnoddy, Willock (young). 

 Haunt. — Rocky sea cliffs and islands. 

 Nesting Period. — May and June. 

 Site of Nest. — Holes in rocks, clefts, 



crannies, etc., often in a rabbit 



burrow, and in turf on summit 



of cliff. 

 Materials Used. — A few pieces of 



grass or roots, but usually 



none. 

 Eggs. — One. White when first laid, Fig. 30. Head of Puffin. 



but soon becomes tinged with 



ash-colour. It is placed at the end of the burrow or hole. 

 Food. — Small fish for the most part. 



Voice. — Call, " a-r-r " to " o-r-r," otherwise " orr-a-orr." 

 Chief Features. — The striking appearance which has resulted in 



it being called Sea Parrot. Very ludicrous in its habits, at once 



identified by the large beak and, in the breeding season, the 



brilliant-coloured sheath that envelops it. 

 Plumage. — Above, black; other parts white; the curious bill is 



bluish at the base, yellow in the centre, bright red at the top ; 



orange-red legs and feet. Length. — Twelve inches. 



QUAIL (Cotitrnix communis) 



Local Name. — Wandering Quail. 



Haunt. — Fields, uplands, etc., where there is a plentiful supply of 



herbage. 

 Nesting Period. — May and June. 



