BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 5 



the laterally compressed beak which is the head-mark of 

 the species. 



In winter, the Razorbill, like its allies, is chiefly a bird 

 of the open sea, but may always be found off our coasts, 

 and also off the coasts of countries farther south, where it 

 is unknown in summer. But it has been remarked of the 

 Razorbill and its allies that in spite of their commonness 

 at sea in winter, and the huge area of ocean over which 

 they are scattered, a large proportion of the myriads 

 inhabiting the coasts of northern Europe in summer 

 remain to be satisfactorily accounted for at other seasons. 



On this side of the Atlantic, Brittany is the southern 

 limit of the bird's breeding range. All rovmd the coasts of 

 the British Isles wherever there are cliffs, which need not 

 be high or very precipitous, the Razorbill may be found 

 during the breeding season. In some localities enormous 

 colonies exist, often at the same places at which great 

 numbers of Gmllemots and Puffins also congregate, although 

 the actual nesting, or rather 'laying,' sites chosen by the 

 three species are different. The Razorbill generally chooses 

 sheltered ledges. Like nearly all Auks, it has no nest, and 

 only one egg. The latter is subject to considerable varia- 

 tion, but to far less than are those of the Guillemot, which 

 are also larger and more pear-shaped. As a rule, however, 

 the egg is grayish white or light reddish brown in ground- 

 colour, Avith bold blackish blotches which frequently form 

 a zone round the broadest part. 



The Razorbill has a special interest as being a sur- 

 viving relative of the Great Auk, from which it differs 

 chiefly by its small size and the possession of powers of 

 flight. 



