BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



THE GUILLEMOT 



(Uria troile). 

 Plate 4. 



The Guillemot is even commoner on our coasts than 

 its ally the Razorbill ; but it is more particular in its 

 choice of ' nesting ' localities, fairly high and steep cliffs 

 being usually selected. The eggs are laid on the most 

 exposed ledges, however, and also on the flat tops of 

 ' stacks."* Some of the Guillemot colonies are of great 

 size, one of the best known resorts being the cliffs near 

 Flamborough Head, where the eggs are systematically 

 taken by parties of four or five men, one of whom is let 

 down with ropes by his companions. These eggs are said 

 to be a commercial source of albumen, but it is probable 

 that all finely marked specimens are sold to collectors or 

 dealers, while many of the others are used locally for 

 culinary purposes. The eggs of the Razorbill and other 

 species found at the same places are, of course, taken at 

 the same time. 



The most noticeable difference between the Razorbill 

 and the Guillemot lies in their bills, that of the 

 latter being slender and dagger-like. When seen at a 

 distance swimming on the water, the Razorbill's up- 

 turned tail is the most obvious point of difference. The 

 Guillemot is a clumsy bird on land ; but as it rarely 

 requires to do anything in the way of walking, it is at 

 no disadvantage on this account. Its usual attitude on 

 the cliffs is an upright one, with the ' shank ^ applied to 

 the ground, or, strictly speaking, with the whole foot on the 

 ground. Most birds stand on the toes only, so that their 



