PUFFINS INIMICAL TO RABBITS. 147 



the burrows in the crevices of the rocks, or on the 

 sloping ground ; and if the latest comers find all the 

 holes occupied, they make new ones for themselves. 

 We were told that the male birds undertake this 

 task j and that, while they are thus employed, they 

 are so intent on their work, that they are easily 

 caught with the hand. These invaders have nearly 

 extirpated the rabbits ; for few of these defenceless 

 animals are able to resist the strength of their beaks. 



They form something like a nest, of a few sticks 

 and some grass put together, on which the female lays'a 

 single white egg, that is generally hatched in the be- 

 ginning of July. The parent birds are thought to sit 

 alternately, and each by turns goes abroad for food. 

 They are easily taken whilst sitting or rearing their 

 young ; and if set at liberty, these silly birds, instead 

 of flying away, either from parental fondness, or for 

 the sake of shelter, hurry back to their young brood, 

 and fall into the hands of their enemies. 



Young puffins are pickled for sale, and form an 

 article of traffic peculiar to this neighbourhood ; but 

 they are apt to have a strong flavour, from feed- 

 ing on sprats and sea-weeds. 



As we have lately turned our attention to the sub- 

 ject of migi'ation, perhaps you will be entertained with 

 some account of the land-crab, that is found in the 

 Bahama Islands, as well as in most tropical countries. 



