314 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



abundant as the Guillemot, and becoming less frequent 

 in the extreme south. 



Breeding habits : The Razorbill is a resident in 

 the British seas, but subject to much local movement 

 during the non-breeding season. The breeding-haunts 

 of this species are marine crags and precipices, in which 

 plenty of nooks and crannies and broken rocks occur. 

 The broken cliffs are preferred to those of a wall-like 

 character. This bird is also gregarious, and great numbers 

 may be found breeding together in suitable cliffs. I am 

 of opinion that the Razorbill pairs for life, as each season 

 one particular hole or cranny will be tenanted, presumably 

 by the same birds. Early in spring the birds begin to 

 collect at the nesting colonies, coming from all parts of 

 the adjoining seas to the old familiar rendezvous. This 

 species makes no nest of any kind, laying its egg in a 

 crevice or hole in the cliffs, or far under a stack of rocks 

 poised one on the other, where to reach it is absolutely 

 impossible. I have known this bird make use of a 

 Puffin burrow ; but surely the ornithologist who declares 

 that he saw a Razorbill incubating in the old nest of a 

 Cormorant must have been deceived ! The Razorbill is 

 somewhat loth to leave its egg, and may often be caught 

 on it owing to this reluctance. The birds also occasion- 

 ally make a grunting noise when their breeding-grounds 

 are invaded by man. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The Razorbill lays only a single egg, which will, however, 

 be several times replaced if taken. The eggs of this 

 species vary considerably in colour and character of 

 markings, but to nothing near the extent of those of the 

 Guillemot. The ground colour runs through every tint 

 between white and reddish-brown, and the blotches and 

 spots are dark liver-brown and reddish-brown, whilst the 

 underlying markings are gray, or grayish-brown. The 



