118 The Birds of Pembrokeshire. 
RAZORBILL, Ala torda. — Resident. The great multitude of 
cliff birds to be seen in the summer months on the various 
islands off the Pembrokeshire coast, is one of the unique 
features in the Ornis of the county. No one who has once 
visited in May or June the beautiful islands of Skomer or 
Ramsey, will ever forget the spectacle that has been presented 
to his eyes, whether he be an ornithologist or not. The cele- 
brated Stack Rocks, being within an easy reach both from 
Tenby and Pembroke, are among the curiosities of the county 
which all tourists feel compelled to inspect. And the scene is 
one that well repays the trouble of journeying to the spot. 
Caldy, St. Margaret’s Island, Skokholm, Skomer, Grasholm, and 
Ramsey, besides various cliffs of the mainland, are all of them, 
to a greater or less degree, visited by Razorbills, Puffins, and 
Common Guillemots at the nesting season; and while the 
Puffins lay their eggs in rabbit earths or in holes they excavate 
for themselves, the Razorbills and Guillemots deposit their eggs, 
without the least semblance of any nest, on the ledges of the 
rocks, tier above tier. From our own experience, we are con- 
fident that ifa census were to be taken of the three birds we 
have mentioned, the Puffins, in their innumerable myriads, would 
exceed the other two put together, and then, perhaps, in the 
proportion of ten to one; the Guillemots are very numerous, 
and would rank next, and last of all would come the Razorbills 
that, although when regarded by themselves might justly be con- 
sidered abundant, are yet not to be compared with the extraor- 
dinary hordes of Puffins and Guillemots. As they fly off the 
ledges of the cliff beneath one’s feet, as they pass one in the air, 
or as they alight on their eggs on their return from the water, or 
when viewed on its surface, swimming and diving in small 
parties, the Razorbills, with their brown-black heads and backs, 
and pure white underparts, present the appearance of great neat- 
ness in their brightly contrasted plumage. The white lines, 
too, across the mandibles, above the eyes, and across the 
wings, are also plainly visible to the spectator, when the birds 
approach him, as they will fearlessly, if he only remains quiet. 
