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THE COMMON GUILLEMOT. 

 I^KIA TR(5iLE (Linnaeus). 



The Common CTuillemot is more numerous than the Razor-bill, 

 which it resembles in the localities it frequents, the times of its 

 arrival and departure, its manners, habits and food. Near Flam- 

 borough, and at other large and accessible colonies, its eggs are 

 collected during the season in vast quantities ; chiefly, it is said, on 

 account of the albumen, which is used for clarifying wine and in the 

 preparation of patent leather. Except where extirpated by perse- 

 cution, settlements may be found on suitable sea-cliffs throughout 

 the British Islands. 



This species abounds in the Fseroes, the south of Iceland, and 

 Norway as far east as the Varanger-fjord ; while, owing to the influence 

 of the Gulf Stream, it ranges northward to Bear Island. In the Baltic 

 it breeds on Bornholm ; there are colonies on Heligoland, as well as 

 on the northern and western coasts of France ; and Mr. Tait has 

 recently obtained its eggs from the Berlengas Islands off the mouth 

 of the Tagus. It seldom enters the Mediterranean, but frequents 

 the Atlantic down to about lat. 30° in winter; and on the American 



