684 COMMON GUILLEMOT. 



side it breeds from New England northwards to lat. 64°. A form 

 with a somewhat stronger bill inhabits the North Pacific. 



Like the Razor-bill, the Guillemot lays only a single egg, but this 

 is of large size, and very variable in colour ; being generally of a 

 fine bluish-green, more or less blotched and streaked with dark 

 reddish-brown or black : sometimes it is white scrolled with 

 brown, and often of a plain green or white without any streaks or 

 blotches, while a rich reddish-brown variety is less commonly 

 found. The form is that of an elongated pear, and the average 

 measurements are 3'25 in. by 2 in. The bird usually sits facing the 

 cliff, holding the egg between her legs, with its point outwards ; if 

 robbed she will lay at least one more — similar in character. Plenty 

 of young are -on the sea by the third week in July, and by the 

 end of August or early in September both parents and offspring have 

 quitted the rocks for the year. In England this species is often called 

 'Murre,' from the hoarse murmuring emitted by the multitudes 

 assembled at their breeding-haunts ; by fishermen it is known as 

 ' Scout,' ' Marrot ' or ' Tinkershere ' ; and the young bird is often 

 called ' Willock ' from its cry — whence, probably, the French-derived 

 word Guillemot. Considerable force is exercised in diving and the 

 wings are used for propulsion under water. 



The adult in spring-plumage (on the right) has the head, neck and 

 upper parts of a brown which is very variable in tint; under-surface 

 white ; bill, legs and feet blackish ; webs olive. Length of a male 

 about 18 in., wing 7 '5 ; the female being rather smaller. In winter 

 the throat becomes white or is mottled irregularly with brown ; as in 

 the young bird on the left, which has yellowish webs to its feet. 



The Ringed or Bridled Guillemot, figured below, is now generally 

 admitted to be a variety, with an unusual development of white round 

 the eye and along the crease or furrow behind it. 



