PUFFIN 497 
Sub-Family FRATERCULIN AK. 
PUFFIN. § /ratercula arctica (Linnus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘ Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. v, pl. 
D1; Dresser, ‘Birds of Kurope,’ vol. viii, pl. 625 ; Lilford, 
« Coloured Figures,’ vol. vi, pl. 43 ; Booth, ‘ Rough Notes,’ 
vol. iii, pl. 25. 
Though rather more locally distributed around our 
coasts than either the Razorbill or the Common Guillemot, 
yet the Puffin is one of the most familiar of all rock-birds. 
This is readily understood ; for even to the most casual 
observer it 1s a remarkable-looking Auk, at once attracting 
attention, especially in the breeding- season, when tame to 
a degree, it swarms in thousands on certain cliffs. During 
the winter’ months, but few birds frequent our coasts, for at 
that season the vast majority are leading a wandering life 
on the open sea. 
Like other Auks, this species has been recorded occa- 
sionally from inland localities, having been blown in from 
the sea by the storms of late autumn and winter. But even 
in summer it has been known to appear in strange places. 
Thus “Mr. Kane relates that early in June 1893 a man 
in his employment, near Monaghan, brought him a live 
Puffin in a state of starvation which had walked into his 
cottage with his ducks’ (Ussher). 
Flight. —The flight 1s swift and well sustained and the 
bird, with rapidly- beating pinions, usually pursues a straight 
path. On the approach. of a steamer, it may be seen at 
times fluttering over the surface® for several hundred yards, 
as though unable to rise; generally, however, it endeavours 
to escape by diving. 
During the breeding-season, Puffins may be seen almost 
all day long flitting rapidly twixt sea and cliff, some hurry- 
ing up with food for the young, others returning to the 
' On January 2nd, 1891, after a storm, I picked up an adult bird on 
Bray beach, co. Wicklow; this specimen, which I mounted, proved to 
be a peculiarly fine one in full winter-dress, showing the smaller and less 
sieily- coloured beak than that which accompanies “the nuptial plumage. 
2 T have observed this habit not only in our seas, but also in the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence where the steamer I was aboard passed through 
great numbers. 
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