170 EAZOE-BILL. 



northern parts, and these in turn are succeeded by others 

 from still colder regions. 



They are common in Ireland. 



The Eazor-bill is a migratory species, and begins to move 

 southwards about the end of September, continuing its travels 

 through November and December, according as the weather 

 up to that period has been more or less severe. In March 

 and April it returns northwards again. According to Meyer, 

 *During these migrations an interesting circumstance may be 

 observed, namely, that when the several divisions or groups 

 of a flock descend upon the sea to rest themselves, the parties 

 that are behind alight some distance in advance of those that 

 first settled, so that when the first-arrived parties have re- 

 cruited their strength, and taken wing again, the later-arrived 

 groups having alighted so much in advance, have had time 

 to rest themselves also, and are prepared in their turn to 

 follow in the train of their former leaders as soon as these 

 have passed over.' 



They may often be seen far from land, 'coelum undique et 

 undique pontus.' The parent birds appear to be much attached 

 to their young. 



They fly strongly, rather fast, and well, but near the surface 

 of the water, rising up only to gain a rock or cliff", the wings 

 being quickly beaten. The birds that compose a flock keep 

 at some distance from each other. On the land their motions 

 are awkward and slow, and if pursued they make use of their 

 wings to further their advance. They swim and dive with 

 great ability. 



They feed on young herrings, sprats, and other small fish, 

 as also on Crustacea, obtained by diving to a considerable 

 depth. 



The note is likened to the syllables 'arr' and 'orr.' 



Any slight hollow or cranny in a rock of the cliff over- 

 hanging the sea, or even the bare unsheltered surface of the 

 rock itself, a preference being given to the most precipitous 

 places, is chosen by the Razor-bill as a deposit for its single 

 egg. This in the month of April. Even here, however, it 

 is exposed to accidents of different kinds, and is not unfre- 

 quently thrown down by a high wind, or some other bird, 

 great numbers frequenting, from the like causes of predilection, 

 the same breeding-places, or is broken by a chance stone or 

 mass of earth dislodged from above: such landslips overwhelm 

 also, at times, the bird herself. 



