110 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Materials. — None whatever, the egg being laid 

 on the bare rock. 



Egg. — One, very large for the size of the bird, 

 and pear-shaped. The eggs of this species present 

 an endless variety of coloration. Sometimes the 

 ground-colour is white, at others cream, yellowish- 

 green, reddish-brown, pea-green-blue, purplish-brown, 

 and every variety of shade between these colours, 

 spotted, blotched, and streaked profusely with black, 

 dusky brown, greyish-brown, and other tints in 

 great variety. Some specimens are without spots, 

 and I have seen others on Ailsa Craig and else- 

 where closely resembling those of the Eazorbill, but 

 always more pyriform. Size about 3'25 by 1.95 in. 



Time. — May and June. 



BeniarJcs. — Eesident. Notes (of young) : luillocJv, 

 luilloch. Local and other names : Foolish Guillemot, 

 Willock, Tinkershere, Scout, Tarrock, Lavy, Murre, 

 Sea Hen, Marrock. A close sitter. 



GUILLEMOT, BLACK. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 fourteen inches. Bill fairly long, straight, and 

 black. Irides brown. The whole of the plumage 

 is black, with exception of a large patch on the 

 coverts of each wing, which is white. Legs, toes, 

 and webs vermilion-red ; claws black. 



The female is similar to the male in size and 

 coloration. 



Situation and Localitij. — In deep crevices of 

 rocks overhanging the sea ; amongst large stones 

 heaped loosely together ; and occasionally under or 

 between crags and large fragments of rock near the 

 beach. Principally on the western and northern 



