128 BRITISH SEA (BIRDS. 
GUILLEMOT. 
Of all the various sea birds that cluster on the 
cliffs of Albion this species, the Urza ¢rozle of most 
modern ornithologists, is by far the commonest, 
and of the present family of birds the most widely 
distributed. During summer it may be met with in 
colonies of varying numbers, here and there on 
most of our rocky coasts, from the Scilly Islands to 
the Shetlands, from Flamborough Head in the east 
to the Blaskets in the west. Not, perhaps, so 
familiar to the sea-side wanderer as the Gull, whose 
zrial habits bring it more frequently into notice, the 
Guillemot, nevertheless, is a seldom absent feature 
of marine bird life. It is gregarious and social at 
all times, but joins into greatest companies during 
the season of reproduction. When the nesting 
season has passed the birds spread themselves more 
generally along the coast and out at sea, and it is at 
such times that they are most ubiquitous. Between 
October and March the Guillemot may often be 
met with swimming close in shore, in quiet bays, 
and especially in the neighbourhood of fishing 
villages. On these occasions it is not particularly 
shy, and will allow a sufficiently close scrutiny, but 
it is ever wary, diving at the least alarm, and 
appearing again well out of danger. The Guillemot 
swims well and buoyantly; it also dives with 
remarkable agility, and obtains most of its food 
whilst doing so. The Guillemots are rarely seen 
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