140 BRIFISH SEA“ BIRDS: 
rises again to the right or left, ahead or astern, and 
the salt spray rolls off his plumage glinting like 
diamonds in the sun. Should fish be plentiful the 
birds are diving and rising again incessantly, the 
time of absence depending upon the depth descended 
or the length of the chase. The Razorbill ever 
seems to use its wings with reluctance on these 
occasions, always keeping out of harm’s way by 
diving or swimming. It is capable of rapid flight 
though, and may often be seen in strings or skeins, 
hastening along just above the waves to or from a 
favourite fishing place. The Razorbill is gregarious 
enough during summer, but in winter it is most 
frequently seen in small parties, or often alone. It 
also goes some distance from land, where, should a 
gale overtake it, great numbers often perish, as their 
dead bodies washed up on the coast sadly testify. 
The food of the Razorbill is largely composed of 
fry, especially of the herring, but many other small 
fishes are captured, together with crustaceans and 
other small marine creatures. The bird, so far as 
my experience extends, never seeks its food upon 
the shore, and obtains most, if not all, of it by 
diving. The Razorbill is a remarkably silent bird ; 
the only sound I have ever heard it utter has been 
alow grunting. This note is uttered both in summer 
and winter, on the rocks as well as on the sea. 
In May the Razorbill gives up its roaming, 
nomad life upon the sea, and collects in numbers at 
the old-accustomed breeding-places. These are 
