312 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 

 Family ALCID^E. Genus URIA. 



BLACK GUILLEMOT. 



URIA GRYLLE (Lmnceus). 

 Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May and in June. 



BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Black Guillemot is 

 only known to breed in one English locality, and that is 

 the Isle of Man. Its principal breeding area extends 

 along the west and north coasts of Scotland, including 

 the Hebrides and St. Kilda, to the Orkneys and the 

 Shetlands. Thence it extends down the east coast of 

 Scotland as far south as Sutherlandshire. Its principal 

 breeding-places in Ireland are on the north and west 

 coasts, but it is said there are still a few on the east coast 

 and on the south coast as far as County Waterford. 



BREEDING HABITS: The Black Guillemot is found 

 in the British seas throughout the year, but is subject 

 to considerable local movement after the breeding 

 season. Its haunts in our islands during the summer 

 are bold rocky headlands, islands, and ocean cliffs 

 similar to those frequented by the Razorbill and the 

 Common Guillemot. It is not quite so gregarious as 

 its larger allies, the colonies usually being small and 

 scattered. I am of opinion that this species pairs for 

 life, as year by year certain spots are resorted to for 

 breeding purposes. Unlike the Guillemot, but like the 

 Razorbill, the present bird breeds in a covered site, in 

 holes and crannies of the cliffs, or amongst masses of 

 rocks below them, occasionally on rock-strewn downs 

 sloping to the sea. No nest of any kind is made, the 

 eggs simply resting on the bare earth or rock. This 

 bird makes little or no demonstration when disturbed, 



