94 



descend from the summits of the hills to the lower 

 ridges, where they chiefly remain during that in- 

 clement season, occasionally burrowing in the snow, 

 under which they not only find a warm and secure 

 habitation, but, by penetrating to the surface of the 

 earth, are enabled to obtain a sufficient supply of 

 food during the most severe weather. They pair 

 early in spring, the female laying her eggs upon 

 the bare ground, among the stones. The eggs are 

 similar in shape and colour to those of the Eed 

 Grouse, but somewhat smaller, and generally 

 marked with more diminutive blotches. 



GUILLEMOT, BLACK. 



URIA GETLLE, Lath. 



This species is distributed over all the northern 

 coasts of Europe and America. It is rather nume- 

 rous in many localities of Great Britain, more 

 particularly the north of Scotland during winter. 

 The Black Guillemot sits lightly on the water, 

 paddles about in a very lively manner, dives with 

 rapidity, opening its wings a little, like the other 

 species of the same bird, and flies under water with 

 great speed. All the breeding places in this 

 country are to the north of the Tweed and Solway 



