PUFFIN 



SEA-PARROT COULTER-NEB COMMON COULTER-NEB. 



PLATE CCIX. FIGURE II. 



Mormon fratercula, .... MACGILLIVRAY. 

 Fratercula arctica, .... YARRELL. 



THE Puffin breeds in precipitous places on the coast and 

 its adjacent islands, seeming to give a preference to 

 such as are covered with a formation of mould. The nest 

 is made both on cliffs and high rocks, and on the short 

 verdure which obtains on any level places on their sides or 

 summits, or among stones and boulders. At first indeed, 

 strictly speaking, there is little or no nest, but as incubation 

 advances, a few grasses may be seen commingled with some 

 feathers of the owners. These birds occasionally take 

 possession of a rabbit-burrow, or dig a hole themselves, as 

 a receptacle for their eggs, frequently to the depth of 

 three feet, and often in a curving direction, and with two 

 entrances. The egg is laid at the farther end. Several 

 will sometimes occupy one hole. A natural cranny or 

 fissure in the rock will equally serve the purpose, or a time- 

 worn hole or hollow in an old wall or ruin. They often 

 build in company with the Razor-Bill, Herring Gull, Kitti- 

 wake, and Guillemot, but in separate ranks. Mr. Selby 



