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PUFFIN. 



SEA-PAREOT. COULTER-NEB. COMMON COULTER-NEB. 



PLATE CCIX. PIG. II. 



Mormon fratercula, GOULD. 



Alca arctica, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Fratercula arctica, FLEMING. SELBT. 



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. These birds either take possession of a rabbit- 

 burrow, or dig a hole themselves, as a receptacle for their eggs, fre- 

 quently to the depth of three feet, and often in a curving direction, 

 and with two entrances. The egg is laid at the farther end. Mr. 

 Selby adds that when engaged in digging, which operation is generally 

 performed by the males, they are sometimes so intent upon their work 

 as to allow themselves to be taken by the hand; and the same may 

 also be done when the bird is sitting on its egg. The young are 

 hatched after a month's incubation. In about a like period of time 

 they come to their full feathers, and are able to quit their native 

 burrows, and enter on their ocean of life. Meyer says that where both 

 birds have been killed, others have been known to take charge of the 

 egg or young. 



Only one egg is laid, and its colour is white, sometimes spotted 

 with pale grey. 



