126 RAZOR-BILL. 



RAZOR-BILL. 



PLATE CCX. 



Alca torda, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



ANY slight hollow or cranny in a rock of the cliff 

 overhanging the sea, or even the bare unsheltered 

 surface of the rock itself, a preference being given 

 to the most precipitous places, is chosen by the Razor- 

 bill as a deposit for its single egg. This in the month 

 of April. Even here, however, it is exposed to acci- 

 dents of different kinds, and is not unfrequently thrown 

 down by a high wind, or some other bird, great numbers 

 frequenting, from the like cause of predilection, the 

 same breeding-places, or is broken by a chance stone 

 or mass of earth dislodged from above; such landslips 

 overwhelm also, at times, the bird herself. The young 

 are borne down to the sea on the back of one or other 

 of the parents. They often build in company with the 

 Kittiwake, the Puffin, the Herring Gull, and the 

 Guillemot, but each kind keeping to itself. 



The old ones shew much attachment to their young. 

 The latter are able in July to provide for themselves, 

 but the descent to the sea is not always accomplished 

 with safety. It sometimes happens that in throwing 

 themselves down from the edge of the cliff, to which 

 they are led by their parents, and instructed, as it 



