BIRD NOTES 7 



commonplace and familiar debris creatures of rare 

 or curious interest. It has been my practice 

 usually after strong northerly gales, or easterly 

 winds of undue continuance or boisterousness, to 

 hunt along the line of flotsam flung upon the 

 strand by the farthest reaching billows. Most 

 noticeable among the birds which mishap brings 

 there are the various rock-birds, under which title 

 may be included the Puffin, the Guillemot, the 

 Razorbill, and the Little Auk. 



In recent years the Guillemot (Urla troile) has 

 been the most frequent and numerous sufferer, 

 whereas in the 'seventies, and before, the Razorbill 

 (Alca tor da) preponderated. These rock - birds 

 can hardly lay claim to the title of local birds ; 

 they are simply wayfarers brought into the 

 neighbourhood by their persistent following of 

 the herring, or, as in the case of the Puffin 

 (Fratercula arcticd) and the Little Auk (Mergulus 

 dlk\ when on migration north and south, to and 

 from their nesting quarters. At such times when 

 a set-in of bad weather disturbs the surface of 

 the sea, the pelagic fishes on which they prey seek 

 deeper waters. The birds too, buffeted by winds 

 and waves, become exhausted and starved, and 



