BIRDS OF THE SEASHORE 121 



brown ; under parts white. Secondaries tipped with 

 white, forming slight bar. Bill black, pointed, and not 

 shaped like the Razorbill's. Legs and feet blackish. 

 Length 18 in. Female similar, but rather smaller. 

 In winter, throat white. Young : like adults in winter 

 dress ; young in down, brownish black above and dingy 

 white below. 



Language. A variety of curious and weird noises, 

 some like the moaning of one in pain, others like the mew- 

 ing of a cat. 



Habits. Generally much like the Razorbill. An 

 expert diver, propelling itself through the water with 

 the combined aid of its webbed feet and wings. Owing 

 to its short wings, the flight, though rapid, is somewhat 

 laboured, and the wings are much vibrated. It only 

 properly comes to land to breed, where it is completely 

 out of its element, shuffling along most awkwardly, 

 bowing and bobbing its head the while. 



Food. Fish in enormous quantities. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. On some inaccessible ledge of the sea-cliffs. 



Materials. None . 



Eggs. One. Large for the bird's size, and acutely 

 pear-shaped. Very variable indeed. Generally bluish 

 green, blotched and streaked with dark reddish brown 

 and black. 



WHHE-TAILED OR SEA EAGLE OR ERNE 



(Halicetus albicilla). 



Once a common resident ; now rare, and found only 

 breeding sparingly on the sea-coast in Ireland, and on 

 some of the Scottish islands. 



Observation. Distinguish from Golden Eagle by white 

 tail. 



Plumage. Upper parts brown, lighter on head and 

 neck. Primaries blackish ; under parts chocolate- 







