ABERCONWY. 153 



Alca Torda. Razor bill.' Llurs. 



This bird breeds in Llandudno and Rhivvleden rocks ; where, 

 without any nest whatever, it deposits its single egg upon the bare 

 rock. Their eggs are generally of a dirty white, with blotches of a 

 pale rust colour, and both ends nearly of the same size ; in some, 

 the blotches are rather darker than in others. 



Uria Troile. Guillemot. Gwylawg. 



They are very numerous in the rocks of Llandudno and Rhiw- 

 leden ; they deposit their single egg, like the razor bills, on the 

 bare projecting ledges of the rock over the sea. The eggs do not 

 vary much in size and shape, but there are seldom any two alike in 

 colour ; some being of a whitish ground, others pale blue, or pale sea 

 green, and all irregularly blotched and streaked with black. The 

 rock eggs, which are chiefly those of the guillemots and razor bills, 

 are a delicious food, and great quantities are annually gathered. 

 The bold adventurer is let down by a rope, which is fastened about 

 his middle, and planting his feet against the sides, and carefully 

 shifting his hands, he gradually arrives at the haunts of the birds ; 

 having filled the basket, which is slung on his shoulder, he ascends 

 to the summit of the cliff with the assistance of his partner, who is 

 stationed above. This is a dangerous employment, and there are 

 several instances on record, where from the rope slipping, or other 

 casualties, lives have been lost, and the mangled bodies buried in 

 the sea. The eggs are generally sold at about half a crown a dozen. 

 The birds return to the same haunts, but they are not nearly so 

 numerous now, as they were formerly, owing to the incessant 

 removal of their eggs. About thirty years ago, two men were 

 killed, by being precipitated down the rock, which deterred the 

 gatherers from their usual employment, for several seasons, and 

 the birds increased in a short time to an immense number. 



U. Grylle. Black guillemot. Gwylawg ddu. 



This bird breeds on the west-side of Rhiwleden rock. 



