SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PUFFIN. 237 



emerge from their holes every minute or two ; and after shooting for 

 half an hour on one spot I was not a Httle surprised to see two or 

 three start out almost from between my feet, and in a great fright 

 make the best of their way down to the water. On emerging from 

 their holes the birds generally looked around for a moment to see 

 what was the matter, and then, in great haste, fluttered and tumbled 

 down to the water below, in which they immediately dove, and, swim- 

 ming swiftly under water, reappeared at some distance. From the 

 countless thousands around me I did not hear the slightest note of 

 any kind ; they flew in perfect silence. 



" The flight of the puflin, when once on the wing, is firm, well sus- 

 tained, very swift, and performed with short, quick, vigorous beats. 

 When it takes wing from a rock, whence it can project itself into 

 the air, it at once supports itself without difliculty ; but when on 

 the water, it is obliged to flap over the surface for several yards be- 

 fore it can rise on wing. When getting under way, the feet are 

 extended backwards and outwards on each side of the tail, which 

 is spread, but they are soon drawn up, and the tail closed. When 

 shot at and not touched, like the auks, they swerve from their 

 course, open and shut the tail, and extend the feet. When stand- 

 ing on a rock at the entrance of their burrows, where they alight 

 without the slightest difliculty, they present a peculiar grotesque 

 appearance, such as is afforded by no other bird. 



" When taken in the hand the puflin utters a loud, hoarse, croak- 

 ing scream, at the same time fighting furiously. They are capable 

 of inflicting a very severe wound with their powerful bills, easily draw- 

 ing blood. Their long and strong inner claw is also an effective 

 weapon, so that by dint of scratching, biting, and struggling, they 

 proved difficult customers to manage." With regard to this same 

 claw he says : — " I could not but admire the beautiful provision of 

 nature with regard to furnishing this bird with the means of excava- 

 ting its burrows with facility. The inner claw of each foot is very 

 long, much curved, and excessively sharp. To preserve it so, when 

 not in use, it always lies perfectly flat, so that the point does not 

 rest on the ground. In digging and fighting, however, it is held 

 upright, and then becomes a very effective weapon." 



