THE GUILLEMOT. MI 



shades, reddish-brown, almost red (rarely), or pale yellowish-brown. In addition 

 to the markings on the surface, tinder-markings in the substance of the shell, 

 frequently of a pale lavender- grey, are often to be seen, usually in eggs of which 

 the ground colour is white or pale bluish-white 



One very beautiful variety has the ground colour of the shell white, or nearly 

 white, and is closely mottled with under-markings of a lavender-grey and dark 

 grey, and surface markings of various shades of reddish-brown, the markings 

 being in the form of small irregular spots and curling lines, the whole producing 

 the appearance of a piece of marble. Another beautiful variety is closely marked 

 with deep brownish-red. But these handsome eggs and especially the red ones 

 are far from common. Flamborough Head has a reputation for fine varieties. 



The eggs of the Guillemot can always be distinguished (after they are " blown " 

 at all events) from those of the Razorbill. If the egg has the ground colour 

 green it belongs to the former ; but if the egg has the ground colour white, 

 cream coloured, or pale brownish-white, without any shade of blue or green, and 

 is held up to the light so that the inner surface of the shell can be examined 

 through the hole, this inner surface will appear green if the egg is a Razorbill's, 

 and yellowish-white if it is a Guillemot's. 



The Guillemot naturally only lays one egg in the season, but if this is taken 

 another is laid ; if the second egg is also taken, the bird, as a rule, does not lay 

 again, but in some cases a third egg is deposited. Individual birds are believed 

 to frequent the same ledges, and to lay eggs of a similar type and colour year 

 after year. 



Guillemots sit in a nearly upright position upon their eggs (sometimes, 

 according to Saxby, they sit flat upon the egg), with the latter between their legs; 

 they sit, when breeding on ledges in a cliff, facing the cliff, with their backs to 

 the sea, but when apprehensive of danger face round in readiness for departure ; 

 Seebohm had often seen an old Guillemot pushing her egg from under her feet 

 as he approached, previous to flying down to the sea ; but when the birds are 

 suddenly disturbed many eggs are knocked off the ledges, and they are sometimes 

 blown off by violent winds. 



Guillemots sometimes visit their breeding stations during the winter. At 

 Flamborough I -was informed that the birds visit the cliffs, flying round but not 

 settling, from the end of November until after Christmas. About the end of 

 February, the Guillemots and Razorbills begin to come into cliff and settle, but do 

 not remain entirely until breeding begins, about the beginning of May. They 

 depart from Flamborough in the first days of August, except a few which have 

 young, and those go within the next few days. 



