HOW TO BEGUILE THE RAZOR-BILL. 495 



that reason it is easily taken on the nest. They always 

 build by the sea-side, on the highest and steepest rocks or 

 cliffs. They are counted the greatest of herring-fishers, and 

 they will dive, according to our fishermen's attestation, 

 twenty fathoms under water. They have sometimes the 

 misfortune to mistake, and bite hold of a fish-hook, and so 

 are drawn up from that depth as fish." 



" To shoot the razor-bill on the wing," Ekstrom tells us, 

 " every one is not equal ; and from its expertness in diving, to 

 hit it whilst swimming is far from easy. The people here- 

 abouts (the eastern Skargard) resort, therefore, to an expedient, 

 which if not uniformly attended with success, is nevertheless 

 constantly practised, and most amusing to witness. 



" When the bird is observed on the water, the sportsman, 

 whilst steering his skiff a little on one side, begins singing, 

 at first in a moderately loud voice ; but the nearer he 

 approaches the bird, the higher he pitches it, so that at last it 

 becomes a perfect scream. The bird, whether from fright, or 

 fondness of music, will now, with out-stretched neck, and bill 

 pointed upwards, remain altogether motionless on the surface, 

 and by thus neglecting to dive when the fatal trigger is 

 pulled, it falls an easy prey to the pursuer." 



The razor-bill makes its nest in a hole in the ground, or in 

 a cleft of the rock, and lays a single, oblong-shaped egg. The 

 colour which varies endlessly is commonly greyish-white, 

 marked with brown and grey spots and blotches. 



This bird is not in much request for the table. " Its 

 feathers are excellent," says Ekstrom, " but only a Green- 

 lander can find its flesh palatable." 



The Great Auk (Gar-Foyel, Sw. ; Alca impennis, Linn.). 

 This remarkable bird the largest of its tribe, being the size 



