226 ROCKBIRDS. 



they are here placed collectively under the above 

 name ; and suffice it to say, that those most com- 

 monly shot, and the eggs of which are most in requi- 

 sition, are the razor-bill and puffin of the Auk kind, 

 and the common willock of the Guillemot kind. The 

 puffins are most plentiful at the back of the Isle of 

 Wight, and St. Alban's : the others on the cliffs near 

 Eastbourne and Dover : but, for a farther variety, we 

 must go more towards the North of Great Britain. 



Although birds of this description can only be 

 used for the sake of the feathers, or to barrel for 

 dog's meat, yet many of the best sportsmen are 

 tempted to amuse themselves with the diversion of 

 " Rockbird shooting," from the number of shots that 

 may be got in a day, and the uninterrupted oppor- 

 tunity of practice, and trials of skill. For this pur- 

 pose, large parties of pleasure are made about the 

 months of June and July, when, instead of taking 

 only a full powderhorn and shotbelt, it frequently 

 becomes necessary to be prepared with a cleaning 

 rod, and an extra supply of ammunition. 



The time selected for killing these birds should be 

 either before they hatch, or after they have brought 

 down their young to the water, where they are able 

 to shift for themselves : otherwise those, who destroy 

 the old birds, have to reproach themselves with the 

 cruelty of leaving the young ones to starve upon the 

 rocks. 



On approaching the stupendous cliff, in which these 

 birds each deposit their one large egg, you see them, 



