196 



nostrils are contained in one sheath, divided into 

 two tubes; the head, neck, under parts and tail 

 white ; the back and wing-coverts are grey ; the quills 

 dusky blue; and the legs yellowish red. 



These birds are greedy and gluttonous, often following 

 wounded whales ; and when the animal can no longer sink, 

 they alight upon it, and devour lumps of blubber until 

 they can hold no more : they rarely visit the shore unless in 

 the breeding season. The females lay eggs, which are 

 white, in holes on the coast, and are assisted by the males 

 in the process of incubation : it is said they then croak like 

 frogs. 



2. PUFFINUS. SKRABE, LYRE, OR SHEAR- 

 WATER. 



P. corpore supra nigro subtus albo, pedibus rufis. 

 Lath. 



The bill is yellowish, tipped with black; the 

 inner wing-coverts, and under parts of the body 

 white ; the head, tail, thighs, and upper parts are 

 black ; the legs are weak, compressed, whitish before, 

 and dusky behind. 



Length 15 inches. 



They breed on the south end of the Isle of Man, 

 in rabbit-holes. 



The female lays one egg. 



