GUILLEMOT. NATATORES. URIA. 425 



lemot of our more southern coasts, and of which they dis- 

 play all the essential characters. MONTAGUES error, there- 

 fore, with respect to this bird, and also the Razor Bill, is to 

 be entirely attributed to his want of information regarding 

 the change that takes place in the adults immediately after 

 incubation. The Guillemot is of a squat and thick shape, 

 and of great weight, in proportion to its dimensions. It 

 swims with much buoyancy, and is an excellent diver, in 

 which occupation the greater part of its existence is passed. 

 It shews but little apprehension of danger, frequently admit- 

 ting the approach of a boat within oar's length, from whence 

 it has evidently obtained its trivial name. On account of the 

 shortness of its wings, it rises with difficulty from the surface 

 of the water, along which it skims for a short distance, but 

 at a rapid rate, in consequence of the quickly-repeated strokes 

 of its pinions. During the breeding season it is generally 

 compelled to make a circuitous flight before it can attain a 

 sufficient elevation to reach the ledge of the rock selected 

 for that purpose. 



PLATE 79. represents the Adult Bird, in the summer or 

 breeding plumage. 



Head, throat, and upper part of the neck, pitchy black ; General 

 the feathers being small and very close set. From the ^^" 

 posterior angle of the eye is a streak or line formed by Adult bird, 

 the division of the feathers. Dorsal plumage greyish- 

 black; in some tinged with brown. Tips of the se- 

 condaries, and the under plumage, white. Flanks streak- 

 ed with blackish-grey. Legs brownish-black. Bill 

 black ; in length from the forehead to its tip one inch 

 and three quarters. Inside of the mouth fine saffron- 

 yellow. 



Throat, and sides of the neck, white ; with a dark streak Winter 

 behind the eye. Crown of the head, nape and back P luma e - 

 part of the neck, greyish-black. In other respects the 

 same as in summer. 



