440 NATATORE& FRATERCULA, PUFFIN. 



Periodical ALTHOUGH the Puffin is found in very high latitudes, and 

 visitant. j ts distribution through the arctic circle is extensive, it is on- 

 ly known to us as a summer visitant, and that from the 

 south, making its first appearance, in the vicinity of its 

 breeding stations, about the middle of April, and regularly 

 departing between the 10th and 20th of August for the 

 southern coasts of France, Spain, and other parts of Europe, 

 where it passes the remainder of the year. It breeds in great 

 numbers upon Priestholm Island, off the coast of Anglesea, 

 on the Isle of Man, and most of the islands, indeed, of the 

 English and Scottish coasts. Many resort to the Fern Is- 

 lands, selecting such as are covered with a stratum of vege- 

 table mould ; and here they dig their own burrows, from 

 there not being any rabbits to dispossess upon the particular 

 islets they frequent. They commence this operation about 

 the first week in May, and the hole is generally excavated to 

 the depth of three feet, often in a curving direction, and oc- 

 casionally with two entrances. When engaged in digging, 

 which is principally performed by the males, they are some- 

 times so intent upon their work, as to admit of being taken 

 by hand, and the same may also be done during incubation. 

 At this period I have frequently obtained specimens, by 

 thrusting my arm into the burrow, though at the risk of re- 

 ceiving a severe bite from the powerful and sharp-edged bill 

 Tncuba- of the old bird. At the farther end of this hole the single 

 tion, &c. e gg j s deposited, which in size nearly equals that of a Pullet, 

 and, as PENNANT observes, varying in form ; in some in- 

 stances one end being acute, and in others both equally ob- 

 tuse. Its colour, when first laid, is white (MONTAGU adds, 

 sometimes spotted with pale cinereous, though I do not re- 

 collect having met with such), but it soon becomes soiled and 

 dirty from its immediate contact with the earth, no materials 

 being collected for a nest at the end of the burrow. The 

 young are hatched after a month^s incubation, and are then 

 covered with a long blackish down above, which gradually 

 gives place to the feathered plumage, so that, at the end of 



