400 HISTORY OF 



expects the greatest security. In this fortified 

 retreat it lays one egg, which, though the bird 

 be not much bigger than a pigeon, is of the size 

 of a hen's. 



When the young one is excluded, the parent's 

 industry and courage are incredible. Few birds 

 or beasts will venture to attack them in their re- 

 treats. When the great sea raven, as Jacobson 

 informs us, comes to take away their young, the 

 puffins boldly oppose him. Their meeting affords 

 a most singular combat. As soon as the raven 

 approaches, the puffin catches him under the 

 throat with its beak, and sticks its claws into his 

 breast, which makes the raven, with a loud 

 screaming, attempt to get away ; but the little 

 bird still holds fast to the invader, nor lets him 

 go till they both come to the sea, where they 

 drop down together, and the raven is drowned : 

 yet the raven is but too often successful ; and 

 invading the puffin at the bottom of its hole, 

 devours both the parent and its family. 



But were a punishment to be inflicted for im- 

 morality in irrational animals, the puffin is justly 

 a sufferer from invasion, as it is often itself one of 

 the most terrible invaders. Near the Isle of 

 Anglesey, in an islet called Priesholm, their 

 flocks may be compared, for multitude, to swarms 

 of bees. In another islet, called the Calf of Man, 

 a bird of this kind, but of a different species, is 

 seen in great abundance. In both places, num- 

 bers of rabbits are found to breed ; but the puffin, 

 unwilling to be at the trouble of making a hole, 

 when there is one ready made, dispossesses the 



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