AUKS. 307 



Frith of Forth, and others of the numerous Scot- 

 tish islands. 



" Many Puffins," observes Mr. Selby, " resort 

 to the Fern Islands, selecting such as are covered 

 with a stratum of vegetable 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 occasionally with two en- 

 trances. When engaged in digging, which is prin- 

 cipally performed by the males, they are some- 

 times so intent upon their work as to admit of 

 being taken by the 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 of the old bird. At the farther end of 

 this hole the single egg is deposited, which in size 

 nearly equa"ls that of a Pullet. Its colour when 

 first laid is white, sometimes spotted with pale 

 ash-colour, but it soon becomes soiled and dirty 

 from its immediate contact with the earth, no ma- 

 terials 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 a 

 month, or five weeks, they are able to quit the 

 burrow, and follow their parents to the open 

 sea." * 



At the lone island of St. Kilda many of these 



* Brit. Birds, iii. 470. 



