AUKS 



51 



black side-feathers of the large tail broadly tipped with white. 



On the side of the neck a conspicuous patch 



of alternating bars of black and white, 



which is lacking in the young. Prevailing 



hue of the head and back bluish-grey with 



intermixture of dull rufous or buff margins. 



Under-parts pale vinous purple passing to 



white on the belly. 



Nest. Place: tree, bush, or tall hedge. 

 Flimsy structure of twigs. 



Eggs. Two. Creamy-white. Av. size, 

 1*18 x "88 in. Laying begins end of May to 

 early June. Broods 1-2. 



(2) Family: AlcidceAuks 



100. Razorbill [Aka torda Linnaeus]. Salt-water species 

 present throughout the year, and breeding on our sea-cliffs. 



Bird. Length 17 in. Distinguished at once from the guille- 

 mot by the deep curved and grooved beak 

 withits conspicuous narrow white band (see 

 Fig.), by the darker upper-parts and the 

 stouter neck. Sexes alike. In the breeding 

 season the upper-parts are mostly black 

 with greenish gloss. A white bar on the 

 wing, and a white line from beak to eye. 

 Throat and fore-neck brown, rest of under-parts white. Outside 

 the breeding season the throat, fore-neck, and part of the sides 

 of the head are white. 



Nest. None made. The egg is laid on the bare rock, preferably 

 in a crevice or under a ledge (cf. the guillemot) ; occasionally 

 under boulders. Species breeds in colonies, often with 

 guillemots. 



Egg. One. Less pear-shaped than the guillemots. Ground 

 colour white, buff, brownish, reddish, and occasionally bluish- 

 green, blotched, spotted, and streaked with dark brown or black. 

 Av. size, 2- 95 x 1*86. Laying begins in May. One chick reared. 



101. Guillemot \Uria, troille troille (Linnaeus)]. As razorbill, 

 and often breeds on the same cliffs. 



Bird. Length 18 in. At once distinguished from the razorbill 

 by its much more slender and longer beak and slenderer neck 

 and paler upper-parts. Sexes alike. Many individuals have 

 a white circle round the eye with a backward white crease, 

 and are known as "bridled" or "ringed." In summer the 

 upper-parts, head, and neck are slaty-grey, turning to smoke 

 brown as the season advances. The under-parts are mostly 



61. 



