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, 
118 x ‘88 in. Laying begins end of May to 
early June. Broods 1-2. 
(2) Family : Aleide—Auks 
100. Razorbill [Alca torda Linneus]. 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 conspicuousnarrow white band(see 
Fig.), by the darker upper-parts and the 
~  stouterneck. Sexesalike. In the breeding 
See 
2— season the upper-parts are mostly black 
Fig. 61. 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 wit 
guillemots. 
Figg. 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 trovlle troilie (Linnzeus)]. As razorbill, 
and often breeds on the same cliffs. 
Bird. Length 18in. 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 
