O F B I R D S. 343 



tips of the wings, extended, twenty-fix inches. The beak is two 

 inches long, black, comprefTcd fide-ways, curvated at the point j 

 a deep furrow above the noftrils, and between it and the bafe a 

 fhort plumage, as fof t as velvet ; two more deep furrows below 

 that, tranfverfe, and white ; and another faint one near the ex- 

 tremity. The mouth is a bright yellow within, like the Coulter- 

 neb's ; a white lift defcending from each fide of the head to the 

 angles ; the upper part of the throat reddim, the reft of the under 

 plumage a bright white ; the upper one black. It and the Coulter- 

 neb) and Guillemet, are conftant companions, their wings, tails, 

 legs, and feet, all formed alike, for fwimming, and fkimming 

 upon the furface of the water, and not for high flights, or for 

 walking ; all wanting the back-toe ; all leaving and vifiting 

 again their favourite ifland of Farn about the fame time ; all 

 laying but one large egg, unlefs ftolen from them ; thofe of 

 this bird two inches and three quarters long, white, with black 

 fpots, the fmaller ends not fo fharp as thofe of the Guillemet. 

 They make no neft, but lay them on the ledges of the bare 

 rocks. They are well tafted, and much efteemed, particularly 

 thofe of the Auk. 



Nor untrembling canft thou fee 

 How from a fcraggy rock, whofe prominence 

 Half o'erfhades th' ocean, hardy men 

 Fearlefs of dafhing waves do gather them. 



The common fea-birds breed on the fame cliffs in great num- 

 bers *. I had the curiofity about tvVenty years ago to vifit this 

 famous bird-ifland, towards the middle of J/y, when there is 

 the greatcft mew of birds and eggs, and faw the lar* crJie as thick 

 upon the rocks, and among the marine herbage, as reprefcnted 



' * Sec Rays felel Remains. Itin. ii. p. i8i> top. 185. 



by 



