THE PUFFIN. 423 



birds which so often attract the attention of passengers in 

 steam-boats, by remaining quietly tossing on the waves, 

 without seeming to notice the noise and splashing of the 

 paddles ; seldom, if ever, taking flight, but usually diving 

 and rising again at short distances. The bird, however, by 

 no means merits its character for stupidit} r , as those who 

 are the most experienced fowlers find it a very difficult 

 matter to catch them, except by means of snares laid near 

 their nests. 



Closely allied with these, and by many naturalists more 

 or less associated with them, are the Alca tribes, comprising, 

 amongst other birds, our Eazor-bills and Puffins, which, 

 although not generally scattered over our shores, are found 

 in prodigious numbers on certain favourite spots, which they 

 have from time immemorial selected for themselves. One of 

 the most frequented spots for the latter is Puffin Island, near 

 Beaumaris ; though further towards the north they are still 

 more widely spread, and may be found during the breeding 

 season, in still greater abundance. They are often called Sea- 

 Parrots, from the peculiar form of the beak, capable of 

 inflicting very severe wounds, and of which they make great 

 use, sometimes to their own disadvantage, as the following 

 singular mode of taking them, which does not seem confined 

 to our own country, will fully prove. 



" In Iceland," says Dr. Henderson, in his missionary 

 travels to that island, " they are caught by means of a hook 

 fastened to the end of a stick ; and what is singular, when 

 one is dragged out, his companions take hold of him, and 

 endeavour to retain him ; by which means they are often 

 caught to the number of three or four at a time." 



" In Norway," says Colonel Brooke, " Puffins breed in 

 great numbers on the rocks, and the mode of catching them 

 is precisely the same as that adopted in the northern parts 

 of Great Britain, with the exception that a dog is trained to 

 the sport. The Puffins sitting together in prodigious numbers 

 in the deep holes and clefts of the highest rocks, one of these 

 little dogs is sent in, which seizes the first by the wing. 

 - This, to prevent being carried away, lays hold with its strong 



