166 PUFFIN. 



for the south of France, Spain, and other parts of Europe, 

 where it passes the remainder of the year.' 



These curious and grotesque-looking birds are able to 

 inflict a severe bite with their strong bills. They assemble 

 in their native countries in such vast numbers, that Mr. 

 Hewitson describes a flock seen at the distance of a mile 

 as having the appearance of a dark cloud. 



They sit on the ledges of the rocks in long rows, bowing 

 towards each other, and putting themselves into various 

 amusing attitudes. They are restless birds, and continually 

 keep moving or looking about, turning the head first in 

 one and then in another direction. They are rather wary, 

 and take wing or dive on the approach of suspected danger; 

 they are, however, readily tamed, and soon become familiar. 

 Like the next species, whose cognomen sufficiently indicates 

 the keenness of its bite, the vernacular name of the one 

 before us bespeaks the fact that its neb or bill is as strong 

 and sharp as a coulter. 



The Puffin has but indifferent capabilities for walking, 

 leaning on the whole length of the leg and foot, but swims 

 and dives well. It also flies swiftly, in general, for a moderate 

 distance, but for some miles on occasion, and in a straight 

 direction near the water, the wings being opened wide and 

 quickly beaten. 



Their food consists of sprats and young fish, sea-insects, 

 and the smaller Crustacea shrimps, crabs, and others, as also, 

 it is said, sea-weed. 



The note is a low 'orr,' 'orr.' 



The Puffin breeds in precipitous places on the coast and 

 its adjacent islands, seeming to give a preference to such as 

 are covered with a formation of mould. The nest is made 

 both on cliff's and high rocks, and the short verdure which 

 obtains on any level places on the sides or summit of such. 

 These birds either take possession of a rabbit-burrow, often 

 contending with the proper owners for it, or dig a hole them- 

 selves, as a receptacle for their eggs, frequently to the depth 

 of three feet, and often in a curving direction, and with two 

 entrances. A natural cranny or fissure in the rock will 

 equally serve the purpose, or a time-worn hole in an old wall 

 or ruin. 



The egg is deposited at the farther end. Mr. Selby adds 

 that when engaged in digging, which operation is generally 

 performed by the males, they are sometimes so intent upon 



