134 BUFFON'S SKUA RAZORBILL. 



BUFFON'S OR LONG-TAILED SKUA 



(Stercorarius parasiticus) . 



An uncommon and irregular visitor. Usually seen in the 

 North. It is smaller than the last, and has the central tail 

 feathers very long. 



ORDER PYGOPODES. 



Family ALCID^E. 

 RAZORBILL (Alca torda). 



Resident, though it is a pelagic wanderer all the year except 

 in the breeding season, when it resorts to precipitous cliffs, 

 notably in Scotland, Flamborough, Isle of Wight, on Dorset, 

 Devon, and Cornish coasts, Lundy Island, Isle of Man, and 

 Irish coasts. 



Plumage. Upper parts greenish black. Throat deep velvety 

 brown. Secondaries tipped with white ; under parts white. 

 Bill axe-shaped, with white stripe from eye to base of 

 culmen. Legs and feet blackish. Length 17 in. Female 

 similar. In winter the green sheen on upper parts is lost, and 

 throat and cheeks are white. Young : like the adult in winter 

 dress; young in down, blackish brown above, dingy white 

 below. 



Language. Usually rather silent. It makes several curious 

 noises, which may be compared to those of the Gulls, or to low 

 moanings, or gruntings. 



Habits. Eminently sociable, and in the breeding season 

 may be found on the rocky ledges of its home in countless 

 numbers with the Guillemot. It sits on a ledge slightly in- 

 clined forwards, owing to the backward position of its legs. 

 At all times pelagic, it may be observed in small companies 

 swimming equally well on the surface or below the water, where 

 it catches fish. Its flight is like the diving Ducks', and, like 

 them, it also flies in line. 



Food. Fish and Crustacea. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In some cranny in the sea-cliffs, or under a rock. 



Materials. None. 



Eggs. One. Very variable, but less pyriform than the 

 Guillemot's, and seldom with any green colouring. Usually 

 whitish or pale brown, blotched and spotted with rich dark 

 reddish brown and black. 



