2i 4 THE BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES. 



to attempt to describe the infinite variations of 

 colour and markings displayed on the shell of 

 the Guillemot's egg greens, browns, buffs, blues, 

 and whites of every shade represent the ground 

 colours ; browns, grays, and pinks of equal di- 

 versity the markings. In shape these markings 

 are as diversified as in colour streaks, spots, 

 blotches, pencilled lines, and irregular masses, 

 all occurring in delightful variety. The Razor- 

 bill, on the other hand, requires a cranny or 

 a hole in the broken cliffs in which to deposit 

 her egg, where it is usually well concealed from 

 view. I have known it laid in a hole in the 

 ground. Although nothing near the amount of 

 variation is to be seen in the eggs of this species, 

 they exhibit considerable diversity. The ground 

 colour varies to every shade between white and 

 brown, and the very bold and decided blotches 

 and spots from dark liver - brown to grayish 

 brown. It is a curious fact that no green of 

 any shade is ever seen on the Razorbill's eggs, 

 but when held up to the light the inside of the 

 shell is a beautiful pea-green. Both species only 

 rear one young bird each season, but they 

 will lay several eggs in succession if they are 

 removed. Vast numbers of these eggs are 

 gathered for food, especially at St. Kilda. I 

 have here seen the men, when they chanced to 

 get to a part of the cliff where eggs were un- 

 usually abundant, take off their coats and fill 

 the sleeves with the spoil nay, more, they have 

 even divested themselves of their nether gar- 

 ments and turned them into temporary sacks, 

 rather than leave the harvest behind. For- 

 tunately St. Kilda is an out-of-the-way place,. 



