554 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



the sailors about Tenby also told me that they some- 

 times saw considerable flocks of Puffins during the 

 winter, not far from their old haunt near the mouth 

 of the Bristol Channel, especially in foggy weather ; 

 so that it would seem they do not retire very far 

 during the winter. 



Where they have the opportunity these birds 

 generally lay their eggs either in holes excavated by 

 themselves or else make use of a rabbit-burrow ; but 

 in the absence of soft ground to burrow in or rabbit- 

 holes, they will place their eggs in the natural 

 crevices of the rocks : in either case their eggs are 

 not easily got at, as they generally place them as 

 deep in their holes as they can : it is no joke putting 

 one's hand into these holes, at least without a good 

 thick ferret-glove, and if Mrs. Puffin is at home she 

 will most likely give rather a severe bite even through 

 that. But little nest appears to be made, only a few 

 dry reeds or bents being collected at the bottom of 

 the hole. At this time they appear very tame, 

 scarcely caring to get out of the way of a boat, or 

 even of the paddle-wheels of a steamer : in some 

 places where they are numerous, as at Tenby, they 

 suffer severely for this tameness, especially if they 

 are pretty thick, as several may be killed and 

 wounded at a shot. At Lundy I have seen them 

 run out of their rabbit-holes close by one, and 

 appear very much inclined to have a bite at one's 

 toes: at such times they would seem to be very 



