Wanderings of a Naturalist 



some hours near to a small colony of nesting razorbills. Under 

 a large boulder, in semi-twilight, there crouched a young 

 razorbill several days old, with the two halves of the egg from 

 which it had emerged lying beside it. The parent razorbill 

 was in the habit of alighting on the top of the boulder with 

 supplies for the youngster, and by very careful stalking I 

 was able to approach to within five feet on several occasions 

 and secure a number of photographs. On arrival the bird 

 usually carried four or five herring fry in her bill, and on one 

 occasion she alighted with no fewer than seven. 



On this flat-topped rock there were wont to congregate 

 half a dozen razorbills, though I do not think that they all 

 had young near; at all events, I was unable to locate them. 

 As they stood together in the warm, still air they used, period- 

 ically, to raise their wings, and after holding them for a 

 second or two outspread, flap them vigorously. They scarcely 

 ever uttered any sound, but when I approached too near for 

 their peace of mind, they used to open their bills in a harassed 

 fashion. One could not help noticing, when at such close 

 quarters, their extremely interesting and intelligent expres- 

 sions, in marked contrast to the somewhat senseless appear- 

 ance of the guillemots. The latter, as they brooded their 

 eggs, gave the impression of being "perfect ladies," though 

 possessed of little sagacity. Their eggs they quite frequently 

 knocked into the sea on being startled, and then shrieked in 

 dismay. 



The study of the puffins which frequented this island, 

 literally in their thousands, was interesting. The birds had 

 certain rocks where they used to go and sit and apparently 

 hold consultations and conversations, and while thus engaged 

 showed a complete lack of fear. Indeed, one individual 

 actually fell fast asleep with head tucked away among its 

 feathers while I was kneeling with camera in position not 

 more than four feet away. 



The puffin is quite a fast flier, though its wings are very 

 small for the size of its body. During days of strong wind 



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