468 



Order ALG1E. 



Family ALCID^. 



Sub-Family ALCINJE. 



RAZORBILL. Alca torda (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, pi. 

 47 ; Dresser, ' Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pi. 619 ; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vi, pi. 36. 



The Razorbill 1 figures prominently in the bird-life on 

 our cliffs during the spring and summer months. There, in 

 suitable localities, thousands assemble to take up their 

 breeding-quarters, returning with their offspring to the 

 water in early autumn, to lead a wandering pelagic life. 

 In winter, this Auk and other common members of its 

 kind are little seen around our coasts, as they are scattered 

 far and wide over the surface of the deep. 2 After tem- 

 pestuous weather, numbers are washed ashore. 



I have records of finding Razorbills every month in the 

 year along the Irish coast. Some, notably those taken after 

 a rough winter's storm, were in an emaciated condition, but 

 still showing a flicker of life ; others were plump and, on 

 examination, proved to have met their death by violence. 3 



1 This and other Auks are known in popular language as 'Divers,' 

 or 'Penguins,' but with the true Penguins of the Southern Oceans they 

 have no anatomical affinities. 



2 In autumn, old and young are numerous round our coasts, but in 

 winter, it is chiefly the young that keep near land, especially in stormy 

 weather. 



3 Formerly, when large paddle-steamers were in vogue, I have re- 

 peatedly seen Eazorbills, Guillemots, and Puffins, dive in front of the 

 bow and rise just astern of the paddle-wheels, with wings and legs 

 broken. The birds fluttered and tumbled on the water, where, unable 

 either to rise or dive, they had to run the gauntlet of being torn to 



