PUFFIN 497 



Sub-Family FBATEKCULIN^. 

 PUFFIN. Fratercuia arctica (Linnseus). 



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

 51 ; Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pi. 625 ; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vi, pi. 43 ; Booth, ' Kough Notes/ 

 vol. iii, pi. 25. 



Though rather more locally distributed around our 

 coasts than either the Eazorbill or the Common Guillemot, 

 yet the Puffin is one of the most familiar of all rock-birds. 

 This is readily understood ; for even to the most casual 

 observer it is a remarkable-looking Auk, at once attracting 

 attention, especially in the breeding- season, when tame to 

 a degree, it swarms in thousands on certain cliffs. During 

 the winter 1 months, but few birds frequent our coasts, for at 

 that season the vast majority are leading a wandering life 

 on the open sea. 



Like other Auks, this species has been recorded occa- 

 sionally from inland localities, having been blown in from 

 the sea by the storms of late autumn and winter. But even 

 in summer it has been known to appear in strange places. 

 Thus " Mr. Kane relates that early in June 1893 a man 

 in his employment, near Monaghan, brought him a live 

 Puffin in a state of starvation which had walked into his 

 cottage with his ducks " (Ussher). 



Flight. The flight is swift and well sustained and the 

 bird, with rapidly-beating pinions, usually pursues a straight 

 path. On the approach of a steamer, it may be seen at 

 times fluttering over the surface 2 for several hundred yards, 

 as though unable to rise ; generally, however, it endeavours 

 to escape by diving. 



During the breeding-season, Puffins may be seen almost 

 all day long flitting rapidly twixt sea and cliff, some hurry- 

 ing up with food for the young, others returning to the 



1 On January 2nd, 1891, after a storm, I picked up an adult bird on 

 Bray beach, co. Wicklow ; this specimen, which I mounted, proved to 

 be a peculiarly fine one in full winter-dress, showing the smaller and less 

 highly -coloured beak than that which accompanies the nuptial plumage. 



2 I have observed this habit not only in our seas, but also in the Gulf 

 of St. Lawrence where the steamer I was aboard passed through 

 great numbers. 



32 



