128 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



GUILLEMOT. 



Of all the various sea birds that cluster on the 

 cliffs of Albion this species, the Uria troile of most 

 modern ornithologists, is by far the commonest, 

 and of the present family of birds the most widely 

 distributed. During summer it may be met with in 

 colonies of varying numbers, here and there on 

 most of our rocky coasts, from the Scilly Islands to 

 the Shetlands, from Flamborough Head in the east 

 to the Blaskets in the west. Not, perhaps, so 

 familiar to the sea-side wanderer as the Gull, whose 

 aerial habits bring it more frequently into notice, the 

 Guillemot, nevertheless, is a seldom absent feature 

 of marine bird life. It is gregarious and social at 

 all times, but joins into greatest companies during 

 the season of reproduction. When the nesting 

 season has passed the birds spread themselves more 

 generally along the coast and out at sea, and it is at 

 such times that they are most ubiquitous. Between 

 October and March the Guillemot may often be 

 met with swimming close in shore, in quiet bays, 

 and especially in the neighbourhood of fishing 

 villages. On these occasions it is not particularly 

 shy, and will allow a sufficiently close scrutiny, but 

 it is ever wary, diving at the least alarm, and 

 appearing again well out of danger. The Guillemot 

 swims well and buoyantly ; it also dives with 

 remarkable agility, and obtains most of its food 

 whilst doing so. The Guillemots are rarely seen 



