BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



rises again to the right or left, ahead or astern, and 

 the salt spray rolls off his plumage glinting like 

 diamonds in the sun. Should fish be plentiful the 

 birds are diving and rising again incessantly, the 

 time of absence depending upon the depth descended 

 or the length of the chase. The Razorbill ever 

 seems to use its wings with reluctance on these 

 occasions, always keeping out of harm's way by 

 diving or swimming. It is capable of rapid flight 

 though, and may often be seen in strings or skeins, 

 hastening along just above the waves to or from a 

 favourite fishing place. The Razorbill is gregarious 

 enough during summer, but in winter it is most 

 frequently seen in small parties, or often alone. It 

 also goes some distance from land, where, should a 

 gale overtake it, great numbers often perish, as their 

 dead bodies washed up on the coast sadly testify. 

 The food of the Razorbill is largely composed of 

 fry, especially of the herring, but many other small 

 fishes are captured, together with crustaceans and 

 other small marine creatures. The bird, so far as 

 my experience extends, never seeks its food upon 

 the shore, and obtains most, if not all, of it by 

 diving. The Razorbill is a remarkably silent bird ; 

 the only sound I have ever heard it utter has been 

 a low grunting. This note is uttered both in summer 

 and winter, on the rocks as well as on the sea. 



In May the Razorbill gives up its roaming, 

 nomad life upon the sea, and collects in numbers at 

 the old-accustomed breeding-places. These are 



