228 THE NATATORES. 



to struggle with the elements, and almost always to triumph 

 over the dangers which surround them. They go to demand from 

 the abyss food for their wives and children, and the idea animates 

 and sustains their courage. 



THE COMMON GUILLEMOT (Uria Troile). 



ENGLISH SYNONYMS. Lesser Guillemot : Montagu. Foolish Guillemot : 

 Montagu, Selby, Willock, Linn. Marrot, Scout, Sea-Hen, Scuttock : 

 Local. 



LATIN SYNONYMS. Uria Troile : McGillivray, Latham, Jenyns, Bona- 

 parte. Colymbus Troile : Latham. 



FRENCH SYNONYM. Guillemot d capuchon. 



Individuals of this species are to he found dispersed over all our 

 seas, in small parties or singly, during the interval between the 

 breeding seasons. In estuaries, bays, and narrows, where herrings 

 or other fry are abundant, they congregate in vast numbers, along 

 with Auks, Red-throated Divers, and Gulls of various species. 

 About the end of April great quantities may be seen flying in 

 strings along the coast towards their favourite haunts, which are 

 the precipitous cliffs of Flarnborough Head, the Earn Islands, 

 St. Abb's Head, and other well-known spots on the English and 

 Scottish sea-board. No preparation is made for the reception of the 

 eggs, which are deposited in hollows of the rocks and ledges of 

 the cliffs, each female laying .a single one, although a great 

 number are often seen so closely packed together as to be possibly 

 covered by one bird. 



Where the cliffs are lofty and other birds breed with them, the 

 Guillemot occupies a zone above the Kittiwake and below the 

 Razor-bill. " It is interesting," writes McGillivray, with the 

 enthusiasm of one who has tried it, " to visit one of the great 

 breeding-places, to row along the foot of the cliffs in a boat, or to 

 stand on a near promontory, and see the multitudes perched on 

 the rocks, or flying out to sea or returning ; or to look out from 

 the summit upon the groups in sight ; or startle from their stations 

 a whole flock by letting down a large stone ; or to descend by 

 some crevice, clinging with fingers and unshod feet to the little 

 narrow ledges, and creep in among the eggs ; or to be let down, 

 dangling on a rope, half trembling between fear and excitement." 



