THE PUFFIN. 



Fratercula aretica. 



|HE Puffin, or, as it is sometimes 

 called, the Sea Parrot and 

 Coulterneb, is certainly one of 

 the most singular-looking birds 

 that visit the sea-coast of 

 Great Britain; and it may 

 safely be affirmed that its dis- 

 position, habits, and general 

 characteristics are quite as re- 

 markable as its appearance. 

 The bill, which is perhaps 

 the most striking peculiarity, 

 is shorter than the head : its 

 height is greater than its 

 length; both mandibles are 

 curved towards the point, and 

 provided with sharp cutting 

 edges ; it is much compressed, 

 and furrowed on the sides in 

 such a manner as almost to 

 suggest the idea that it is 

 covered with a loose sheath ; 

 the basal ridge is yellow, then 

 there is a space of bluishrgrey:,. 



