THE PUFFIN. 143 



o$ the rabbit is very frequently used as a domicile by this 

 bird, whose powerful beak and aggressive disposition 

 speedily enable it to dispossess the lawful owner of his 

 retreat. Only one egg is laid : it is of a white colour, but 

 soon becomes dirty and discoloured from contact with the 

 bare earth on which it rests, the parent birds making not 

 the least attempt to increase the comfort of their habitation. 

 In places where there are no rabbits to eject, the Puffin, 

 according to some writers, will dig a hole in the earth, and 

 the birds become so absorbed in their occupation that 

 they take no notice of intruders, and will at times allow 

 themselves to be captured rather than discontinue their 

 labours. These burrows are usually about three feet in 

 depth ; they frequently run in a curving direction, and at 

 times are provided with two entrances. 



The young Puffins are, when first hatched, covered 

 with a long dark down, and at that time they are very 

 peculiar-looking ; this down does not come off, but the 

 feathers grow through it. Like other birds of the same 

 family, they are generally very fat. 



The Puffin feeds upon small fish, Crustacea, and marine 

 insects. The flight, considering its wings, is rapid, and 

 both in swimming and diving its capabilities are thoroughly 

 well developed. 



Though fond of the open sea this bird must, to speak 

 fairly, be called a " fair-weather sailor " only, as directly 

 the weather becomes wet and stormy it beats a retreat to 

 terra firma, and sits and dozes about on the rocks in large 

 numbers, and in the most apathetic manner imaginable. 

 Indeed, so dull and insensible to danger are these birds at 

 such times, that almost any number may be taken by 

 merely dropping horsehair nooses over them. It is stated 



