304 ALCID^E. 



Order PYGOPODES. Family ALCID^ffiJ. 



353. Alca torda, Linnseus. The Razor-bill. 



Moorish. Bou-drihima (Favier). Spanish. Gallareta de mar. 



Favier only says of this species that it "is found near Tangier 

 from November to February." 



The Razor-bill, in some winters, appears in the Straits in very 

 large numbers, as in the winter of 1871-72, when, during 

 February, they were to be seen in all directions about Gibraltar 

 Bay, some coming into the New Mole so close to the land that 

 we threw stones at them, and they lingered on very late, as I saw 

 ten on the 19th, one on the 21st, and two on the 28th of March, 

 and one on the 7th of April. In this case their appearance was, 

 no doubt, attributable in the first instance to heavy gales and 

 storms outside the Straits. 



In 1877 I saw one at the New Mole during the last week in 

 May. In March, 1882, there were vast numbers off Malaga. 



Bill black, straight, large, much decurved towards point, with curved 

 white line across centre on each side; upper mandible hooked, with three 

 grooves across. 



In summer. Above black, with green gloss ; secondaries tipped with 

 white, forming a band; narrow white streak from base of upper mandible 

 to eye; below white, but chin and throat blackish. 



In ivinter. Green gloss above nearly absent ; chin, throat, and sides of 

 head white; in young birds bill less developed. Length 17 inches. 



354. Uria troile (Linnseus). The Common Guillemot. 



This Guillemot is occasionally seen in small numbers about 

 the Straits in winter, especially after severe weather from the 

 westward. 



Bill blackish, straight and pointed. 



In summer. Head, neck, and upper surface dark brown; below white. 

 In winter. Throat and sides of head white. Length 18 inches. 

 The Ringed Guillemot is a race or variety, with a white ring round the 

 eye and a white line running backwards therefrom. 



