846 



BRITISH BIRDS 



than half the size of the vanished bird, but is its nearest living 

 representative. Throughout the year the razorbill is not an un- 

 common species in the seas that surround the British Islands, but 

 is very much less abundant than the common guillemot, which it 

 most nearly resembles in its habits. That it will become still 

 less common than it is at present is greatly to be feared. For some 

 time past it has been decreasing in numbers on all our coasts, 

 from what cause is not accurately known. On this subject Howard 

 Saunders writes : ' This may partly be owing to severe visitations of 

 mortality which have from time to time affected many sea-birds, 

 but especially the present species.' Whether killed by an epidemic 

 to which they are liable, or starved to death, as some naturalists 

 think, it is certain that they perish in large numbers. On the south 

 coast I have seen their dead bodies, washed up by the waves during a 

 severe gale, lying in hundreds on the beach ; and the same distressing 

 spectacle has been witnessed by others at various points on the 

 coast. 



The razorbill is a handsome species, with shiny white under- 

 plumage, the black upper parts relieved by a stripe of pure white on 

 the head and a narrow white bar across the wing. The black, axe- 



FIG. 118. RAZORBILL (winter plumage). ^ natural size. 



like beak is also crossed in its deepest part with a white mark 

 in the form of a crescent. Its life is mostly passed in the water, 

 where it sits high and floats buoyantly like a duck. It feeds chiefly 

 on small fishes, for which it dives, and when pursuing them uses 

 the wings as well as feet in propulsion. On the sea the razorbills 



