How Animals Work. 



then the tunnel will be diverted to one side of it ; while, 

 should too many obstructions be found, the bird will 

 abandon the half -formed tunnel, and start a fresh boring 

 at another spot. The nest within the gallery is indeed 

 a strange and malodorous one, consisting of a few fish 

 bones sprinkled on the bare earth floor of the chamber, 

 which increase in number as time goes on. 



The Puffin is also a true burrower, but is by no 

 means so anxious voluntarily to undertake the task of 

 excavation as are the Sand Martin and the Kingfisher ; 

 indeed, where possible, it will always take possession of 

 an already existing tunnel and adapt it to meet its 

 requirements. A rabbit's burrow is eagerly annexed ; 

 and although poor bunny may vigorously protest at this 

 undesirable intrusion upon her domain, she is generally 

 compelled to beat an ignominious retreat before the 

 scolding wrath and fierce onslaught of the Puffin's 

 powerful beak. Where, however, such easy lodgment 

 is not to be obtained, the Puffin makes the best of the 

 circumstances, and sets honestly to work on its own 

 account to excavate a burrow. The male bird is chiefly 

 occupied in the task, though he receives a certain amount 

 of help from his mate, and becomes quite engrossed 

 in his labours. With his strong bill he digs out a tunnel 

 about three feet in length, which is seldom straight 

 but takes a more or less curved form, and is generally 

 furnished with a second entrance. At the end of the 

 burrow no nest is formed, the Puffin laying its large, 

 whitish egg on the bare earth. 



The Green Woodpecker, the Yaffle or Rain-bird -to 

 give it its dear old country names is a notorious ex- 

 cavator in wood, so that he really more deserves the 



186 



