Birds of Massachusetts. 250 
vary their practice according to the climate where 
they make their nests. nek 
The Buacx anc ie Uria grylle, has been 
seen, in severe winters, as far south as Maryland ; 
but is uncommon even as far south as Massachusetts. 
A specimen has been procured at Nahant, by Dr. 
Brewer; but they do not abound this side of the 
Bay of Fundy. At Labrador, they breed in large 
numbers. They are sea-birds in the fullest sense 
of the term, hardly ever going inland, except to 
breed ; and they are so active and successful, in pro- 
curing food, that they can remain and thrive, when 
almost all other birds are driven, by the cold, from the 
northern seas. Like many other sea fowl, they show 
great sagacity in preparing a place for their nest. If 
the fissure in the rocks where they make it, is dry, 
they waste no labor upon it; but if it is likely that 
any water may run there, in the time of rain or dis- 
solving snow, they raise it with pebbles to a sufficient 
height to keep their eggs from being injured. Is this 
instinct, or is it reason? Or, rather, who will point 
out the boundary that separates the two? 
The Foorrsy Guitiemot, Uria troile, so called, 
from its patience in submitting to evils which it can- 
not help, is a hardy inhabitant of northern regions. 
It is said to submit to be killed in the breeding sea- 
son, without attempting to escape; but Audubon, 
who knows more of their habits than any one else, 
does not mention this cireumstance in his inter- 
esting description. The folly of the guillemot seems 
