256 



cassell's book of birds. 



the latter in the peculiar structure of their bill. The beak is of moderate length, very narrow, and very 

 high ; the upper mandible bends like a bow along the culmen, while the lower one turns angularly 

 upwards, and is furrowed towards its base : the cutting edge, which is also curved, is exceedingly 

 sharp. The tail is short, and consists of twelve narrow feathers : the wings are slender, long, pointed, 



% - 



it •; ! 





AN ASSEMBLAGE OF AUKS. 



and sometimes sabre-shaped. In their habits and modes of life these Strange-looking birds closely 

 resemble the Guillemots. 



THE RAZOR-BILL. 



The Razor-bill (A/or tordd) is from sixteen to seventeen inches long, by twenty-six and a half 

 to twenty-seven in breadth : the length of wing is eight inches, and that of tail three and a half. 



