154 PUFFIN AUK. Class Hi 



collar of black ; but the whole lower part of the 

 body as far as is under water is white, which 

 is a circumstance in common with most of this 

 genus. The tail is black, composed of sixteen 

 feathers ; the legs are small, of an orange color, 

 and placed so far behind as to disqualify the 

 bird from standing, except quite erect ; resting 

 not only on the foot, but the whole length of 

 the leg; this circumstance attends every one of 

 the genus, but not remarked by any naturalist, 

 except IFormius, who has figured the Penguin 

 with great propriety ; this makes the rise of the 

 puffin from the ground very difficult, and it meets 

 with many falls before it gets on wing; but when 

 that is effected, few birds fly longer or stronger. 

 Manners. These birds frequent the coasts of several 

 parts of Great Britain and Ireland; but no 

 where in greater numbers than Priestholm Isle*, 

 where their flocks may be compared to swarms 

 of bees for multitude. They are migratory ; re- 

 sort to the island annually about the fifth or tenth 

 of April, quit it (almost to a bird) and return 

 twice or thrice before they settle to burrow and 

 prepare for ovation and incubation. They begin 

 to burrow the first week in May ; but some few 

 save themselves that trouble, dislodge the rabbits 



* Off the coast of ^rtg/«ey. 



