424 THE BIRDS OF DEVON. 



brought in by the mackerel boats (Zool. 1874, p. 3944). Many are 

 destroyed by south-west gales in early spring (J. G., Zool. 1873, p. 3011), 

 as was the case in February 1872 (M. S. C. R., Zool. 1872, p. 3023), and 

 some, principally young birds, are driven inland by stormy weather, and 

 are then picked up in most unlikely places. Mr. J. B. Gould, of the Pro- 

 bate Court, Exeter, brought us a young Razorbill, a bird of the first year, 

 in the flesh, on February IGth, 1872, which was stated to have been 

 killed with a Woodcock (I) by the same discharge of a gun near Exminster 

 (W. D'U.). Great numbers are also frequently found dead on the shore iu 

 autumn after heavy gales, especially on the north coast of the county (cf. 

 M. A. M., Zool. 1859, p. 67G2). Many Razorbills were thrown up dead 

 on the beach at Seaton after a gale in October 1863. 



We have seen Razorbills in August off Teignmouth and Dawlish (1874 

 and 1883). A young bird still in downy plumage was shot on Torbay, 

 July 7th, 1869 (A. von H., Zool. 1869, p. 1846), and young birds were 

 seen near Plymouth in September 1878 (J. G., Zool. 1878, p. 433). 



The Razorbill breeds on Lundy Island, but is not so numerous there 

 as the Common Guillemot, and in all the great nesting-stations of cliff- 

 birds which we have visited we have noticed the same fact. At the end 

 of April or beginning of May the birds arrive at their favourite cliffs, 

 where there is then a great assemblage of Guillemots, Puffins, Gulls, and 

 Cormorants. The noise made by the different birds is sometimes almost 

 deafening, and as one looks down upon them from the top of the cliff the 

 constant arrivals and departures of the birds, the passing to and fro of 

 little parties, the amount of life and motion, as the black and white forms 

 are continually presenting themselves to the eye, have also a bewildering 

 effect upon the senses until they are gradually accustomed to the busy 

 scene. The Razorbill flies beneath the water after the small fish it feeds 

 upon, and may be met with in little parties of from six to a dozen at some 

 distance from the nesting-station, and throughout the autumn and winter 

 these parties may be encountered far up the Bristol Channel, where we 

 have met them off Clevedon and Portishead. In the summer-time we have 

 seen young Razorbills, not long from the nest, on the Pool at Appledore, 

 and gave chase to one on one occasion, being deceived by its resemblance 

 to a Little Auk ; but it is a rare thing for any of these birds to enter the 

 estuaries, though we have had specimens brought to us taken high up the 

 estuary of the Exe. The Razorbill lays one large e%^, elliptical in shape, 

 on the bare ledges of the cliffs, of a reddish colour, boldly marked with 

 darker blotches, and as there is a great variety in the tints and markings 

 very beautiful specimens are sometimes obtained. 



[Great Auk. Alca impennis, Linn. 



[Gare Fowl.] 



A Great Auk is stated to have been picked up dead near Lundy Island 

 in the jear 1829. The original account, which appeared in Dr. E. 

 Moore's ' Catalogue of the Web-footed Birds of Devonshire,' published in 



