ALCIN. 695 
THE RAZORBILL. 
ALca TORDA, Linneus. 
The Aza, or Auks, are pelagic birds endowed with great powers 
of diving, while they swim admirably below as well as on the surface 
of the water. They are found only in the higher or the temperate 
regions of the Northern hemisphere, and have little structural 
affinity with the Penguins of the Southern oceans, with which they 
have been frequently associated, owing to a confusion of popular 
names and a certain superficial resemblance. The Razorbill is one 
of the best known members of the family, and, together with the 
Common Guillemot and the Puffin, may be seen in the tide-way off 
our coasts throughout the year; but all three species can be best 
observed during the breeding-season, when ‘they assemble by 
hundreds and thousands on suitable precipices and island-cliffs 
throughout the United Kingdom. They usually arrive in the 
latter part of March or early in April, and after the duties of in- 
cubation are over they return to the open sea, accompanied by their 
young. The Razorbill is, however, less plentiful than the Guille- 
mot or the Puffin, and is rather more partial to sheltered waters. 
