i3° British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs 



Thus at Flamborough, although I did not observe any signs of the two species 

 objecting to one another's near neighbourhood, certain parts of the cliffs, from their 

 nature and formation, are found to be more resorted to by Razorbills than others. 



Young and old leave their breeding stations in August; I have seen adults 

 in summer dress, and immature birds small enough to retain the black throat, in 

 the first week in September, close in shore on the Norfolk coast, and have known 

 the young obtained there when only half grown, while I was assured that quite 

 small birds in down are sometimes procured. A careful and trustworthy observer 

 told me that he once saw an old bird off shore accompanied by two young ones, 

 and that the parent looked from side to side at them and took the greatest care 

 of them both. I have not been able to discover any recorded instance of a 

 Razorbill hatching two eggs, nor can I think this possible; but Mr. Mcllwraith 

 states that the eggs are "one or two" ("Birds of Ontario"). No authority is, 

 however, given for the statement. 



The Razorbill when beneath the surface, uses its wings and flies through the 

 water ; Seebohm says it is aided by its feet. It flies rapidly in a direct line, but 

 naturally has no great command of wing. The old birds are very tame in the 

 breeding season, and allow a boat to come within a few feet of them before diving 

 out of the way. They have a much neater appearance on the water than 

 Guillemots, which have a way of poking their heads forward ; Razorbills hold 

 their heads drawn further back ; their longer tail sticks up conspicuously. They 

 are often seen dipping their heads under water, probably picking up some food 

 near the surface. On the cliffs they may sometimes be seen sitting with their 

 formidable beaks partly open, and sometimes a mild fight takes place. I once saw 

 a pair fondling one another with their beaks — at least they appeared to be doing 

 so ; they certainly " billed " after a fashion, if they did not exactly coo. 



The Razorbill is considered to be a far from noisy bird, but at a large 

 breeding station it is difficult to say how much, if any, they contribute to the 

 babel of voices which occasionally breaks out. Its usual note is a low croaking 

 noise, but it is seldom heard. The cry of the young bird is loud and shrill ; 

 Saxby says it is between a chirp and a whistle. 



The food of the Razorbill consists chiefly of the fry of fish (carried diagonally 

 in the bill according to Mr. Saunders), procured by diving, or picked up by dipping 

 the head below the water in times of great abundance. 



In winter, previous to stormy weather setting in, the birds have been observed 

 to be very restless, and to change their quarters. And during long continued 

 stormy and bad weather they suffer greatly from hunger. The great destruction 

 which takes place among these birds (to a greater extent than in the case of the 



