CHAPTER XXII 



THE GUILLEMOT, LITTLE AUK, RAZOR - BILL, AND 



PUFFIN 



Foolish Guillemot, Sea-Mew, Tinkershere, Bad 



Willy, Willock, Scuttock, and Scout, are some of 



the local names for the Common Guillemot. This 



small diver, like its larger allies, for it is formed on 



the same lines, follows the shoals of surface fishes 



all round our shores. Surface-swimming fishes are 



mackerel, herrings, pilchards, sprats, and whitebait. 



As small members of the different species are about, 



as well as larger ones, there are plenty of them and 



to spare. Other marine creatures help to fill the 



stomachs of the birds beside fish, strictly speaking. 



About their breeding haunts or habits we have 



nothing to say, at least we do not feel inclined to say 



anything, for that subject is worn out. They are 



most amusing birds to watch, and, as one of their 



titles indicates, are of a confiding nature. Though 



called foolish, this is not the case ; when diving the 



Guillemots, like the Loons or Sprat Divers, use their 



wings as well as their feet. It is a case of flying 



under the water, and that is the reason the fish are 



not able to get away. 



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