DIVING BIRDS 



NEST AND EGGS OF PIED-BILLED GllEBE 



PUFFINS, AUKS and MURRES. 

 Family ALCID^ 



Puffins, Auks and Murres are all sea birds and are only found inland when 

 blown there by some severe storm of winter. At this season numbers of them 

 are apt to lose their bearings and may sometimes be found with their feet 

 frozen in some of our inland ponds. Puffins are heavily built birds in appear- 

 ance, but are very active both on the wing and in the water. Their wings are 

 much larger comparatively than those of the other members of this family, 

 so they are enabled to perform evolutions in the air, which are withheld from 

 the others. They stand upright on the sole of the foot and are able to walk 

 Quite easily on land. Puffins have very heavy and deep but thin l)ills, wliich 

 are entirely unlike those of any other bird and often give then the name of 

 Parrot Auks. Puffins, Auks and Murres are otherwise recognized by the pres- 

 ence of but three toes which are webbed. 



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