Puffin 



PUFFIN 



Pratercula arctlca (Linnaeus) 



One of the most fascinating points in connection with 

 this quaint bird is that for at least six months in every 

 year we know nothing, or comparatively nothing, of its 

 habits or whereabouts. 



Towards the middle of April it suddenly appears at 

 certain well-known haunts and proceeds forthwith to set up 

 housekeeping. 



A hole or cranny in a rock or, where possible, a rabbit- 

 burrow is fixed upon as its home, and the same entrance 

 is often shared by several pairs as well as the rabbit. 



A weird little creature is our friend as he sits bolt up- 

 right on his doorstep, turning round every now and again to 

 bill and coo with his mate, their large orange-red beaks and 

 feet showing up brightly against their black-and-white 

 plumage. The wings are so short that this bird finds 

 some difficulty in rising from a flat surface, and when on the 

 wing will often fly round in spiral curves in order to reach 

 the summit of the cliff. In flight the legs are held spread 

 out behind on either side of the very short tail and help 

 to act as rudders. 



The large single white egg being laid, both birds take 

 their turn at incubation, and invariably sit with their head 

 facing the entrance, and woe betide any one who by mistake 

 enters the wrong hole, for their beaks are exceeding sharp 



38i 



