PUFFINS 



(13) Fratercula arctica arctica 



{Linn.) (Lat. to swell up; Arctic). 



PUFFIN; SEA PARROT. Bill 

 thin and very deep. Ad. in sum- 

 mer — Plumage as shown. Ad. in 

 ivinter and Im. — Bill smaller and 

 less brightly colored; face blackish; 

 feet orange. L., 13.00; W., 6.00; 

 Tar., i.oo; B., 1.85. Nest — A bur- 

 row in the ground or among crevices 

 of rocks. The single white eggs 

 measure 2.50 x 1.75. 



Range — Breeds along the coast 

 from Me. to Ungava. Winters south 

 to Mass. 



(1.3a) F. a. naumanni 



{Norton). 



LARGE-BILLED PUFFIN. 



Slightly larger than the common 

 Puffin. L., 14.50; W., 7.25; B., 2.40. 

 Range — Coasts and islands of 

 the Arctic Ocean. 



toes, fully webbed, the hind toe being absent. The young 

 are covered with down, but remain in the nest for some time 

 before leaving. 



PUFFINS are very grotesque birds, the most noticeable 

 feature, of course, being the exceedingly large, brightly 

 colored bills. Fishennen usually speak of them as Sea 

 Parrots, because of the size of the bills and also because their 

 walk reminds one of a parrot. Puffins are the only members 

 of this family that stand erect upon the soles of their feet, 

 and also the only ones that can walk with ease. 



They are usually quite silent, but utter deep grunts when 

 their homes are invaded. It is a very dangerous operation 

 to attempt to remove by hand a sitting Puffin from its bur- 

 row; they can and will bite very severely. 



As would be expected of a bird belonging to this Order, 

 Puffins are fine swimmers, very buoyant and sit high in the 

 water. They also fly well and find no difficulty in rising 

 either from land or water. 



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