560 



turning a little on its side, so as sometimes to present the back and sometimes the breast to the 

 spectator, and when alighting it always settles abruptly. Its food consists chiefly of Crustacea 

 and small fishes, which it procures by diving; and, like the Guillemot, it moves about with 

 facility under water, using the wings as if in the air, and remaining below a considerable time, 

 rising at some distance from where it disappeared below the surface. When swimming, the body 

 is held horizontal, the neck rather drawn in, and as it proceeds it frequently immerses the head 

 and peers below the surface. When it dives it disappears like a flash, plunging under with 

 considerable force. 



The present species breeds in large numbers amongst the Gulls and Guillemots in the vast 

 breeding-places which are found here and there in suitable localities on the coast. The places 

 selected are high rugged cliffs overhanging the sea, on the ledges of which the sea-birds can find 

 tolerably secure spots to deposit their eggs. The Razorbills usually select the ledges about half- 

 way up the cliff, above those taken possession of by the Guillemots and Gulls ; and often fifty 

 or more of them crowd closely together. A single egg is deposited by each female, no nest 

 being made, the egg being placed on the bare rock without any protection ; and when suddenly 

 disturbed, one or two eggs are not unfrequently knocked over the edge of the cliff-ledge into the 

 sea as the birds take wing. I have visited several breeding-places where the present species, 

 the Puffin, Kittiwake, and Guillemot were breeding in such vast numbers that when disturbed, 

 and all on the wing, they formed a vast cloud in the air, flying so close as almost to impede 

 each other's movements, the noise and confusion reminding one of a vast city. On the 

 ledges the Razorbills sit erect, showing their white breasts, and ranged as regularly as a file of 

 soldiers. The eggs are usually deposited early in May ; and incubation lasts about a month. 

 When hatched the young birds remain on the ledges until fully fledged, when they accompany 

 their parents to the sea and are taught to forage for themselves. The egg of the Razorbill is 

 large for the size of the bird, pyriform in shape, rather elongated, measuring from 2f§ by lf^ 

 to 3-^g- by 2 inches, and vary considerably in markings, some being, comparatively speaking, 

 sparingly, whereas others are closely blotched and spotted. In those in my collection, from the 

 British and Finnish coasts, the ground-colour varies from white to pale stone-buff or buffy 

 white, one having a faint greenish tinge ; the underlying shell-markings are purplish grey, and 

 the surface-spots and blotches are brownish black or black, most being more profusely marked at 

 the larger end. 



In the north of England and in Scotland the Razorbill appears to have diminished con- 

 siderably in numbers during the last few years ; and this species has, it would seem, been more 

 liable than most of its allies to the mortality which has taken place amongst the sea-fowl. 

 Referring to this, Mr. Robert Gray writes (B. of W. of Scotl. p. 438) as follows : — " The Razor- 

 bill is a much less common species than the Puffin or the Guillemot at all the breeding-stations 

 in the west of Scotland. Barra Head and Ailsa Craig may be regarded as its chief haunts, 

 though it is found in limited numbers at the Mull of Oe, in Islay, and other places of minor 

 extent, both in the outer Hebrides and on the western mainland. I may here refer to a very 

 extraordinary mortality which occurred among the sea-fowl of the Firth of Clyde in September 

 1859, and which at the time attracted considerable attention from local naturalists. The prin- 

 cipal victims to this epidemic, if such it may be called, were the Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, 



