The Tufted Puffin 



TAKING Ol 



Later the Puffins settle upon the surface of the water until the sea 

 is black with them. Each bird dives, if only for a moment, upon the 

 instant of alighting; and it may be that they find it difficult to effect this 

 exchange of medium without a spill. Rising also requires an effort, des- 

 perate, if the sea is smooth, but easier in proportion to the increasing 

 strength of the wind. Once the invader has left, or else secreted himself, 

 the Puffins return rapidly to reclaim the cooling eggs, or to take up the 

 sober vigil at the burrow's mouth. Each alights with uplifted wings 

 held well back. The wings are also lifted from time to time as though 

 to rest them, and they are brought into requisition as balancers whenever 

 the bird attempts to walk. Be the going ever so easy, the Puffin shifts 

 about as gingerly as the slack-wire performer. 



A Puffin's bill is so remarkable a creation that a glance at its structure 

 may not be out of place; though as to what may be the necessity of this 

 powerful crushing organ we are frankly ignorant. The bird is not a 

 shallow-water feeder, and so has no need to reduce bivalves. Moreover, 

 in the breeding season it seems to subsist upon small fish, especially the 

 sand launce {Animodytes personatus Girard), which are easily taken by 

 the slender-billed Murre. And, if the bill were designed to cope with 

 some stubborn viand of the middle sea, why reduce its size in winter? 



1510 



