3 t6 AUK. 



place from the 5th to the 10th of April; but quit the place 

 again, and return, twice or thrice before they fettle to burrow, 

 which they do the firft week in May, when many of them dif- 

 lodge the Rabbits from their holes, by which they fave themfelves 

 the trouble of forming one of their own : in the laft cafe, they are 

 fo intent on what they are about, as to fufFer themfelves to be 

 taken by the hand. It has been obferved that this tafk falls 

 chiefly to the fliare of the males, and that thefe laft alfo affift 

 in incubation: this has been proved on diflfe&ion. The female 

 lays one white egg: the young are hatched the beginning of July : 

 and about the eleventh of Augufi they all go off, to a fingle bird, 

 and fo completely as to defert the young ones that are late 

 hatched ; leaving them a prey to the Peregrine Falcon, who watches 

 at the mouth of the holes for them as they, through hunger, are 

 compelled to come out. Notwithftanding the neglect of the 

 young at this time, no bird is more attentive to them in general, 

 as they will fufFer themfelves to be taken by the hand, and ufe 

 every means of defence in their power to fave them ; and, if laid 

 hold of by the wings, will give themfelves moft cruel bites oa 

 any part of the body they can reach, as if actuated by defpair j. 

 and when releafed, inftead of flying away, will often hurry again 

 into the burrow to their young*. 



The food of thefe birds is fprats, the fmaller kind of crabs, 

 and fea-weeds : they are exceffively rank, yet the young are pre- 

 ferved with fpices, and pickled, and by fome people much ad- 

 mired f . 



* Ar8. Zoo!. 



+ Are potted at St. Kilda and elfewhere, and fent to London as rarities. The 

 bones are taken out, and the flefh wrapped in the fkin ; are eaten wilh vinegar, 

 and tafle like baked Herring. 



They 



