RAZOR-BILL. 
51 
the earlier or later setting in of the winter; and in March 
or April the bird returns northward again to its breeding 
localities. During these migrations, an interesting circum¬ 
stance may be observed, namely, that when the several 
divisions or groups of a flock descend upon the sea to 
rest themselves, the parties that are behind alight some dis¬ 
tance in advance of those that first settled, so that when 
the first arrived parties have recruited their strength, and 
taken wing again, the later-arrived groups having alighted 
so much in advance, have had time to rest themselves also, 
and are prepared in their turn to follow in the train of 
their former leaders, as soon as these have passed over. 
The Razor-bill always follows the course of the water, 
and flies close to its surface, unless when obliged to raise 
itself for the purpose of alighting on the shelf of a rock. 
Flocks of the present species extend over a great space, 
on account of the birds flying individually very wide 
apart. In every way the present species is a sea-bird; 
its usual abode is the open sea, many miles distant from 
any shore, unless when it occasionally rests upon the 
lower shelf of some rock, or resorts to the higher ones, 
for the purposes of breeding and depositing its eggs in 
safety; very stormy weather only drives it into bays and 
the shelter of high rocky shores ; but on inland rivers and 
freshwater lakes it does not make its appearance. 
The flight of the Razor-bill is performed with a rapid 
motion of the wings. Its gait on shore is very unsteady 
and slow ; if pursued it quickens its pace, balancing itself 
by means of its expanded wings. Swimming and diving 
it performs with great ability. 
The call-note of this bird sounds like the word urrr, 
or orrr, somewhat resembling the sound of a person 
groaning from pain. 
