PUFFIN. 
55 
tinually moving about, and looking around, by turning its 
bead in all directions. 
In their breeding-places, namely the shelves of rocks, 
great numbers are frequently to be seen sitting in long 
rows on the ledges, looking towards the sea, during which 
time they keep bowing towards each other, and making all 
sorts of amusing movements. The powers of flight are 
considerable in this species ; it has consequently no occasion 
to climb the rocks at any time ; when flying, it proceeds 
by a very quick motion of the wings, which are opened 
to their full extent; and, when a flock is on the wing, they 
resemble a swarm of bees raising and lowering themselves 
at pleasure: at other times they fly in a straight direction, 
near the surface of the water, and continue this for miles 
without apparent exertion. Respecting their powers of 
swimming and diving, nothing need be said, as the usual 
abode and occupation of this species proves the fact of 
its possessing those necessary capacities. 
The call-note of the Puffin sounds like a low and long 
drawn oj’rr, orrr! 
The place of breeding in this species is sufficiently ex¬ 
plained in regard to the locality, namely, the rocky and 
hilly sea-coast; the bird forms a hole, or takes forcible 
possession of a rabbit’s burrow, at the end of* which it 
deposits its single egg on the bare ground, without any 
nesting materials ; the highest and most inaccessible tops 
of perpendicular rocks, where the surface is covered with 
verdure, are in some parts taken possession of by the 
Puffins, in which they dig holes in the surface for the 
reception of the egg; and the number of these birds is 
so great, that the ground seems literally covered with 
them, and appears as if snow-clad. The parent birds are 
very careful of their egg, and instances are on record, when 
both parents having been killed, other old birds of the 
