154 
MANNERS 
PUFFIN AUK. Crass Il. 
collar of black; but the whole lower part of the 
body as far as is under water is whitey which 
is a circumstance in common with most of this 
genus. ‘The tail is black, composed of sixteen 
feathers; the legs are small, of an orange color, 
and placed so far behind as to disqualify the 
bird from standing, except quite erect; resting 
not only on the foot, but the whole length of 
the leg; this circumstance attends every one of 
the genus, but not remarked by any naturalist, 
except /Vormius, who has figured the Penguin 
with great propriety; this makes: the rise of the 
puffin from the ground very difficult, and it meets 
with many falls before it gets on wing; but when 
that is effected, few birds fly longer or stronger. 
These birds frequent the coasts of several 
parts of Great Britain and Ireland; but no 
where in greater numbers than Priestholm Isle*, 
where their flocks may be compared to swarms 
of bees for multitude. They are migratory; re- 
sort to the island annually about the fifth or tenth 
of April, quit it (almost to a bird) and return 
twice or thrice before they settle to burrow and 
prepare for ovation and incubation. They begin 
to burrow the first week in JZay; but some few 
save themselves that trouble, dislodge the rabbits 
* Of the coast of Anglesey. 
