156 PUFFIN AUK. Crass IL 
gration, that neither Puffin, Razor-Bill, Guil- 
lemot, or Tern, was to be seen there. % 
I must add, that they lay only one egg, which 
differs much in form; some have one end very 
acute; others have both me obtuse; all 
are white. 
Their flesh is excessively rank, as they feed on 
sea weeds and fish, especially Sprats; but when 
pickled and preserved with spices, are admired 
by those who love high eating. Dr. Caius tells 
us, that in his days the church allowed them in 
lent, instead of fish; he also acquaints us, that 
they were taken by means of ferrets, as we do 
rabbits; at present they are either dug out, or 
drawn from their burrows by a hooked stick; 
they bite extremely hard, and keep such hold 
on whatsoever they fasten, as not to be easily 
disengaged. ‘Their noise when taken is very 
disagreeable, being like the efforts of a dumb 
person to speak. 
NotzorSza The notes of all the sea birds are extremely 
Fowl. harsh or inharmonious ; we have often rested 
under the rocks attentive to the various sounds 
above our heads, which, mixed with the solemn 
roar of the waves swelling into and retiring from 
the vast caverns beneath, have produced a fine 
effect. The sharp voice of the sea gulls, the 
