Order ALCiE. 



Family ALCID^E. 

 Subfamily ALCINAE. 



THE RAZORBILL. 



A lea torda, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 76. 



Common throughout the year in British waters, the Razorbill comes inshore in 

 spring, and breeds in vast numbers on precipitous sea-cliffs on the mainland and 

 islands. It breeds in suitable localities in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Europe, as 

 well as in America, and wanders southwards in winter. 



The single egg is laid sometimes on an open ledge of rock, or more often in 

 some sheltered cranny or recess, and in colour and markings it varies less than that 

 of the Guillemot, while it is less pyriform in shape. The usual ground-colours are 

 a pale brownish-buff or dull white, rarely showing any greenish tint, with blotches 

 and various streaks and dashes of umber-brown and black. 



Under the guidance of the parent birds, the young somehow manage to reach 

 the water before they can fly, and soon learn to obtain their own food, which 

 consists of fish and crustaceans secured by diving. 



The Razorbill occasionally utters a low croaking note, but is otherwise a silent 

 bird. Its flattened knife-like bill and pointed tail suffice to distinguish it from the 

 Guillemot. 



THE GREAT AUK. 

 A lea impennis, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 76. 



A most interesting and concise history of this "much-lamented" bird, exter- 

 minated over seventy years ago, has been given by the late Professor Newton in 

 his Dictionary of Birds under its old name of Gare-fowl, from which it appears 



76 



