Subfamily FRATERCULIN^. 



THE PUFFIN. 



Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 76. 



This oceanic bird spends the greater part of its life at sea, and only comes 

 ashore to breed. Vast numbers arrive about the end of March or a little later, and 

 depart in the latter half of August. 



Its breeding stations are numerous on the mainland and islands of Scotland, 

 while on the eastern side of England colonies are found on the Fame Islands and 

 Flamborough Head ; farther south a few birds nest on the Isle of Wight and in 

 some localities on the south-western coast, becoming numerous again on the Isles 

 of Scilly, Lundy Island, and in Wales. It is also common in Ireland, and inhabits 

 the North Atlantic, ranging from the coasts of Europe to those of Greenland and 

 Labrador. 



Steep grassy slopes overhanging the sea or low turf-covered islands are chosen 

 as nurseries, where the birds dig out tunnels by means of their bills, or occupy 

 narrow openings in the rocks or under stones, and sometimes rabbit-holes are 

 chosen. 



The single egg when first laid is dull white, faintly spotted with pale brown and 

 grey, later becoming more or less soiled and darkened. 



The young, clothed at first in soft fluffy down, used to be much esteemed as 

 food, and the name Puffin, according to Professor Newton {Dictionary of Birds, 

 p. 751), was no doubt applied to these owing to their downy covering. He also 

 states that, " In 1345, according to a document from which an extract is given in 

 Heath's Islands of Scilly (p. 190), these islands were held of the Crown at a 

 yearly rent of 300 Puffins, or 6s. 8d., being one-sixth of their estimated annual 

 value." 



The nestlings are assiduously attended to by the parent birds, who may be seen 

 flying constantly to and fro carrying a supply of small fishes held across the 

 mandibles. 



The curiously shaped and vividly coloured bill of this species resembles the fore 

 iron of a plough, hence its name of Coulterneb. After the breeding season the bill 

 iv. 81 L 



