£x on their breeding places early in May ; their nefts arc' 

 compofed of fea-tang, and are placed fo clofe, as frequently-, 

 to touch each other ; they are formed on ridges or fh elves (M 

 the rocks, fometimes near an hundred together ; they lay: 

 but one large egg, frequently exceeding three inches in length, 

 of a greenifh white colour, elegantly marbled with dufky 

 green ; the markings and tints are fo various, that fcarcely ' 

 two eggs are to be feen alike. 



\ 



During the time of incubation, the male is very attentive ii& 

 the female, which but feldom leaves the neft, but is fed by tHi 

 male with fmall fifti. On their fir ft arrival, they are very 

 lean, but foon get into good cafe ; they are not eafily difturbeffl 

 or made to quit their nefts, but will often permit themfelvel 

 to be taken off the eggs, or knocked on the head withouj 

 attempting to efcape or refift, which has given them th<< 

 common name of Foolim Guillemot. 



They fwim very deep, owing to their great weight and fmalj 

 bulk of feathers, thefe are of a filky appearance, generallj 

 without webs ; when in the water they are very active, any 

 are continually diving. They quit our coafts towards the e'ntj 

 of Auguft, and retire northward ; a large part of thofe th|f 

 leave our mores, do not return to breed ; as the number* 

 coming and leaving do not bear any kind of proportion ; tbij 

 young attain the life of their wings about the middle of July* 

 and are then of the fame colour as the parents ; it is very ra|( 

 that any are feen here after the general departure. 



For our fpecimen we are indebted to Arthur Harrison 

 Efq. of Parliament-Street, 



