without means of procuring proper fuftenance. When the day 

 arrives for them to depart, they affemble in immenfe numbers 

 on the rocks, from which they are fuppofed to fly for a consider- 

 able diftance, and then to complete their migration on the 

 water ; they ufually fly very near the furface, and are fre - 

 quently obferved to dip their wings in the water, which feems 

 to Strengthen them in their flight. 



Their food principally confifts of fprats and other fmall 

 fifh, and fea-weed ; they retain the food intended for the 

 young, till it is partly digefted, and then difgorge it info their 

 mouths ; their bite is very fevere, they take fuch fecure hold, 

 that the moft common way of taking them is by introducing 

 a flick into their mouths, which they eagerly feize, and will 

 fuffer themfelves to be drawn out with it rather than quit 

 their hold. 



The talk of incubation is performed by both fexes, relieving 

 each other at intervals; as foon as the young one is hatched, 

 the ftrength and courage of the parents feem renewed ; they 

 then bite fo ferocioufly, that few animals will venture to attack 

 them, the cormorant fometimes attempts to feize them, but 

 it meets fuch a rough reception, that it moftly is forced to 

 quit its prey with the lofs of any part the Puffin may have 

 laid hold on ; the young are taken in very conliderable 

 numbers in the ifles of Preifholm and Calf of Man, where 

 they are pickled, and are held in efteem by fome perfons as an 

 article of food. 



On the coaft of Pembrokeshire is a rock to which thefe 

 birds repair in fuch amazing numbers, that it is almoft im- 

 poflible to fet foot on it without treading on them, and when 



difturbed, 



