1894.I 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



3 1 



its predecessor, resents any molestation, but is more sociable, and is to 

 be found in spots frequented by the Herring Gull. 



Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). — Is generally seen following a 

 vessel at sea, or attending the movements of a shoal of fish, and is 

 frequently seen inland in newly-ploughed fields. It usually selects a flat 

 ledge for its nest, in which as a rule it lays three eggs, which strongly 

 resemble those of the Lesser Black -backed Gull, and can only be 

 distinguished from that bird's by being somewhat larger, and by a more 

 confluent character of the blotches. 



Kittiwake Gull (Rtssa tridactyla). — Takes its name from the cry 

 with which, in the breeding season, it assails any intruder on its domain. 

 Its plumage is beautiful ; it is graceful in flight, and, like the Herring 

 Gull, generally builds in the face of a precipitous cliff on a narrow ledge. 



Common Guillemot (Lomvia troile). — One of our common sea birds 

 during a great portion of the year, though little known to seaside visitors 

 owing to its habit of keeping well out to sea. They may be seen during 

 a voyage — in flocks — diving, during which they use both wings and feet. 

 In the breeding season they throng together from all parts of the open 

 sea, and repair to some lofty cliff which they deem inaccessible, and lay 

 a single egg, on the bare rock, which varies considerably both in ground 

 colour and general markings ; and it is almost impossible to pick half a- 

 dozen out of many scores that are precisely alike. I would here like to 

 call your attention to a wonderful provision of nature. The egg is thick- 

 shelled ; one end is thick, and the other tapers almost to a point. 

 Consequently, if moved by the parent bird when taking flight, it simply 

 spins round and round within the length of its own axis. 



Black Guillemot {Uria g/ylle). — Is a smaller bird than the Common 

 Guillemot. In summer it may be readily distinguished from other sea 

 birds by its black and white plumage and red feet ; but in winter, the 

 predominant tint is white with a tinge of grey, and in higher latitudes 

 the proportion of white increases. 



Puffin (Fratercula arctica). — Known as the " Tamie Norrie." It builds 

 on the Skerry in innumerable numbers. With their strong beaks they 

 excavate holes about three feet in length, in which they lay a solitary 

 egg ; they swim and dive with great skill, and have considerable powers 

 of flight, but on land, their gait is only a shuffling attempt at progress. 

 I noticed that when taking flight they always headed the wind, evidently 

 to aid them in rising from the ground, and they seem so regardless of 

 strangers that on more than one occasion I kicked them before they 

 would show any sign of moving. They feed the young ones on sand eels, 

 carrying as many as six or eight at a time ranged along the side of the 

 bill, all the heads being within the mouth, and all the tails dangling out- 

 side. Unlike the other sea birds, their call is a deep groan, which you 

 only occasionally hear coming from the nesting hole ; I think this is rather 



