"without means of procuring proper fuftenance. When the day 
arrives for them to depart, they aflemble in immenfe numbers 
on the rocks, from which they are fuppofed to fly for a confider- 
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 feeras 
to ftrengthen 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 into their 
mouths ; their bite is very fevere, they take fuch fccure hold, 
that the mofl 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 th^n quit 
their hold. 
The tafk 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 mofl:ly 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 confiderable 
numbers in the ifles of Preifholm and Calf of Man, where 
they are pickled, and are held in efleem by fome perfons as an 
article of food. 
On the coaft of Pembroke (hire is a rock to which thefe 
birds repair in fuch amazing numbers, that it is al^noft im- 
poflible to fet foot on it without treading on them, and when 
diflurbed, 
