4 
the size of that of the common domestic 
Fowl, in holes or fissures of the rock; in 
other places they burrow like rabbits if the 
soil is light, but more frequently take pos- 
session of the holes formed by that animal, 
and lay their egg many feet underground; 
at this time they are so intent upon what 
they are about, as to suffer themselves to 
be taken by the hand. During the time 
the young remain in a helpless state, the 
parent birds seem to be totally insensible to 
danger and if taken at that time, and sus- 
pended by their wings, will give themselves 
most cruel bites on any part of the body, 
as if actuated by despair, making at the 
same time a noise* resembling the efforts 
* « The notes of the sea birds are extremely harsh or 
inharmonious : we have often (says a celebrated author) 
rested under the rocks attentive to the various sounds 
above our heads, which, mixed with the solemn roar 
of the waves swelling into and retiring from the 
vast caverns beneath, have produced a fine effect. 
The sharp voice of the Sea Gulls, the frequent chatter 
of the Guillemots, the loud notes of the Auks, the 
screams of the Herons, together with the hoarse, deep, 
periodical crook of the Corvorants which serves as 
a bass to the rest, has often furnished us with a 
