74 
The sexes are alike in plumage. 
The female lays but one egg, which is 
large in proportion to her size, being nearly 
three inches in length, of a greenish colour, 
blotched and marbled with dusky, so vari- 
able that scarce two are seen alike. They 
seldom quit their eggs unless disturbed, but 
are fed with sprats and other small fish by 
the male. In places where they are seldom 
disturbed, it is with difficulty they are put 
to flight, and may sometimes be taken with 
the hand ; others flutter into the water, ap- 
pearing not to have much use of their 
wings. 
The young seldom leave the rocks till 
they can fly. This species and the Razor- 
bill are indiscriminately called Willochs 
and Murres in some parts. They are found 
in great abundance in various parts of our 
high rocky coasts, from north to south, and 
in some places are so numerous that they 
may be said to swarm. It is not uncom- 
mon to see hundreds sitting upon their 
eggs on the edge of a rock in a line/ nearly 
touching each other. 
Montagu has been at considerable pains 
