PUFFIN. 
FlUTERCULA ARCTIC A. 
While conversing with the natives in a remote district of the Outer Ilehrides a few years back, I 
listened, among other yarns, to a strange account that was given concerning the manners and customs of 
the Pufidn, in the veracity of which it was evident that my informants placed the most implicit 
confidence. The men stated that this quaint-looking sea-bird (to which they gave the name of Taramie 
Eookie) was the most knowing of all feathered creatures, declaring that after a winter’s absence on the 
open sea large flocks appeared at a certain date (never a day out) on the saltwater lochs, and after 
remaining for a time in the vicinity of the land, the whole assemblage betook themselves v\ith the same 
regularity to their accustomed breeding-haunts on the adjacent rocky islets. It was the custom among 
the fisherfolk and crofters to visit the quarters to which these birds resorted every spring in order to 
obtain a supply of eggs; and so well aware was the astute Tammie Rookie of the annual depredations 
from which he suffered, that on the approach of the robbers he immediately entered the small burrowed 
domicile in which his only treasure w^as concealed and at once rolled out his egg — this action being 
looked upon as a mute and irresistible appeal that his life might be spared *. 
Prom the remarks in several works it will bo seen that the inhabitants on other parts of the 
northern coasts have much the same belief regarding the regularity with which this species seeks the 
land on the approach of spring. An early date is given by certain writers for the arrival of the Puffins 
in the Minch and other waters along the west coast ; I noticed, however, on one occasion that these 
birds did not show on several of the saltwater lochs off the coasts of Harris and Lewis till the 3rd of 
May, when small parties, numbering from six or eight up to a dozen, made their appearance. 
The breeding-stations of the Puffin are so well known that it is needless in these pages to give a 
list of those I have visited. Assemblages of countless thousands are described as occurring along the 
wild and unfrequented coast-line of the Western Highlands. I remarked a few places where they had 
taken up their quarters, but have never had sufficient time to explore only a very small portion of 
the range of rocks they frequented. Though the multitudes that collect in these localities are doubtless 
far greater — so many that I should be unwilling to hazard a guess at their numbers — they might have 
been seen a few years back congregated in thousands at certain hours about the island of Craig Leith 
in the Pirth of Porth. On several occasions during the latter end of July 18G5, while brought up fishing 
about a quarter of a mile to the east of this rocky islet, its whole outline stood out clearly defined as 
the sun gradually disappeared, and a most animated scene was witnessed as long as daylight lasted. 
Clouds of Puffins were flying round ; a few alighted from time to time on any vacant spot, every 
ledge on the rock appearing a living mass of birds, while the sea for several hundred yards around was 
* A bird seized by the hand in its burrow must, while struggling to escape, have kicked out its egg, and in this manner given rise to this 
straiige idea. 
