412 
DIVERS. 
sonal strength alone to support him ; which if failing, the fowler 
IS dashed to pieces or drowned in the sea which roars and 
heaves below. 
In order to study the habits of these marine birds, the cele- 
brated Edwards spent several days among these terrific and 
roniantic rocks. It a cannon was fired, the air was darkened 
uith a black cloud of the cliff birds, which issued by thousands 
fiom every hole and cranny, as if summoned into sudden exist- 
ence by the work of enchantment. They fly about in silence 
near to the surface of the sea, iierform a few circuits, and on 
the removal oi the cause of alarm return soon to their eyry, or, 
alighting on the waves, dive out of the way of harm until well 
assured that no enemy is near. 
I hese Auks lay but one egg except when robbed of the first, 
and if this is taken they will sometimes give a third. Mr. 
Audubon found them breeding in great numbers on the coast 
of I.abrador, generally taking iiossession of the most rugged 
and preci]5itous isles, in the deep indentations and fissures of 
which they crowded, and deposited their eggs as near together 
as distinct proprietorship would admit, — commonly upon a 
nest of pebbles, artificially collected together, under and between 
which the dripping waters and melting ice thus passed without 
ever coming in contact with the eggs. I’he Murre sits on her 
nest in an upright posture, and with her head facing the wind. 
The young are fed by regurgitated food until they attain a con- 
siderable size, after which the small fish, on which old and 
)-oung principally feed, are merely laid before them. They 
leave their rock or nest when about half grown, and then 
immediately commence fishing for themselves. Thousands of 
these birds are here seen breeding on the same rock. 
I he flight of the Razor-bill is rapid, and according to Mr. 
Audubon sometimes even greatly protracted, but low above 
the surface of the water, and .sustained by a constant stilf and 
short flapping of the wings. It dives to great depths and 
swims under the surface with considerable velocity, using its 
wings as flattened fins, and in this manner, like the Divers, 
it may be seen pursuing and seizing its prey. 
