The odd little Pueein,. so 
eommon on onr coasts, is re- 
markable for the singular shape, 
enormous size, and light colours 
of its beak, which really looks as 
if it had been originally made for 
some much larger bird. Owing 
to the dimensions of the beak it 
is often called the Sea-Parrot, 
or the Coulterneb. 
The Puffin can fly rapidly and 
walk tolerably, but it dives and 
swims supremely well, chasing fish 
in the water, and often bringing 
out a whole row of sprats at a time 
ranged along the side of its bill, 
all the heads being within the 
mouth and the tails dangling 
outside. 
It breeds upon the rocks and 
in the rabbit-warrens near the 
sea, finding the ready-made 
burrows of the rabbit very con- 
venient for the reception of its 
eggs, and fighting with the 
owner for the possession of the 
burrows. 
Where rabbits do not exist, 
the Puffin digs its own burrow, 
and works hard at its labour. 
The egg is generally placed 
several feet within the holes, and 
the parents defend it vigorously. 
Even the Raven makes little of 
an attack, for the Puffin gripes his foe as he best can, and tries to tumble into 
the sea, where the raven is soon drowned, and the little champion returns home 
in triumph. 
The egg is white, but soon becomes stained by the earth. The food of this 
bird consists of fish, crustaceans, and insects. 
The length of this bird is about one foot. 
P UPFIN . — Fraterculci ' Arctic a. 
241 
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