248 
CH ARADRI I FORMES 
Subfamily — Fraterculinae. Puffins 
The puffins are stockily built sea-birds and like the others of the 
family strictly confined to salt water. Their striking peculiarity is a 
highly coloured and tremendously exaggerated bill. This is triangular in 
profile, nearly as deep as long, flattened, and knife-like in section. In 
winter, puffins shed most of the brilliant plates that form their extraordinary 
bill and consequently at that season it is much reduced in size and colora- 
tion. However, immediately after the nesting season, puffins go out to 
sea, where they scatter and are seldom seen in that condition. 
13. Atlantic Puffin, sea parrot, paroquet, le macareux de l’atl antique. 
Fratercula arlica. L, 13. The puffin is a grotesque little diver, black above, white below', 
and with a grey face. It is notable for its absurdly deepened and flattened bill, nearly 
as high as long and highly coloured with reds and yellow's (Figure 367). In winter most of 
this bill is shed (Figure 368). 
Distinctions . East coast. Bill is always distinctive. 
Field Marks. Bill can be recognized in life nearly as far as the bird can be seen. 
Figure 367 
Atlantic Puffin; scale, |. 
Figure 36S 
Atlantic Puffin; scale, *. 
Adult in winter. 
Nesting. Breeds in the crannies and cracks of rocky cliffs or burrows in the soil on 
lonely islets. Along the Canadian Labrador coast there are several “Paroquet” islands, 
so-called from the great numbers of these birds breeding on them. However, the depreda- 
tions of fishermen have sadly reduced their numbers and unless protective steps are taken 
they may shortly be exterminated. 
Distribution. Puffins are distributed over the seacoast on both sides of the Atlantic 
from Canada and England northward far into the Arctic zone. 
A sight of this bird is sufficient for recognition of the appropriateness 
of the names Sea Parrot or Paroquet. Unlike other divers it stands up on 
its toes and is quite agile afoot. 
14. Homed Puffin, le macareux cornu. Fratercula corniculata. L, 14-50. A 
slightly smaller puffin than the Tufted, but with a similarly flattened and deepened bill. 
The whole face is pure white (Figure 369), as is the underbody, and there are no crests. 
Figure 369 
Horned Puffin; scale, $. 
Distinctions. West coast. The black neck and throat 
and white underbody in contrast with the all-black body of 
the preceding species, the only bird likely to be confused 
with it, are unmistakable. It gets its name of “Horned” 
from the peculiar excrescent growth from the eyelids, one 
process of which projects upward nearly half an inch like a 
rather flaccid, erectile horn. 
Field Marks. Puffins in summer are always recogniz- 
able by their big, showy bills. The white instead of almost 
black underparts should be distinctive from the next 
species. 
