THE PUFFIN. 
423 
birds which so often attract the attention of passengers in 
steam -boats, by remaining qnietly tossing on the waves, 
without seeming to notice the noise and splashing of the 
paddles ; seldom, if ever, taking flight, but usually diving 
and rising again at short distances. The bird, however, by 
no means merits its character for stupidity, as those who 
are the most experienced fowlers find it a very difficult 
matter to catch them, except by means of snares laid near 
their nests. 
Closely allied with these, and by many naturalists more 
or less associated with them, are the Alca tribes, comprising, 
amongst other birds, our Razor-bills and Puffins, which, 
although not generally scattered over our shores, are found 
in prodigious numbers on certain favourite spots, which they 
have from time immemorial selected for themselves. One of 
the most frequented spots for the latter is Puffin Island, near 
Beaumaris ; though further towards the north, they are still 
more widely spread, and may be found during the breeding- 
season, in still greater abundance. They are often called Sea- 
Parrots, from the peculiar form of the beak, capable of 
inflicting very severe wounds, and of which they make great 
use, sometimes to their own disadvantage, as the following 
singular mode of taking them, which does not seem confined 
to our own country, will fully prove. 
“ In Iceland,” says Dr. Henderson, in his missionary 
travels to that island, “ they are caught by means of a hook 
fastened to the end of a stick ; and what is singular, when 
one is dragged out, his companions take hold of him, and 
endeavour to retain him ; by which means they are often 
caught to the number of three or four at a time.” 
“ In Norway,” says Colonel Brooke, “ Puffins breed in 
great numbers on the rocks, and the mode of catching them 
is precisely the same as that adopted in the northern parts 
of Great Britain, with the exception that a dog is trained to 
the sport. The Puffins sitting together in prodigious numbers 
in the deep holes and clefts of the highest rocks, one of these 
little dogs is sent in, which seizes the first by the wing. 
This, to prevent being carried away, lays hold with its strong 
