424 
RAZOR-BILLS AND GUILLEMOTS 
beak of the bird next to it, which in like manner seizes its 
neighbour, and the dog continuing to draw them out, an 
extraordinary string of these birds fall into the hands of the 
fowler. They are in Norway taken for their feathers, which 
are valuable.” 
Social as they appear, and attentive to their young, there 
yet seems to be a curious exception occasionally occurring 
towards the close of the breeding- season, when, on their 
departure, the broods of the latter hatches are left a prey for 
the Peregrine Falcon, who watches at the mouth of the holes, 
and seizes the poor starving nestlings, when compelled 
through hunger to quit their inner-chambers, thus escaping 
the lingering pains of famine by a more violent and immediate 
death. 
With respect to the Razor-bills and Guillemots, we shall 
again refer our readers to the same rock -scenery of the South 
Stack, already noticed in our observations on Gulls, where, 
as on a stage of Nature’s theatre, we have often watched 
their motions from the verge of a projecting little promontory, 
or arm of rock, immediately facing a precipice beyond the 
reach of human intrusion, intersected by innumerable 
fissures, crevices, ledges, and shelves, admirably adapted for 
tenants requiring such accommodations, and where, accord- 
ingly, an army of Razor-bills and Guillemots have taken up 
their position, almost, though not entirely to the exclusion of 
the Gulls; and therein, as if conscious of their safety, (it 
being an inviolable rule never to disturb them,) they carry 
on their usual occupations with the most perfect unconcern, 
permitting an observer to enter fully into their domestic 
arrangements. 
At our last visit, closely jammed, in a lateral niche, just 
opposite, sat seventy-two Guillemots, all bowing their heads 
at each other, with a gravity and solemnity quite unaccount- 
able. On they went for above a quarter of an hour without 
intermission; each nodding slowly to its neighbour, who, 
with equal composure, nodded as slowly in return. Now and 
then, on another ledge, one or two would come in from a 
