or sixty crowded into a solid mass, and each sitting on the shelves being larger or smaller ; but in general sitting solitarily, if one may et in breadth, one may often see fifty 1ent occurrence, d sometimes an individual is seen ance than three or four feet at furthest. When a ft their nests and flew about, while some, in their and_as many fe Such masses are of freqt or four are seen together; an rounded by others at no greater dist say SO when it 1s sur shot was fired, most of the birds in the neighbourhood le o, raised with their wings an uninterrupted splashing of the water fell into the sea, and, on emerging ards from the base of the rocks. After a succession of shots almost the whole body nting the appearance of a kind of cloud, which occupied a quarter of a mile ly distinguish the blue sky from the flakes of white vapour. In ed in the same direction, wheeling in a circle. eat that they could not conveniently fly at d, in which the cries of individuals its own egg. two or three, hurry, some hundred y seemed to be on the wing, prese and through which one could scarce -oss much, but generally Mov from their number being so gr al mass of harsh soun square, their flight the birds did not ct This disposition probably arose random. Their mingling screams produce a gener cannot be distinguished. and bustle of these winged inhabitants digious numbers I could compare to and, many flying from the rocks, many returning to «The noise of the rocky isle reminded me of the stir of some great city, and their pro nothing but the shoals of some species of fish. Many were fishing on their eggs, many resting on shelves and Such was the appearance of the plac tirred on our account, however close the boat the smooth sea around the isl crags along the edge of the water ; but by far the greater number were seated on their eggs. e when the birds were not disturbed: and they were not very excitable; for, unless after a shot, none s It was not uncommon to see them arranged in a line extending several yards along a fissure; and ight, especially when their white breasts appeared ; for they stand uearly erect. -places, to see these birds flying over the sea in small flight, beating their short wings without intermission, came. this formed a very pretty s ‘Tt is pleasant, at a distance from their breeding ally in single file, with a direct and rapid as at one time to present the breast, at another the back, to ail are direct, the wings extended, and never brought close troops, gener but frequently turning a little to either side, so the spectator. In flying, the head, body, and t to the sides, but acting in alternate movements in a nearly vertical direction. In alighting, they settle abruptly ; but as they never alight fron they have an awkward and hobbling never seen them alight on a sandy beach or on pasture-grounds. ‘Tt is usually on the open sea, around their breeding-places, but often at the distance of many miles from of small fishes—young herrings for example— n above, they sustain no injury from the slight shock. On the rocks motion, and can scarcely be said to be capable of walking. I have them, that they search for their food, which consists chiefly and crustacea, which they procure by diving. In swimming, they keep the body nearly horizontal the neck ¢ . > retracted, and, as they proceed, frequently immerse their head, as if exploring the deep. In diving, they . 5 : suddenly elevate the hind part of the body, spread out their wings a little, plunge with great force, and thus fly off, using their wings under water much in the same manner as when flying in the air. They can remain a considerable time under, and are often seen to rise at a great distance. In general it is not . : g difficult to approach them on the water, as they allow a boat to come within shooting-distance ; but, as they . . ° a i dive very suddenly, it is not always easy to shoot them. I have never heard them emit any other cry than a low croaking sound. If a wounded bird be seized, it bites severely, and is with difficulty disengaged “The egg, which is lai 1 inni ‘ is oa 3 ; egg, which 1s laid in the beginning of May, is excessively large, of an oblong shape, somewhat pyriform, but more rounded at the small end than that of the Guillemot, its average length 3 inches, or . : rather less, its greatest breé i ; The er , is i a : i x : gree breadth 2 inches. The ground-colour is white, greyish white, or brownish white, largely blotched or clouded, and spotted and sprinkled, with deep brown or black, with spots of paler brown and light purplish blue interspersed.” The chick is covered with down, which is white on the head and neck, and of a dark brown on the upper surface, and has the bill slaty black, with a small knob of white near the tip. The sexes are alike 1 re W i : ‘ ; . alike in plumage when adult, and in summer have a narrow line from the bill to the eye, he under surface, and the tips of the greater wing-coverts i i i ee a ae I the greater wing-coverts white, the chin and the remainder of the ay nC a0 ale ° ° y - ae slack, bill black, crossed about the middle by a nearly vertical narrow band of white ; eos and feet dark ee re en ee Br : : a | et dark leaden grey, becoming lighter on the toes ; and the nails black. ve throat, which is black in st ar , ; pur ite In wi : ee fe | : bee becomes pure white in winter, and the white hair-like line between é e eye less distinct, u not < r abser - S ' ; 7 i oe. oS oo 4 = altogether absent. Dr. Saxby states, in his. ‘ Ornithological Notes 8 at he sho é alti eee eo a female at Balta Sound on the 17th of December, the entire plumage of which vas precisely similar to that described as “ peculiar to this species in wi i i i Fe et fae species in winter, with the single exception rere being no white line between the base of the bill and th % ae and the eye,” and remarks, ‘‘ I am unable to account or its absence ; for, so far asI am able to ascertai | : i j ge oon ‘rtain, such a mark becomes apparent even im young birds soon er they leave the rocks, and is distinct during the fir < ” : : ae ee aa ig the first winter.” (‘ Zoologist,’ 1865, p. 9520.) s an adult of the si 1 ; ze of life, and a young bird about two days old.