and as many feet in breadth, one may often see fifty or sixty crowded into a solid mass, and each sitting on
its own egg. Such masses are of frequent occurrence, the shelves being larger or smaller; but in general
two, or three, or four are seen together; and sometimes an individual is seen sitting solitarily, if one may
say so when it is surrounded by others at no greater distance than three or four feet at furthest. When a
shot was fired, most of the birds in the neighbourhood left their nests and flew about, while some, in their
hurry, fell into the sea, and, on emerging, raised with their wings an uninterrupted splashing o f the water
some hundred yards from the base o f the rocks. After a succession o f shots almost the whole body
seemed to be on wing, presenting the appearance of a kind o f cloud, which occupied a quarter o f a mile
square, and through which one could scarcely distinguish the blue sky from the flakes o f white vapour. In
their flight the birds did not cross much, but generally moved in the same direction, wheeling in a circle.
This disposition probably arose from their number being so great that they could not conveniently fly at
random. Their mingling screams produce a general mass of harsh sound, in which the cries of individuals
cannot be distinguished.
“ The noise and bustle o f these winged inhabitants o f the rocky isle reminded me of th'e stir o f some
great city, and their prodigious numbers I could compare to nothing but the shoals o f some species o f fish.
Many were fishing on the smooth sea around the island, many flying from the rocks, many returning to
their eggs, many resting on shelves and crags along the edge o f the water; but by far the greater number
were seated on their eggs. Such was the appearance o f the place when the birds were not disturbed : and
they were not very excitable; for, unless after a shot, none stirred on our account, however close the boat
came. It was not uncommon to see them arranged in a line extending several yards along a fissure; and
this formed a very pretty sight, especially when their white breasts appeared; for they stand nearly erect.
“ It is pleasant, at a distance froin their breeding-places, to see these birds flying over the sea in small
troops, generally in single file, with a direct and rapid flight, beating their short wings without intermission,
but frequently turning a little to either side, so as at one time to present the breast, at another the back, to
the spectator. In flying, the head, body, and tail are direct, the wings extended, and never: brought close
to the sides, but acting in alternate movements in a nearly vertical direction. In alighting, they settle
abruptly; but as they never alight from above, they «ustain no injury from the slight shock. On the rocks
they have an awkward and hobbling motion, and can scarcely be said to be capable o f walking. I have
never seen them alight on a sandy beach or on pasture-grounds.
“ It is usually on the open sea, around their breeding-places, but often at the distance of many miles from
them, that they search for their food, which consists chiefly of small fishes—young herrings for example__
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
suddenly elevate the hind part of the body, spread out their wings a little, plunge with great forces 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
difficult to approach them on the water, as they allow a boat to come within shooting-distance; but, as they
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 laid in the beginning o f 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 breadth 2 inches. The ground-colour is white, greyish white, or brownish
white, largely blotched or clouded, dnd 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 o f 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 in plumage when adiilt, and in summer have a narrow line from the bill to the eye,
the under surface, and the tips o f the greater wing-coverts vehite, the chin and the remainder o f the
plumage being black; bill black, crossed about the middle by a nearly vertical narrow band o f white;
legs and feet dark leaden grey, becoming lighter on the to e s; and the nails black.
The throat, which is black in summer, becomes pure white in winter, and the white hair-like line between
the bill and the eye less distinct, if not altogether absent. Dr. Saxby states, in his ‘ Ornithological Notes
from Shetland,’ that he shot a female at Balta Sound on the 17th o f December, the entire plumage o f which
was precisely similar to that described as “ peculiar to this species in winter, with the single exception
o f there being no white line between the base o f the bill and the eye,” |md remarks, “ lam unable to account
for its absence; for, so far as I am able to ascertain, such a mark becomes apparent even in young birds soon
after they leave the rocks, and is distinct during the first winter.” ( ‘ Zoologist,’ 1865, p. 9520.)
The Plate represents an adult o f the size o f life, and a young bird about two days old.