P U F F I N .
FRATERCULA ÁRCTICA.
WKTXI conversing with the natives in a remote district of the Outer Hebrides :i lew years liack, I
listened, among other yarns, to a strange account that was given concerning the IIHII—I and customs of
the Puffin, in the veracity of which it was evident thai my informants placed the most implicit
confidence. The men stated that this quaint-looking sea-hird (to which they gave Ihe name of Tammie
Rookie) was the most knowing of all feathered creatures, declaring that after a winter's iheenee on the
open sea large Mocks appeared at a eerlain date (never a day out) on the saltwater lochs, and after
remaining for a time in the vicinity of the hind, the whole assemblage betook themselves with the same
regularity to their accustomed breeding-haunts on the adjacent rocky islets. It was the custom among
the liskerlblk and crofters to visit the quarter! to which these birds resorted every spring in order to
obtain a supply of eggs; and so well aware was the astute Tammie Rookie of the animal depredations
from which he sulTered, that on the approach of the robbers he immediately entered lite small burrowed
domicile in which his only treasure was concealed and at once rolled out his egg- this action being
looked upon as a mute and irresistible appeal that his life might be spared*.
From the remarks in several works it will he seen that the inhabitants on other parti of the
northern coasts have much the same belief regarding the regularity with which this species seeks the
land on the approach of spring. Ait early date Is given by certain writers for the arrival of the Puffins
in the Clinch and oilier waters along the west coast: I noticed, however, on one occasion that these
birds diil not show on several of the saltwater lochs off the coasts of Harris and Lewis till Ihe 3rd of
May, when small parties, numbering from six or eight up to a dozen, made their appearance.
The breeding-stations of the Puffin are so well known that it is needless in these pairi-s to give a
list of those I have visited. Assemblages of countless thousands are described as occurring along the
wild and unfrequented coast-line of the Western Highlands. T remarked a few places where they had
taken up their quarters, but have never had sufficient lime to explore only a very small portion of
the range of rocks they frequented. Though the multitudes that collect in these lucnlilics are doubtless
far greater—so many thai I should be unwilling to hazard a guess at their numls'rs—they might have
lieon seen a few years back congregated in thousands at certain hours about the island of Craig faith
in the Firth of forth. On several occasions during the latter end of July 1885, while brought up Sabing
about a quarter of a mile to the east of this rocky islet, its whole outline stood out clearly defined as
the sun gradually disappeared, and a most animated scene was witnessed as long as daylight lasted.
Clouds of Puffins were Hying round; a few alighted from time to time on any vacant spot, every
ledge on the roek appearing a living mass of birds, while the sea for several hundred yards around was