GUILLEMOT.

THE common guillemot, for there are several different kinds of these birds, is very common on different parts of our coasts. Its length is about one foot five inches, the back is of a general brown colour, the breast white, excepting the upper part of the throat and the chin, which are of the same colour as the back. The legs are dusky brown, the bill and claws black.

The following is the account given of the genus:The bill, though of a rather slender shape, is firm, strong, and pointed, the upper part slightly bending towards the end, and the base covered with soft short feathers. The legs are placed very far back, and there is no hind toe. They are thick and clumsy birds, and very much at the mercy even of storms when in the sea. They dive with great address, and also catch their prey with no inconsiderable adroitness. During storms they are frequently cast ashore in a state of complete exhaustion, and sometimes they are thrown so high upon the rocks by the surge, that they are unable to get down again until the storm abates.

"Some of the guillemots appear to be very stupid, not becoming cautious from experience, like many other kinds, but suffering themselves repeatedly to be shot at, as if they did not know the danger; for notwithstanding they have seen their associates drop at every fire, they still continue to wheel about in the same circle, and to alight again on the same place where they were first disturbed: others, however, are sufficiently alert. They use their wings when under water.

These birds are numerously spread over various parts of the northern world, whence they are driven by the approach of winter, to seek more temperate climes. At that season they arrive on the British shores, where they remain until they have reared their young. Cuvier says, "Their wings, less fitted for flying than those of the other divers, serve them only to flutter with difficulty." This is not the fact. They fly well and quickly too, and seem to have no difficulty whatever. During the time of nidification they are much on the wing, though in general they seem to prefer swimming.'

The guillemots approach the lonely island of St. Kilda about the beginning of February; and by the people there, who live much on sea-birds, their appearance is hailed with pleasure. It is said that on their arrival, they are caught by what seems a very shallow device: the bird-catcher lies down on a ledge of the rock during the night, with a piece of white cloth tied round him; the birds see the cloth more easily than the rock, and alighting on it one after another, numbers of them are captured.