. A popular handbook of the ornithology of eastern North America [microform]. Birds; Ornithology; Game and game-birds; Water-birds; Oiseaux; Ornithologie; Gibier; Oiseaux aquatiques. 412 DIVERS. sonal strength alone to supptut him ; which if faiUng, the fowler is duhhetl to piet cs or drowned in the sea which roars and heaves below. In order to study the habits of these marine birds, the cele- brated Edwards spent several days among these terrific anil romantic rocks. If a cannon was fired, the air was darkened with a black cloud of the cliff birds, which issued by thousands from every hole an
. A popular handbook of the ornithology of eastern North America [microform]. Birds; Ornithology; Game and game-birds; Water-birds; Oiseaux; Ornithologie; Gibier; Oiseaux aquatiques. 412 DIVERS. sonal strength alone to supptut him ; which if faiUng, the fowler is duhhetl to piet cs or drowned in the sea which roars and heaves below. In order to study the habits of these marine birds, the cele- brated Edwards spent several days among these terrific anil romantic rocks. If a cannon was fired, the air was darkened with a black cloud of the cliff birds, which issued by thousands from every hole and cranny, as if summoned into sudden exist- ence by the work of enchantment. 'J'hey fly about in silence near to the surface of the sea, perform a few circuits, and on the removal of the cause of alarm return soon to their eyry, or, alighting on the waves, dive out of the way of harm until well assured that no enemy is near. These Auks lay but one egg except when robbed of the first, and if this is taken they will sometimes give a third. Mr. Audubon found them breeding in great numbers on the coast of Labrador, generally taking pos^^ession of the most rugged and precipitous isles, in the deep indentations and fissures of which they crowded, and dejiosited their eggs as near together as distinct pro])rietorshi]) would admit. — commonly upon a nest of ])ebbles, artificially collected together, under and between which the dri])ping waters and melting ice thus passed without ever coming in contact with the eggs. The Murre sits on her nest in an upright posture, and with her head facing the wind. The young are fed by regurgitated food until they attain a con- siderable size, after which the small fish, on which old and young principally feed, are merely laid befcjre them. They leave their rock or nest when about half grown, and then immediately commence fishing for themselves. Thousands of these birds are here seen breeding on the same rock. The flight of the Razor-bill is rapid,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectorn
