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The Puffin.
(Fratercula arctica.)
The Puffin is common on the coasts of Britain, especially in the west, and on account of its peculiar and gorgeously coloured beak has a variety of local names, e.g. Bottlenose, Coulter-neb, and Sea-Parrot. In summer this beak is enlarged, thus showing that its strange form has been developed for display. When the nesting season is over the horny sheath on the rear portion of the bill is shed together with the curious band at the base of the upper mandible, the puckered skin around the angle of the mouth and the blue tubercles above and below the eyes. The Puffin feeds on fish which it captures by diving and swimming.