| Brooke Bond | PG Tips tea cards offered in the interest of education | Wild Birds in Britain


	01 WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus garrulus The Waxwing is an irregular winter visitor to Britain, its summer home being in arctic Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Siberia. Hard winters and the shortage of food bring it south, and its numbers in Britain vary considerably - sometimes there is a great influx while in other winters it is scarce. It feeds on berries such as hips and haws, rowan, etc., and when hunting its food is quite acrobatic, often hanging upside down. Male and female are alike in their plumage colour, and the peculiar sealing wax - like tips of the secondaries give the bird its name. Length 7".
	02 HOODED CROW Corvus cornix cornix To England this crow is usually a winter visitor though it is resident and plentiful in Scotland, particularly north and west, and in the Hebrides. In winter England has immigrants from the Continent, usually in the eastern half of the country. Like its relative, the Carrion Crow, it nests in trees, on rocks, in bushes, and even on the ground. The nest is made of sticks and fine twigs with a lining of wool. The Hoodie's taste in food is catholic - carrion, eggs, small mammals, fish and refuse - nothing comes amiss. Length 18½".
	03 CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax This elegant bird is not common. Only a few cliffs, quarries and rocky hills know it. Chiefly it is a western sea - cliff bird, and about these its flight, and acrobatics on the wing, are graceful and vivacious. Usually it nests in deep fissures or in caves, and the nest is made of furze and bracken, sterns, sticks or heather sticks, and lined with wool. It was thought to be on the verge of extinction in Britain, but has been holding its own and, latterly, there may have been a slight increase. It feeds chiefly on insects and larvae. Length 15".
	04 RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus torquatus The Ring Ouzel belongs to the thrush family and is unique in being our only migratory breeding thrush, for It winters in the Mediterranean and N.W. Africa. It is a thrush of the hills and the mountains and, in summer, may be found from Cornwall to .the north of Scotland. Its nest is placed in heather clumps, on rock ledges, or In the banks or moorland streams. Ring Ouzels feed on insects, worms, and .such berries as blueberry an mountain ash. The male is depicted. The female is paler and browner, and the light band across the chest is narrower and duller. Length 9&frac;".
	05 MISTLE thrUSH Turdus viscivorus viscivorus This wild impetuous bird deserves its other name - 'Storm Cock'. It begins nesting activities while winter is still with us early March in the north - and is fearless in protecting its nest. Jackdaws, Magpies and crows do not stay to argue when It attacks. The nest is usually placed in the fork of a tree and has a foundation of grass, roots moss and mud with a lining of dry grass' and wool. As its name implies it will feed on the berries of mistletoe, but more often of yew, mountain ash, hawthorn and ivy, as well as snails, earthworms and insects. Length 10½"
	06 DIPPER Cinclus cinclus gularis A bird of character, a haunter of swiftly flowing streams, and a thorough stay - at - home, for it owns its own length of stream. The Dipper spends much time perched on mid - streams stones and boulders and, when feeding, goes deliberately under the water, walking submerged on the stream bed and moving pebbles in its search for larvae etc. The cup - shaped nest is of moss dry grasses and dead leaves, over which is built a hood of moss. It may be place on a rock face, under a waterfall, under a bridge, or oil a stream - side tree bole. Length 7"
	07 REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus schoeniclus In summer you may often see the Reed Buuting perched on some waterside branch or reed, singing his monotonous little song, while his wife attends to nesting duties in some bushy cover nearby. They are an unobtrusive pair, especially the hen which, in her sober browns and fawns, is often overlooked. The nest is placed in a rush clump, in young willows, often in bank herbage, and is constructed of moss, dry grass and bents. The summer food consists largely of insects and small freshwater crustacea, but in winter seed and grain are also taken. Length 6"
	08 CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs gengleri The Chaffinch is one of our commonest birds. In summer it haunts the hedgerows, gardens, orchards, and little copses throughout Britain, and in winter it flocks and frequents the stackyards, the stubble and arable fields. It feeds on both insects and a variety of seeds according to the season of the year . The nest is an exquisite structure of grasses, roots and moss, decorated on the outside with lichens and spiders' webs. A favourite nest position is on a side branch against a small trunk. The male is depicted. The female has no pink on the breast, nor russet on the face. Length 6"
	09 HAWFINCH Goccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes The enormous bill of this finch is for the purpose of penetrating to the kernels of such fruits as plums, cherries, sloes, and hawthorn. Green peas, beechnuts, a variety of seeds and certain caterpillars are also much liked. The Hawfinch is a shy bird and spends much time in the tops of high trees. It nests in woods and orchards on some horizontal branch on which it places a small platform of twigs as a foundation. The nest is a shallow construction of fine roots with lichen, and is lined with hair. In winter Hawfinches flock. Length 6&frac;"
	10 REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus phlenicurus In Britain the redstart is a summer resident only, arriving about the first week in April and leaving the south coasts in September to winter in Africa and S.W. Asia: It is chiefly a bird of the woods and the usual situation of the nest is a hole In a tree, though the bird depicted had its nest in the ruined timber roof of an old summer house. All day long he and his mate hunted for Insects and caterpillars among the woodland foliage. The female, though she has the same coloured tail as the male, is much duller in her general colour. Length 5&frac;"
	11 WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra The spritely Whinchat is a summer visitor to Britain, appearing about mid - April and leaving us again in September or early October to winter in tropical Africa. It is a haunter of heaths and rough lands, and is often seen on pastures and in railway cuttings as it hunts for beetles, wireworms, flies and other insects. The nest is placed close to the ground, in low herbage or low shrubs. It is loosely constructed of dry grass and moss and is lined with hair and fine fibres. Only the hen builds the nest while the male accompanies her. The male is depicted. Length 5"
	12 ROBIN Erithacus rubecula melophilus This familiar solitary bird which seems to enjoy the company of humans, is aggresive towards its own kind and to other birds. The male has a 'territory' which he defends against all other male robins. The nest is placed usually in earth banks sometimes In stone walls, in ivy or in a tree stump! In old tin cans and old kettles. The young in their first plumage are brown and speckled, and have no red breast. The Robin's food ranges from earthworms, wireworms, larvae, ants, spiders, centipedes .to grain, soft fruit and berries. Length 5&frac;"
	13 LONG - TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus This little charmer likes the tall hedgerows the scrubland of small trees, and the copses and small woods of Britain. In ':winter family parties may be seen flickering along the hedges. It nests mostly In thorn or furze bushes. The nest is oval - shaped with the entrance near the top. It is made of moss, wool, lichen and spiders' webs and lined with many feathers. The brooding bird sits with her tail bent forward so that its end often protrudes from the nest above the bird's head. There may be as many as twelve nestlings in the one nest. Length 5&frac;"
	14 YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima The Yellow Wagtail comes to Britain in April and leaves in September. It winters in tropical W. Africa. During the summer months it haunts our pastures and low lying marshy fields, where it may be seen running hither and thither as it chases insects. The nest is often placed in a ground depression, or in low thick herbage, and is made of root fibres and bents and lined with a mat of cow - hair and some feathers. Except when the bird is asleep the tail is in constant up - and - down motion. This wagtail though not common, is widely distributed in Britain. Length 6&frac;"
	15 GOLDCREST Regulus regulus anglorum This, our smallest British bird, is difficult to find for it haunts thick conifers and evergreens, and usually remains fairly high in the branches. Once found, however, it is indifferent to the observer and goes about its hunting of spiders, insects and their larvae quite unconcerned by his presence. It is almost as acrobatic as the tits and is often seen with them. The nest is usually suspended beneath the thick foliage of cypress, spruce or yew. It is constructed of moss and spiders' webs and lined with feathers. The family is large, seven to ten as a rule. Length 3&frac;"
	16 WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix The Wood Warbler is well named for it is partial to beech and oak woods. . Very spruce in its appearance, and brightly coloured it is a delight to watch as It hunts the leavds for its insect food, or sings with bill wide open and throat throbbing. The nest is on the ground in undergrowth, and is made of dead leaves, grasses and bracken lined with fine fibres and hair, with the entrance at the side. Wood Warblers arrive in Britain in April and May and leave in July and August for their winter home in Central Africa. Length 5"
	17 SKYLARK Alauda arvensis arvensis In spring, in open country, the male Skylark sings as he climbs above his nesting place, fluttering higher and higher until, at the zenith of his flight, he hovers for a time before his slow fluttering descent to a point a few yards above the ground where he raises his wings and drops suddenly to earth. That is his display song to his mate on the ground. The nest is on the ground and is made of grasses lined with finer grasses and hair. Skylarks feed on seeds and grains, insects, worms and spiders. Length 7"
	18 HOOPOE Upupa epops epops This striking bird comes to Britain in small numbers every year and, were it unmolested, would probably nest with us more frequently. The bird from which the painting was made came to the paved ground near the studio, and hunted for ants. It had frequented neighbouring lawns for some time, feeding on ants and,grubs. Usually the nest is in a hole in a tree or in a wall or rock crevice, and is a very smelly affair . The crest is usually depressed and is only raised when the bird is excited or alarmed. It Winters In tropical Africa, Arabia and S. India. Length 11&frac;"
	19 NIGHTJAR Gaprimulgus europaeus europaeus Night jars arrive in Britain in May and leave in September. Open heather or woodland, rough ground, woodland margins and sand dunes are their haunts and nesting places. The nest is in a hollow on the bare ground. The Night jar is most active at twilight when it hunts flying insects, such as moths and beetles, its enormous mouth being a particular development for this purpose. When resting on a branch it usually perches lengthwise, though it will perch crosswise on occasions. The male has white areas on the outer primaries and outer tail feathers. Night jars winter in Africa as far south as the Cape. Length 10&frac;"
	20 TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur turlur A summer pigeon arriving in Britain in May and leaving in August and September to winter in tropical Africa. It prefers open woods, plantations and parkland, and areas where there are bushes or high hedges and its food is almost entirely vegetable. The nest is built in high hedges, bushes and orchard trees, and is a meagre platform of twigs, sometimes lined with finer roots. Usually the Turtle Dove is seen singly or in pairs, but small flocks may be seen in late summer. Its smaller size, warmer colour, and striking tail pattern differentiate it from our other wild pigeons. Length 10&frac;"
	21 RED - BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio collurio This predatory bird with a hooked bill and trim figure comes to Britain in May, takes up its residence in bushy areas, and leaves between August and October to winter in tropical and S. Africa and S.W. Asia. It feeds on beetles, moths, grasshoppers, small birds and their young, worms, frogs and lizards. Sometimes it makes 'larders' of surplus food, impaling this on thorns. It nests in thickets of bramble and thorn. The nest is rather large and made of moss, bents and green leaves, lined with fibre and hair, and sometimes wool. The male is depicted. The female is not so striking in her plumage. Length 6&frac;"
	22 BLACK GROUSE Lyrurus tetrix britannicus This fine grouse is now confined to a few areas in Devon, Wales, north Midlands and Scotland. They are not such high moorland birds as the Red Grouse, but prefer lower grounds in the proximity of trees. They are polygamous, and in early spring the males gather in a chosen spot, called a 'lek' and there posture and display, and sometimes fight for mates. The nest is a hollow in the ground sheltered by grass or heather. Black Grouse feed on heather shoots and leaves, bilberry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, buds of conifers and other plants, with some insect life. Male is known as Black cock and female as Greyhen. Length 22"
	23 RED - LEGGED PARtrIDGE Alectoris fufa reufa First introduced into Suffolk about 1770 the Red - Leg has spread to many parts of England and North Wales; The Red - leg likes the chalk downs and sandy heaths, and I have often seen it on ploughland in East Anglia. Its nest is on the ground, protected by herbage, and is sometimes lined with grass and dead leaves. Food consists of grain, leaves of grasses and clovers, peas and beans, and some insects and spiders. Like the Common Partridge, they move about in coveys after the nesting season, and split up into breeding pairs in the early spring. Length 131"
	24 DUNLIN Galidris alpina alpina The Dunlin is our commonest bird of the shore. There are two races, the Northern and the Southern, but they are much alike. It is the northern race which is depicted. The southern race nests in Britain and chooses wild moorland for its nursery, making a cuplike hollow for a nest and lining it with grass. Muddy shores are its paradise, and here it runs and probes and captures marine worms, sand - hoppers, small crabs and shrimps, etc. Sometimes great flocks of Dunlin haunt the shores, when their wonderful synchronised flying is most spectacular. Length 7&frac;"
	25 WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola In Britain the Woodcock can either be a resident, a summer resident, or a bird of passage. In the mating season at dusk and dawn, the. males go through a peculiar flight display among the trees, making repeated circuits along the rides. 'Roding' is the name given to it. The nest is on the ground In woodland hollow lined with dead leaves. A parent, when anxious for the safety of the young, will carry them, one at a time between the thighs and fly to a chosen spot. The long bill is used to probe for earthworms and larvae' length 13&frac;"
	26 CURLEW Numenius arquata arquata The Curlew is our largest wader. In autumn and winter it haunts the muddy shores in large numbers, and with its long bill probes for lugworms, or in the creeks seeks small crabs, shrimps and other small creatures. In summer the breeding birds leave the shore and take to the high hill pastures and moors where they make their ground nest, but some nest on low marshland and in sand dunes. Its fine impetuous flying, its trilling spring song, its wariness and fine racy appearance make the Curlew one of our. most interesting birds. Length about 22"
	27 GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria apricana In summer the Golden Plover is the nesting companion of the curlew on the high moors. There it lays its eggs in a hollow In the peat. The picture shows a male in breeding dress. In autumn, when the young are well on the wing, the 'goldens' migrate to the lowland pastures, the arable land and the mud - flats, and there spend the winter. Now they are pale - breasted birds and thus they will remain until the spring. Food consists of beetles flies and moth larvae, small snails, earthworms, spiders and certain weed seeds. Length 11"
	28 TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres interpres Although Turnstones may be seen all the year round on the coasts of Britain none have been proved to breed here, and we would have to visit the Arctic to see their nests. On seaweedy rocks or on shingly shore the Turnstone may be seen as it throws over pebbles and chunks of seaweed in search for food of the small creatures living underneath. I have depicted a male in summer plumage. Immature birds, females, and all winter birds are much duller in plumage. A surprising pattern of dark and light is revealed when the bird takes to wing. Length 9"
	29 MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus chloropus On any pool of water, from the smallest marl - pit to a large mere, one may see a Moorhen. Its long toes enable it to walk over lily leaves, and also propel it when swimming. Its nest is usually near water - in a clump of rush or flag, or in tree branches. The nestlings are strange black mites with fantastic colours of red, blue and yellow on the head and bill and large feet. They can swim almost as soon as they are born. Moorhens have a varied diet from water weeds and fruits to insects, worms and larvae. Length 13"
	30 SPARROW HAWK Accipiter nisus nisus This fierce hawk hunts by flying along the hedgerows, and between woodland trees, hoping to take its prey, usually another bird, by surprise. It kills with its claws, and is swift and expert. The nest is built in a tree, and is made of twigs with sometimes a lining of leaves. Prey is brought to the nestlings ready plucked, for the hunting parent has its regular plucking place, well away from the nest, where piles of feathers may be seen during the breeding season. It is usually the male which hunts and the female which broods. Length 11 - 15"
	31 MONTAGU'S HARRIER Circus pygargus Of the three harriers which visit Britain this is the most elegant. It arrives in April and leaves in October to winter in tropical and S. Africa, also S. W . Asia. While in Britain we hope that it has found some marsh or heath where it has been able to nest successfully, for egg collectors and shooters still persecute it. The male is depicted. The female is a larger, browner bird, and while she is brooding young the male hunts. On his return he flies above the nest area and calls. The female flies up and neatly takes the prey, perhaps a mouse, snake, frog, vole or small bird, from his talons. Length about 17"
	32 KEStrEL Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus A hovering hawk is usually a Kestrel, for only It makes a habit of hunting by hovering It must have amazing eyes for sometimes It will descend from a high hover and pick up - a beetle but usually it is a hunter of voles, mice and birds. Kestrels will hunt over .most varieties of country, and their nest is a mere hollow on a cliff, a hole in a tree or a crevice in some ruin. No nest material is used. The male is depicted The female, is larger and browner, with no blue - grey In her plumage. Length about 13&frac;"
	33 SNOWY OWL Nyctea scandiaca This most impressive bird hunts In the day the moorlands, in search of mice, voles, rabbits and even beetles as well and birds as big as a duck. It nests on the ground in tundras of the Arctic. This painting was made from studies of a bird which had been captured on a ship in mid Atlantic, I drew it a few days after its arrival at a zoo while it was still feather - perfect and still fierce. It hissed at every move I made. In winter this owl sometimes crosses to northern parts of the British Isles. Length 21 - 24"
	34 LONG - EARED OWL Asio otus otus Perched, often against a tree trunk,,and in thick foliage, the Long - eared Owl spends the hours of daylight - for it is a night - hunter. It feeds on mice, voles, also small birds, moles and beetles. For a nest it uses old squirrel dreys, and old nests of Magpie Crow, Sparrow Hawk, and Wood Pigeon' The so - called 'ear tufts' have nothing to do with the ears proper, but are feather tufts which the bird can raise or lower at will. They are raised only when the bird is curious, alarmed or excited. Length 13&frac;"
	35 BITTERN Botaurus stellaris stellaris A large secretive relation of the heron, the Bittern is rarely seen until it flies, for its home is in thick reed - beds. During the breeding season the male has a peculiar call, a booming sound which is not loud but which has amazing carrying power. Bitterns feed on fish, including eels, frogs, newts, voles, mice, beetles, and young water birds such as Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail etc. Norfolk and Suffolk are the strongholds of the Bittern though it occurs in a few other places in Britain. Length 30"
	36 GOOSANDER Mergus merganser merganser This large handsome duck is one of the 'sawbills', so named because it has saw - like edges on both mandibles, which enable it to capture and hold its slippery prey - fish. The Goosander is an expert diver and travels swiftly when submerged. In England it is usually a winter visitor and may be seen in flocks on meres and reservoirs, but in Scotland it nests. A hollow tree is a favourite nest site, but it will also use spaces among boulders. Incubation of the eggs is done by the female alone while the males gather in parties. Length 26"
	37 PINTAIL Anas acuta acuta The Pintail is best known to us as a winter visitor. In inland waters it winters in small numbers, but on the sea, and on estuaries, it may occur in larger flocks. This elegant racy duck nests in Scotland, the nest being placed on the ground among marram grass, or in heather . As in other ducks the nest hollow is lined with down from the breast of the female, and it is she who does all the incubating of the eggs. Pintail food is chiefly vegetable, but some small animal food is also eaten. Its flight is swift, and all its movements are graceful. Length 22"
	38 EIDER somateria mollissima mollissima A duck common on the coasts of Scotland and and north eastern England, and in winter off the east coast of England. The Eider nests preferably - on offshore islands and inlets. The nest itself is a hollow lined with down and feathers and it is this down that is used commercially. The female incubates the eggs and the young take. to the water soon after hatching, swimming in a close - packed group at their mother's tail. The Elder is a large, heavy duck which requires to run over the water before becoming airborne. Molluscs and crustaceans form the main part of the food. Length 23"
	39 MalLARD Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos On small woodland pools and large meres, and from coastal waters to small mountain tarns; even in London, the Mallard may be found. It is our commonest wild duck. Food comprises seeds, buds, and leaves of many aquatic and land plants, beetles, worms, tadpoles and fish - spawn. The nest is usually on the ground under cover of bushes or tussocks near the water, but sometimes in holes in trees and other unexpected places. Only the females incubate while the drakes assemble in parties. Ducklings of any species can swim soon after they are free of the egg - shell and dry. Length 23"
	40 BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis So called because in the old days it was thought that. this goose hatched from ship's barnacles, and one imaginative artist even did a drawing of this happening. It is as a winter visitor that we know this beautiful goose. In Britain its favourite haunts are the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Solway Firth. In the Hebrides it is fond of grazing on the sweet island grass and on the herbs of the coastal stretches called 'machairs'. The flocks feed both by night and day. It appears to be a rather quarrelsome goose when feeding. It breeds In eastern Greenland Spitzbergen and Novaya Zemlya. Length about 25"
	41 CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis canadensis This species was introduced into Britain as far back as 1678. Since then it has flourished, and may be seen on many inland waters. With us it is non - migratory. The nest is constructed of reed stalks and grass etc., lined with down. Eggs are incubated by the female only, while the gander patrols the water near the nest area. Like the other geese; also swans and ducks, the adults moult all their flight feathers at one time and are incapable offlight for a period. In winter the flocks fly from one feeding area to another and often achieve very perfect 'V' formations. In North America the loud call has gained the Canada Goose the name of 'Honker'. Length 38"
	42 WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus cygnus This swan is a winter visitor arriving in October and leaving in March or April. The Whooper is almost as big as the Mute Swan, from which it differs in having no knob at the base of the bill, in having yellow on the bill instead of orange and in the carriage of the neck, which is straighter than that of the Mute. It is also much more vocal and often Head of a Whooper Swan calls loudly, especially when in flight. Like other swans it is completely vegetarian in its diet. It flies in formation, either in lines or in a wedge. Length 60"
	43 CORMORANT Phalcrocorat carbo carbo The Cormorant may be found almost anywhere round our shores. It is chiefly a sea bird, but has been known to nest in .inland fresh waters. Usually the nest colony is on some rocky island or cliff ledge and a smelly place it is! Nest is usually of seaweed. When first hatched the young are naked and appear even more reptilian than their parents, Food is generally fish, for the Cormorant is an expert underwater swimmer, and specially adapted for capturing them. I have depicted an adult in breeding plumage, drying his wings after diving. Length 36"
	44 HERRING GULL Larus argentatus arelllatus This big noisy gull is very common round our shores. In summer it nests on cliff islands and dunes, making a large nest of any available material. The downy chicks arc quite pretty, but in the first brown plumage the bird is all gull with hooked bill and predatory instincts well developed. It requires three years for this gull to acquire its bluish grey and white plumage. In winter it wanders inland to fresh water and arable land, and it is a common sight to see the ploughman followed by a swirling white crowd. Fish, carrion, refuse, earthworms and a variety of other foods are eaten. Length 22"
	45 COMMON GULL Larus callus callus At first sight this gull may be confused with the Herring Gull, but the Common Gull is much smaller. In England it is far from common in spring and summer for, with a few exceptions, it goes up to Scotland to nest. In August back it comes to our lowland pastures, marshes, and sandy shores, and stays during the winter. It nests on islet in rivers and lochs, and on low coasts, sometimes on moors. The first plumage is brown and it requires three years to attain the immaculate plumage of the adult. The diet is much like that of the Herring Gull. Length 16"
	46 ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticlis This is the commonest of our skuas, or robber gulls. They all obtain their food by chasing other sea birds in flight, following them relentlessly until their victim drops its load of fish, when the skua swoops and captures the dropping fish before it reaches the water. Chief victims are terns, and small gulls such as Kittiwakes. It breeds in Shetland, Fair isle, Orkney and Outer Hebrides, and sparsely on the Scottish mainland. It nests on the ground. This skua is very widely distributed and spends the winter as far southward as New Zealand. Length 18"
	47 COMMON TERN .sterna hirundo hirundo Such delicate looking birds seem hardly capable of making a journey from the west coast of Africa, yet they do this journey twice a year. They arrive here about mid April and leave us in September or October. With us they nest and choose a variety of sites for their purpose - shingle beaches, sand dunes, headlands, salt marshes, islets, etc. Their food is almost entirely of fish which they hunt usually by hovering to sight their prey, then a quick plunge, and a mounting flight with the small fish held in the tip of the bill. Crustaceans and other water life are also eaten. This tern also lives in the New World. Length 13&frac;"
	48 MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus puffinus This shearwater is essentially a sea bird, though it does not travel far out to sea, and in Britain it nests in burrows, on islands off our western coasts. Because of their fear of waiting gulls the shearwaters remain off - shore until darkness falls before they dare fly to their burrows. Even so there are many casualties. One egg is laid and nesting takes place in colonies. When the nestling is a certain age it is deserted by the parents, so that in time hunger compels it to leave the burrow and make for the sea. In winter this shearwater migrates southward, probably to Spanish coastal waters. Small fish form the main part of the diet. Length 14"
	49 BLACK thrOATED DIVER Golymbus arcticus arcticus As a nesting species in Britain this bird habitually breeds on certain deep lochs in Scotland. The nest is usually on an islet in the loch, and close to the water's edge, for divers do not walk well and progress on the ground only by using their wings also. The nest, usually, is little more than a hollow scraped in the ground. Fish and other water life are the diver's staple diet. In winter it leaves its inland waters and takes to the sea where it may be seen in many places along our coasts. Length about 25"
	50 GUILLEMOT Uria aalge albionis Guillemots are true sea birds, not coming to shore until the nesting season. Then, in April, they begin to populate the cliff ledges. Only one egg is laid of a beautiful tapering shape, which causes it to roll in a small circle~an advantage on the sometimes narrow ledges. When the chick is ready to leave, the parents persuade it to launch itself from the nesting ledge, and with whirring tiny wings it flutters down to the waves (if no gull intervenes). Usually this launching takes place at dusk. At all times fish and other marine life are staple food. Length 16&frac;"
	Illustrated and described by C F Tunnicliffe

"Have you got an impact drill ?"
[http://Spaghoops.com/squelch/wildbirds.htm]