A gull-like bird with a peculiar bill, legs so weak that they are scarcely capable of supporting the bird, and a wonderful gliding flight which serves it well, for it is an oceanic wanderer. Before 1878 it was unknown in Britain, except on the lonely island of St. Kilda. Since that date it has extended its breeding territory, and may now be found nesting on many high cliffs around Britain. It lays one white egg on very skimpy nest material on a cliff ledge. It is a very oily bird, and one of its methods of self-protection is to squirt a jet of oil at its enemy. |