Puffins

Little Brother of the North The scientific name for the Atlantic puffin is Fratercula arctica. The first Latin word, fratercula, means "little brother". Puffins earned this title because they clasp their webbed feet together when they come out of the water and look as if they are praying. Arctica means "north" or "northern". Therefore, the translation for the scientific name Fratercula arctica is "little brother of the north". Often, these little brothers of the north …

…old enough to mate. Finally, on July 4, 1981, a puffin was sited above Eastern Egg Rock with fish in its beak. This could only mean that it had a chick. Project Puffin had succeeded! Eastern Egg Rock Island was once again a breeding site for Atlantic puffins. In 1985, twenty pairs of puffins nested there. By using this same technique, Dr. Kress has helped to bring the puffins back to Seal Island and Western Egg Rock also.