THE GREAT AUK. 



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ANOTHER very fine European species is the SCLAVONIA, or HORNED GREBE (Podiceps 

 cornuttts), remarkable for its splendid ruff of dark brown feathers. This bird has been seen to 

 carry its young upon its back, and to dive with them when alarmed. 



THE well-known DABCHICK, or LITTLE GREBE, is the smallest and commonest of the 

 European species, being found in most rivers, lakes, or large ponds, where the weeds and 

 rushes afford it a concealment, and a foundation for its nest. 



AMONG the several representatives of the sub-family of the Alcinae, or Auks, the GREAT 

 AUK is the rarest. 



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1 



GREAT AUK. Plautua impmnte. 



This bird, formerly to be found in several parts of Northern Europe, and in Labrador, has 

 not been observed for many years, and is thought to be as completely extinct as the Dodo. 

 Almost the last living specimens known were seen in the Orkneys, and were quite familiar 

 to the inhabitants under the name of the King and Queen of the Auks. So agile is (or was) 

 this bird in the water, that Mr. Bullock chased the male for several hours without being able 

 to get within gunshot, although he was in a boat manned by six rowers. After his departure 

 the bird was shot. The female had been killed just before his arrival. 



The egg of this bird is laid close to the water's edge, and is a very large one, marked after 

 a rather curious fashion. 



The upper surface of this bird is black, except a patch of pure white round and in front of 

 the eye, and the ends of the secondaries, which are white. The whole of the under surface is 

 white, and in winter the chin and throat are also white. The young are mottled with black 

 and white. 



