GREAT AUK. 555 



The Auk is known sometimes to breed in the isle of St. 

 Kilda; and in Papa Westra, according to Mr. Bullock, for 

 several years past no more than a single pair had made their 

 appearance. They feed on large fish,* and also on some 

 marine plants, as well as those which grow on the rocks 

 contiguous to their holes or burrows. The young birds tear 

 up the roots of the Rhodiola rosea. Many are said to breed 

 on the desert coasts of Newfoundland, where they have 

 been seen by navigators, though not recently. According to 

 Pennant, the Esquimaux, who frequented this island made 

 clothing of the skins of these birds. The older ones are 

 very shy, and but rarely venture to the shore, on which they 

 walk badly, though the young are not unfrequently met with. 

 When fed in confinement, it expresses its anxiety by raising 

 and shaking the head and neck, and uttering a gurgling 

 noise, but appears to be on the whole, essentially dumb, as 

 well as deprived of flight. 



The length of the Northern Penguin is about 3 feet, or under. Sum- 

 mer dress: in front of the eyes, on each side the base of the bill, 

 there is a large white spot. Head, nape, back, wings and tail deep 

 black. Throat, upper parts, and sides of the neck black, shaded with 

 dull brown. Flanks deep ash color. All the lower parts pure white, 

 this white color terminating in a point upon the fore part of the neck. 

 The lesser quill feathers tipped with white, producing a bar on the 

 wing. Bill b!ack and wide ; upon the base of the upper mandible 

 there is a very deep groove ; at the point Q> others with a white ground ; 

 there are 8 or 10 others with a similar ground upon the point of the 

 lower mandible. The feet and iris black. The wing is only 4 inches 

 in length. 



* The Cyclopterus lumpiis, and others. 



