THE GREAT AUK 



{alca impennis) 



rriHE species we have hitherto mentioned have 

 become extinct in the British Islands only, 

 their extermination being of a local character ; 

 but the present bird excites a wider melancholy 

 interest, for there can be little doubt that it 

 has ceased to exist altogether. Many erroneous 

 opinions prevail not only respecting the geographical 

 distribution of the Great Auk, but the cause of its 

 extirpation. As most readers may know, the Great 

 Auk was incapable of flight. The bird was nearly 

 as big as an ordinary tame Goose, but closely 

 resembled a Razorbill in general appearance, except 

 that its short narrow wings were quite incapable 

 of bearing it through the air. If useless for flight, 

 these wings were used with marvellous power as 

 oars, and the bird was a most accomplished 

 swimmer and diver. This inability of the wings 



for flight was due to the abortive character of the 



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