The Little Auk 153 



THE LITTLE AUK (MERGULUS ALLE). 



IN the New World it is not abundant, save on some 

 parts of its Arctic shores. In New Jersey it has 

 been seen but rarely. 



In the plumage of the summer, or while breeding, the 

 head, neck, upper part of the breast, back, wings, and 

 tail, are glossy brownish black, on the head and neck a 

 somewhat browner tint, the tips of the secondaries are 

 white, and the long scapulars are bordered with the same 

 colour ; above each eye there is a narrow speck of white ; 

 the under plumage is white, except a part of the long 

 flank feathers covering the thighs, which have the inner 

 webs blackish brown. 



In winter the change is confined to the sides of the 

 neck and breast, and the posterior parts of the cheeks, 

 which becomes pure white. Its habits are gregarious ; 

 they breed on ledges on rocks ; flight imperfect. 



So numerous are they in the northern regions that flocks 

 extending for three miles have been seen by travellers, and 

 a single shot has magnetised half a dozen of these birds. 



