314 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



under large stones and rock fragments, and in hollows 

 and holes under the debris. When disturbed at the 

 nesting place the birds leave their eggs in swarms, and 

 fly towards the sea. It is a noisy bird, and is even said 

 to utter its notes whilst sitting under the rocks and 

 stones. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The Little Auk lays only one ^^^ each season ; whether 

 this is renewed if taken appears not to have been 

 observed. It is pale greenish-blue, sometimes very 

 indistinctly streaked with yellowish-brown. Average 

 measurement, 1-9 inch in length, by 1*25 inch in breadth. 

 Incubation is performed by both sexes, but the duration 

 of the period is unknown. 



Diagnostic characters : The ^^g of the Little 

 Auk cannot readily be confused with those of any 

 other species breeding in the same area, its size and 

 colouration easily distinguishing it. Whether it can be 

 separated so surely from the eggs of certain allied 

 species breeding in the North Pacific region, I am 

 unable to say. 



Family ALCID^. Genus Alca. 



GREAT AUK. 



Alca impennis, Liimceiis. 



(British : Formerly bred. Now extinct.) 



Number of Broods unknown Laying season, June. 



Former breeding area : North Atlantic basin. 

 The Great Auk there is, alas, only too much reason to 

 believe is now extinct, although the evidence of its 

 extinction is purely negative, and the regions which it 



