TJicir Eggs and Nests. 199 



GREAT KV\^—{Alca impennis). 



Gair-Fowl. — Not merely an exceedingly rare British 

 bird, but extinct as a British species. While yet in ex- 

 istence it was said scarcely ever to leave the water, and 

 it laid its one large Q^g almost close to high-water 

 mark. These eggs are white in ground, or sometimes 

 soiled or slightly yellowish white, blotched and 

 streaked, most at the larger end, with black. They 

 somewhat resemble the Guillemot's Q^^g in shape, but 

 are rather less elongated. The value of these eggs is 

 almost fabulous, sixty guineas ^ having been given foi- 

 a couple of them. I had to thank the late Mr. 

 Champley, C.E., of Scarborough, for most kindly send- 

 ing me an engraving of a Great Auk's egg in his 

 possession, as well as for offering me access to his ad- 

 mirable collection of eggs, numbering upwards of 

 8,000 specimens. 



COMMON GUILLEMOT— (6^;/^ troile). 



Foolish Guillemot, Willock, Tinkershere, Tarrock, 

 Scout, Sea Hen, LIurre, Lavy. — It is remarkable in 

 several particulars connected with its breeding peculi- 

 arities. It makes no nest, and lays but one Qgg, but 

 that an egg of huge dimensions as contrasted with the 

 size of the bird itself ; besides which, it is almost 

 impossible, out of a collection of many scores, to pick 

 out half a dozen that are j^recisely alike, either in 

 ground-colour or general markings. The eggs are 

 laid on the ledges of rocky precipices overhanging the 

 sea, on various parts of the British coasts. I have 



^ Morria'a *' Dritish Ijirda.'' 



