274 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



described. Dr. Patten, following Seebohm, says that it utters 

 '\i sound like allc, allc, from which its specific name is taken." 



During these invasions or, more correctly, " wrecks "of Little 

 Auks, the bird comes prominently before the public; the year 

 1895 witnessed a noteworthy wreck, but a more recent one was 

 in the winter of 1911-12. During the early months of 191 2, I 

 handled several of the birds, and heard of many in the west in 

 addition to the hundreds recorded on the east coast. The local 

 papers everywhere were full of references to the strange bird 

 which some one had found dead in the road, or whose inevitable 

 end had been hastened with stick and stone by village lads. 

 The Little Auk comes to us to die. A few find temporary 

 refuge on inland pools, or, if more fortunate, reach quieter seas 

 and may survive, but most if wind driven far beyond the fatal 

 lee shore finally drop exhausted — one even entered a surgery in 

 Finsbury Park ; if found by kindly folk they are ineffectually 

 tempted with unsuitable viands until nature claims its own. 

 Dr. P. R. Lowe has hit upon the probable explanation of the 

 wreckage. Lowered temperature, disturbed surface water, or 

 other change may drive down beyond reach the planktonic food. 

 Weakened by lack of food, the bird, normally hardy enough, 

 is unable to cope with a gale and is driven to its death. 



In summer the upper parts are glossy black, the lower part 

 of the face, chin, neck, and throat more sooty ; a small semi- 

 circular spot above the eye, the tips of the scapulars, a wing 

 band, and the under parts are white. In winter the chin and 

 throat are white, and there is a more or less marked white 

 collar. Immature birds resemble the adult in winter, but lack 

 the eye-spot. In spring and autumn, during plumage change, 

 the chin and throat are mottled. The bill is black, the legs are 

 greenish grey, and the irides dark brown. Length, 8 ins. 

 Wing, 5 ins. Tarsus, 0*9 in. 



