The Great Auk 

 THE GREAT AUK 



Alca impennis, Linnaeus 



So much has been written on this now extinct species 

 that it need hardly be mentioned here. 



The last living example was killed off Iceland in 1844, 

 and the last British example was captured in 1834 in 

 Waterford Harbour. 



In former times it was abundant round Newfoundland, 

 and especially on Funk Island, where the fishermen used 

 to salt it down for food, and soon extirpated it. 



In appearance it was like a large Eazorbill, but it had 

 very small wings and was quite incapable of flight. The 

 lores and under parts were white, upper parts black. 

 Length 32 in. ; wing 4*25 in. 



THE COMMON GUILLEMOT 



Uria troile (Linnseus) 



In its habits, food, and actions this species closely 

 resembles the Eazorbill, and they are usually found breed- 

 ing on the same cliffs. The numbers at a colony can 

 only be reckoned in countless thousands, the birds sitting 

 crowded together as close as possible. 



This species lays its egg on the bare open ledges and 

 never seeks the nooks and recesses made use of by the 



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