LITTLE AUK, OR ROTCHE 



201 



With one exception, the habits of the black guillemot, in localities 

 where it is common, are practically identical with those of the ordinary- 

 guillemot and the razorbill. The one exception is the fact, already 

 mentioned, that it lays two eggs, which are usually deposited in crevices 

 of the rocks instead of on 

 bare ledges. Such crevices 

 may be either high up on 

 a cliff or at its foot ; and 

 instances are not unknown 

 of these birds breeding — 

 we cannot say nesting — 

 far away from the coast. 

 The eggs, which measure 

 from rather more than 2 

 to just over 2^ inches in 

 length, are less variable 

 in colouring than those of 

 the guillemot; the ground- 

 colour being usually white 

 or greenish white, with 

 evenly distributed black 

 spots and distinct under- 

 lying purplish-grey spots; 



but both the superficial and the deep-seated markings may run 

 together into blotches, while the ground-colour is sometimes of a lilac 

 shade with brown or grey markings. 



Little Auk or '^^^ pretty little sea-bird commonly known as the 

 Rotehe' y^^^le auk, but better designated by its alternative of 



(AUe nigricans) rotehe, in order to distinguish it from the typical 

 auks, has suffered severely from the vagaries of 

 scientific nomenclature, and the present writer will not improbably be 

 charged with adding to its misfortunes in this respect. Originally 

 named A/ca alle by Linnaeus, the species will be found described in 

 the older works on British ornithology as Merguhcs alle, and it is a 

 pity that it could not have been suffered to retain this very appropriate 

 designation. Unfortunately, however, it was discovered that before 

 the generic name Mergulus was published a foreign naturalist had 

 raised Linnaeus's specific name to generic rank, and according to the 

 views of the advanced zoologists of the present day the species con- 

 sequently assumes the alliterative title of Alle alle. As the adoption 



BLACK GUILLEMOT (ADULT AND YOUNG IN SUMMER). 



