BIRDS OF ICELAND 131 



Resident, not in great numbers in the summer, as 

 its principal breeding-places are farther north, but 

 plentiful in winter, when, however, it keeps at a dis- 

 tance from shore. Its only known Icelandic breeding- 

 place is on Grimsey, but it is possible that there are 

 others. Not uncommonly driven inland, as in England, 

 by fierce storms. 



The single egg is large for the size of the bird (nearly 

 two inches long), pale bluish green, with sometimes faint 

 spots and scribblings of red-grey ; it is placed in a hole 

 in the ground, in a burrow excavated by the bird, or 

 amongst loose stones. I append a quaint extract from 

 Proctor's MS. Journal: 'Tuesday 3d (of July 1837) I 

 went in surch of the Little Auk's eejo-s etc. I G;ot a fue 

 with the bird they buld — or rather lay ther single egg 

 a mong the large Stones — the egg is of a skim milk or 

 light blue colour.' 



The bird is nearly black on the upper parts, includ- 

 ing the head and neck, white underneath. In winter 

 the chin and throat turn white. Length 81 inches, 

 wing 4'|- inches. There is a certain resemblance 

 between this bird and immature Puffins, and the latter 

 often get reported as Little Auks in England. The 

 food consists usually of small oceanic Crustacea, etc., 

 but they will eat little fish when they can get them, 

 and fish refuse thrown away by man. 



