374 Mr. A. Newton on Mr. J. Wolley's Researches 



land the following summer. These are now in my collection. 

 They ai'e smaller than eggs of Cic. alba, from which also they 

 may be distinguished by a very faint greenish tinge to be noticed 

 on closer inspection. 



XLII. — Abstract of Mr. J. Wolley's Researches in Iceland re- 

 specting the Gare-fowl or Great Auk (Alca impennis, Linn.). 

 By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.L.S. 



As from various causes some time must pass before I can hope 

 to find leisure to arrange the mass of information respecting 

 the Gare-fowl or Great Auk [Alca impennis, Linn.) collected by 

 Mr. John Wolley, and continue the inquiries commenced by 

 him on that subject, so as to publish the details in a fitting 

 manner, several of my friends have urged me not to delay 

 making known more fully than has been done the results of, that 

 gentleman's researches when in Iceland, in vtrhich researches I 

 had, to some small extent, the pleasure of assisting him. In- 

 dependently of these recommendations, I am influenced by the 

 consideration that I ought not to withhold from naturalists what 

 is likely to be interesting to some of them ; and, still more, that, 

 were I to do so any longer, I should run the risk of losing to my 

 late friend's reputation the credit which, from his labours, of 

 right belongs to it. But I trust it will be understood that, in 

 this paper, I make no pretence of giving anything like a complete 

 history of the bird ; for that is a task for which, at the present 

 moment, I am certainly not competent, however much I may 

 hope some day to achieve it. I only wish to place on record 

 certain facts which Mr. Wolley was able to ascertain. 



As long ago as the year 1847, Mr. Wolley's attention was 

 directed in an especial manner to the Great Auk, and during 1851 

 and 1 852 he bestowed much pains in investigating its history from 

 the works of old naturalists and travellers. When I was with him 

 in Lapland in 1855, we often discussed the chances of its con- 

 tinued existence, finally pledging each other to make a joint expe- 

 dition to Iceland as soon as it could be conveniently performed. 

 At the same time, I have no wish to underrate the impulse given 

 to my friend's enthusiasm, and through him to my own, during his 



