99 



GREAT AUK. 



GAIRFOWL. 



PLATE CCXI. 



Alca impennis. , , Pennant, Montagu. Bewick. Selbt. 

 " " . . Fleming. Jenyns. Gould. Yaebell. 



The Great Auk hatches its e^g on the bare ground, 

 close above the sea-bord, or in the clefts of rocks. 

 This in the month of June. 



The eg^ is yellowish white, streaked and spotted, 

 principally about the larger end, with black, the ground 

 colour being a dull white tinged with yellow. 



These eggs may be said to be "worth their weight 

 in gold;" I know of about sixty guineas having been 

 given for a pair. 



I have to thank W. F. W. Bird, Esq., for an offer of 

 a drawing from a specimen in the fine collection of the 

 Eight Hon. Lord Garvagh, but the present engraving 

 was already executed: I am equally indebted to my 

 obliging friend. 



