THE GREAT AUK. 188 



brought together by common necessity, and neyer move in 

 concerted flocks. 



At this season, their movements are not betrayed by any 

 note or call ; the vocal powers of the species are only called 

 intp existence at the period of propagation ; at other times 

 they move and start to wing in silence. The young run or 

 wander off as soon as they are hatched, are at this period 

 covered with a brownish-white down, and, on being taken, 

 mtter a slender bleat, or clear and long drawn peep. 



THE GREAT AUK. (Alca tmpenntd). 



This bird is of the size of a goose ; its bill is black, and 

 covered at the base with short velvetlike feathers. The 

 upper parts of the plumage are black, and the lower parts 

 white, with a spot of white between the bill and the eyes, 

 and an oblong stripe of the same on the wings, which are 

 too short for flight. It is a very bad walker, but swims 

 and dives well. It is, however observed by seamen, that it 

 is never seen out of soundings, so that its appearance serves 

 as an infallible direction to land. It feeds on the lump- 

 fish, and others of the same size ; and is frequently seen on 

 the coasts of Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland, &c. The 

 female lays but one egg, which she hatches on a ledge^ oloM 

 to the seamark. 



