LITTLE AUK. 283 



November, 1862. On the 25tli May, 1857, a little auk 

 in full summer plumage, having a rich black throat, was 

 killed at Wells. This bird, now in my own collection,"^ 

 was shot whilst skimming over the waves close inshore ; 

 ■ it was covered with sand when brought to me in 

 the flesh. It is difficult to account for its appear- 

 ance on our coast at such a season. So rare is the 

 occurrence of this arctic breeder in England during the 

 summer months that I know of but one other recorded 

 instance, an adult bird, said to have been obtained at 

 Downham, in Norfolk, during the second week in July, 

 1846. Mr. C. B. Hunter, who communicated the fact 

 to the ' Zoologist ' at the time, says ' it was in an 

 extremely emaciated condition,' and, therefore, most 

 probably from accident or disease was unable to migrate. 

 Mr. Hunter, however, does not state whether the throat 

 of this specimen was black or white." 



In addition to the two instances of the occurrence of 

 this bird in summer plumage given above, Mr. J. H. 

 Gurney, jun., has at Keswick a specimen said to have 

 been obtained about five miles from the entrance to 

 Lynn harbour, on the 15th July, 1872 ; another in com- 

 j)lete summer plumage, in the same collection, was killed 

 at Surlingham about 1870 ; Mr. Gurney also informs me 

 that Mr. Tillard, of Blakeney, has one, killed at that 

 place, which had about half assumed summer plumage. 



Mr. Stevenson made an analysis of thirty-five occur- 

 rences of this bird in Norfolk up to the end of 1862, 

 with the following result : — Seventeen were killed in- 

 land ; four on Hickling Broad ; and fourteen on the 

 coast. Of these, thirty-one occurred in November and 

 December; two in March (13th and 19th) ; one in Feb- 

 ruary (23rd) ; and one May (25th). 



Mr. Dowell tells me the little auk was (and perhaps 

 is now) known to the Blakeney gunners as the " King- 

 John." 



* Purchased at Mr. Stevenson's sale for the Norwich Museum. 



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