GUILLEMOTS 



419 



Siib-Fauiily IV. 

 THE GUILLEMOTS. URIANIN/E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill moderate, more or less strong, with the culmen 

 curved and the sides compressed to the tip, which is emarginated ; the nostrils basal, 

 and placed in a broad groove, more or less clothed with plumes, with the opening 

 exposed; the wings rather short and pointed; the tail short and rounded; the tarsi 

 short, more or less compressed; the toes moderate, and the anterior ones united by 

 a broad web, the outer toe as long as the middle toe, the hind toe wanting; the 

 claws short and curved. 



The Guillemots are found in the northern regions, from whence 

 they migrate to more temperate latitudes during the winter. 



Fig. 206.— The Little Alk {Arctica alle). 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Little Auk or Gmllemot {Arctica alle). "This interesting little 

 bird inhabits the countries extending northwards from our latitude to the 

 regions of perpetual ice, occurring equally in the polar regions of both conti- 

 nents. In these high latitudes the guillemots congregate in almost innumerable 



