4 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Economic Qualities. — Their flesh and eggs are used 

 for food in default of better fowl. 



Captivity. — They are seldom kept, and do not do very 

 well ; but if given natural treatment, i.e., plenty 

 of swimming room and fish to eat, they can be 

 maintained successfully. They have not bred in 

 confinement. 



Distribution and Important Species. — The birds 

 of this family are entirely marine, but haunt 

 seas of the Northern Hemisphere only, chiefly 

 in high latitudes, and approaching land only to 

 breed, which they always do gregariously. There 

 are about two dozen species, most of which are 

 found in the North Pacific. Familiar British 

 forms are the Guillemot {Uria troile), Puffin 

 {Fratercula arctica), and Razorbill (Alca tor da). 

 The extinct Great Auk (Alca impennis) was far 

 the largest of the family, and the only flightless 

 member of it, the wings being far too small 

 for flight. The smallest is the Choochkie 

 {Simorhynchus pusillus) of Alaska, a very common 

 bird and an important article of food. The Little 

 Auk, or Rotche [Mergulus alle), of the Arctic 

 regions, is not much larger, about equalling a 

 thrush ; it visits Britain in winter. The Black 

 Guillemot, or Dovekie (Uria grylle), is a familiar 

 bird in the Arctic regions also. The most 

 familiar Arctic form is, however, the Loom, or 

 Brunnich's Guillemot (Uria hrunnichi). 



Barbets (Capitonidcc). 



Diagnosis. — Perching birds with toes in pairs, and 



stout beak of largd but not excessive size. 

 Size. — From that of a jay to that of a tit. 

 Form. — Bill short, stout, often bristled at the base, 



