( 375 ) 



half, wing eight. Young without the white line anterior to the 

 eye, and the white bands on the bill wanting. 



This is another of those marine birds which inhabit in general 

 the northern parts of both continents, and only visits the United 

 States during winter. According to Mr. Audubon, it breeds in 

 great numbers on the Gannet Rock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, on 

 the shores of Newfoundland, and the western coast of Labrador, 

 chiefly in the fissures of rocks. With us it is not common, though 

 occasionally observed along the coast, and sometimes stragglers are 

 seen wandering over the South Bay. During the winter months it 

 is occasionally exposed for sale in the Nevf York market, although 

 it is of no value for the table, on account of its flesh partaking 

 strongly of the flavor of its food. Still, like all other species that 

 are rare with us, it is always in request by amateurs. 



GENUS MERGULUS — RAY. 



SEA-DOVE. 



[Bill shorter than the head, stout, tapering, compressed toward the end ;^ 

 tip of upper mandible declinate, feathered to the nostrils ; lower mandible 

 feathered beneath, nearly the entire length ; head largo ; eyes small ; neck 

 short, full ; body compact ; wings narrow, pointed, of moderate length ; tail 

 very short, rounded ; tarsi short ; feet short ; toes connected by entire webs^ 

 hind toe wanting.] 



MERGULUS ALLE— LINN. 



COMMON SEA-DOVE. 



Alca Alle, Wilson. 



Uria Alle, Bonap. 



Little Guillemot, Uria Alle, Sw. & Rich. 



Little Auk or Sea Dove, Nuttall. 



Little Guillemot, Uria Alle, Aud. 



Specific Character — Bill black, short, stout, feathered to the nostrils 

 as also to near the end of lower mandible, tarsi ll-16ths of an inch ; 

 tail short, rounded ; feet pale flesh color ; neck rather short ; body 

 plump. Adult in spring with the head and neck all round, with 

 the upper parts black ; lower parts white ; scapulars margined with 

 white, secondaries tipped with the same. Winter plumage, throat, 

 fore part and sides of the neck, with a band on the hind neck, and 



