432 Synopsis of the Birds 



Inhabits the north of both continents : common in winter 

 along the coasts of the United States : found occasionally on 

 those of Italy. Forms the transition from the genus Uria^ 

 especially Uria troile, which it closely resembles in plumage.* 



* Alca impennis, L. Black, beneath white ; wings extremely short, 

 useless for flight ; tail rounded, very short, of sixteen feathers. 



Adult, bill sulcate ; summer plumage, whole head and throat black ; a 

 large white spot each side of the bill. 



Young, bill smooth ; no white spot on the front. 



Great Auk, Edw. pi. 147. Buff. pi. ml. 367. 



Inhabits the Arctic seas of both continents, where it is almost constantly 

 resident. Connects the Family Pygopodes, with the last of all, that of 

 Impennes, having no representative in our hemisphere. 



