ROTCHE 



LITTLE AUK COMMON ROTCHE. 



PLATE CCIX. FIGURE I. 



Mergulus #//<?, .... DRESSER. 



Alca alle, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Mergulus melanoleucos, . . YARRELL. 



THIS irregular winter visitor to the British Islands breeds 

 only in the Arctic Circle. The shelter of a chance 

 stone on the earth or rock in some precipitous spot, from 

 whence it can readily drop into the water, or take flight, is 

 all that the Little Auk thinks it necessary to seek or provide 

 in the shape of a nest, unless some cavernous hollow present 

 itself, and this, if suitable, will be taken advantage of by 

 several individuals. 



The egg of this small sea-bird is of a uniform pale 

 bluish green ; some specimens are spotted with rust-colour, 

 or yellowish brown. 



Several of these birds build in company, from fifty to a 

 hundred or so. 



Both parents take their share of the incubation ; while 

 one of them sits on the eggs, the other may be seen close 

 by, perched on a rock or stone. The young do not leave 

 the nest before they are fully fledged. 



