GREAT AUK 



GAIRFOWL. 



PLATE CCXI. 

 Alca impenntSj ...... LINNJSUS. 



THIS extinct bird formerly hatched on the bare ground 

 close to the coast, or in the cleft of a rock. 



The egg resembled that of the Razor-Bill in general 

 coloration, the ground colour being creamy white, streaked 

 and spotted, principally about the larger end, with black or 

 dark brown. 



About seventy eggs are now preserved in museums and 

 other collections. They have become extremely valuable of 

 late years. In the early part of this century they realised 

 but a few pounds. They have now risen to an extreme 

 price, a single specimen having been sold by public auction 

 for even more than three hundred pounds. 



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