ROTCHE. 



ROTCHE. 



LITTLE AUK. COMMON ROTCHE. 

 PLATE CCIX. FIGURE I. 



Alca alle, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Mergulus melanoleucos, FLEMING. SEI.BY. 



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 advan- 

 tage of by several individuals. 



The egg of this small sea-bird is of an uniform 

 pale bluish green; some specimens are spotted with 

 rust-colour. It is of an oval shape, and the ends 

 obtuse. 



Several of these birds build in company, from 

 fifty to a hundred or so. 



'While one of the parent birds 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.' 



