224 LITTLE AUK. 



assimilating certainly with the last in the plumage 

 and its changes, but varying in the form of the bill. 

 One species only is known. 



GENUS MERGULUS, Ray. Generic characters. 

 Bill short, thick, tumid at the base; nostrils 

 basal, round, partly plumed, protected by a 

 scale ; wings rather short, two first quills 

 longest and equal ; legs placed behind, tarsi 

 short ; hallux wanting. 



Types. M. alle. Vicinity of the arctic circle, 

 roaming accidentally to temperate Europe. 



Note. Gregarious; breeds on the ledges of 

 rocks. 



THE LITTLE AUK. 



Mergulus alk. 

 PLATE XVIII. 



Alca alle. Lim. Uria alle. Temm. Little Auk, or Rotehe, 

 of British, authors. 



WE have never had the satisfaction to meet with 

 this species in a recent state ; and it may be con- 

 sidered as rather a northern bird than one which 

 regularly visits our shores in winter, except under 



