476 



THE GREAT AUK. 



This bird, formerly to be found in several parts of Northern Europe, 

 in Labrador, and very rarely in the British Islands, has not been ob- 

 served for many years, and is as completely extinct as the Dodo. Al- 

 most the last living specimens known were seen in the Orkneys, and 

 were quite familiar to the inhabitants under the name of the King and 

 Queen of the Auks. 



According to Mr. Lloyd, this bird formerly frequented certain parts 

 of Iceland, a certain locality called the Auk Skar being celebrated 



for the number of 

 Auks which nested 

 upon it. The Skar, 

 however, is so diffi- 

 cult of approach, 

 on account of the 

 heavy surf which 

 beats upon it, that 

 few persons have 

 the daring to land. 

 In 1813 a number 

 of Auks were taken 

 from the Skiir, and, 

 horrible to relate, 

 they were all eaten 

 except one. 



The eggs are va- 

 riable in size, color, 

 and markings, some 

 being of a silvery- 

 white and others of 

 a yellowish -white 

 ground, and the 

 spots and streaks 

 are greatly differ- 

 ent in color and 

 form, some being 

 yellowish brown and purple, others purple and black, and others in- 

 tense blue and green. 



The upper surface of this bird is black, except a patch of pure white 

 round and in front of the eye, and the ends of the secondaries, w^hich 

 are white. The whole of the under surface is white, and in winter the 

 chin and throat are also white. The total length of the bird is thirty- 

 two inches. 



The odd little Puffin, so common on our coasts, is remarkable for 

 the singular shape, enormous size, and light colors of its beak, which 



The Great Auk {Aka impennis). 



