434 NATATORES. ALCA. GREAT AUK. 



upon the rocks above the reach of the highest tides, or of- 

 Incuba- tener in deep clefts, as more secure from observation. Its 

 tion, &c. e gg | g d escr ik ec l as being equal in size to that of the Swan, 

 and of a yellowish- white, blotched and lined with brownish- 

 black. The wings of this species (though possessing the 

 usual number of quill-feathers, and being in other respects 

 of perfect formation) are so short as to leave it totally in- 

 capable of flight : this inability seems, however, to be amply 

 compensated by their power, as fins, to aid its progress be- 

 neath the surface, which, according to Mr BULLOCK, who 

 ineffectually chased one of these birds in a six-oared boat, is 

 of almost incredible swiftness. PENNANT remarks, that the 

 Great Auk has been observed by seamen seldom to wander 

 beyond soundings, and they are in the habit of taking their 

 measures accordingly, conjecturing from its presence that 

 land is not far distant. We might thus account for its occa- 

 sional appearance only on the north of Scotland, as any mi- 

 gration from its nearest known haunt must necessarily be 

 effected by swimming, and part of the channel between these 

 points may be of a depth beyond what it likes to pass over. 

 It undergoes a double moult, similar to that of theRazor-bill ; 

 and this interesting change was witnessed by Dr FLEMING 

 in the individual before mentioned, which in the course of a 

 few days lost the brownish-black that clothed the throat and 

 sides of the neck when first caught, and acquired a set of 

 white feathers in their place. Its powers .of swimming and 

 diving have been shewn to be very great, and Dr FLEMING 

 further relates, that his bird, even with a long and heavy 

 cord attached to its leg, swam under water with extraordinary 

 Food, speed. It feeds principally on fish (though other writers add 

 marine vegetables as forming part of its diet), and is said to 

 be particularly fond of the Lump-fish (Cyclopterus lumpus), 

 which is found in the vicinity of rocky coasts and islands 

 throughout the southern seas. 



PLATE 82. represents this bird, of a reduced size, and in the 



