The Razor-bill Auk (Alca Torda). 



THIS species on some coasts is nearly equally abun- 

 dant with the Guillemots, and resembles it much 

 in habits, breeding in the same manner and gre- 

 gariously on the same rocks, appearing off our shores and 

 in our firths and inlets during the winter in small parties. 



They are easily approached in a boat, but they do not 

 allow the hunter to come so near as the guillemots, diving 

 or taking wing when a boat approaches to within thirty 

 or forty yards. The wings are shorter, and it has a more 

 rapid flight, which is swift while it lasts. It seems to skim 

 the water in winter time. 



This member of the Auk family is found breeding in 

 suitable localities over a long range, viz., from Shetland to 

 the Isle of Wight, and thence southward. It is supposed 

 to be equally abundant on the continental shores, but there 

 is uncertainty as to the exact southern limit. 



Certain it is that the Zoological Society has received 

 specimens from Tangiers; in the Arctic Seas it is also 

 found. It has been found breeding in the fissures of rock 

 in British North America. 



In the breeding plumage the head and neck are brownish 

 black, of a paler or browner tint on the throat, a narrow 

 streak of white extends from the culmen of the bill to the 

 angle of the eye; the plumage is thick and soft; above, 

 very deep brownish black; the secondary quills tipped 

 with white, forming a narrow bar across the wing; tail 

 cuneated with the centre feathers, narrowed towards the 

 tip; under plumage entirely white; the bill black, trans- 

 versely furrowed, with a line of white in that of the centre; 

 legs and feet nearly black. 



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