LITTLE GUILLEMOT. 261 



the head, back, wings, and tail, were black ; the upper 

 part of the breast and hindhead, were gray, or white, 

 mixed with ash ; the sides of the neck, whole lower 

 parts, and tips of secondaries, were pure white ; feet 

 and legs, black ; shins, pale flesh colour ; above each 

 eye, there was a small spot of white;* the lower 

 scapulars, streaked slightly with the same. 



The little guillemot is said to be but a rare visitant of 

 the British isles. It is met with in various parts of the 

 north, even as far as Spitzbergen ; is common in Green- 

 land, in company with the black-billed auk, and feeds 

 upon the same kind of food. The Greenlanders call 

 it the ice-bird, from the circumstance of its being the 

 harbinger of ice. It lays two bluish white eggs, larger 

 than those of the pigeon. It flies quick, and dives 

 well ; and is always dipping its bill into the water while 

 swimming, or at rest on that element ; walks better on 

 land than others of the genus. It grows fat in the stormy 

 season, from the waves bringing plenty of crabs and 

 small fish within its reach. It is not a very crafty bird, 

 and may be easily taken. It varies to quite white, and 

 sometimes is found with a reddish breast.-|" 



To the anatomist, the internal organization of this 

 species is deserving attention : it is so constructed as to 

 be capable of contracting or dilating itself at pleasure. 

 We know not what Nature intends by this conformation, 

 unless it be to facilitate diving, for which the compressed 

 form is well adapted; and likewise the body, when 

 expanded, will be rendered more buoyant, and fit for 

 the purpose of swimming upon the surface of the water. 



* In Peak's Museum, there is an excellent specimen of this 

 species, which has likewise a smaller spot below each eye. 

 f LATHAM ; PENNANT. 



