CHAPTER IV 



THE GREAT AUK- 



THE journey to Iceland, though it resulted in no definite 

 knowledge as to the continued existence of the Gare-fowl, 

 so far from discouraging Newton proved to be the 

 beginning of a prolonged investigation of the natural 

 history, distribution, and remains of that most remarkable 

 bird. The many days that they spent in enforced 

 idleness in Iceland were occupied by Newton and Wolley 

 in examining a score or more of witnesses, fishermen and 

 sailors, who had visited the breeding-places of the Gare- 

 fowl and had been present on the occasions when the 

 birds had been killed or captured. The result of their 

 investigations was published * by Newton after Wolley 's 

 death. An interesting point, and one to be greatly 

 deplored, which they discovered in the course of their 

 inquiry, was that the extermination of the bird had been 

 greatly hastened by the action of the European museums 

 in offering large sums for their skins and eggs. Discussing 

 the probable fate of the bird, Newton wrote | : 



As to the extinction of the Great Auk, if it is extinct, 

 I think it has been mainly accomplished by human 

 means. The first ^decided blow, from which probably 

 the race never rallied, must have been that delivered by 

 the crew of a strange vessel who about 45 years ago, 

 while lying becalmed off Cape Reykjanes, landed on 

 the Geirfuglasker and committed an enormous slaughter. 



* " Abstract of Mr. J. Wolley's Researches in Iceland respecting the 

 Gare-fowl or Great Auk (Alca impennis, Linn.)," Ibis, October, 1861. 

 t Letter to T. Southwell, Esq., August 30, 1858. Elveden. 

 40 



