THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 583 



389. Razorbill [TORDALK]. 

 ALCA TORDA, Linn. 



Heligolandish : In summer plumage, Korrid a name probably used in 

 imitation of the voice of the bird. Winter plumage, Dogger a name 

 without further signification. 



Alca torda. Naumann, xii. 606. 



Razorbill. Dresser, viii. 557. 



Pingouin macroptere. Temminck, Manuel, ii. 936, iv. 581. 



Although annually represented by but very few pairs, this 

 peculiar species must, nevertheless, be counted among the breeding 

 birds of Heligoland. The Razorbills on this island deposit their 

 eggs in a deep cleft of the conical rock at the northern 

 extremity of the island called Nathurn-Stack. For several years 

 a few pairs used to breed among the blocks of rock of a large 

 talus at the foot of the cliff ; but the tremendous surf which rages 

 round this spot during the autumn and winter months has gradu- 

 ally destroyed this breeding station. 



In the course of the autumn and winter months, these birds are 

 shot very frequently, and eaten with great relish by Heligolanders ; 

 they are at that time of such extraordinary fatness that the lower 

 parts of their thighs are only just visible beyond the mass of fat 

 which envelopes the body. 



This species breeds in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, 

 South Greenland, Ireland, the Faroes, and also on the coasts of 

 Great Britain and Scandinavia and as far as the White Sea. 



390. Little Auk [KLEINER ALK]. 

 ALCA ALLE, Linn. 1 



Heligolandish : Liitj Dogger = Little Auk. 



Mergulus alle. Naumann, xii. 552. 



Little Auk. Dresser, viii. 591. 



Guillemot nain. Temminck, Manuel, ii. 928, iv. 578. 



This species, the smallest of the diving birds, also comes to 

 Heligoland from its Arctic home, of course only in late autumn and 

 winter when the breeding season is over. The bird has not yet been 



1 Mergulus alle (Linn.). 



