Part ii. 



SPECIES EXTINCT OR EXTIRPATED. 



Those species of Massachusetts birds which formerly were 

 important as a source of food supply, and which have become 

 extinct since the settlement of the State, or which have been 

 extirpated within its borders since the Pilgrim fathers landed 

 at Plymouth, are of primary importance in a work of this 

 kind, because the history of their extirpation will throw light 

 on the dangers that menace all birds which are killed for food 

 or sport. 



Naturalists regard a species as extinct only when it has dis- 

 appeared from the earth; but a bird may be extirpated or 

 rooted out from one State or country, while it still exists in 

 others. The history of the extinct species is here given first, 

 and that of the extirpated species follow. 



Extinct Species. 



THE GREAT AUK (Plautus impennis). 

 Common or local names: Penguin, Wobble or Garefowl. 



Length. — About 30 inches; wing, 6; tail, 3. 



Adult. — Blackish above; large white patch before the eye; white wing-bar 



along the tips of secondaries; sides of throat and neck dark brown; 



rest of under parts white. 

 Eggs. — Laid on ground or rock. Pyriform-ovate; pale olive or buff, 



marked with brown or black, in patterns like those of the Razor-billed 



Auk; measuring about 3 by 5. 

 Season. — Formerly in Massachusetts waters throughout the year. 

 Range. — In Europe, from the British Isles north to Iceland; in America, 



from the southern part of the east coast of Greenland to northern 



Florida. 



History. 

 Very little is known about the migrations of this bird in 

 America. I have seen no record of the occurrence of the 

 species at sea beyond soundings; but if it passed in migration 



