Birds of Britain 



Both sexes take part in the incubation, and the young are 

 said not to leave the nest until they are fully fledged. 

 Their food consists of fish and crustaceans, which they 

 obtain by diving. 



The sexes are alike in plumage, and in summer are of a 

 uniform sooty brown all over, with the exception of a patch 

 on the wing, which is white. Bill black. Legs vermilion 

 red. 



In winter the crown is black marked with white, the 

 back barred with black and white, and the rest of the 

 plumage white. The young resemble the adults in winter 

 but are rather whiter. Length 14 in. ; wing 6' 5 in. 



THE LITTLE AUK 



Mergulus alle (Linnaeus) 



This species is an inhabitant of Arctic seas, breeding in 

 Greenland, Spitzbergen, and Franz Josef Land, but it does not 

 occur in Arctic America nor to the east of the Kara Sea. 

 In winter it migrates southwards and a few are found round 

 our northern shores every year, but in severe winters it 

 often occurs in considerable numbers, and many storm- 

 driven birds are found in a dying condition far inland. 



There is a small white spot over the eye, but otherwise 

 the plumage is sooty black on the upper parts. The under 

 parts are white, but in summer the chin and throat are 

 black. Length 8*5 in.; wing 4*65 in. 



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