134 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



time forward, to the following breeding-season, the 

 Guillemot's movements are to a certain extent 

 unknown. As Professor Newton justly asks,* 

 What becomes of the millions of Guillemots and 

 other Auks that breed in northern latitudes ? 

 The birds that are met with round the coasts of 

 temperate Europe, and elsewhere, bear no pro- 

 portion whatever to the mighty hosts whose 

 position and movements remain unrevealed. At 

 present the only feasible explanation seems to be 

 that the birds, during the non-breeding-season, are 

 scattered in quest of sustenance over many 

 thousands of square miles of water ; in summer 

 only is their vast abundance palpable, when all 

 are gathered into a comparatively small area. 



In connection with the Guillemot mention should 

 be made of the Ringed Guillemot, the Uria ringvia 

 of Latham. It only differs from the Common 

 Guillemot in having a narrow white band round 

 the eye, which is prolonged into a streak for some 

 distance behind and below it. It may be seen 

 breeding in company with the commoner form, 

 and is not known to differ in its habits. Whether 

 it be a distinct species as Gatke states or 

 merely a variety of the Common Guillemot, 

 as many naturalists believe, still remains to be 

 decided. 



* Dictionary of Birds, p. 399. 



