Incuba- 
tion, &c. 
Food. 
434 NATATORES. ALCA. Great AuK. 
upon the rocks above the reach of the highest tides, or of- 
tener in deep clefts, as more secure from observation. Its 
egg is described as being equal in size to that of the Swan, 
and of a yellowish-white, blotched and lined with brownish- 
black. The wings of this species (though possessing the 
usual number of quill-feathers, and being in other respects 
of perfect formation) are so short as to leave it totally in- 
capable of flight: this inability seems, however, to be amply 
compensated by their power, as fins, to aid its progress be- 
neath the surface, which, according to Mr Buiiocx, who 
ineffectually chased one of these birds in a six-oared boat, is 
of almost incredible swiftness. PENNANT remarks, that the 
Great Auk has been observed by seamen seldom to wander 
beyond. soundings, and they are in the habit of taking their 
measures accordingly, conjecturing from its presence that 
land is not far distant. We might thus account for its occa- 
sional appearance only on the north of Scotland, as any mi- 
gration from its nearest known haunt must necessarily be 
effected by swimming, and part of the channel between these 
points may be of a depth beyond what it likes to pass over. 
It undergoes a double moult, similar to that of theRazor-bill ; 
and this interesting change was witnessed by Dr FLEMING 
in the individual before mentioned, which in the course of a 
few days lost the brownish-black that clothed the throat and 
sides of the neck when first caught, and acquired a set of 
white feathers in their place. Its powers of swimming and 
diving have been shewn to be very great, and Dr FLemine 
further relates, that his bird, even with a long and heavy 
cord attached to its leg, swam under water with extraordinary 
speed.—It feeds principally on fish (though other writers add 
marine vegetables as forming part of its diet), and is said to 
be particularly fond of the Lump-fish (Cyclopterus lumpus), 
which is found in the vicinity of rocky coasts and islands 
throughout the southern seas. 
Piate 82. represents this bird, of a reduced size, and in the 
