ALCIDyK — THH AUKS — UllIA. 481 



Yarrell stotcs tli.'it lie, lias seen in tlio water at the base of high cliffs, In the Isle 

 of Wight, young Guilleuiots so small that they could not have made the descent 

 from the lofty site of their birthplace without having been killed. Yet these little 

 birds knev/ perfectly well how to take care of themselves, and on the approach of a 

 boat would swim and dive in various directions. Early in Sejitember these birds, 

 young and old, quit the foot of the rocks near their l)reeding-places for the open 

 ocean, where they remain until the following May. 



This bird is said to remain about the rocks and bays of Orkney and Shetland all 

 the year ; and also on the coast of Iceland and among the Fame Islands. It was 

 found by Sir Edward Parry and Sir James C. lloss, in their journey over the ice, as 

 high as latitude 81°. 



Uria ringvia. 



The claim of this form, which so closely resembles the common Guillemot, to be 

 ranked as of specific significance, is generally challenged by writers. Certainly there 

 is no difference noticeable in the habits, and but little in the distribution, of the two 

 birds. When found at all, it is almost invariably in company with the troile ; but 

 the latter is usually present in much the larger numbers. According to Gould, the 

 ringvia is particularly common on the coast of Wales, where, as he was informed, 

 the Bridled Guillemot is quite as numerous as the other form. It was first described 

 in 1822, from a specimen obtained at Newfoundland by A. Valenciennes. It is 

 considered a distinct species from the troile by Temminck, Thienemann, and other 

 naturalists, both French and German. Degland and Gerbe give it as being only 

 a variety of the common species. Temminck (IV. 577) remarks that Faber and 

 Graba, who have resided both in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, are positive that 

 both this form and the Thick-billed are only varieties of the common species. While 

 allowing due weight to the opinions of two such competent judges, based upon obser- 

 vations made on the spot, he is unconvinced, especially as Briinnich's Guillemot is 

 also reduced to a mere variety of troile, and not regarded a good species. 



Audubon figures the ringvia as the male of the troile, evidently not appreciating 

 the fact that the difference is not one of sex. 



Dr. Bryant, who met with this bird on Gannet Kock, says in regard to it : " As 

 this bird was unfortunately confounded by Audiibon with the preceding species 

 [troile], it is at present impossible to ascertain what were its limits or numbers at 

 the time of his visit. There can be little doubt, however, that it was not at all rare 

 on the Labrador shore. None of these birds were seen by me at any place, except on 

 Gannet Eock, though I think it must breed at other points on the coast. 'J'he eggs 

 are said by Naumann to be larger than those of the Foolish Guillemot, the shell to 

 be smooth, and the spots to be seldom large, etc. The largest Guillemot e^^ found 

 by me was one of the present species ; but in respect to coloration I notice no partic- 

 ular mark by which they could be distinguished from the others. The largest and 

 handsomest e^g procured is one of the green variety, and marked over the whole 

 surface with lines presenting very much the appearance of Chinese characters ; it 

 resembles, however, specimens of the eggs of Uria troile, and I see no character by 

 which it could be distinguished from them." 



Degland and Gerbe, while treating this form as a variety, state that it inhabits the 

 Arctic regions generally, including Iceland, the Faroes, and Newfoundland ; and is 

 a migratory visitor on the coast of France, individuals having been found dead on 

 the shores of the English Channel, and others killed along the French coast. On 

 the 7th of June, 1846, a male and two females were shot — so M. Degland was 



VOL. II. — 61 



