ALCIDiE — THE AUKS — CEI'I'IIUS. 401 



tcniiiiiiil si>ols of wliito, and rump and lower parts indistinctly barred with grayish dusky. Pileum 

 showing very little concealed dusky. Downy younrj : Uniform bLickish-fuliginoas, paler and more 

 <,n-ayisli below. 



Total length, about 12.50 to 13,50 inches; extent, 22.00 to23.0<>; win;,', G.25-7.20; culmen, 

 1.00-1.20; gonys, .45-55; depth of bill through middle of nostril, .35-.-^0 ; tarsas, 1.2(>-l.;iMj; 

 middle toe, without claw, 1.25-1. 35. ^ 



Specimens from various localities agree very closely 

 in coloration. The only one sufticiently abnormal to call 

 for special mention is No. 76318, Kingwuh Fiord, Cum- 

 berland Sound, June 9, 1878 ; L. Kumlien, collector. 

 This has the seven outer primaries marked with a small 



white terminal spot, anterior to which are several gray- .. 



ish transverse bars, like " water-marks." The claws, j 



instead of being jet black, are pale brownish yellow 

 ("light pink" in life). 



This species is included by Dr. Bessels, under 

 tlie name Uria grylle, in his list of species taken 



by the ''Polaris" Expedition in Smith's Sound; and Captain Feilden found it breed- 

 ing at various i)oints along the shores of Smith's Sound and northward, esjjecially a^ 

 Washington Irving Island, Dobbin Bay, Cape Hayes, and Bessels Bay. It was not 

 ascertained to breed north of Cape Union. Two or three of these birds were seen 

 feeding in pools on the floe as far north as lat. 82° 33' N. ; but these Avere evidently 

 stragglers. 



Dr. Walker, in his Notes ui)on the Birds observed in the Voyage of the " Fox," 

 mentions his having procured this species in midwinter in 1858 and 1859; and 

 the Black Guillemot is also included by Professor Reinhardt among the birds of 

 Greenland, resident throughout the year. 



Richardson states that this Guillemot abounds throughout the Arctic seas and 

 straits, from Melville Island to Hudson's Bay, and that it remains — though in 

 diminished numbers — throughout the winter in the pools of open water that occur 

 among the ice-floes even in the highest latitudes. 



Mr. Hearne, in his " Journey to the Northern Ocean " (p. 428), states that this bird 

 is known in the Hudson's Bay Region as the " Sea Pigeon." It is said to frequent 

 the shores both of the Bay and of the connecting straits in considerable numbers, 

 l)ut more particularly the northern parts, where it flies in large flocks ; to the south- 

 ward it is seen only in pairs. In weight it is said to be fully equal to a Widgeon, 

 though to appearance not so large. It usually makes its nest in holes of rocks, and 

 lays two eggs that are justly regarded as a great delicacy, being excellent eating. 

 Referring to the statement of Mr. Pennant, that this Guillemot braves the coldest 

 winters in that region, he states that it is never known to makes its appearance near 

 the land after the frost becomes severe. 



This is eminently a resident species, occupying one locality continuously, provided 

 it finds there constant supplies of food. In localities that become ice-bound, or where 

 in winter food is not abundant, we find it shifting its quarters to more attractive 

 regions. 



^ Ten adults. The largest in the series are a specimen in summer plumage from Ilendd I.^land, and 

 one in winter dress from St. Michael's, Alaska. 



