AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 243 



tipped with the black; scapulars edged and secondaries tipped with 

 white. In winter: — White of the under parts extends to the bill and on 

 the sides of the neck. The young are similar to the winter adults. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



These birds are very abundant in their breeding grounds on islands 

 in the Arctic Ocean, where they deposit their single pale blue eggs, 

 among crevices in the rocks. 



HABITS. 



These pretty little birds, the smallest of the true family of the Auks,, 

 are known also by the names of "Ice Bird" and "Sea Dove." They 

 are so entirely sea-birds that they are only seen on land or in the 

 vicinity of the shores during breeding season. At other seasons, except 

 during severe storms, they are. found fifteen or twenty miles from the 

 nearest land. They are the most numerous of the northern birds and it 

 is said that in some places millions of them breed, they being so numer- 

 ous as to dot the water and floating ice as far as the eye can see, and 

 darkening the sky when they take wing. 



They are veterans in marine navigation and safely ride over the tops 

 of the highest waves, or else meeting them as they come, plunge bold- 

 ly into them, emerging on the other side. At times, active as they are, 

 they are unable to combat the severe storms and either perish by 

 drowning or are driven far from their chosen homes and, thoroughly 

 exhausted by the long flight, perish on inhospitable shores. 



Their food is composed mainly of small Crustacea- These they pro- 

 cure either on the surface of the water or by diving; they are experts 

 in the latter art and are able to remain under water for two minutes or 

 more. Their flight is very swift and is made at alow elevation. They 

 are able to walk about on the land with ease, walking upright as do 

 other members of the family, and supporting themselves on the whole 

 tarsus. 



