ALCIB2E: AUKS. 



799 



excavated for the purjiose. Auks 

 are all altrices, and are lielicvrd 

 to be chiefly inoiiogainous. The 

 young are at first covered with 

 long soft woolly down ; rarely 

 stifiisli hairs appear on some parts. 

 The moult is donble. The young 

 of the year usually differ from the 

 adults ; the latter usually differ in 

 their summer and winter plumages. 

 A very prevalent feature is the 

 possession of crests or plumes, or 

 elongated feathers of a peculiar 

 '^h ipe on the sides of the head. 

 AU the species walk badly ; 

 some scarcely M'alk at all. 

 The position of the legs with 

 reference to the a\is of the 

 hody necessitates an upiright 

 position when standing. The 

 birds appear to rest on their 

 rumps, with the feet extended 

 horizontally before them, most 

 of the tarsus touching the 

 ground. The Puffins, how- 

 ever, and a few others, stand 

 well on their feet. All the 

 species but one fly well, with 

 rapid vigorous motion of the 

 wings, in a straight, firm, 

 well - sustained course. All 

 progress on or under the 

 water with the utmost facility. 

 They are very silent birds; 

 the voice is rough and harsh ; 

 the notes are monotoned. 

 They feed exclusively upon 

 Fig. 532. — A needle rock tenanted by Cormorants (p. 728, No. 757), Auks, animal substances procured 

 etc. (Designed by H. W. Elliott. From Harper Brothers.) j-^.^j^^ ^j^p water. 



The family is divisible into two suhfamihes according to the feathering of the nostrils 

 and other characters. 



Analysis of Sub/amiUes and Genera. 

 Phaleridin^. Nostrils naked, remote from feathers. Bill of variable shape, always compressed, 

 higher than wide, as far as known appendaged with deciduous elements. Head nearly always crested. 

 No great seas >nal changes of iilumago. 

 F.yelids with deciduous appendages. No crests. Bill extremely high and thin; culmen with one 

 curve; Iwth mandibles grooved. A rosette at angle of mouth. Covering of bill moulteil in 7-9 

 pieces. Inner lateral claw enlarged. 

 Eyelids simple Long lateral crests 

 mandible grooved, under smooth 

 Inner lateral claw enlargeil 



Tarsus scutellate in front Fratercula 33T 



Bill extremely high and thin; culmen with two curves; upper 

 A rosette at angle of mouth. Covering of bill moulted in 7 pieces. 

 Tarsus scutellate in front Liinda 338- 



Eyelids simple. Lateral crests. Bill with a deci<luous horn at base of upper mandible. No rosette. 



