Fig. 532.— A needle rock tenanted by Cormorants (p. 728, No. 757), Auks, 
ALCIDA: AUKS. 
etc. (Designed by H. W. Elliott. From Harper Brothers.) 
799 
excavated for the purpose. Auks 
are all altrices, and are believed 
to be chiefly monogamous. The 
young are at first covered with 
long soft woolly down; rarely 
stiffish hairs appear on some parts. 
The moult is double. 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 erests or plumes, or 
elongated feathers of a peculiar 
shape on the sides of the head. 
All the species walk badly ; 
some scarcely walk at all. 
The position of the legs with 
refereuce to the axis of the 
body necessitates an upright 
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 monvtoned. 
They feed exclusively upon 
animal substances procured 
from the water. 
The family is divisible into two subfamilies according to the feathering of the nostrils 
and other characters. 
PHALERIDINZ. Nostrils naked, remote from feathers. 
higher than wide, as far as known appendaged with deciduous elements. 
Analysis of Subfamilies and Genera. 
No great seasonal changes of plumage. 
Eyelids with deciduous appendages. No crests. Bill extremely high and thin; culmen with one 
curve; both mandibles grooved. 
pieces. Inner lateral claw enlarged. Tarsus scutellate in front 
Eyelids simple. Long lateral crests. 
Bill of variable shape, always compressed, 
Head nearly always crested. 
A rosette at angle of mouth. Covering of bill moulted in 7-9 
. Fratercula 337 
Bill extremely high and thin; calmer with two Garyes: upper 
mandible grooved, under smooth. A rosette-at angle of mouth. Covering of bill moulted in 7 pieces. 
Inner lateral claw enlarged. Tarsus scutellatein front . . . 
Eyelids simple. 
Lateral crests. 
Iunda 338 
Bill with a deciduous horn at base of ber mandible. No Tosette. 
* 
