LITTLE AUK. 659 
the vicinity of the sea. The specimen described was killed at Great 
Egg Harbor, in the month of December, 1811,"and was sent to Wil- 
son as a great curiosity. It measured nine inches in length, and four- 
teen in extent ; the bill, upper part of the head, back, wings, and tail, 
were black ; the upper part of the breast, ahd hind head, were gray, or 
white, mixed with ash; the sides of the neck, whole lower parts, and 
tips of secondaries, were pure white; feet and legs, black ; shins, pale 
flesh color; above eack eye, there was a small spot of white;* the 
lower scapulars, streaked slightly with the same. This bird has no 
heel, and the exterior toe is the largest. 
The Little Auk is said to be but a rare visitant of the British isles. 
It is met with in various parts of the north, even as far as Spitzbergen ; 
is common in Greenland, in company with the Black-billed Auk, and 
feeds upon the same kirid of food. The Greenlanders call it the Ice- 
Bird, from the circumstance of its being the harbinger of ice. Itlays 
two bluish white eggs, larger than those of the Pigeon. It flies quick, 
and dives well; and is always dipping its bill into the water while 
swimming, or at rest on that element ; walks better on land than others 
of the genus. It grows fat in the stormy season, from the waves 
bringing plenty of crabs and small fisli within its reach. It is not a 
very crafty bird, and may be easily taken. Jt varies to quite white, 
and sometimes is found with a reddish breast.t 
To the anatomist, the internal organization of this species is deserv- 
ing attention: it is so constructed as to be capable of. contracting or 
dilating itself at pleasure. We know not what Nature intends by this 
seas, and the north-eastern coast of Afiica, He thinks also that the alea antiqua of 
Latham may prove a third North American species of Phaleris. 
Another bird, (Phaleris cerorhinca,) entering formerly into this genus, has been 
separated by the Prince of Musignano, and placed in a sub-genus, Cerorhinca, to be 
figured in his fourth volume. | : 
2 8 Cerorhinca, Bonap. 
1. C. occidentalis, Bonap. — Inhabits the western coasts of North America. 
Mormon, Mig. : 
1. M. cirrhatus, Temm. — Tufted Auk, Lath. — Inhabits the sea between North America 
and Kamtschatka ; often seen on the western coasts of the United States in winter. 
2. M. glacialis, Leach, — Puffin of Wilson’s List.— Inhabits the Arctic parts of both 
continents ; not uncommon in winter on the coasts of the United States. 
This species has of late been looked for on the coasts of Britain, but yet, I be- 
lieve, without success. The chief and easiest detected difference is in the size and 
form of the bill., Mr. Pennant okserved a difference in the bills of several species 
from different parts, and Dr. Flen ing puts the question, ‘ Have we two species 2” 
J think it more than probable that this bird has been overlooked, from its near alli- 
ance, and that, though comparati ‘ely rare, it will be yet found to occur on our own 
coasts. a 
3. Mormon arcticus. — Puffin of Wilson’s List.— The Common Puffin of Europe, and 
migratory to the temperate, shores of the United States. 
Alca, Linn. ‘ 
1. 4. torda, — Rozor-Bill of Wi.son’s List. — Common in winter along the coasts of the 
United States. : 
_ 2, A. impennis. — Great Auk. — Inhabits the Arctic seas of both continents, where it is 
almost constantly resident. if 
* In Peale’s Museum, there is an excellent specimen of this species, which has 
Tikewise a smaller spot below each eye . a 
+ Laruam ; PENNANT. 
