3fi3 AUK. 



with the black-billed fpecies, and feeds on the fame food. Lays 

 two blueifh white eggs, larger than thofe of a Pigeon. Flies quick, 

 and dives well; and is always dipping its bill into the water while 

 fwimming, or at reft on the water. Walks better on land than 

 others of the genus. It grows fat in the ftormy feafon, from the 

 waves bringing plenty of crabs and fmall fijh within its reach. 

 From its fize is lefs fought after than the others ; but the fame 

 means are ufed in taking it, being not a very crafty bird. In 

 Greenland* it is called the Ice-bird, being the harbinger of ice f. 

 This ibmetimes is feen of a pure white %. 



12. Pygmy Auk, Ar8. Zool. N° 431. 



FLAT-BILLED A. 

 Description. CIZE a trifle lefs than the Little Auk : length feven inches. 

 Bill under three quarters of an inch in length, colour black ; 

 along the top it is ridged, but on each fide of the ridge confide- 

 rably deprefied, as in the Duck genus : the noftrils are placed 

 parallel to the edge of the upper mandible; the point of the bill 

 flightly curved : the vifage is fomewhat prolonged, as in the 

 Perroquet Auk ; and the fides between the bill and eye furnifhed 

 with a few narrow pale feathers : the plumage on all the upper 

 parts is footy black : chin and throat very pale : fore part of the 

 neck, bread, and belly, paler than above, and inclining much 

 to afh-colour : middle of the laft dirty white : legs dufky. 

 ?txcE. The above inhabits Birdljland, between Afia and America; where 



our late voyagers met with them in confiderable numbers. 



• Met with there in great abundance. — Phipp. Voy. p. 186. f -dr8. Zooh 

 X Alca Candida, Brun, p. 26. N° 107. — Mulkr, p. 17. 



Genus 



