245 



GREAT AUK. 



Alca impennis, Linn. 

 PLATE CCCCLXV.— Adult. 



The only authentic account of the occurrence of this bird on our coast 

 that I possess, was obtained from Mr. Henry Havele, brother of my En- 

 graver, who, when on his passage from New York to England, hooked a 

 Great Auk on the banks of Newfoundland, in extremely boisterous weather. 

 On being hauled on board, it was left at liberty on the deck. It walked very 

 awkwardly, often tumbling over, bit every one within reach of its powerful 

 bill, and refused food of all kinds. After continuing several days on board, 

 it was restored to its proper element. 



When I was in Labrador, many of the fishermen assured me that the 

 "Penguin," as they name this bird, breeds on a low rocky island to the 

 south-east of Newfoundland, where they destroy great numbers of the young 

 for bait; but as this intelligence came to me when the season was too far 

 advanced, I had no opportunity of ascertaining its accuracy. In Newfound- 

 land, however, I received similar information from several individuals. An 

 old gunner residing on Chelsea Beach, near Boston, told me that he well 

 remembered the time when the Penguins were plentiful about Nahant and 

 some other islands in the bay. 



The egg is very large, measuring five inches in length, and three in its 

 greatest breadth. In form it resembles that of the Common Guillemot; the 

 shell is thick and rather rough to the touch; its colour yellowish-white, with 

 long irregular lines and blotches of brownish-black, more numerous at the 

 larger end. 



Great Auk, Alca impennis, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 553. 

 Great Auk, Alca impennis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 316. 



Adult, 29, 274- 



Rare and accidental on the Banks of Newfoundland; said to breed on a 

 rock near that island. 

 Adult in summer. 

 Bill as long as the head, feathered as far as the nostrils, beyond which it is 



