AUKS.— PENGUINS. 101 



7. Birds of the tribe of Auks, — .,^/ca, — have a broad, straight, 

 compressed beak, which is very much curved at the point. The 

 nostrils, which are about the middle of the beak, are almost 

 closed by a membrane covered with feathers ; the feet are short, 

 have only three toes, and are completely palmate ; the nails are 

 slightly curved. They have the same habits as the birds of the 

 preceding genera, and, like them, inhabit the north. With the 

 exception of a single species, they all fly but little, and always 

 grazing, or lightly touching the surface of the water. [The 

 Razorbill .^uh, — J^lca tonla, — inhabits the coldest regions of 

 the northern hemisphere. It is gregarious in its habits, and flies 

 rapidly, but near the surface of the water. The Great Auk, or 

 Northern Penguin, — Mca ^/«/?e/^n^^,— inhabits the highest lati- 

 tudes of the globe, dwelling by choice and instinct, amidst regions 

 covered with eternal ice. Its wings are extremely short and use- 

 less for flight.] 



8. The tribe of Penguins,— ^/;/eMo%;^5, — {Plate 6, jig. 1.) 

 comprises Palmipedes, not one of which can fly ; their little wings 

 are covered with mere vestiges of feathers, which at first sight 

 resemble scales ; their feeU which are placed farther back than in 

 any other bird,- only support them when they rest upon the tarsus, 

 which is widened like the sole of the foot of a quadruped ; they 

 have a small thumb directed inwards, and the three anterior toes 

 are united by a membrane. These birds never quit the water, 

 except to lay, and then they are obliged to drag themselves along 

 on the belly. They are only found in the antarctic seas. The 

 Great Penguin, — Aptenodyfes patagonica, — is the size of a 

 goose, slate colour above, with a black mask, and a lemon 

 coloured tail. 



FAMILY OF LONGIPENNES. 



9. This family contains birds of the high seas which from their 

 power of extensive flight, are every where found, and which 

 navigators meet with in every latitude. They have sharp, slender 

 wings, (Plate 6, Jig. 4.) ; their pectoral muscles are very power- 

 ful, their feet are widely palmate, which better enables them to 

 repose upon the waves ; and their piercing sight, inevitably pre- 

 vents the escape of fishes, of which they are very fond, and which 

 they seize, not by diving, but skimming the surface. These birds 

 are frequently met at incredible distances from land, and they are 

 seldom seen beyond the limits of the zones, which they inhabit 



7. What are the characters of the Auks ? What is the Razor-bill Auk? 

 What is the Great Auk ? 



8. What are the characters of Penguins ? What regions do they inhabit ? 



9. What are the habits of the Longipenncs ? 



