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O R D. III. G E N U S VI. AUK. 



Bill, ftrong; thick, convex, comprefled. 

 Nostrils, linear, placed near the edge of the mandible. 

 Tongue, almoft as long as the bill. 

 Toes, three forward ; no hind toe. 



SPECIES I. GREAT AUK. 



PI. 223. 



Alca impennis. Ian. Syft. I. p. 210. 

 Le grand pingoin. Brif. Orn. VI. p. 85. 



This bird is the fize of a goofe. The bill is four inches long, furrowed 

 acrofs, and much curved at the end j part of the upper mandible is covered 

 with fhort, black, velvet-like feathers : between the bill and eye is an oval 

 white fpot : the head, neck, back, tail, and wings, are of a browniih black : 

 the whole under parts of the body, white : tips of the lefs quill feathers, 

 white: legs, black. The wings of this fpecies are very fmall, and almoft 

 ufelefs for flight. 



It appears in our northern iflands in the beginning of May, vifiting them for 

 the purpofe of breeding, and retires in July. It is faid to lay only one very 

 large egg: fee PL L. Fig. 1. 



