66 AttK. 



Black-billed Auk, Gen. Syn. v. 320. Br. Zool. ii. No. 231. Id.fol. 137. t. H. 1. 

 Id. 1812. ii. 150. Arct. Zool. ii. No. 426. Bewick, ii. p. 169. fFa/cpfo i. pi. 85> 

 Orn. Diet. S{ Supp. 



THIS is smaller than the former bird. The bill similar, but 

 less curved, perfectly smooth, except a slight indentation at the base ; 

 though in some are three distinct furrows, and that nearest the base 

 white; irides hazel; plumage in general black; the sides of the 

 head and all beneath white; but the black of the neck comes forward 

 on each side, and the white on the sides of the head extends back- 

 wards towards the hindhead ; the lesser quills are tipped with white ; 

 the tail composed of twelve feathers as in the last species ; legs brown 

 black. Such is the description of one, formerly in my own collection, 

 and nearly agreeing with that in the Ornith. Dictionary ; but in the 

 bird figured by Brisson, the forehead is white, and a dusky streak 

 passes from the nostrils under the eye, and ends beyond it in a point, 

 and in that too, the white on the sides of the head included the eyes. 



The Black-billed Auk is found in Greenland, at all seasons, and 

 appears to be more numerous than the Razor-bill, but breeds on the 

 rocks in the same manner. Is exceedingly common in the Greenland 

 Sea, and rarely seen on land, except in the breeding season ; like the 

 rest of the Genus it walks very ill, appearing with the body quite 

 erect, but swims, and dives excellently well ; it flies strongly and 

 swiftly, but always near the surface of the water. The Greenlanders 

 use this and the former, not only for food, but to make a warm 

 clothing, with the skins sewed together ; they often take them by 

 throwing darts ; and not nnfrequently numbers of the natives in boats 

 surround a large flock on the water, and drive them on shore, where 

 others stand ready to attack them so suddenly, as to leave no time to 

 escape ; and many, by this means, may be taken by the hand. 



It may be seen by the above, that in Greenland the two last 

 birds are accounted distinct ; and Colonel Montagu in his Orn. Diet. 

 is of this opinion ; yet it must be owned, that, guided by external 

 appearance, the two would naturally appear to be one and the same, 



