Genus MERGULUS. 
Gren. Cuar. Beak medial, its base furnished with downy feathers, somewhat thickened, above 
convex, emarginate towards the tip, curved. Nostri/s rounded, half-covered with feathers. 
Legs short, three-toed, webbed. Wings short. 
LITTLE AUK. 
Alca alle, Zann. 
Mereulus alle, Bor. 
to) 2 
Tis interesting little oceanic bird, which we have illustrated in the accompanying Plate, inhabits the inter- 
mediate countries extending northwards from our latitude to the borders of perpetual ice, occurring equally 
in the polar regions of both continents. In these severe and high latitudes, it congregates in almost innumer- 
able flocks. Their numbers are often diminished by the crews of vessels, as well as by the native Esquimaux ; 
their flesh being considered both wholesome and delicate, at the same time affording a beneficial change of diet. 
They are said to be very tame and easily captured,—a circumstance readily accounted for, as the persons 
engaged in the whale fisheries, and the limited race of natives inhabiting the borders of these seas, are the only 
human beings they are ever disturbed by. 
In these wild and almost impenetrable regions, the Little Auk, it will be observed, finds an almost secure 
asylum and breeding-place, as well as an element congenial to its habits and mode of life; and it is only from 
extreme necessity, chiefly from the severities of winter, that it seeks, for a short period, an asylum in more 
temperate climes. Its visits to the British Isles, and Europe in general, therefore, must be considered more as an 
accidental occurrence than a periodical migration. Young birds are, as is the case with the young of most 
species, found to wander furthest from their native habitat ; the examples, therefore, we obtain, as well as those 
from Holland, France, and Germany, average about ten young birds to one adult. We have been particular in 
our inquiries as to whether the Little Auk breeds in any of the northern Isles, being induced to believe so from 
the circumstance of a specimen now and then coming to hand in the season of incubation, and in its mature 
state of plumage: we have not, however, been able to collect any certain data by which to set the question 
positively at rest ; and it yet remains for some zealous naturalist to supply the information. Like the rest of its 
family, the Little Auk passes a great portion of time on the ocean, where it sports with great ease and fearless 
self-possession, feeding upon marine insects, small crustacea and fishes, diving for its prey with great celerity 
and adroitness. Although the sexes offer little or no external difference, still the plumage undergoes con- 
siderable changes periodically, which we have illustrated in our Plate. ‘The bird represented in the drawing 
with a black throat, is in its summer plumage; at this season, the whole of the head, neck and upper surface 
being black, with the exception of a white band across the secondaries ; the scapulars are bordered with 
the same, and a small spot of white also appears over each eye ; the breast and under surface pure white. In 
the winter plumage, as well as in the young of the year, the throat, like the rest of the under surface, is pure 
white; beak black ; legs and feet of a brownish yellow. 
The egg of this species is 1 inch 7 lines long by 1 inch 1 line wide, of a uniform pale blue, very similar in 
colour to the eggs of the Starling. 
We have figured the birds of their natural size, in summer and winter plumage. 
