8108 



Birds. 



Abstract of Mr. J. Wolley's Researches in Iceland respecting the 

 Gare-fowl or Great Auk. By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.L.S.* 



As, from various causes, some time must pass before I can hope to 

 find leisure to arrange the mass of information respecting the gare- 

 fowl or great auk (Alca impennis, Linn.) collected by Mr. John 

 Wolley, and continue the inquiries commenced by him on that sub- 

 ject, so as to publish the details in a fitting manner, several of my 

 friends have urged me not to delay making known more fully than 

 has been done the results of that gentleman's researches when in 

 Iceland, in which researches I had, to some small extent, the pleasure 

 of assisting him. Independently of these recommendations, I am 

 influenced by the consideration that I ought not to withhold from 

 naturalists what is likely to be interesting to some of them ; and, still 

 more, that, were I to do so any longer, I should run the risk of losing 

 to my late friend's reputation the credit which, from his labours, of 

 right belongs to it. But I trust it will be understood that, in this 

 paper, I make no pretence of giving anything like a complete history 

 of the bird ; for that is a task for which, at the present moment, I am 

 certainly not competent, however much I may hope some day to 

 achieve it. I only wish to place on record certain facts which Mr. 

 Wolley was able to ascertain. 



As long ago as the year 1847 Mr. Wolley's attention was directed 

 in an especial manner to the great auk, and during 1851 and 1852 he 

 bestowed much pains in investigating its history from the works of old 

 naturalists and travellers. When I was with him in Lapland, in 1855, 

 we often discussed the chances of its continued existence, finally 

 pledging each other to make a joint expedition to Iceland as soon as 

 it could be conveniently performed. At the same time I have no 

 wish to underrate the impulse given to my friend's enthusiasm, and 

 through him to my own, during his visits to Christiania and Copen- 

 hagen the following year, when he first heard of the discoveries of the 

 late Herr Peter Stuvitz and Professor Steenstrup, and besides made 



* lleprinted from the 1 Ibis' of October, 1861, and kindly communicated to me 

 by the author. I have delayed the publication of this admirable paper from a fear of 

 interfering with the excellent periodical in which it was originally published. My 

 correspondents will please read it in connexion with another masterly contribution, 

 on the same subject, reprinted at p. 6883 of the ' Zoologist,' and one which probably 

 suggested to Mr. Newton the idea of compiling this still more exhaustive summary. 

 — Edward Newman. 



