12 
ON THE LESSER GUrLLEMOT 
at present, and which aptly illustrate the preceding views, 
are, the two supposed species of Lesser Guillemot and 
Black-billed Auk, the Colymbus Minor and Alca Pica of 
LlNN^US. 
It cannot but appear surprising that their claims to spe- 
cific distinction should not long since have been disposed 
of, and that there should be still naturalists who remain 
in doubt, or assert their distinction. I was induced to ap- 
ply particular attention in endeavouring to setjle this ques- 
tion, not more from its involving the knowledge of the 
identity of two specie^, and opposing established opinions 
regarding them;, than from my desire not hastily to deny 
the accuracy of the views of Montagu, an ornitholo- 
gist of whose acuteness and industry I entertain so high 
an estimate; and I feel quite satisfied, that had his op- 
portunities of observation in this instance been more va- 
ried and continued, his candour would have induced him 
to have relinquished opinions which he has so elaborately 
and ingeniously supported. 
Last summer, while in Zetland, I possessed opportuni- 
ties the most select for determining the weight to be at- 
tached to his opinions on these two species, and clearly 
convinced myself that what I had always believed regard- 
ing them was literally correct. I had also collected a re- 
gular uninterrupted series of specimens of the Razor-Bill 
and Foolish Guillemot, from the egg to the full-grown 
birds, erroneously described as distinct species. And the 
loss of the parcel, containing also other specimens of inte- 
rest, from the shipwreck of the vessel by which they were 
transmitted to this city for the inspection of the Society, 
I much regret, as it not only deprives me of many conclu- 
sive and satisfactory illustrations, but precludes that brevity 
which I am anxious to observe in discussions of this de- 
scription. ^ 
