THE LITTLE AUK. 
307 
winter at Rressay Sound has now been disproved by consci- 
entious observers. The chances of the gale sometimes drive 
the Little Auk upon the inland lochs, wliere it makes itself 
perfectly at home, remaining there as long as the rough 
weather continues, but as soon as it moderates almost invariably 
taking advantage of the first favourable opportunity for 
departure. Those which are picked up on land occur after a 
gale from any quarter ; but it seemed a curious fact that ahnost 
without exception the dead birds were washed ashore by an 
easterly wind. The cause, however, is plain ; the west coast 
is exceedingly precipitous, and has very little in the way of 
inlets or beaches, whereas on the east coast the opposite is the 
case. Such matters may appear trifles, but attention to them 
will often prevent serious errors. During the last eight or 
nine years I have become quite familiar with the Little Auk 
in its wild state, but have learned very little that is new with 
regard to its habits. In its general appearance it reminds one 
of a small Eazor-bill, but the fore-part of the body is not 
carried so low in the water. The act of diving takes place so 
suddenly that the mode in which it is performed cannot very 
easily be detected, nor indeed does it often happen that one 
has a chance of studying the habits of the bird with sufficient 
minuteness. I have observed that the wings are partly 
opened at the instant of making the plunge. 
In almost every specimen that has come into my hand the 
stomach has been quite empty ; but nevertheless I have seldom 
seen the bird in poor condition. I have rarely seen the Eotchie 
ashore, and then only about March, among the rocks, and not 
many feet above the water. It was difficult to know what to 
do with the living birds when many were sent to me. If much 
fatigued, they died in a few hours ; and if active and strong, 
they were so unwearied in their endeavours to escape as seldom 
to allow themselves to outlive the gale. To the last they were 
always ready to attack any one who attempted to touch them ; 
and, considering their small size, they could bite smartly enough. 
Upon the few occasions of my being able to restore tliem to 
