THE GREAT AUK. 
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Another very fine European species is the Sclavonia, or Horned G-rebe (. Podiceps 
cornutus ), remarkable for its splendid ruff of dark brown feathers. This bird has been seen to 
carry its young upon its back, and to dive with them when alarmed. 
The well-known Dabchick, or Little G-rebe, is the smallest and commonest of the 
European species, being found in most rivers, lakes, or large ponds, where the weeds and 
rushes afford it a concealment, and a foundation for its nest. 
Among the several representatives of the sub-family of the Alcinse, or Auks, the Great 
Auk is the rarest. 
GREAT AUK .— Plautus impennis. 
This bird, formerly to be found in several parts of Northern Europe, and in Labrador, has 
not been observed for many years, and is thought to be as' completely extinct as the Dodo. 
Almost the last living specimens known were seen in the Orkneys, and were quite familiar 
to the inhabitants under the name of the King and Queen of the Auks. So agile is (or was) 
this bird in the water, that Mr. Bullock chased the male for several hours without being able 
to get within gunshot, although he was in a boat manned by six rowers. After his departure 
the bird was shot. The female had been killed just before his arrival. 
The egg of this bird is laid close to the water’s edge, and is a very large one, marked after 
a rather curious fashion. 
The upper surface of this bird is black, except a patch of pure white round and in front of 
the eye, and the ends of the secondaries, which are white. The whole of the under surface is 
white, and in winter the chin and throat are also white. The young are mottled with black 
and white. 
