224 
LITTLE AUK. 
assimilating certainly with the last in the plumage 
and its changes, hut varying in the form of the bill. 
One species only is known. 
Genus Mergulus, Ray. — Generic characters . — 
Bill short, thick, tumid at the base ; nostrils 
basal, round, partly plumed, protected by a 
scale ; wings rather short, two first quills 
longest and equal; legs placed behind, tarsi 
short ; hallux wanting. 
Types. — M. alle. Vicinity of the arctic circle, 
roaming accidentally to temperate Europe. 
Note Gregarious; breeds on the ledges of 
rocks. 
THE LITTLE AUK. 
Mergulus alle. 
PLATE XVIII. 
Alca alle, Linn . — Uria alle. Temm . — Little Auk, or Rotche, 
of British authors. 
We have never had the satisfaction to meet with 
this species in a recent state ; and it may be con- 
sidered as rather a northern bird than one which 
regularly visits our shores in winter, except under 
