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Synopsis of the* Birds 
Inhabits the north of both continents : common in winter 
along the coasts of the United States : found occasionally on 
those of Italy. Forms the transition from the genus Uria ? 
especially Uria troile, which it closely resembles in plumage.* 
* Alca impennis , L. Black, beneath white; wings extremely short, 
useless for flight : tail rounded, very short, of sixteen feathers. 
Adult, billsulcate; summer plumage, whole head and throat black; a. 
large white spot each side of the bill. 
Young, bill smooth ; no white spot on the front. 
Great Auk , Edw. pi. 147. Buff. pi. enl. 367. 
Inhabits the Arctic seas of both continents, where it is almost constantly 
resident. Connects the Family Pygopodes, with the last of all, that of 
Impennes, having no representative in our hemisphere. 
