gray down ; it never ventures far out to sea, rarely beyond soundings, Sometimes frequents the coast of Norway, the 
Ferroe Isles, Iceland, and Greenland ; feeds much on the lump fish, father lasher, and others of that size, but the young 
birds will frequently eat rose root ( rkodiola rosea), and other plants. The old ones are rarely seen on shore, though the 
young ones are often met with. It is a shy bird, and from the situation of its legs, being placed far behind, walks badly, 
but dives well, and is taken in the manner used for the Razor-bill and Puffin ; the skin between the jaws is blown into a 
bladder, and in this state used attached to the darts of the Greenlanders. It inhabits also Newfoundland ; and it is said 
that the skin of the body is used by the Eskimaux Indians for garments. This bird was found by Dr. Bullock during 
his summer excursion in 1813, in Papa Vestray, one of the Orkney Islands. It was sufficiently familiar with the boatmen 
about those parts, but would not admit of his coming as a stranger within gunshot, though in their company ; but 
afterwards suffering the boatmen by themselves to approach so near as to knock it down with an oar. This specimen was 
in good preservation in Mr. Bullock's museum. The sexes of this species arc called King and Oueen of Auks, and by 
some Gair-fowls.” 
Audubon, in writing of the Great Auk, says: “The only authentic account of the occurrence of this bird on our 
coasts that I possess was obtained from Mr. Henry Ilavell, brother of my 1 engraver, who, when on his passage from 
New York to England, hooked a Great Auk on the banks of Newfoundland, in extremely boisterous weather. On being 
hauled on board, it was left at liberty on the deck. It walked very awkwardly, often tumbling over; bit every one within 
reach of its powerful lull, and refused food of all kinds. After continuing several days on board, it was restored to its 
proper element.” 
He also says the fishermen in Labrador assured him that the Penguin as they name this bird, bred on a low, rocky 
island to the southeast of Newfoundland, where they destroyed great numbers of the birds and eggs. The female 
deposited a single egg upon the bare rock, somewhat resembling that of Utamania torda , but larger, and changeable 
in its coloration. It usually measures about 485 by 2.70. - ' * 
Prof. A. Newton, in the “ Ibis” for 1870, pp. 256, 26c, gives a most careful list of the skins, skeletons, and eggs 
known to be in existence. Of skins, Germany has 20; Denmark, 2; France, 7 or 8; Holland, 2; Italy, 5; Norway, 1; 
Sweden, 2; United Kingdom, 22; Russia, 1 ; Switzerland, 3; Belgium, 2; Portugal, 1 ; United States, 3. 
Mr. D. G. Elliot, to whom my thanks are due for many valuable notes, writes me that he purchased one example 
in London for Mr. Robert L. Stuart, which that gentleman presented to the Natural Llistorv Museum in Central Park, 
New York. This reduces the number in the United Kingdom to 21, and gives 4 to the United States. 
Of skeletons, Germany has 1; France, 1; Italy, 1; United Kingdom, 4; and the United States, 2. It appears that 
there are also a number of detached bones. Of these, Denmark has the remains of 10 or n specimens; Norway has 
8 or 10; the United Kingdom, 13; and the United States, 7. Of eggs, Germany has 8; Belgium, 2; Denmark, 1; 
France, 7 ; Holland, 2 ; United Kingdom, 41 ; Switzerland, 2 ; United States, 2. We know, therefore, of the existence of 
71 or 72 skins; 9 skeletons; 63 eggs; and the detached bones of 41 different birds. 
Adult in Summer. — Head and upper parts, wings, and tail black, sometimes faintly tinged with brown on the neck; 
a large oval white spot in front of the eye; secondaries tipped with white; breast and under parts white; legs and beak 
black ; mandible deeply furrowed ; iris brown. 
Length about 30 ; wing 6; tail 2 ; tarsus 2.14; beak 3-60. 
Adult in Winter .- — Described by some authors as having the chin and front of the neck white. Figured by Donivan 
from the Levarian Museum specimen. 
Young . — Said to be similar to the adult; but has fewer furrows on the lower mandible. ( Newcastle Museum . ) 
Idle specimen figured in the plate is an adult bird in full summer plumage, now in the British Museum. 
