LITTLE GUILLEMOT. 
225 
upper part of the head, back, wings, and tail, were black ; the 
upper part of the breast and hind head, were grey, or white, 
mixed with ash ; the sides of the neck, whole lower parts, and 
tips of secondaries, were pure white ; feet and legs, black ; shins, 
pale flesh colour ; above each eye, there was a small spot of 
white ; the lower scapulars, streaked slightly with the same. 
The little guillemot is said to be but a rare visitant of the 
British isles. It is met v/ith in various parts of the north, even 
as far as Spitzbergen ; is common in Greenland, in company 
with the black-billed auk, and feeds upon the same kind of 
food. The Greenlanders call it the ice-bird, from the circum- 
stance of its being the harbinger of ice. It lays two bluish 
white eggs, larger than those of the pigeon. It flies quick, 
and dives well ; and is always dipping its bill into the water 
while swimming, or at rest on that element ; walks better on 
land than others of the genus. It grows fat in the stormy sea- 
son, from the waves bringing plenty of crabs and small fish 
within its reach. It is not a very crafty bird, and may be easily 
taken. It varies to quite white, and sometimes is found with 
a reddish breast.f 
To the anatomist, the internal organization of this species is 
deserving attention : it is so constructed as to be capable of con- 
tracting or dilating itself at pleasure. W e know not what Na- 
ture intends by this conformation, unless it be to facilitate diving, 
for which the compressed form is well adapted ; and likewise 
the body, when expanded, will be rendered more buoyant, and 
fit for the purpose of swimming upon the surface of the water. 
near alliance, and that, though comparatively rare, it will be yet found to occur 
on our own coasts. 
3. Mormon arcticus . — Puffin of Wilson’s list. — The common puffin of Europe, and migra- 
tory to the temperate shores of the United States. 
Alca, Linn. 
1. A. Razorbill of Wilson’s list. — Common in winter along the coasts of the 
United States. 
2. A. impennis . — Great Auk. — Inhabits the Arctic seas of both continents, where it is 
almost constantly resident. 
* In Peale’s Museum, there is an excellent specimen of this species, which 
has likewise a smaller spot below each eye. 
I/ATHAM ; Pennant. 
VOL. III. 
P 
