PHALERIS PUSILLA. 
LEAST AUK. 
URIA PUSILLA. Pallas. Zoog. Rosso- Asiat., vol. II. (1811), p. 373, pi. 90. 
PHALEIIIS PUSILLA. Cass. B. of North Amer., p. 909. 
This diminutive Auk is one of the smallest of the birds which inhabit the sea, certainly of those which compose the family it represents. It 
is quite rare in collections, and my plate was taken from specimens procured by Capt. Rodgeks when in command of the North Pacific Exploring 
and Surveying Expedition. The Least Auk is found on our Northwest coast, and on the coast of Kamtschatka, and in size approaches nearest to 
the P. Microeeros of Brandt, but may be easily distinguished from it by its pure white breast, that of its relative being spotted, and also by 
having white scapulars, these last forming very conspicuous marks. 
The bleak and sterile shores of the northern portion of our continent, robed for the greater portion of the year in snow and ice, would be 
forbidding and cheerless in the extreme, were it not for the myriads of sea-birds which frequent them, making the rocky caverns vocal with their 
varied notes, and enlivening the scene with their active ceaseless movements. 
Every shelf, presenting a suitable space, overhanging the sea, is occupied in the spring by happy pairs, intent upon the duty of incubation, 
or attending to the wants of their helpless half-fledged young, while the arrivals from, and departure for the sea, of those bringing or seeking 
food, renders the scene animated and cheerful. 
The Least Auk has the entire upper parts black. Scapulars and tips of secondaries white. A light spot over the eye, and a few hair-like 
whitish feathers before and behind the eye. Entire under parts white. Bill black ; edge of both mandibles at their base yellow. Legs and feet 
yellowish brown. 
The figures are the size of life. 
