PT YCHORH AMPHU S 
ALEUTICUS. 
PACIFIC AUK. 
URIA ALEUTICA. Pall., Zoog. Rosso- Asiat., Vol. II. p. 370 (1811). 
MERGT7LUS CASSINII. Gambel, Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., Vol. II, (1845,) p. 2G6. 
PTT CHOE1I AMPHUS ALEUTICUS. Brandt, Bull. Scien. Acad. Imp. dcs Scien., St. Petersb., Vol. II, (1837,) p. 344. Id. Cassiu, B. of 
N. America, p. 910, 
The great family of the Alcidae, or Auks, is represented in the Old and New Worlds by many species of various forms, some 
of which are common to both continents. They are natives of the cold northern regions of the globe, and frequent the rocky 
coasts, that rise above and overhang the sea. 
The Great Auk, Aka Impennis , was the giant of this family, and was remarkable for being the only species which had not 
the power of flight ; resembling in this respect the Penguins of the Southern Ocean. But of late years, this bird lias entirely 
disappeared from the localities it was in the habit of frequenting, and in all probability has become extinct. 
Formed to pass their lives upon the water, the Auks are never seen inland; and, on account of their inability to walk 
without great effort, they evince a decided disinclination to remove any distance from their beloved sea. Some of the birds of 
this family lay their eggs in the fissures of the rocks, as is the case of the Razor-Bills and Black Guillemots; others upon low 
islands, where they congregate in great numbers, and deposit their eggs on the bare ground, as is the habit of the Foolish Guillemot ; 
or in burrows, which they excavate in the earth often to the depth of three feet, at the extreme cud of which the single egg 
is placed, as is the custom of the Puffin. 
The Auks pass much of their time sitting in long rows of many individuals on the edge of the cliffs, presenting their pure 
white breasts to the sea. If alarmed, they allow themselves to drop from the dizzy height, and either disappear beneath the waves, 
or wing their way far over the ocean, until they arc safe from all danger. 
The species which heads this article has long been known as an inhabitant of our western coast, and was first included in our 
fanua by Dr. Gambel, who described it in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy under the name Merguhs Cassinii, which 
appellation, however, could not stand, as the bird had already been called Ur'ia Akutica by Pallas. Brandt, in his paper on the 
Alcidae, formed it into a distinct genus, which he styled Ptgehorhamphus. 
No account of the habits or economy of this curious little bird has ever been published, and 1 regret that T am unable to 
furnish a complete history of its mode of life. 
Head and entire upper parts, brownish black. Throat, sides of the neck and flanks, ash. Rest ot under parts, white. Bill, 
brownish black ; a bright yellow spot at base of under mandible. Feet, light yellow. 
The figures are life-size. 
