LITTLE GUILLEMOT. 
261 
the head, back, wings, and tail, were black ; the upper 
part of the breast and hindhead, were gray, 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 with in various parts of the 
north, even as far as Spitzbergen ; is common in Green- 
land, in company with the black-billed auk, and feeds 
upon the same kind of food. The Greenlanders call 
it the ice-bird, from the circumstance 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 
season, 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, j- 
To the anatomist, the internal organization of this 
species is deserving attention : it is so constructed as to 
be capable of contracting or dilating itself at pleasure. 
We know not what Nature 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. 
* In Peale’s Museum, there is an excellent specimen of this 
species, which has likewise a smaller spot below each eye. 
f Latham ; Pennant. 
