374 
Mr. A. Newton on Mr. J. Wolley’s Researches 
land the following summer. These are now in my collection. 
They are smaller than eggs of Cic. alba, from which also they 
may be distinguished by a very faint greenish tinge to be noticed 
on closer inspection. 
XLII.— Abstract of Mr. J. Wolley’s Researches in Iceland re¬ 
specting the Gar e-fowl or Great Auk (Alca impennis, Linn.). 
By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.L.S. 
As from various causes some time must pass before I can hope 
to find leisure to arrange the mass of information respecting 
the Gare-fowl or Great Auk ( Alca impennis , Linn.) collected by 
Mr. John Wolley, and continue the inquiries commenced by 
him on that subject, so as to publish the details in a fitting 
manner, several of my friends have urged me not to delay 
making known more fully than has been done the results of that 
gentleman’s researches when in Iceland, in which researches I 
had, to some small extent, the pleasure of assisting him. In¬ 
dependently of these recommendations, I am influenced by the 
consideration that I ought not to withhold from naturalists what 
is likely to be interesting to some of them; and, still more, that, 
were I to do so any longer, I should run the risk of losing to my 
late friend’s reputation the credit which, from his labours, of 
right belongs to it. But I trust it will be understood that, in 
this paper, I make no pretence of giving anything like a complete 
history of the bird; for that is a task for which, at the present 
moment, I am certainly not competent, however much I may 
hope some day to achieve it. I only wish to place on record 
certain facts which Mr. Wolley was able to ascertain. 
As long ago as the year 1847, Mr. Wolley’s attention was 
directed in an especial manner to the Great Auk, and during 1851 
and 1852 he bestowed much pains in investigating its history from 
the works of old naturalists and travellers. When I was with him 
in Lapland in 1855, we often discussed the chances of its con¬ 
tinued existence, finally pledging each other to make a joint expe¬ 
dition to Iceland as soon as it could be conveniently performed. 
At the same time, I have no wish to underrate the impulse given 
to my friend’s enthusiasm, and through him to my own, during his 
