888 
BIRD-LIFE. 
youngster, apparently scarce three days’ old, has been 
seen swimming in the sea, near the old birds, with such 
ease and confidence as to lead one to suppose that all 
was managed according to the usual method in these 
cases. Besides this, very young birds were never found 
at the nesting places; and it would, most probably, be 
much too onerous a business for the old birds to clamber 
up several times during the day to feed their offspring. 
Still we know nothing certain about the breeding habits 
of these birds. It has been difficult as yet for the 
naturalist to observe the habits and ways of the Great 
Auk. All observations hitherto made have been by 
unscientific individuals. 
We are greatly in the dark as to the natural history 
of this bird. Its battles and struggles with the world 
are, and probably will remain, ever unknown to us. 
Whatever we may know of the life and habits of other 
living members of the creation, with the Great Auk all 
our science is of no avail. 
THE END. 
