GREAT AUK.
ALCA IMPENNIS, Linn.
Alca impennis, Linn. S. N. i. p. 210 (1766); Naum. xii.
p. 630; Macff. v. p. 359; Hewitson, ii. p. 469; Yarr.
ed. 4, iv. p. 6 1 ; Dresser, viii. p. 563.
Grand Pingouin, French; Grosser Alk, German.
I need hardly say that I never had any personal
acquaintance with this extinct and much-lamented fowl
in life, as there is no authentic record of its occurrence
" in the flesh" since 1844. To those interested in
ornithology the history of the Great Auk is probably
well known from the published researches of Professor
Alfred Newton, but I may mention that a valuable
summary of references on the subject is to be found in
the 4th edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds,' vol. iv. p. 62,
and as all the information in my possession is derived
from the works there enumerated, I will not attempt to
set it forth. I may, however, briefly quote that it is
very doubtful if this bird was ever met with to the
north of the Arctic circle, that its principal haunts were
certain islands in the neighbourhood of Newfoundland,
others near the east coast of Greenland, and some