or Auk, in ornithology, a genus of the order of anseres. The beak of this genus is without teeth, short, convex, compressed, and frequently furrowed transversely; the inferior mandible is gibbous near the base; the feet have generally three toes. The species of the alca are five.—1. The impennis, northern penguin, or great auk, with a compressed bill furrowed on each side, and an oval spot on each side of the eyes. According to Mr Martin, this bird breeds on the Isle of St Kilda; appearing there the beginning of May, and retiring the middle of June. It lays one egg, which is six inches long, of a white colour; some are irregularly marked with purplish lines crossing each other, others blotched with black, and ferruginous about the thicker end: if the egg is taken away, it will not lay another that season. Mr Macaulay informs us that it does not visit that island annually, but sometimes keeps away for several years together; and adds, that it lays its egg close to the sea-mark, being incapable, by reason of the shortness of its wings, to mount higher. The length of this bird, to the end of its toes, is three feet: but its wings are so small, as to be useless for flight; the length, from the tip of the longest quill-feathers to the first joint, being only four inches and a quarter. This bird is observed by fishermen never to wander beyond soundings; and according to its appearance they direct their measures, being then assured that land is not very remote. Thus the modern sailors pay respect to auguries, in the same manner as Arilophanes tells us those of Greece did above 2000 years ago:

From birds, in sailing men instructions take; Now lie in port; now sail, and profit make.

2. The alle, little auk, or black and white diver, with a smooth conical bill, a white streak on the belly and figs. wings, and black feet. The bulk of this species exceeds not that of a black-bird.—3. The arctica, or puffin, with a compressed bill and four furrows; the orbit of the eyes and temples are white. The legs of this species are very small; and placed so far behind as to disqualify it from standing, except quite erect, resting not only on the foot, but the whole length of the leg. This circumstance makes the rise of the puffin from the ground very difficult, and it meets with many falls before it gets on wing; but when that is effected, few birds fly longer or stronger. These birds frequent the coasts of several parts of Great Britain and Ireland; but no place in greater numbers than Priestholm Isle, fig. 6, where their flocks may be compared to swarms of bees for multitude. These are birds of passage; they resort there annually about the fifth or tenth of April, quit the place (almost to a bird), and return twice or thrice before they settle to burrow and prepare for ovation and incubation. They begin to burrow the first week in May; but some few leave themselves that trouble, and C c diffodge dislodge the rabbits from their holes, taking possession of them till their departure from the island. Those which form their own burrows, are at that time too intent on the work as to suffer themselves to be taken by the hand. This task falls chiefly to the share of the males; who also assist in incubation. The first young are hatched beginning of July. The old ones show vast affection towards them; and seem totally insensible of danger in the breeding season. If a parent is taken at that time, and suspended by the wings, it will in a fit of despair treat itself most cruelly, by biting every part it can reach; and the moment it is loosed, will never offer to escape, but instantly return to its unfledged young; this affection ceases at the stated time of migration, which is most punctually about the eleventh of August, when they leave such young as cannot fly, to the mercy of the peregrine falcon, who watches the mouths of the housetops for the appearance of the little deserted puffins, which, forced by hunger, are compelled to leave their burrows. They lay only one egg. The eggs differ much in form: some have one end very acute; others have both extremely obtuse; all are white. Their flesh is excessively rank, as they feed on sea-weeds and fish, especially sprats: but when pickled and preserved with spices, are admired by those who love high-eating.

Dr Caius tells us, that, in his days, the church allowed them in Lent, instead of fish: he also acquaints us, that they were taken by means of ferrets, as we take rabbits: at present, they are either dug out, or drawn from their burrows by a hooked stick: they bite extremely hard; and keep such fast hold on whatever they fasten, as not to be easily disengaged. Their noise, when taken, is very disagreeable; being like the efforts of a dumb person to speak.

4. The torda, or razor-bill, with four furrows on the bill, and a white line on each side running from the bill to the eyes. These birds, in company with the guillemot, appear in our seas the beginning of February; but do not settle on their breeding places till they begin to lay, about the beginning of May. They inhabit the ledges of the highest rocks that impend over the sea, where they form a grotesque appearance; fitting close together, and in rows one above another. They properly lay but one egg a-piece, of an extraordinary size for the bulk of the bird, being three inches long: it is either white, or of a pale sea-green, irregularly spotted with black: if this egg is destroyed, both the auk and the guillemot will lay another; if that is taken, then a third: they make no nest, depositing their egg on the bare rock; and tho' such multitudes lay contiguous, by a wonderful instinct each distinguishes its own. What is also matter of great amazement, they fix their egg on the smooth rock, with so exact a balance, as to secure it from rolling off; yet should it be removed, and then attempted to be replaced by the human hand, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find its former equilibrium. The eggs are food to the inhabitants of the coasts they frequent; which they get with great hazard; being lowered from above by ropes, trusting to the strength of their companions, whose footing is often so unstable that they are forced down the precipice, and perish together.

5. The pica, or black-billed auk, has the bill of the same form with the torda, but is entirely black. The cheeks, chin, and throat, are white: in all other respects it agrees with the former species.

The winter residence of this genus, and that of the guillemot *, is but imperfectly known: it is probable they live at sea, in some more temperate climate, remote from land; forming those multitudes of birds that navigators observe in many parts of the ocean: they are always found there at certain seasons, retiring only at breeding time; when they repair to the northern latitudes, and during that period are found as near the pole as navigators have penetrated. During winter, razor-bills and puffins frequent the coast of Andalusia, but do not breed there.