ALCIDAE—AUKS.
277
Family ALCIDAE.
Razorbill: Alca torda.
Common on the seas round our coast from autumn to spring. Its
nearest breeding place is on the cliffs at Flamborough.
At Harwich, " it is com-
mon during some winters "
(Kerr}'). Mr. Hope de-
scribes it as " common on
the Essex coast in winter."
During the winter of 1889-90'
several were shot at Mal-
don, Burnham, and South-
end (Fitch).
[Great Auk : Alca impennis.
There does not seem to be any record connecting this bird with the
county of Essex. It is interesting, however, to note that the specimen
formerly belonging to Mr. Hoy is now in the possession of that gentle-
man's nephew, Mr. J, F. Lescher, of Boyle's Court, Brentwood. Accord-
ing to Prof. Newton, this is one of the 22 specimens now existing in
Britain.]
Common Guillemot: Lomvia troile. Locally, "Willock."
Common at sea from spring to autumn. It has no breeding
colony in this part of England.
Mr. Hope writes that they " come south in
August." He adds that "when they skim
over the water it is considered a sign of foul
weather coming." At Harwich, some are seen
every year, and a fine specimen in full breed-
ing plumage was caught on the beach at Dover-
court on June 10th, 1889 (Kerry). A speci-
men from Colchester in Jan., 1861, is in Dr.
Bree's Collection. Of the " Ringed Guille-
mot," which is now usually regarded as a form
or variety of the common species, Mr. Kerry
says that " some are seen every year " round
Harwich, and Ambrose has also received it
from there.