File:The birds of America - from drawings made in the United States and their territories (1840) (14564114607).jpg

Identifier: birdsofamericafr07audu (find matches)
Title: The birds of America : from drawings made in the United States and their territories
Year: 1840 (1840s)
Authors: Audubon, John James, 1785-1851 Bowen, John T., ca. 1801-1856?, lithographer
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: New York : Published by J.J. Audubon Philadelphia : J.B. Chevalier
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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xtremely narrow,the sides nearly flat, the nasal groove very large, and feathered, with itslower margin very narrow, and convex, the edges sharp and inflected, thetip decurved, very narrow, but obtuse; lower mandible with the angle verynarrow, and having a horny triangular appendage, the sides at first extreme-ly narrow, towards the end erect and flat, the edges inflected, the dorsal out-line concave, the tip decurved. Nostrils medial marginal, linear, short, con-cealed by the feathers. Head large, ovate; neck short and thick; body full,rather depressed. Feet placed far behind, short, stout; tibia bare for a shortspace; tarsus very short, compressed, anteriorly scutellate; hind toe wanting;anterior toes of moderate length, rather slender, scutellate, webbed, the outerslightly longer than the middle. Claws rather small, arched, compressed,obtuse. Plumage close, blended, very soft. Wings very short, narrow,acute, first quill longest. Tail short, tapering, of twelve or fourteen feathers.
Text Appearing After Image:
f- ■ \ 245 GREAT AUK. Alca impennis, Linn.PLATE CCCCLXV.—Adult. The only authentic account of the occurrence of this bird on our coastthat I possess, was obtained from Mr. Henry Havele, brother of my En-graver, who, when on his passage from New York to England, hooked aGreat Auk on the banks of Newfoundland, in extremely boisterous weather.On being hauled on board, it was left at liberty on the deck. It walked veryawkwardly, often tumbling over, bit every one within reach of its powerfulbill, and refused food of all kinds. After continuing several days on board,it was restored to its proper element. When I was in Labrador, many of the fishermen assured me that thePenguin, as they name this bird, breeds on a low rocky island to thesouth-east of Newfoundland, where they destroy great numbers of the youngfor bait; but as this intelligence came to me when the season was too faradvanced, I had no opportunity of ascertaining its accuracy. In Newfound-land, however, I received similar in

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