The Great Auk — Alca Impennis, Linnæus
So much has been written on this now extinct species that it need hardly be mentioned here.
The last living example was killed off Iceland in 1844, and the last British example was captured in 1834 in Waterford Harbour.
In former times it was abundant round Newfoundland, and especially on Funk Island, where the fishermen used to salt it down for food, and soon extirpated it.
In appearance it was like a large Razorbill, but it had very small wings and was quite incapable of flight. The lores and under parts were white, upper parts black. Length 32 in.; wing 4·25 in.