The Great Auk, or Garefowl

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Symington Grieve
ISBN 1-930585-35-7
Retail $14.95 (USD)
192 pp. / Paperback (8.25 x 11)

The Great Auk:

Grieve's classic text on the Great Auk provides a wealth of information on early knowledge of this extinct bird: records of specimens (birds and eggs), lists of former breeding-grounds, and stories from sailors and explorers who had first-hand sightings of the auks before they disappeared. Discussion ranges from archaeology to etymology: where the garefowl got its name. (And, are they the true "penguins"?) First published in 1885, this scarce reprint brings back to light the detailed scholarship of one who could only look to the past as his era's scientific community realized the passing of a fascinating creature.

This is a non-facsimile reprint. It includes a black-and-white printing, over several pages, of the original large color fold-out map of the great auk's known range.

Download Sample Chapter

Download Color Range Map (PDF): book has black-and-white printing. Map is slightly smaller than original size.