A LITTLE AUK INLAND D. M. S.
ORR
As the opportunity occurs all too seldom of watching a little auk on fresh-water, the following brief observations on the behaviour of one which spent some seven days in November, 1974, on Redgrave Lake may be of interest. The bird appeared to be on the move the whole time, frequently spinning round and round while it pecked at small objects in the water. It preened frequently and sometimes stood up in the water to Aap its wings. While swimming—or rather spinning— it drifted in a very wide circle clockwise. When at a point farthest from the bank it made a series of dives, of a duration of five to ten seconds or longer. It took no apparent notice of duck and coots, nor of human beings, nor of fishing lines thrown within two or three feet of it when it passed within a few yards of the bank of the lake. On one occasion I saw a party of fishermen attracting the little auk to within a few feet by making a chirping noise. It seemed alert and healthy but as far as I know it was not seen to fly or actually catch fish. David Orr, Old School House, Redgrave, Diss.