Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/Aves 1605
Scientific namePinguinus impennis
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
Object nameSkeleton, Osteology of Birds, Mounted dry bone
DescriptionThe mounted skeleton of a great auk (Pinguinus impennis).
It is not known how or where John Hunter obtained this specimen. It may have come from Joseph Banks, who visited Labrador in 1766, and is known to have collected at least one specimen during this voyage. Banks also visited Iceland in 1772. If so, he may have presented this to Hunter either on his return from the voyage or when he disposed of his museum in 1792.
The Great auk was the northern hemisphere’s equivalent of a penguin. Its wings were small for its size, but were adapted for underwater “flight” : several contemporary commentators commented on the Great auk’s tremendous diving and swimming ability. However, like penguins, it was clumsy on land which made it vulnerable to hunting.
The Great auk was unable to breed on the ice because of the polar bear, but it bred abundantly on a wide distribution of northern temperate islands. The arrival of humans, who hunted the birds for meat, fat, eggs, and feathers, meant that by historic times breeding was largely confined to remote islets off Canada and Iceland. The Great auk was finally exterminated by hunting at its last main breeding place, Funk Island off the coast of Newfoundland, and, ironically, the collection of skins and eggs for museums and private collectors from Eldey, off the coast of Iceland. Its exact extinction date is not known. Although it is often quoted that the last pair were killed by collectors in early June 1844, there are reported sightings of the bird into the 1850s.
In 1865 Sir William Flower, then Conservator of the Museum, stated in the Museum’s Annual Report : “I may specially mention the skeleton of that rare and probably extinct bird, the Great auk, of which only three other skeletons are known to exist in Europe, none, I believe I am correct in saying, so perfect as our own. Some of the bones of this valuable Hunterian specimen were already catalogued in the Collection, but without any reference to the remainder being in possession of the College; the examination of the boxes in the store-room during the present year brought to light all the others required to complete the skeleton with a few unimportant exceptions.”
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 2: A Curious Mind
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of an articulated skeleton on a circular base.
Alca impennis
Dimensions
whole weight: 600 g
Bibliography
SourceDobson 1970-71
Transcript1605: The skeleton of a Great Auk (Alca impennis).
TranscriptAnnual Report, 1865:
I may specially mention the skeleton of that rare and probably extinct bird, the Great auk, of which only three other skeletons are known to exist in Europe, none, I believe I am correct in saying, so perfect as our own. Some of the bones of this valuable Hunterian specimen were already catalogued in the Collection, but without any reference to the remainder being in possession of the College; the examination of the boxes in the store-room during the present year brought to light all the others required to complete the skeleton with a few unimportant exceptions.
