(I guess this is not a true spoiler)-- All the Great Auks are dead.
I so appreciate inter-library loans, so I could find this copy of 1963 book. Recently read, "The Collector of Lost Things", by Jeremy Page, a novel that was based on the true story of the mid-1800's demise of this bird. Of course, that inspired me to learn/read a bit more and I discovered this author's depiction of the last years of this species - recounted thru the life of the last one to die.
Well done depiction of it's life from hatching, feeding, swimming, migrating, leading the group, finding a mate and the first (& last) bird to hatch.
I noticed some discrepancies - of what the auks might keep in their collective memories and other times things that might be forgotten within hours - but overall, didn't feel there was any sappy anthropomorphism - it was the bird's life.
What a horrible shame that man has destroyed so many species and that the plunder still exists.
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