Elizabeth McColl Webster, age 8, of Santa Monica, Calif., for her

question:

What is an auk?

The auk is a sea bird who enjoys life in the chilly Arctic or north pole part of the globe. The auk swims and dives in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean all year. He builds his nest on the bare rocky cliffs around the shores. This water bird of the north has glossy, black and white feathers, but first you would notice his outstanding beak. It is large and thick, and its End curves around like a sturdy hook.

The little auk is about the size of a very fat robin. Once there was a much bigger bird called the great auk. This water bird was as big as a goose, but he could not fly. He was hunted without mercy, and now there are no great auks left in the world.