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Lord Lilfords great auk egg
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Lord Lilfords great auk egg
Lord Lilfords great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. Also known as the Royal College of Surgeons egg No.6 The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century. 1949.7.1 (composite image) Date: 1949
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Media ID 14238882
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
Alcidae Black Background Charadriiformes Composite Eggshell Extinct Great Auk Pinguinus Pinguinus Impennis Sauropsid Sauropsida Studioshot
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases Lord Lilford's great auk egg, a rare and historic artifact housed in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk, scientifically known as Pinguinus impennis, was a flightless seabird that once thrived in the North Atlantic Ocean. This egg, catalogued as No.6 in the Royal College of Surgeons collection, is a poignant reminder of a species hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th century. The great auk, also known as the Atlantic puffin or the cliff auk, was a charadriiform seabird, belonging to the auk family (Alcidae) and the order of Sauropsida, a group that includes reptiles and birds. The bird's distinctive appearance, with its large, round body and wings that could only be used for short periods of flight, made it an intriguing subject for naturalists and collectors. In this studio shot, the great auk egg is presented against a black background, highlighting its unique features. The smooth, oval-shaped eggshell, with its subtle speckling and mottled texture, is a testament to the intricacies of avian biology. The image, taken in 1949, offers a glimpse into the past, providing a connection to the natural history that once existed and the stories it holds. The extinction of the great auk serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the role that human actions can have on the natural world. Today, the Natural History Museum at Tring preserves this precious piece of history, ensuring that future generations can learn from the past and appreciate the wonders of nature.
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