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NATURAL HISTORY.

LIST OF BIRDS ASCERTAINED TO INHABIT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WITH
THE TIMES OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF SUCH AS ARE NON-RESIDENTS,
AND BRIEF NOTICES OF HABITS, ETC.

BY ELLIOTT COUES AND D. WEBSTER PRENTISS.

Fnow the central situation of the District of Columbia, with regard
to the northern and southern sections of the country, together with
the varied character of surface which it presents, it might be ex-
pected to possess a rich and interesting avi-fauna. Such has been
found to be the case. It seems to be on the natural dividing line be-
tween the true northern and southern faunas, it being impossible to
decide which takes precedence. Therefore, if we except a few pe-
culiarly favored regions, we are enabled to present a more extensive
list of species inhabiting the district than has been given for almost
any other locality in eastern North America. .

Though the number of birds which are resident throughout the
year and those which breed here is considerable, they are few in
comparison with those which pass through during their spring and
autumn migrations, and remain for a longer or shorter time each sea-
son. The number of species, indeed, is not greater, but the individu-
als of each are very numerous. It is on this account that for a month
ór so during the spring and autumn—from about the 20th of April
to the 20th of May, and from the 1st of September to the middle of
October—the collector is so amply repaid for his pains, while atother
times ornithologizing, except for some particular birds, is hardly
worth the time and trouble. So numerous, indeed, are individuals of
most of the migratory species that at the height of the season in
spring we have collected, in a walk before breakfast, from forty to
fifty specimens of various species of warblers, thrushes, flycatchers,
finches, &c. As an instance of the number of birds which pass
through the District on their way north to breed, compared with
those which remain with us during the summer, may be cited the
wood-warblers, or Dendroice. Of the twelve or thirteen wood-warb-
lers found more or less abundantly in the spring and fall, only three
are known to breed here. The same might be affirmed of other birds,
as the thrushes, flycatchers, sandpipers, &c.

Though there is included in the list only those species which have
been positively detected, there are some of which specimens have
been obtained, and yet are not entitled to be considered as inhabitants
of the District. These may be divided into three classes: First,
those which visit us in severe winters, being driven south, out of

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400

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NATURAL HISTORY.

their usual rangé, by scarcity of food or other causes ; such are the
Nyctea nivea, Astur atricapillus, Collyrio borealis, Pinicola canadensis,
and others. Second, those which visit us in July and August, which
are mostly the young of species breeding further south. Examples
of these are to be seen in the Rhynchops nigra, some species of Ardei-
de, &c. In the third class are to be ranged those whose appearance
is totally accidental, dependent upon no fixed habit of the bird.
Thus, species of 7'Aallassidroma and Puginus have been seen upon the
Potomac, and a Milvulus (M. forficatus, probably) and the Chamepelia
passerina have been detected.

The great mass of the birds which pass through the district in their
spring migrations do not stop to breed before reaching, at least, the
New England States, and probably the majority go still further north,
spreading through the Canadas and into British America to the region
around Hudson's bay. Our regular winter visitants, as the Junco
hyemalis, Spizella monticola, and the Anatide generally, do not usually
stop much short of Labrador and the regions of that latitude. Other
species, however, breed with equal readiness in almost any latitude.
Thus the Dendroica aestiva is very common through the summer in the
district, and doubtless even further south; while it breeds also in very
high latitudes in British America. During the winter these migra-
tory species mostly retire to the Antilles, or into Central America,
though many linger in the Gulf States along our southern border.
The manner in which these extensive migrations are performed varies,
doubtless, with different groups of birds, but it is very difficult to
conceive how some weak and short-winged species can perform the
immense journey. Some accomplish the distance by continually flying
from forest to forest, and from hedge to hedge; while others mount
directly high into the air, and uninterruptedly continue their flight
until hunger or weariness compels them to desist for awhile. "This
kind of migration is performed by some species wholly in the night
time. Some of the small insectivorous birds have been noticed just
at daybreak to descend from a great height, and after remaining
motionless for sometime, as if to recuperate their energies, search
diligently for food, and again resume their flight towards evening.
The distance at which the notes of birds flying overhead can be
heard is truly surprising. We have heard distinctly the mellow
notes of the Bob-o’ link while the bird itself was entirely beyond our
range of vision. The loud ** honking" of wild geese while migrating
is well known.

A circumstance which has considerable influence on the appearance
of birds in the immediate vicinity is the presence of a large city.
This is most strikingly shown in the case of the ducks and other wa-
ter fowl, to which the attention of the sportsman is especially di-
rected. The peculiar character of Chesapeake bay and its tributa-
ries render them the favorite winter resort of nearly all the species
of Anatide ; but the incessant persecutions to which these birds are
subjected have effected a material diminution of their numbers, and
caused a great part of them to retire to the bogs and inlets of more
southern shores. The same is true, though less markedly, of various

NATURAL HISTORY. 401

shy and solitary birds, (as, for example, the Hylatomus pileatus,) which
are gradually retiring with the clearing up of the forests to more
mountainous and inaecessible regions. Nevertheless, the pertinacity
with which some birds hold their ground is surprising. Thus the
common partridge, though so continually persecuted by sportsmen,
is still very numerous, even in the immediate vicinity of the city. A
total change of habit by civilization, sometimes to be observed, is ex-
tremely interesting. "There can be no doubt that before the settle-
ment of the country the Chaetura pelasgia bred in hollow trees. This:
habit is now totally lost, the bird finding chimneys better suited to its
wants. In like manner, the Hirundo horreorum now breeds altogether
on the rafters and beams of barns and outhouses, while the Z. luni-
frons is gradually abandoning the sides of cliffs for the convenient
situations afforded by the projecting eaves of buildings. "The Progne
purpurea always gives preference to the boxes now everywhere placed
for its accommodation.

With these brief and very cursory remarks, which might be greatly
extended did space permit, we proceed to the list of the species ascer-
tained to inhabit the District. Our observations, from which the
paper has been prepared, have extended over a period of nearly five
years, during which all the time that could be spared from other oc-
cupations has been devoted to the study of birds. No species has
been admitted which has not been actually detected in the District
or its immediate vicinity. A few of whose existence there can be
little or no doubt, are included in brackets, but still are not counted
in the list. The date given for the arrival and departure of any bird
is the mean of those observed during each successive year, since the
appearance and disappearance of birds depend somewhat on the
early or late advance of the season. It is regretted that the account
of some of the water birds is so scanty and incomplete; but it 1s hoped
that the very full details of most of the land birds will in a measure
atone for the deficiency in this respect.

1. Cathartes aura, (Linn.,) Ill.—Turkey Buzzard. Permanent res-
ident. Abundant. Not ordinarily gregarious, but collects in great
numbers where offal of any description is exposed. š

2. Falco columbarius, Linn. Pigeon Hawk. Rather rare, but few
having been observed. Very shy. Sometimes exposed for sale in
the market.

3. Falco (Tinnunculus) sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. Resi-
dent. Abundant. Generally found in open fields, about hedges,
stumps, dead trees, &c.

4. Astur atricapillus, (Wils.,) Bon.—Goshawk. Very rare; only
occasionally observed during the winter months.

5. Accipiter cooperi, Bon. —Cooper's Hawk. Resident. One of the
most common hawks. Frequents chiefly open fields, searching for
mice, small birds, &c.

6. Accipiter fuscus, (Gm.,) Bon.—Sharp-shinned Hawk. Resident.
Very abundant, and the least shy of the hawks. Frequents hedges,
ditches, brier patches, &c.

26

402 NATURAL HISTORY.

T. Buteo borealis, (Gm.,) Vieill. —Red-tailed Hawk. ‘‘ Hen Hawk."
Resident. Abundant, especially in winter. Very shy and wary.
Generally seen upon the largest trees in open fields.

8. Buteo lineatus, (Gm.,) Jard.—Red-shouldered Hawk. ‘‘ Chicken
Hawk." Resident. Common. Habits much like those of the pre-
ceding, with which it is generally confounded by farmers.

9. Buteo pennsylvanicus, (Wils.,) Bon. —Broad-winged Hawk. Very
rare; only occasionally observed. Specimens have been obtained in
the market.

[.Nauclerus furcatus, Vig.—Swallow-tailed Kite. As this bird goes
considerably further north, it doubtless is to be found in the District,
though we have never detected 1t. ]

10. Circus hudsonicus, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Marsh Hawk. Resident.
Very abundant. Generally seen over the marshes of the rivers, and
the wet meadows north of the city.

11. Aquila canadensis, (Linn.,) Cass.—Golden Eagle. Apparently
not rare; individuals being observed or taken almost every winter.
Two specimens from this locality are now in the museum of the
Smithsonian Institution.

12. Halietus leucocephalus, (Linn.,) Savig.—Bald-headed Eagle.
Not rare. Frequently seen sailing along over the river and perched
upon stumps and snags upon the ‘‘flats.’’ Resident.

13. Pandion carolinensis, (Gm.,) Jard.—Fish Hawk. Osprey.
Common. Seen over the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and upon
the branches of dead trees overhanging their banks.

14. Scops asio, (Linn.,) Bon.—Screech Owl. The most abundant
as well as the smallest of the owls. This as well as the other owls
are comparatively seldom seen on account of their nocturnal habits.

15. Bubo virginianus, (Gm.,) Bon.—Great Horned Owl. ‘‘ Cat
Owl." Not common. Sometimes offered for sale in the market. Sel-
dom seen, but its note often heard in woods, ‘‘making night hid-
eous.”

16. Otus wilsonianus, Lesson.—Long-eared Owl. More abundant
than the preceding. Seldom seen. Passes the day in hollow trees,
thick clumps of pines, &c.

17. Brechyotus cassinii, Brew.—Short-eared Owl. Very abundant.
Less shy than preceding, and apparently more confused by the light
of day. Has been caught in the streets of the city.

18. Syrnium nebulosum, (Forst.,) Gray.—Barred Owl. Rare. But
a few specimens observed. Found chiefly in day time in close cedar
thickets, near farm houses.

19. Nyctea nivea, (Daud.,) Gray.—Snowy Owl. Very rare; only
occasionally observed during the severest weather in winter.

[.Nyctale acadica may very probably be hereafter detected. |

20. Coccygus americanus, (Linn.,) Bon.—Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
** Ram Crow." Very abundant, especially in spring and fall. Found
chiefly in open woods. Breed plentifully. Fresh eggs are often
found in a nest with young birds. Arrives May 1; departs late in
September.

21. Coccygus erythrophthalmus, (Wils.,) Bon.—Black-billed Cuckoo.
' Rain Crow." Less abundant than the preceding, but not at all

NATURAL HISTORY. 403

rare. Habits similar to those of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Note not
so harsh and prolonged. Summer resident. Arrives May 1; departs
late in September.

22. Picus (Trichopicus) villosus, Linn.-—Hairy Woodpecker. Per-
manent resident. Apparently rare. General habits in common with
the woodpeckers. Not at all shy.

23. Picus ("'richopicus) pubescens, Linn. — Downy Woodpecker.
tt Sapsucker.” Resident all the year. Abundant. Breeds plenti-
fully. Frequents chiefly orchards, the dead undergrowth of boggy
marshes, and the more open cleared woods.

24. Sphyropicus varius, (Linn.,) Baird.—Yellow-bellied Wood-
pecker. Resident all the year. Abundant, particularly in the fall.
Frequents chiefly high open woods, but often seen in thickets and
tangled copses. Very fond of the berries of the sour gum.

25. Hylatomus pileatus, (Linn.,) Bd.—Pileated Woodpecker. *' Cock
of the Woods." ‘‘ Black Log-Cock." Probably permanent resident.
Rare, having retired from the immediate vicinity with the clearing
off of the forests. Excessively shy and wary when seen.

26. Centurus carolinus, (Linn.,) Bon.—Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Resident all the year; rather rare, and apparently more so than for-
merly.

2T. Melanerpes erythrocephalus, (Linn.,) Sw.—Red-headed Wood-
pecker. ‘‘Red-head.’’ Summer resident; high open woods and
orchards. The most abundant of the woodpeckers. Arrives in spring
usually the last week in April; leaves about the middle of September.

28. Colaptes auratus, (Linn.,) Sw. — Yellow-shafted Woodpecker.
‘t Flicker.” Resident all the year. Very abundant, particularly in
spring and fall, when usually seen in straggling flocks. Breeds plen-
tifully.

29. Trochilus colubris, Linn. — Ruby-throated Humming Bird.
Summer resident. The only Humming Bird found here. Abundant,
especially in the fall. Frequent exclusively the gardens in the city,
patches of wild flowers, (golden rod, &c.,) along the sides of branches.
Breed plentifully in the high woods. Arrive in spring about May 1,
and remain till the first approach of cool weather.

30. Chetura pelasgia, (Linn.,) Steph.—Chimney Swift. Very
abundant. Mostly seen in the city. Arrives second week in April;
leaves towards the end of September.

31. Antrostomus vociferus, (Wils.,) Bon.—Whip-poor-will. , Rare.
Summer resident. Arrives first week in May; leaves third week in
September. When suddenly startled flies off in a confused zigzag
manner, unless during the breeding season.

32. Chordeiles popetue, (Vieill.,) Bd.—Night Hawk. ‘Bull Bat."
Spring and autumn visitant. A few breed. Arrives May 1; leaves
about October 6. Very abundant in the fall, especially just before
its departure.

33. Ceryle alcyon, (Linn.,) Boie.—Kingfisher. Summer resident.
Quite common along the banks of the rivers and Rock creek. Rather
shy. Arrives the third week in March; leaves early in October.

34. Milvulus ?—A Milvulus was seen, but, unfortunately,

404 NATURAL HISTORY.

not obtained, May 6, 1861, by Mr. C. Drexler. It was probably M.
Jovficatus.

35. Tyrannus carolinensis, (Linn.,) Bd.—King Bird. ‘‘Bee Mar-
tin”? Summer resident; breeds plentifully, but the greater number
go further north. Arrives second week in April; leaves late in Sep-
tember.

36. Myiarchus crinitus, (Linn.,) Cab.—Great-crested Flycatcher.
Common summer resident, but most numerous in spring and autumn.
Arrives third week in April; leaves third week in September.

37. Sayornis fuscus, (Gm.,) Bd.—Pewee. '*'Tom-tit." Common sum-
mer resident, but more plentiful in spring and fall, since the greater
number go further north to breed. Arrives the first of the spring
visitants, about the first of March, and is very abundant for a month
or more; in autumn becomes numerous about September 25, and
does not leave till near the middle of October. Breeds in caves,
about rocks, creeks, bridges, &c.

38. Contopus virens, (Linn.,) Cab.—Wood Pewee. Excessively
abundant summer resident. Arrives last week in April; becomes
very abundant in two weeks; leaves third week in September.

39. Empidonax trail, (Aud.,) Bd.—Traill’s Flycatcher. Rare;
spring and fall visitant; perhaps a few breed. Times of arrival and
departure much those of the succeeding.

40. Empidonax minimus, Baird.— Least Flycatcher. Spring and
autumn visitant; none breed; rather common, most so in the spring.
Frequents exclusively the margins of small streams and brooks, briar
patches, &c. Arriveslast week in April, remains about two weeks;
arrives in autumn, third week in August, and remains till third week
in September.

41. Empidonax acadicus, Gm., Bd.—Acadian Flycatcher. Common
summer resident; the most abundant of the Hmpidonaces, and the
only one that breeds here in any numbers. Arrives last week in
April; leaves about September 25.

42. Empidonax flaviventris, Bd. — Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
Spring and autumn visitant; rather rare; perhaps some breed, spe-
cimens having been taken July 28. Arrives the first week in May;
in autumn remains until third week in September. Found in same
situations as F. minimus.

43. Turdus mustelinus, Gm.—Wood Thrush. ‘‘ Wood Robin."
Summer resident. Many breed, but the greater number go further
north. Arrives last week in April; leaves last week in October.
Frequents thick and tangled woods, especially laurel brakes, &c.,
along the banks of Rock creek.

44. Turdus pallasi, Cab.—Hermit Thrush. Spring and autumn
visitant; none breed. Arrives much the earliest of all the thrushes,
and immediately becomes very abundant. Frequents chiefly open
woods. Arrives third week in March, and remains until May;
arrives in the fall the first week in October, and leaves about the
third.

45. Turdus fuscescens, Steph.—Tawny Thrush. Spring and autumn
visitant. Rather uncommon, being the rarest of the thrushes. Does
not usually arrive until the first week in May; remains but a short

NATURAL HISTORY. 405

time; returns early in the fall. Frequents high open woods, but keeps
near the ground. Shy and solitary.

46. Turdus swainsoni, Cab.—Olive-backed Thrush. Spring and
autumn visitant; none breed. The most abundant of the thrushes,
except perhaps T. pallasi. Have seen them in considerable flocks in
the fall. Arrives the second week in April; remains but a short
time. Returns in the fall, second week in September; remains till
second week in October.

47. Turdus aliciae, Bd.—Gray-cheeked Thrush. Spring and

autumn visitant; none breed. Apparently as abundant as T. swain-
soni, more so than T. fuscescens. Found in similar situations with
the former, with which its times of arrival and departure are nearly
identical; perhaps fonder of swampy localities. (First shown to
belong to the eastern Avi-fauna by ourselves. See Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci., Philada., Aug., 1861.)
. 48. Turdus (Planesticus) migratorius, Linn.—Robin. Permanent
resident. A few breed, and a few remain during the winter; the
greater part, however, proceed north in summer and south in winter.
Most abundant in November and March. Sour gum and poke-berries
(Phytolacca decandra) are their favorite food. Found in all localities.
Many nest in the parks about the Capitol and President’s House.

49. Sialia sialis, (Linn.,) Bd.—Blue Bird. Very abundant. Per-
manent resident. Disappears in severe weather in winter, but is
found on warm, sunny days throughout that season, and becomes ex-
ceedingly numerous on the first opening of spring. Breeds plentifully
in holes of trees and in boxes throughout the city.

50. Regulus calendulus, (Linn.,) Licht.—Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Spring and autumn visitant. Very abundant. None breed. In spring,
from April 1 to May 10; in fall, through the month of October and
first few days in November. Frequents orchards, thickets, copses,
cedar patches, &c.; less frequently found in high woods. Is most
numerous in the fall. Is in full song before it leaves. Spring migra-
Dane embrace a number of both sexes, with the head perfectly
plain.

51. Regulus satrapa, Licht.—Golden-crested Kinglet. Winter resi-
dent. Abundant from October 1 to latter part of April. None breed.
Habits much the same as the preceding. Thick pine woods a favorite
resort. Familiar and unsuspicious.

52. Anthus ludovicianus, (Gm.,) Licht.—Titlark. ‘‘Skylark.’’ Win-
ter resident. Abundant. Makes its appearance towards the end of
October, and remains until April. Always found in restless straggling
flocks, usually of considerable extent. Frequents open commons,
bare meadows, ploughed fields, &c. Has a remarkable habit of fre-
quently alighting on the roofs of houses and sheds. [Breeds in great
numbers in Labrador. |

53. Mniotilta varia, (Linn.,) Vieill. —Black and White Creeper.
‘‘ Sapsucker.” Very common summer resident, but more abundant
in spring and fall, as the greater number go further north to breed.
Arrives first week in April, and is exceedingly numerous until May.
Breeds in holes in trees. Generally found in high, open woods.

54. Parula americana, (Linn.,) Bon.—Blue Yellow: back Warbler.

406 NATURAL HISTORY.

Spring and autumn visitant. Exceedingly abundant from April 25 till
May 15. Perhaps a few breed, as we have found them the first week
in August. In fall abundant from August 25 to second week in Oc-
tober. Inhabits exclusively high, open woods, and usually seen in
the tops of the trees, or at the extremities of the branches, in the
tufts of leaves and blossoms. (Albino obtained.)

55. Protonotaria citrea, (Bodd.,) Bd.—Prothonotary Warbler. Ex-
ceedingly rare; perhaps only an accidental visitor. An individual
seen in a swampy briar patch May 2, 1861. Probably its most north-
ern range, if regularly found here.

56. Geothlypis trichas, (Linn.,) Cab.—Maryland Yellow-throated
Warbler. Very abundant summer resident, breeding in great num-
bers. Arrives April 25, becoming exceedingly numerous on its first
appearance. Remains until October. Inhabits the densest briar
patches, generally in swampy situations. Never seen in high woods,
seldom in orchards or hedgerows. Associates with Cistothorus palus-
tris, in the Zizania aquatica marshes. Nest on ground.

[G. philadelphia is undoubtedly an inhabitant of the District. |

51. Oporornis agilis, (Wils.,) Bd.—Connecticut Warbler. Rather
uncommon in the fall, during the month of October. Excessively
rare in spring; we never have seen it in that season. Frequents old
buckwheat and corn fields, searching for food among the dry, rank
weeds; also low thickets in swampy places.

58. Oporornis formosus, (Wils.,) Bd. —Kentucky Warbler. Rare.
Found chiefly in low woods with thick undergrowth, ravines, &c.
Very silent, but not shy. A few breed here.

59. Icteria viridis, (Gm.,) Bon.—Yellow-breasted Chat. Summer
resident, breeding very abundantly. Arrives the last week in April,
leaves about the middle of September. Frequents exclusively most
dense and impenetrable briar patches. Males exceedingly shy and
difficult to procure until the females commence incubation, when they
are quite the reverse.

60. Helmitherus vermivorus, (Gm.,) Bon.—Worm-eating Warbler.
Rathen uncommon summer resident, breeding sparingly. Arrives
first week in May, remains till third week in September. Slow and
sedate in its movements.

61. Helminthophaga chrysoptera, (Linn.,) Cab.—Golden-winged War-
bler. Spring and autumn visitant. Very rare.

62. Helminthophaga pinus, (Linn.,) Baird.—Blue-winged Yellow
Worm-eating Warbler. Spring and autumn visitant. Very rare.

63. Helninthophaga ruficapilla, (Wils.,) Bd.—Nashville Warbler.
Spring and autumn visitant. Rare.

64. Helminthophaga peregrina, (Wils.,) Cab.—Tennessee Warbler.
Spring and autumn visitant. Very rare.

[Our observations warrant the belief that all the Helminthophagece
are exceedingly rare. "Though the four species given have been de-
tected, the data with regard to their arrival and departure have not
been ascertained. |

65. Seiurus aurocapillus, (Linn.,) Sw.—Golden-crowned Wagtail.
Exceedingly abundant summer resident. Arrives April 12; for
about two weeks keeps perfectly silent, hiding in the thickets and

NATURAL HISTORY. 407

laurel brakes, (Kalmia latifolia,) so that its loud, harsh notes are not
heard until the first of May, when they fill the woods, greatly to the
annoyance of the collector searching for rarer and more retiring
species. Found in high woods, especially where there is an under-
growth. Is not aquatic in any sense, but keeps on the ground rust-
ling among the dry leaves for insects, and when disturbed flies to the
nearest tree.

66. Seiwrus noveboracensis, (Gm.,) Nutt.—Water Wagtail. Quite
common in spring and fall ; also breeds sparingly, having been found
in July. Arrives in spring about May 1. Is eminently aquatic ;
swampy thickets, thick gloomy woods interspersed with puddles,
where it associates with Rhyacophilus solitarius, are favorite resorts.

67. Seiurus ludovicianus, (Vieill.,) Bon.—Large-billed Water Wag-
tail. "This bird, generally considered so rare, we have found to be not
at all uncommon at certain seasons in particular localities. From the
20th of April to the 10th of May it may always be obtained, by an
acute collector, in the dense laurel brakes which border the banks of
and fill the ravines leading into Rock creek and Piney branch. We
think we have seen it in June, which would prove it to breed here, as
is, indeed, very probable. We have not detected itin the fall. It is
usually very shy, darting at once into the most impenetrable brakes;
but we have sometimes seen it quite the reverse, and have shot a pair,
one after the other, as they sat in full view before me unconcernedly
wagging their tails. We have nearly always found it in pairs, even as
early as April 20. Its note is a sparrow-like chirp, like that made:
by striking two pebbles together; but it has also a loud and most
beautiful and melodious song, the singularity of which first drew our
attention to it.

68. Dendroica virens, (Gm.,) Bd.—Black-throated Green Wood-
warbler. Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. In spring, from
May 1 to 20; in fall, from September T to October 1. High open
woods. Abundant.

69. Dendroica canadensis, (Linn.,) Bd.—Blaek-throated Blue Wood-
warbler. Like the preceding, but rather less numerous.

10. Dendroica coronata, (Linn.,) Gray.—Yellow-rumped Wood-
warbler. Winter resident. Exceedingly abundant. Arrive sec-
ond week in October and remain until second week in May. Moult
during the whole month of April, but before they leave are in full
spring dress, though they have no song here. Most abundant in
April and October, less so in depth of winter. Fond of hedges,
orchards, copses, &c., but found everywhere. (Albino obtained.)

T1. Dendroica blackburniae, (Gm.,) Bd.—Blackburnian Wood-war-
bler. Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. In spring, from May
1 to 20; in fall, from September 1 to 25. High open woods. Com-
mon.

12. Dendroica castanea, (Wils.,) Bd.—Bay-breasted Wood-warbler.
Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. May 1 to 20; September
1 to 30. More abundant in fall than in spring. High open woods ;
sometimes laurel brakes, &c.

13. Dendroica pinus, (Wils.,) Bd.— Pine-creeping Wood-warbler.
Summer resident. Arrives early in March, and stays until October.

408 NATURAL HISTORY.

Not very abundant at any time, and breeds but sparingly. High
open woods. Pine and spruce forests.

T4. Dendroica pennsylvanica, (Linn.,) Bd.—Chestnut-sided Wood-
warbler. Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. In spring, from
May 1 to 25; in fall, from September 1 to 20. High open woods.
Abundant.

15. Dendroica striata, (Forst.,) Bd.—Black-poll Wood-warbler.
Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. In spring, from May 7
to June 1; in fall, September T to second week in October. Arrive
latest in both spring and fall, and stay latest of all the migratory
warblers. Are the most numerous at both seasons, but especially
abundant in the fall. High open woods.

16. Dendroica aestiva, (Gm.,) Bd.—Summer Yellow Wood-warbler.
Summer resident. Very abundant. Breeds in numbers throughout
the city, placing the nest in the forks of garden and fruit trees.
Arrives April 25; leaves early in September. Never found in high
open woods with the other Dendroice, but frequents orchards, gar-
dens, &c.; also swampy copses.

TT. Dendroica maculosa, (Gm.,) Bd.—Black and Yellow Wood-
warbler. Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. Arrives first
week in May; remains till the third. In fall, from September 1 to
October 7. High open woods. Abundant.

18. Dendroica tigrina, (Gm.,) Bd.—Cape May Wood-warbler.
Exceedingly rare. A single specimen obtained September 12, 1859.
Times of arrival and departure probably identical with those of D.
virens, canadensis, &c.

19. Dendroica superciliosa, (Bodd,) Bd.—Yellow-throated Wood-
warbler. Entirely accidental visitor. One specimen obtained in
1842, and now in Smithsonian collection.

80. Dendroica discolor, (Vieill.,) Bd.—Prairie Wood-warbler. Mostly
spring and autumn visitant, being quite abundant during those sea-
sons. A few, however, breed. Arrives earlier than most of the
Dendroice, about April 20. Frequents almost exclusively cedar
patches and pine trees, and has very peculiar manners and notes.

81. Dendroica palmarum, (Gm.,) Baird.—Yellow Red-poll Wood-
warbler. Spring and autumn visitant. Rather rare. None breed.
Arrives about May 1; in fall, late in September, and does not leave till
middle of October, after all the other warblers but Dend. coronata
have taken their departure. Frequents old corn and buckwheat
fields, associating with various species of sparrows; differing in this
respect from all others of its genus, and resembling Oporornis agilis.

[There are twenty-two species of Dendroica found in North America;
of these, fourteen have been observed here. Not one is a permanent
resident; three only (D. pinus, aestiva, discolor) breed; one (D. coro-
nata) is a winter resident. Nine others are spring and fall visitants;
of these, seven (D. virens, canadensis, blackburniae, castanea, penn-
sylvanica, striata, maculosa) do not differ materially in numbers,
habits, or times of arrival and departure; one (D. palmarum) differs
in times of arrival and departure, and very remarkably in habits; one
(D. superciliosa) is an accidental visitor; one (D. tigrina) is exceed-

NATURAL HISTORY. 409

ingly rare. In addition, Dendroica cerulea is undoubtedly to be
found here. |

82. Myiodioctes mitratus, (Gm.,) Aud.—Hooded Warbler. Rare
spring and autumn visitant. Perhaps some breed.

83. Myiodioctes pusillus, (Wils.,) Bon.—Green Black-capped Fly-
catcher. Rare spring and autumn visitant. A few may breed.

84. JMyiodiocies canadensis, (Linn.,) Aud.—Canada Flycatcher.
Spring and autumn visitant. Abundant. Frequents high, open woods,
keeping mostly in the lower branches of the trees, and also the more
open undergrowth of marshy places. Arrives the last week in April,
and remains about two weeks; arrives in fall the first week in Sep-
tember, and stays until the fourth.

85. Setophaga ruticilla, (Linn.,) Sw.—Redstart. Chiefly spring and
autumn visitant. But very few breed. Exceedingly abundant in
spring from April 25 to May 20, and in fall from September 1 to
20; in all woody or swampy situations. Has a habit of running -
along little twigs sideways. Note very similar to that of Dendroica
estiva.

86. Pyranga rubra, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Scarlet Tanager. Spring and
autumn visitant. A few breed. In spring, from first to last week in
May; in fall, from September 1 to 20. Common, but only found in
high, open woods.

87. Pyranga estiva, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Summer Red Bird. Summer
resident. Not abundant. Arrives May 1; leaves towards the latter
part of September. Frequents entirely high woods, especially those
that have much undergrowth.

88. Hirundo horreorum, Barton.—Barn Swallow. | Exceedingly
abundant summer resident. Arrives March 25, and remains until
September 12. Breeds in barns, out-houses, &c.

89. Hirundo lunifrons, Say.— Cliff Swallow. Summer resident, but
not so abundant as preceding, from scarcity of good breeding places.
Arrives last week in April, and remains until September 12.

90. Hirundo bicolor, Vieill.—W hite-bellied Swallow. Summer resi-
dent. Common, but not nearly so much so as H. horreorum. Arrives
first week in April, and remains until third week in September.

91. Cotyle ( Cotyle) riparia, (Linn.,) Boie.—Bank Swallow. Sum-
mer resident; the most abundant of the swallows; more so in fall
than in spring. Arrives second week in May; departs about the
middle of September. Eminently gregarious at all seasons. (Albino
obtained.)

92. Cotyle ( Stelgidopteryx ) serripennis, (Aud.,) Bon.—Rough-winged
Swallow. Summer resident. Rather rare. Arrives third week in
April; leaves about the middle of September.

93. Progne purpurea, (Linn.,) Boie.—Purple Martin. Summer resi-
dent. Common. Arrives May 1; leaves first week in September.
Many breed in the city and about the public buildings.

94. Ampelis cedrorum, (Vieill.,) Bd.—Cedar Waxwing. ‘‘ Cedar
Lark." Resident all the year. Abundant, particularly in the fall.
Gregarious; almost always seen in flocks. Breeds latest of the sum-
mer residents, being in flocks as late as first week in June.

95. Collyrio borealis, (Bon.,) Bd.—Great Northern Shrike. Very

410 NATURAL HISTORY.

rare. Perhaps its southern limit. Seen only in severe winter
weather.

96. Vireo (Vireosylvia) olivaceus, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Red-eyed Vireo
Summer resident. Found in all the high, open woods, from April
20 to September 25. The most abundant summer resident.

97. Vireo gilvus, (Vieill,) Bon.—Warbling Vireo. Summer resi-
dent. Common. Arrives April 20, and remains until September 20.
Frequents orchards, gardens, &c.; also, sometimes, low,thick swamps,
and is especially abundant in the city, breeding in the high sycamore
and poplar trees. Very seldom seen in woods with other vireos.

98. Vireo (Lanivireo) solitarius, (Wils.) Vieill.-—Blue-headed
Vireo. Spring and autumn visitant. (Some breed?) Arrives in
spring April 25; leaves in fall October 20. Rarest of the vireos.
Inhabits high, open woods, associating with V. olivaceus and V. fla-
vifrons.

99. Vireo (Lanivireo) flavifrons, Vieill.—Yellow-throated Vireo.
Summer resident. Abundant. Arrives April 25; remains until Sep-
tember 25. High, open woods. [Vireo philadelphicus, Cass., has never
been actually detected, but is undoubtedly a very rare inhabitant of
the District. |

100. Mimus polyglottus, (Linn.,) Boie.—Mocking Bird. Summer
resident; but rare. Arrives April 25; departs about the middle of
September.

101. Mimus carolinensis, (Linn.,) Gray.—Cat Bird. Summer resi-
dent. Exceedingly abundant. Found in all briar patches, along fences,
and in thickets. Arrives in spring, the 3d week in April. Seems
rather careless in concealing its nest, but very solicitous in protect-
ing it. Departs about October 15.

102. Harporhynchus rufus, (Linn.,) Cab.—Thrasher. ‘‘ French
Mocking Bird;" ‘‘Sandy Mocking Bird? Summer resident. Abun-
dant. Arrives April 20, departs first week in October.

103. ZLhriothorus ludovicianus, (Linn.,) Bon.— Great Carolina Wren.
Permanent resident. Not abundant, but most so in the summer;
breeds in thick shrubbery, &c., about gardens; at other seasons is
very shy and unfamiliar.

104. Cistothorus (Telmatodytes) palustris, (Wils.) Bd.—Long Billed
Marsh Wren. Summer resident. Arrives 3d week in April, leaves
early in October. Very abundant, but only in certain localities;
chiefly in the tracts of Zizania aquatica, which border the Potomac
and Anacostia rivers [Cistothorus stellaris, though we have not been
able to detect it, is doubtless found sparingly here. ]

105. Troglodytes cedon, Vieill.—House Wren. Summer resident.
Very abundant. Arrives April 15, leaves October 20. Breeds in boxes,
out-houses, sheds, &c., and in orchards.

106. Anorthura hyemalis, (Wils.)—Winter Wren. Winter resident;
rather uncommon. Arrives 1st week in October; remains until latter
part of April. Frequents thick briar patches in dark woods, and the
rocks and gullies about ravines and the sides of creeks.

107. Certhia americana, Bon.—Brown Creeper. Resident all the
year. High, open woods. Abundant.

NATURAL HISTORY. 411

108. Sitta carolinensis, Gm.—White-bellied Nuthatch. Resident
all the year. Very abundant, especially in fall. High, open woods.

109. Sitta canadensis, Linn.—Red-bellied Nuthatch. Winter resi-
dent. Arrives early in October, and remains until May. Rather
rare. High, open woods, pine forests.

110. Polioptila cerulea, (Linn.,) Sclat.—Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher.
Summer resident. Arrives early, the first week in April; remains until
latter part of September. Very abundant. Breeds in high, open
woods; on its first arrival frequents tall trees on the sides of streams,
orchards, &c. ^

111. Lophophanes bicolor, (Linn.,) Bon.— Permanent resident, but
the greater number breed further north. Exceedingly abundant,
especially in fall. Found in all situations.

112. Parus atricapillus, Linn.—Black-capped 'Chick-a-dee. Win-
ter resident.

113. Parus carolinensis, Aud.—Carolina Chick-a-dee. Summer
resident. (Owing to the close resemblance of these two species, we
have not been able to detect their times of arrival and departure.)

114. Eremophila cornuta, (Wils.,) Boie.—Sky-lark. Winter resi-
dent. Arrives November 1; remains until April. Abundant. In-
habits, exclusively, bare level meadows and open commons. Emi-
nently gregarious while here.

115. Pinicola canadensis, (Briss.,) Cab.—Pine Grosbeak. An ex-
ceedingly rare and probably only accidental visitant in severe win-
ters.

116. Carpodacus purpureus, (Gm.,) Gray.—Purple Finch. Winter
resident; very abundant; eminently gregarious. Arrives early in
October, and remains until May. Stragglers are seen through the
greater part of that month, but the majority depart as soon as the
leaves are fully expanded. High, open woods; feeding chiefly
(entirely in spring) on tender young buds. Are in full song before
they take their departure.

117. Chrysomitris tristis, (Linn.)) Bon.—Gold Finch. ‘‘ Briar Bird.”
Permanent resident. Exceedingly abundant. Breeds in numbers
throughout the city, building in the crotches of poplars and maples.
In winter gregarious, collecting in very large flocks about the 25th
of September, and continuing so until May. Is in dull plumage as
long as it remains in flocks.

118. Chrysomitris pinus, (Wils.,) Bon.—Pine Finch. Winter resi-
dent; rather uncommon; always found in flocks, frequently associating
with C. tristis. Remains until May.

119. Ægiothus linaria, (Lin.) Cab.—Common Red-poll Linnet.
Rare, perhaps only accidental visitant in severe winters, when it ap-
pears in restless flocks of greater or less extent.

[The two species of Cross-bills — Curvirostra americana and
leucoptera—undoubtedly sometimes make their appearance in severe
winters, though we have not been able to ascertain the fact with
certainty.]

120. Plectrophanes nivalis, Meyer.—Snow Bunting. Rare visitant
in the depth of winter.

[P. lapponicus may very possibly visit us occasionally. |

412 NATURAL HISTORY.

121. Passerculus savanna, (Wils.,) Bon.—Savanna Sparrow. Chiefly
spring and autumn visitant; a few doubtless winter in secluded
situations; none breed. Very numerous on low, moist meadows and
watery savannas from March 15 to first week in May, and from Oc-
tober 10 to November 10. Shy and retiring; associate in companies;
keep always on the ground. Are in full song before they depart.

122. Pooecetes gramineus, (Gm.,) Bd.—Bay-winged Bunting. Grass
Finch. Resident all the year; very numerous in spring and autumn,
less so in summer and winter. Frequent high dry fields, road
sides, &c.

123. Coturniculus passerinus, (Wils.,) Bon.—Yellow-winged Spar-
row. Summer resident; abundant. Arrives April 25; remains until
October 15. Inhabits exclusively meadows and fields, keeping closely
concealed in the grass. Usually solitary.

124. Coturniculus henslowi, (Aud.,) Bon. — Henslow's Bunting.
Summer resident; exceedingly rare. (But one specimen known to
have been obtained.)

125. Zonotrichia leucophrys, (Forst.,) Sw.—White-crowned Spar-
row. Winter resident. Usually rare, but more plenty at irregular
intervals; (e. g., in spring of 1861.) Remains until second week in
May.)

126. Zonotrichia albicollis, (Gm.,) Bon.—White-throated Sparrow.
Chiefly spring and autumn visitants, but numbers spend the winter
in sheltered localities. Arrives early in October, and is exceedingly
abundant during that month; becomes very numerous again the Ist
of April and continues so until May 12. Mostly gregarious; frequent
chiefly briar patches, hedges, roadsides, &c., in fall and winter, but
in spring found on the ground in open woods. Sings both in fall and
spring.

127. Junco hyemalis, (Linn.,) Sclat.—Snow Bird. Winter resident.
Arrive in fall, October 10 or 12; soon become very numerous, and
continue so until 15th of April. Stragglers seen till May. Found
everywhere; in pleasant weather keep close in thickets, ravines, &c.,
but in severe weather approach farm-houses and scatter through the
city. Gregarious; in full song before they leave.

128. Spizella monticola, (Gm.,) Bd.—Tree Sparrow. The most
abundant winter sparrow except Jfelospiza melodia. Arrives 1st of
November and leaves 1st of April; shy and retiring; chiefly grega-
rious. Found in thickets, briar patches, &c. Sings all through the
winter.

129. Spizella socialis, (Wils.,) Bon.—Chipping Sparrow. Summer
resident. Semi-domesticated, like Troglodytes aedon; breeds in or-
chards, gardens, shrubbery, about porches, &c. Especially fond of
building the nest in small cedar bushes. March 10 to October 10.

130. Spizella pusilla, (Wils.,) Bon.—Field Sparrow. Resident all
the year; especially abundant in spring; less so in summer and
autumn; only found in secluded situations in winter. In full song in
spring and occasionally sings in fall. Gregarious, except during the
breeding season. Breeds in small, isolated bushes in fields, near the
ground. (Albino obtained.)

131. Melospiza melodia, (Wils.,) Bd.—Song Sparrow. Permanent

NATURAL HISTORY. 413

resident. Excessively abundant, especially in winter, when it asso-
ciates in large companies in briar patches and along tangled borders
of streams.

132. Melospiza palustris, (Wils.,) Bd.—Swamp Sparrow.—Chiefly
spring and autumn visitant; arrive in spring last week in April; be-
come abundant in the fall, second week in October; very secluded
and retiring in habits. Gregarious in fall.

[Melospiza lincolni is, in all probability, an inhabitant of the Dis-
trict, though we have never succeeded in detecting it. |

133. Passerella iliaca, (Merrem,) Sw.—Fox-colored Sparrow. Chiefly
spring and autumn visitant, though some spend the winter in shel-
tered situations. Abundant from November 1 to 30, and from March
1to030. Eminently gregarious; inhabits thickets and the densest briar
patches and laurel brakes. Sing just before departing; none breed.

134. JEuspiza americana, (Gm.,) Bon.—Black-throated Bunting.
Summer resident. Arrives May 1; leaves towards the end of Sep-
tember. Inhabits open fields and meadows. Abundant, especially
in the spring.

135. Guiraca ludoviciana, (Linn.,) Sw.—Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Rare. Summer visitant; seen only at intervals. Found in high,
open woods; generally in small companies. Shy and difficult to pro-
cure.

136. Guiraca cerulea, (Linn.,) Sw.—Blue Grosbeak. Summer
resident. Rather rare. Breeds in much the same places as does
Cardinalis virginianus ; at other times found in more open situations,
orchards, sparse woods, &c. Arrives first week in May; departs
about middle of September.

137. Cyanospiza cyanea, (Linn.,) Bd.—Indigo Bird. ‘‘ Little Blue
Bird." Summer resident. Common. Arrives lst of May; remains
until second week in September. About orchards, edges of woods,
meadows, &c.

138. Cardinalis virginianus, Bon.—Cardinal Grosbeak. ‘‘Red
Bird." Resident all the year. Abundant, but always shy and diffi-
cult to procure. Frequents only the thickest briar patches. Moults
from middle of July till October.

139. Pipilo erythrophthalmus, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Towhe Bunting.
‘t Marsh Robin." Chiefly spring and autumn visitant; a few breed.
Very abundant from April 25 to May 10, and from first to third week
in October. Thickets, laurel brakes, &c.; partially gregarious.

140. Dolichonyx oryzivorous, (Linn.,) Sw.—Bob-o’-link. ‘‘ Reed
Bird." Spring and autumn visitant. In spring distributed abun-
dantly about orchards and meadows, even at that season generally
in flocks, from May 1 to 15; in autumn frequent in immense flocks
the tracts of Zizania aquatica, along the river; also cornfields, &c.,
from August 20 to October.

141. Molothrus pecoris, (Gm.,) Sw.—Cowpen Bird. ‘Cow Bird."
Summer resident. Not very common. Arrives second week in
March; remains till October.

142. Agelaius pheniceus, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Red-winged Black Bird.
Resident nearly all the year; more abundant in spring and fall, espe-
cially the latter. Breed. Commence to flock over the tracts of

414 NATURAL HISTORY.

Zizania aquatica and the neighboring cornfields the first week in Au-
gust. Arrive in small flocks early in March.

143. Sturnella magna, (Linn.,) Sw.—Meadow Lark. Field Lark.
Resident all the year. Abundant. Collect in flocks, sometimes of
great extent, and then are very shy. Old fields, meadows, &c.

144. Icterus baltimore, (Linn.,) Daudin.—Baltimore Oriole. Chiefly
spring and autumn visitant, though many breed. Arrives the first
week in May, and remains until latter part of September. Orchards;
high, open woods. .

145. Icterus spurius, (Linn.,) Bon.—Orchard Oriole. Summer resi-
dent. Not uncommon. Arrives first week in May; remains till
latter part of September. Orchards, meadows, and high, open woods.

146. Scolecophagus ferrugineus, (Gm.,) Sw.—Rusty Grackle. ‘‘ Black
Bird." Winter resident. Abundant. Strictly gregarious. Arrives
third week in October; remains until April. Swampy localities;
also ploughed fields, &c.

147. Quiscalus versicolor, (Linn.,) Vieill.—Purple Grackle. ‘‘Crow
Black Bird." Summer resident. Abundant, but more particularly
soin spring and fall. Arrives about March 15; departs late in Oc-
tober.

148. Corvus americanus, Aud.—Common Crow. Resident all the
year. Very abundant. Found everywhere. Gregarious in winter.
Less abundant during the breeding season.

149. Corvus ossifragus, Wils.—Fish Crow. Resident all the year.
Abundant. Less wary and suspicious than the preceding, and more
confined to the borders of the rivers. Confounded with the preced-
ing generally.

150. Cyanura cristata, (Linn.,) Sw.—Blue Jay. “Jay Bird."
Resident all the year. Abundant, especially in fall and winter, when
it is partially gregarious. Found everywhere.

151. Ectopistes migratoria, (Linn.,) Sw.—Wild Pigeon. Make
their appearance in flocks at irregular intervals throughout the fall,
winter, and early spring months.

152. Zenaidura carolinensis, (Linn.,) Bon.—Carolina Turtle . Dove.
"Dove." Permanent resident. Not very abundant. Sometimes
collect in large flocks in the fall, when they frequent cornfields, &c.

153. Chamepelia passerina, (Linn.,) Sw.—Ground Dove. An en-
tirely accidental visitor from the south.—(One specimen obtained,
now in museum S. I.)

154. Meleagris gallopavo, Linn.—Wild Turkey. Regularly seen in
the markets all through the winter, though not often found in the
immediate vicinity of the city. Remains all the year in the neigh-
boring districts.

155. Bonasa umbellus, (Linn.,) Stephens. Ruffed Grouse. ‘‘Pheas-
ant." Resident all the year. Apparently not uncommon, but fre-
quent mostly impenetrable laurel brakes, &c., and are difficult to
procure.

156. Ortyx virginianus, (Linn.,) Bon.—American Partridge. ‘‘Par-
tridge.’’ Resident all the year. Still abundant in the immediate
vicinity of the city during the late fall and winter months.

NATURAL HISTORY. 415

157. Grus canadensis, (Linn.,) Temm.—Sand-hill Crane. Exceed-
ingly rare; perhaps only accidental. (Specimen obtained.)

158. Garzetta candidissima, (Jacq.,) Bon.—Snowy Heron. Not un-
common about the marshes of the Potomac in early fall.

159. Herodias egretta, (Gm.,) Gray.—White Egret. Occasionally
seen along the river in the late summer and early fall months.

160. Ardea herodias, Linn.—Great Blue Heron. ‘‘ Blue Crane."
Found at intervals during the summer and early autumn along the
marshes bordering the river.

161. Florida ccrulea, (Linn.,) Bd.—Little Blue Heron. Rare, per-
haps only accidental, towards the end of summer. (Specimen ob-
tained. )

162. Ardetta exilis, (Gm.,) Gray.—Least Bittern. Summer resi-
dent; rather uncommon. Arrives early in May; departs late in Sep-
tember. Found chiefly in the Zizania aquatica marshes.

163. Botaurus lentiginosus, Steph.—Bittern. ‘‘Indian Hen."
‘*Sagve Hen." Resident all the year. Common. Only heron that
winters here.

164. Butorides virescens, (Linn.,) Bon.—Green Heron. ‘‘Fly-up-
the-creek." Summer resident. Most abundant of the herons. Ar-
rives Ist of May; remains until middle of September. Numerous
about Rock creek and the marshes and creeks of the Potomac.

165. Nyctiardea gardeni, (Gm.,) Bd.—Night Heron. Rare; seen
oceasionally during the latter part of summer.

166. Charadrius virginicus, Borck.—Golden Plover. ‘‘Bull-head
Plover.” Spring and autumn visitant. Passes quickly through in
early spring; is more numerous in autumn, during latter part of Octo-
ber and whole of November, about fields, ploughed land, &c.

167. ZEgialitis ( Oxyechus ) vociferus, (Linn. ,) Cass.—Killdeer Plover.
*Killdee." Resident all the year, or nearly so. Most numerous
early in spring and late in autumn; generally seen in flocks, on
meadows, commons, ploughed lands, &c.

[ZEgialitis semipalmatus is undoubtedly an inhabitant of the Dis-
trict. ]

168. Philohela minor, (Gm.,) Gray.—Woodcock. Resident all the
year. Common. Frequent chiefly ‘‘ Woodcock brakes" and moist
cornfields; and in early spring low woods and thickets.

169. Gallinago wilsonii, (Temm.,) Bon.—Wilson’s Snipe. ‘‘ Eng-
- lish” or ‘‘Jack’’ Snipe. Spring and autumn visitants. Abundant.
Pass through early in the spring and return in the fall the first week
in September, and remain about two weeks. In flocks in the fall.

[| Macrorhamphus griseus, though we have not detected it, is doubtless
an inhabitant of the District. |

| Micropalama himantopus may very possibly be hereafter detected. |

170. Actodromas maculata, (Vieill.,) Cass.—Pectoral Sandpiper.
‘Grass Snipe.” Spring and autumn visitant. Rarely seen in spring.
Not uncommon in autumn from September 25 to November. Low,
moist, grassy meadows, boggy commons, &c. Seen singly as often
as in flocks.

471. .Actodromas minutilla, (Vieill.,) Coues.—Least Sandpiper.

416 NATURAL HISTORY.

Spring and autumn visitant. In spring from May 1 to 15; in fall
from August 25 to October. In habits very similar to preceding.

172. Ereunetes pusillus, (Linn.,) Cass.—Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Rare; perhaps accidental; occasionally met with in spring and fall
along the banks of the river. [Possibly a second species, (Ereunetes
minor, Gundl.)]

173. Symphemia semipalmata, (Gm.,) Hartl. — Willet; Rare; spring
and autumn visitant.

174. Gambetta melanoleuca, (Gm.,) Bon A Tell-tale Tatler.
‘t Yellow-shanks Plover." Spring and autumn visitant. Common.
In spring, from May 1 to 15; in autumn, middle of September to
November. Generally seen singly or two or three together. Banks
of the rivers, boggy meadows, commons intersected with pools, &c.

175. Gambetta flavipes, (Gm.,) Bon.—Lesser Tell-tale Tatler. ‘‘Yel-
low-shanks Plover." Identical in times of appearance and in habits
with preceding. .

176. Lhyacophilus solitarius, Wils.—Solitary Tatler. Spring and.
autumn visitant; very abundant, especially in spring. May 1 to
15, and August 25 to October 15.- Very familiar and unsuspicious;
decidedly gregarious, both in spring and fall. Frequents ditches
and puddles, in low, boggy commons, &c.

177. Tringoides macularius, (Linn.,) Gray.—Spotted Sandpiper.
‘‘Sand Snipe.’ Summer resident; very abundant in spring. The
only sandpiper that breeds. Arrives April 20 and remains through
greater part of September. Found chiefly on Rock creek and banks
of the river.

118.. Actiturus bartramius, (Wils.,) Bon.—Bartram’s Tatler. Grass
Plover. Field Plover. Summer resident; rare. Found altogether
on high, open fields and ploughed lands.

119. Numenius longirostris, Wils.—Long-billed Curlew. Not un-
common. Spring and autumn visitant; remaining a very short time
at each season. In fall, about the middle of September. Found in
places similar to those which the Yellow- -legs frequent.

180. Rallus elegans, Aud.—Fresh-water Marsh-hen. ‘‘ King Orto-
lan." ' Found sparingly in early autumn in the marshes along the
rivers, with the P. carolina.

181. Rallus virginianus, (Linn.)—Virginia Rail. Spring and autumn
visitant. Very rare in the spring, and not abundant in the fall. Ar-
rives in fall the last week in August; departs about the same time
with the P. carolina.

182. Porzana carolina, Vieill.—Common Rail Sora. Ortolan.
Spring and autumn visitant. Rare in spring, but very abundant in
fall from the last week in August until the first frost. Found ex-
clusively in the marshes bordering the Potomac and Eastern Branch.

[Porzana noveboracensis, though not detected, is undoubtedly an
inhabitant of the District. ]

183. Porzana jamaicensis.—Black Rail. Very rare, perhaps only
accidental, during the early fall. (Specimen seen by ourselves Sep-
tember, 1861.)

184. Fulica americana, Gm.—Coot. ‘‘Crow Duck.” Spring and

NATURAL HISTORY. 417

autumn visitant; passing through early in the spring, and returning in
the fall about the 1st of October. Very common in the fall.

185. Cygnus americanus, Sharpless.—American Swan. Winter
resident. Notcommon. Seen sometimes on the river, and frequently
exposed for sale in the market.

188. Bernicla canadensis, (Linn.,) Boie.— Canada Goose. Wild Goose.
"Winter resident. Common, but seen most frequently in the air,
flying over. Arrive in fall just before the first approach of severe
weather. Found in market through the winter.

187. Anas boschas, (Linn.)—Mallard. Very abundant winter resi-
dent. Found upon the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and (more
rarely) upon creeks and ponds.

188. Anas obscura, Gm.—Dusky Mallard. Black Mallard. Not
rare. Habits same as those of preceding.

189. Dajila acuta, (Linn.,) Jenyns.—Pintail Duck. — Sprig-tail.
Winter resident. Common. Found mostly along the margins of the
rivers, and sometimes inland. Arrive about the first of October.

190. Nettion carolinensis, (Gm.,) Baird. —Green-winged Teal. Win-
ter resident. Abundant. Found chiefly along the marshes of the
Potomac and Anacostia. Arrives sooner than most of the ducks,
about the middle of September.

191. Querquedula discors, (Linn.,) Steph.—Blue-winged Teal. Win-
ter resident. The most abundant of the ducks. Habits much as
those of preceding.

192. Chaulelasmus streperus, (Linn.,) Gray.—Gadwall. Winter
resident. Habits similar to those of the Mallard, with which it is
often found associated, but it is less numerous.

193. Mareca americana, (Gm.,) Stephens.—Widgeon. Winter
resident. Arrives in the fall about the first of October, and departs
in spring during the month of April. Very abundant and not so
difficult of approach as are most of the ducks.

194. Aix sponsa, (Linn.,) Boie.— Wood-duck. Summer Duck.
Permanent resident; but more abundant in winter, being seldom seen
in summer. Not very abundant at any time.

195. Fulix marila, (Linn.,) Bd.—Greater Black-head Duck. Winter
resident. Not very abundant. Often exposed for sale in market,
but not much esteemed for food.

196. Fulix affinis, (Forst.,) Bd.—Lesser Black-head Duck. Winter
resident. Same as preceding.

197. Fulix collaris, (Donovan,) Baird.—Ring-neck Duck. Winter
resident. Rare. Arrives in fall about the last week in September.

198. Aythya americana, (Eyton,) Bon.—Red-head duck. Winter
resident. Very abundant. A common market duck, and frequently
offered for sale as the canvas back. Found upon the ‘‘flats’’ of the
rivers, and occasionally on inland marshes.

199. Aythya vallisneria, (Wils.,) Bon.—Canvas-back duck. Winter |
resident. At times exceedingly abundant. Highly prized by sports-
men and epicures. Habits much those of the preceding.

200. Bucephala americana, (Bon.,) Baird. —Golden-eye duck. Win-
ter resident. Rather abundant. Frequently seen in the market.

418 NATURAL HISTORY.

201. Bucephala albeola, (Linn.,) Baird.—Buffel-headed duck; ‘‘ But-
ter-ball.? Winter resident. More common than preceding. Ar-
rive in fall, about the middle of September; leave in spring, the
second week in April.

202. Harelda glacialis, (Linn.,) Leach.—Long-tailed duck.

203. Melanetta velvetina, (Cass.,) Baird.—Velvet duck.

204. Pelionetta perspicillata, (Linn.,) Kaup.—Surf duck.

205. Oidemia americana, Swainson.—Scoter duck.

(The four preceding birds do not properly belong to the fauna of
the District, being strictly marine birds. They are found at the
mouth of the Potomac, and ascend it as far as the salt water reaches.
Their appearance in this immediate locality must, however, be con-
sidered accidental. "They are all to be seen in the market during the
winter.)

206. Erismatura rubida, (Wils.,) Bon.—Ruddy duck. Winter res-
ident. Abundant. Frequently exposed for sale in the market, but
not esteemed for food. |

207. Mergus americanus, Oassin.—Goosander. ‘‘ Fishing duck."
Winter resident. Not common. More frequently seen on creeks and
millponds than on the rivers.

208. Mergus serrator, Linn.—Red-breasted merganser. ‘‘ Fishing
duck." Winter resident. Rather more common than the preceding.
Found in much the same situations.

209. Lophodytes cucullatus, (Linn.,) Reich.—Hooded merganser.
Winter resident. Rather rare.

210. Zhalassidroma leachii, Bon.—Leach's Petrel. Accidental
visitor. (Numbers were seen during a storm some years ago.)

211. Puffinus, ? A shearwater, probably P. obscurus, has
been detected in the District.

212. Larus smithsonianus,* Coues.—Herring gull. “Sea gull.”
Seen over the river through the winter. Not numerous. Exceed-
ingly shy and wary.

213. Larus delawarensis, Ord.—Ring-bilied gull. Seen about the
river during the winter months. More numerous than the preceding.

214. Chroicocephalus atricilla, (Linn.,) Lawr.—Laughing gull. Oc-
casionally seen during the late summer and early autumn months.

215. Chroicocephalus philadelphia, (Ord.,)Lawr.—Bonaparte’s hooded
gull. More abundant than the preceding, being quite common. Re-
mains here through the winter. (?)

216. Sterna aranea, Wils.—Marsh Tern. Rare; only occasionally
seen during the late summer and early fall months, over the marshes
bordering the river.

217. Sterna wilsonii, Bon.—Wilson’s Tern. An. occasional visitor
during the late summer and early fall months. [Sterna forsteri is
undoubtedly to be found in the District. ]

218. Sterna frenata, Gambel.—Least Tern. Not uncommon. Fre-
quently seen over the marshes bordering the Potomac and Hastern
Branch in August and September, and more rarely in spring.

219. Hydrochelidon plumbea, Wils.—Short-tailed Tern. ‘‘ Little

? See Proc Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, June, 1862, p. 296.

NATURAL HISTORY. 419
Sea Gull.’’ Less numerous -than preceding, but found in similar
localities and at much the same times.

220. Rhynchops nigra, Linn.—Black Skimmer. A rare, perhaps
accidental, visitor during the summer. (Specimens seen by ourselves
September 8, 1858, on the Potomac river.)

921. Graculus dilophus, Gray.—Double-crested Cormorant. A
specimen has been detected.

299. Colymbus torquatus, Brunn.—Great Northern Diver. ‘‘ Loon.”
Occasionally seen during the winter.

293. Podiceps (Pedetaithya) holbolli, Reinhardt.— Red-necked
Grebe. Not uncommon on the Potomac during the winter months.

294. Podiceps cristatus, Lath.—Crested Grebe. ‘‘ Water Witch.”
Found on the Potomac during the winter months.

225. Podiceps (Dytes) cornutus, Lath.—Horned Grebe. Common
on Potomac in winter.
226. Podilymbus podiceps, (Linn.) Lawr.—'‘ Dipper’? ‘t Water

Witch." Abundant on the Potomac in winter. (We have not been
able to ascertain the precise times of arrival and departure of the
five preceding birds.)

The birds included in the preceding catalogue are now presented
in sections to show at a glance those which are permanent, or summer,
or winter residents, and those which are regular or accidental visitants.
It is somewhat difficult to make out such an analytical table, from the
fact that of some species undoubtedly to be classed as spring and
autumn visitants a few individuals breed or pass the winter in secluded
situations, and vice versa of those which regularly pass the summer or
winter with us, many are more abundant in the spring and fall. We
have endeavored to place each species in the class under which it most ,
naturally falls, indicating irregularities of this sort in foot notes.

A.

PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

Cardinalis virginianus.
Agelaius phoeniceus.
Sturnella magna.
Corvus americanus.
Corvus ossifragus.
Cyanura cristata.

Cathartes aura.

Falco sparverius.
Accipiter cooperi.
Accipiter fuscus.
Buteo borealis.

Buteo lineatus.

Buteo pennsylvanicus.
Circus hudsonius.

Picus pubescens.
Sphyropicus varius.
Hylatomus pileatus.
Centurus carolinus.
Colaptes auratus.
Turdus migratorius.
Sialia sialis. Zenaidura carolinensis.
Ampelis cedrorum. Bondsa umbellus.
Thriothorus ludovicianus. Meleagris gallopavo.

Halizetus leucocephalus.
Scops asio.

Bubo virginianus.

Otus wilsonianus.
Brachyotus cassini.
Syrnium nebulosum.
Picus villosus.

Falco columbarius.
Aquila canadensis.

Certhia americana.
Sitta carolinensis.
Lophophanes bicolor.
Chrysomitris tristis.
Spizella pusilla.
Melospiza melodia.

D.
WINTER RESIDENTS.

Ectopistes migratoria.
Chaulelasmus streperus.

Ortyx virginianus.
Botaurus lentiginosus.
ZEgialitis vociferus.
Philohela minor.

Aix sponsa.

Erismatura rubida.
Bucephala americana.

420

Anthus ludovicianus.
Regulus satrapa.
Dendroiea coronata.
Collyrio borealis.
Anorthura hyemalis.
Sitta canadensis.
Parus atricapillus.
Eremophila cornuta.
Carpodacus purpureus.
Chrysomitris pinus.
Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Junco hyemalis.
Spizella monticola.
Scolecophagus ferrugi-
neus.

Pandion carolinensis.
Coecygus americanus.
Coecygus erythrophthal-
mus.
Melanerpes erythroce-
phalus.
Trochilus colubris.
Chetura pelasgia.
Antrostomus vociferus.
Ceryle alcyon.
Tyrannus carolinensis.*
Myiarchus crinitus.
Sayornis fuscus.*
Contopus virens.
Empidonax acadicus.
Turdus mustelinus.
Mniotilta varia.*
Geothlypis trichas.
Icteria viridis.
Seiurus aurocapillus.
Seiurus noveboracensis.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Mareca americana.
Fulix marila.

Fulix affinis.

Fulix collaris.
Aythya americana.
Aythya vallisneria.
Cygnus americanus.
Bernicla canadensis.
Anas boschas.
Anas obscura.
Dafila acuta.
Nettion carolinensis.
Querquedula discors.

-—

C.

SUMMER RESIDENTS.

Helmitherus vermivorus.

Dendroica aestiva.
Dendroica pinus.
Dendroica discolor.
Pyranga zestiva.
Hirundo horreorum.
Hirundo lunitrons.*
Hirundo bicolor.*
Cotyle riparia.
Cotyle serripennis.
Progne purpurea.
Vireo olivaceus. '
Seiurus ludovicianus.
Vireo flavifrons.
Vireo gilvus.

Mimus polyglottus.
Mimus earolinensis.
Harporhynchus rufus.
Troglodytes zedon.
Cistothorus palustris.

Bucephala albeola.
Mergus americanus.
Mergus serrator.
Lophodytes cucullatus.
Larus smithsonianus.
Larus delawarensis.
Chroicocephalus philadel-
phia.
Podiceps holbölli.
Podiceps cristatus.
Podiceps cornutus.

Podilymbus podiceps.

Polioptila czrulea.
Parus carolinensis.
Pooecetes gramineus.
Coturniculus passerinus.
Coturniculus henslowi.
Spizella socialis.
Euspiza americana.
Guiraca ludoviciana.
Guiraca cærulea.
Cyanospiza cyanea.
Molothrus pecoris.
Icterus baltimore.*
Icterus spurius.

Ardea herodias.
Garzetta candissima.
Herodias egretta.
Butorides virescens.
Nyctiardea gardeni.*
Tringoides macularius.*
Actiturus bartramius.

* The greater number go further north.

D.

SPRING AND AUTUMN VISITANTS—MIGRATORY SPECIES.

Chordeiles popetue.
Empidonax traillii.*
Empidonax flaviventris.*
Empidonax minimus.
‘Turdus pallasii.

Turdus fuscesens.
Turdus swainsonii.
Turdus aliciz.

Regulus calendula.t

Dendroica virens.
Dendroica canadensis.

Dendroica. blackburnizs.

Dendroica eastanea.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus.*
Dolichonyx oryzivorus.
Quiscalus versicolor.*
Ardetta exilis.*

Dendroica pennsylvaniea. Charadrius virginicus.

Dendroica striata.
Dendroica maculosa.
Dendroica tigrina.
Dendroica palmarum.

Gallinago wilsonii.
Actodromas maculata.
Actodromas minutilla.

Symphemia semipalmata.

NATURAL HISTORY. 421

Parula americana. Myiodioctes mitratus.* ^ Gambetta melanoleuca.
Oporornis agilis.* Myiodioctes pusillus.* Gambetta flavipes.
Oporornis formosus.* Myiodioctes canadensis. Rhyacophilus solitarius.
Helminthophaga pinus. Setophaga ruticilla.* Numenius longirostris.
Helminthophaga ^ chry- Pyranga rubra.* Rallus elegans.

soptera. Vireo solitarius.* Rallus virginianus.
Helminthophaga rufica- Passerculus savanna. Porzana carolina.

illa. Melospiza palustris. F'ulica americana.

Helminthophaga pere- Passerella iliaca.t Sterna frenata.

grina. Zonotrichia albicollist | Hydrochelidon plumbea.

* A few may, in some cases certainly do, breed here.
1 A few probably remain through the winter.

E.

ACCIDENTAL OR VERY RARE VISITORS.

Astur atricapillus.* Porzana jamaicensis. Thalassidroma Leachii.
Nyctea nivea.* Grus canadensis. Puffinus ?
Milvulus ? Florida cærulea.t Chroicocephalus atricilla.t
Protonotaria citrea. Ereunetes pusillus. Sterna aranea.

Dendroica superciliosa. ^ Harelda glacialis. Sterna wilsoni.

Pinicola canadensis.* Melanetta velvetina. Rhynchops nigra.t
ZEgiothus linarius.* Pelionetta perspicillata. Graculus dilophus.
Pleetrophanes nivalis.* ^ Oidemia americana. Colymbus torquatus.*

Chamaepelia passerina.t

* From the north in severe winters.
1 From the south towards the end of summer.

F.

SOME SPECIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST, WHICH ARE PROBABLY YET TO BE
DETECTED IN THE DISTRICT.

Nauclerus furcatus. Curvirostra americana. ^ Macrorhamphus griseus.
Nyetale acadica. ^A Curvirostra leucopterus. Micropalama himantopus.
Dendroica czrulea. Plectrophanes lapponicus. Porzana noveboracensis.
Vireo philadelphicus. Melospiza lincolni. Sterna forsteri.
Cistothorus stellaris. Aegialitis semipalmatus. Geothlypis philadelphia.
SUMMARY.
Permanent residents. . -.'. .—...........- RN E -»- -uiiisag wetted 44
MAAS... anstiimu:aueszetiunc.sinc EE ticis: 44
.. ce epe 2051), = coo MTM Mr p le 59
BEEN D S Sy lol pr dP PSPS) TAE 54
BENIN visitanis..:.)...--..--.--% Rate T ee eee et 25

PRIZE QUESTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.

In accordance with a request from Utrecht, we give the following
‘translation of the proceedings of several of the Holland societies,
relative to prize questions proposed by these establishments for free
competition to the citizens of all nations. We regret that we have
not recelved a full set of these proceedings, but hope to present in a
future report the remainder of the series. —Sec. Sm. Inst.

EXTRACT FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOLLAND SOCIETY OF SCIENCE
AT HARLEM, FOR THE YEAR 1856.

The society held its 104th annual session on the 17th of May, 1856.
Since its last session it has received: Ist. A memoir, written in Ger-
man, and having the epigraph, ‘‘ Nec aspera terrent." This memoir
was written as a reply to the following question:

“ A history is requested of the development of the Petromyzon fluvi-
atilis, illustrated by the necessary figures, and compared with that of
other fishes, according to the researches of Von Baer, Rathke, and
C. Vogt;

This memoir does not, in fact, contain the history of the Petro-
myzon fluviatilis, but that of P. Planeri. How ever, this latter species
is so near akin to the other, that the memoir substantially answers the
purpose proposed for it by the society, and the gold medal is therefore
awarded to the author, Dr. Max Sigmund Schultze, doctor of medi-
cine and philosophy, and professor extraordinary of anatomy in the
University of Halle.

The society has received: 2dly. A memoir, written in German,
bearing the epigraph, ‘‘Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, sed magis
amica veritas, and relative to the following question published by
the society:

“The illustrious director of the Univer sity of Pulkowa, the As-
tronomer F. G. W. Struve, published in 1847 his well-known book,
entitled “STUDIES IN STELLAR ASTRONOMY.” In that work he com-
municates, as the result’ of his observations, some very remarkable
details concerning the structure of the universe and the transparency
of space. The London Astronomical Society, in its report of the
twenty-eighth general meeting, gave the support of its authority to -
Struve’s results, while, on the other hand, the celebrated astronomer
J. F. Encke, in No. 622 of the Astronomische Naehrichten, considers
them hypothetical and without foundation. The society, conse-
quently, desires that a profound and scrupulous examination may

€

SSN |
Tass ; Mt NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 169

"ois

METUS ^W
t Il or" va x »" 3 Sans : AS u^

Subfamily AULOSTOMIN A Gill.
AvrosroMA Lac.

PoryrrERIcHTHYS Bleeker.

Polypteriehthys Bleeker, Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indie,
vol. iv. p. 608.

Subfamily AULORHYNCHINAE Gill.
AvroRHYNCHUS Gill.

Subfamily SIPHONOSTOMINZ Gill.

SipHonostomus (Klein) Gron.
Fistularia Linn.
Channorhynchus Cantor.

Genus AvronHywcnus Gill.

Body moderately elongated and almost cylindrical. Tail from the dorsal
and anal fins elongated conical and slightly depressed, merging into the very
slender and depressed caudal peduncle. Skin naked. Lateralline marked by
a continuous row of short canals. Head with the skin naked. Mouth small,
horizontal, and at the end of a flexible tube about as long as the rest of the
head. Intermaxillary bones much expanded, and with long and slender pos-
terior processes. Teeth on the supramaxillary and dentary bones nearly uni-
serial. Palate edentulous. Nostril with raised margin, rather distant from
front of eye. Branchiostegal rays 4—4. Dorsal spines numerous, equal and
very short, commencing above the pectorals. Dorsal and anal fins posterior,
nearly equal, oblong, and elevated in front. Caudal fin small and emarginated.
Pectoral fins also emarginated, the superior and inferior rays being longest.
Ventral fins inserted not far behind the bases of the pectoral ; each with a
slender spine and five branched rays.

AULORHYNCHUS FLAVIDUS Gill.

Tawny, minutely punctulated with black above and on the sides, immacu-
late beneath. Snout with a lateral yellowish line. Operculum and suboper-
culum with a golden lustre : the former also punctulated above. Ante-pecto-
ralor humeral region lustrous golden, bordered above by a blackish band
parallel with the superior pectoral rays.

pines xxvi. D. 10. A. I. 10. -.P. 1, 18; 1.. V. 1..5.

The proportions, in hundredths, are as follows :

Wiotalleneth, 5 incHes-.-.. «se «co cosieoo co s esI eroe BRO DOLE Jot v COO BEDOK 100

Body —Height of body ........... HOE aE ET A TS 6
y behind dorsals csse ines. oieee ooa eea 44
IVidthsbahindidorsals---0:2:«.«-- m dnte terree ee re 4i

Berd —DLDenpth: gt; head... 0 6. oe ener eom oreet ier nene Naro :25

Distance between snout and preoperculum.................. *18

E £e 4 7 COUTE o a oe CtERECG xke CHER

iF ES G99 SUIS Lo ee pe c-occacgtoebiog ero ca od ga cosDe eu
HeirBtonheats. s... ae e DOSE co cOCCEC USO ROS EEDCUCHO CODE COE 5i
Greatest width of head; ccs. ese +5 554 eue oeie mp euet ns esis epo. 43

Didmeter Of ey9. +... sce n--cns00-oepernarsces Orc On echoes do OEC 4

Dorsal—Distance of dorsal fin from snout................ esee "A9

Meng Of doraalifin Es. 5... 12950: -20 3. 5 9E o esos re ern 9

Greatest height......... ee < Pica reco dde Mec ete 7

1861.]

kthe freunde ligat He

‘

A

170 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF
Caudal—Length of median caudal rays....45........ Cnosos eee eee 5
i longest caudal ray gess- 27/2: 2020 oes ee ee ga SER ND
Pectoral—Length of pectoral fing. ac^. ...... 4... .. 1. . eL eese ee consceses 10
Distance fromuknoOUt INC ..: DR acer eee P
Ventral—Length: of. ventral fufsL.......2.22..-..- eee EE RE EDEN 2
Distance fromisnetit.49-. NS. eeeree eee ee T EE ETE TEES bil

À detailed description will be given in the Report on the Ichthyology of the
North Western Boundary Survey.

Three specimens of the species were obtained.

N

A Monograph of the TRINGEZ of North America,

wa

p BY ELLIOTT COUES.

In the latter part of 1860, during the examination at the Smithsonian
Institution of an extensive and valuable collection of birds made by Messrs.
Robert Kennicott and Bernard R. Ross in the vicinity of Great Slave Lake and
McKenzie’s River, my attention was directed to a Sandpiper, nearly allied to
Actodromas maculata and Bonapartei, but differing from both in many important
features. Subsequent examination having proved it to be without doubt dis-
tinct from these, or any other North American Sandpipers, I was authorized by
the Secretary of the Institution to describe and name it. To do so properly,
necessarily involving a somewhat extended study of the North American
Saudpipers, I was induced to undertake a monographie sketch of the section,
as well as of the particular genus to which the new species belongs.

In the following pages it has been attempted to present the leading features
of the group; to give the diagnosis of the several genera and species, with a
detailed description when such appeared necessary; together with the
synonymy of each species and a discussion of doubtful points of nomenclature
and affinity. In how far, however, this aim has been accomplished, must be
left for others to judge.

It is with great diffidence that on some points I dissent from such high
authority as that of the author of the Tringeæ in the General Report; but
when compelled to do so, the reasons are fully stated, which, it is hoped, will
be found satisfactory.

To Professor Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, my grateful
acknowledgments are due for the opportunity of examining at leisure the
entire Smithsonian collection of Sandpipers, and also for access to those works
necessary to the compilation of the list of synonyms. The references have all
been personally made and verified, except in a few cases for which the au-
thority is given. Though the list is necessarily incomplete, it is believed that
no important synonym is omitted. Should, however, errors be detected in
this or in any other portion of the article, it is hoped that they will be found
to be others than those of negligence or carelessness.

By many modern ornithologists the Sandpipers are considered as a sub-
family T'ringine of Scolopacide, equal in rank to the Scolopacinc and Totanine.
But the relationships of the two former in all essential points are very inti-
mate, and the transition from the one to the other, through such genera as
Macroramphus and Micropalama, very gradual, while at the same time the
differences from the Totanine are marked and decided. In view of these con-
siderations, it may be more natural to consider the Sandpipers as a section
of Tringee of equal rank with Scolopacee, uniting both under the subfamily
Scolopacine. Upon this basis the different groups may be distinguished by
the following brief characters, taken chiefly from the General Report. i

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. TU

Family SCOLOPA CID i.

Bill variable in length, but at least as long as the head, grooved to beyond
the middle. Legs with transverse scutelle before and behind, (except in
Numeniee.) Toes not broadly margined to the tips, with or without a basal
web. Hind toe generally present.

Scolopacine. Bill covered with soft skin to the sensitive, vascular, usually
more or less laterally expanded tip. Gape of mouth very small, not extending
beyond the base of the culmen. Bare portion of tibie short. Legs generally
rather short and stout. Toes usually cleft to the base. Body stout, neck
rather short.

Totanine. Bill covered with soft skin only towards the base, the terminal
portion being hard, horny, and usually unexpanded and attenuated. Gape of
mouth considerable, extending beyond the base of the culmen. Tibiæ bare
fora considerable distance. Legs slender and lengthened. Toes usually with
a basal web.

Subfamily SCOLOPACINZE.

Scolopacee. Bill much longer than the head or naked leg, extremely sen-
sitive. Upper mandible with a longitudinal furrow near the end, and its tip
thickened and bent down over the lower. Roof of mouth not excavated to
the tip. External ear beneath or anterior to the eye. Tail usually banded.

Tringee. Bill shorter than the naked leg, the tip less sensitive than in the
preceding, more or less laterally expanded, but not thickened. Roof of mouth
excavated to the tip. Culmen without a decided longitudinal groove. Ex-
ternal ear posterior to the eye. Tail usually without bands.

The preceding diagnoses indicate, in a general way, the principal characters
of the several groups, and distinguish the Tringee. The latter, at least as far
as North American forms are concerned, may be thus more definitely charac-
terized.

The bill is straight or slightly decurved, at least as long as the head, and
sometimes considerably exceeding it; rather slender, usually more or less
compressed, seldom much depressed. The tip is usually more or less ex-
panded, and sensitive and vascular, that of the upper mandible bent a little
over that of the lower. The grooves in both mandibles extend to the expan-
sion of the tip; that of the upper is much the widest, but both are deep and
distinct. In some genera there are decided indications of a longitudinal furrow
on the culmen near the end. The nostrils are linear, pervious, very narrow,
situated in the sinus of the upper mandible, usually very near its base, but
sometimes considerably advanced. The angle formed by the rami of the lower
jaw is very small, the enclosed space being long and narrow, and the groove
marking the line of union of the rami usually extending about two-thirds the
length of the bill, but sometimes nearly to the tip. The extent of the en-
croachment of the feathers on the bill varies in the different genera; but,
except perhaps in Ancylocheilus, it is always greater between the rami than on
the sides. The wings are long, pointed and powerful; the first primary is
usually the longest, but the second is nearly, sometimes quite, equal to it.
The rest are all rapidly graduated. The secondaries are very short and incon-
spicuous. The edge of the outer vane is obliquely incised at the extremity.
The tertials are usually long, slender and tapering, sometimes nearly equal-
ling the primaries in length. The tail is rather short, usually doubly emar-
ginate, the central feathers pointed, and projecting somewhat beyond the
others. The legs and feet vary greatly in their character in the different
genera, always, however, being constant in each. Except in Arquatel/a and
Tringa, the tibie are always exposed for a considerable portion of the length
of the tarsus, and in those genera the bare portion is considerable. Except in
Arquatella, Actodromas, and perhaps Ereunetes, the tarsus is always decidedly

1861.]

172 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

longer than the middle toe and claw. The toes are usually long and slender,
more or less margined at the sides, and flattened underneath ; free at the base,
or with a very rudimentary membrane, except in Micropalama and. Ereunetes.
The lateral are nearly equal to the middle, the outer slightly longer than the
inner. The hind toe is present, except in Calidris. The claws vary con-
siderably in length, acuteness and amount of curvature, but they are always
dilated on the inner edge.

With respect to coloration, the Tringeæ of North America, with scarcely the
exception of Arquatella maritima, present a general similarity in the pattern
and disposal of the markings of most of the parts. The feathers of the upper
parts have their centres very dark, and are margined with some shade of red-
dish, yellowish, or white, the color being deepest on the scapulars. The
primaries are uniformly deep dusky, without spots or bars, and are darkest at
the tips and on the outervanes. The shafts of all are white for some portion,
usually the central. The secondaries are ashy-gray, bordered to a greater or
less extent with white. The central tail feathers are usually considerably
darker than the lateral; but neither show any approach towards the trans-
verse bars so universal among the Scolopacee and Totanine. Any attempt,
however, at a generalization of the color of,the under parts seems impossible,
since, as will be seen in the diagnoses of the species, they are found of very
various patterns and colors.

The species inhabiting North America are divisible into eight well-marked
genera, among which are comprised nearly all the more important ones,
though some, such as Zurinorhynchus and Limicola, have no representatives.
The most extensive of these, Actodromas, seems to contain two well-marked
groups, at least sub-generically distinct. Each of the others comprises but
a single admitted North American species; and of some, such as Tringa,
Arquatella, and Ancylocheilus, but one species is at present known. The cha-
racters of the most importance among the Jringee seem to lie in the legs. The
proportions of tibia, tarsus and middle toe, and their relations to the bill,
readily characterize definitely the groups. They are also the most constant,
being subject to very little variation in each species. This is as might be
expected, from their radical nature, since the most important and essential
character in any group should be the least subject to variation. The bill, on
the other hand, differs much in length in the same genus or species ; it reaches
its maximum of variation in Éreunetes, and is most constant throughout the
genus Actodromas. The wings and tail vary somewhat, but within very
narrow limits.

The North American genera of 7ringec may be readily characterized by the
proportions of bill, tarsus and toe, without reference to the tail or wings, though
these of course furnish additional characters. The following schedule, in which
the characters are purposely made as brief as possible, will serve to define
the genera as adopted.

Synopsis of Genera.
A. Toes with a decided basal web.
Bill equal to tarsus, both very long ; exposed portion
of tibia equal to middle toe, which is not quite
two-thirds the tarsus, Micropalama.
Bill equal to tarsus, both moderate; tibia exposed
for two-thirds the middle toe, which nearly equals
the tarsus, Ereunetes.
B. Toes cleft to the base, or with a very rudimentary membrane.
I. Bill longer than the tarsus.

1. Bill straight ; tibia moderately or scarcely at all exposed.
Tarsus longer than the middle toe, hind toe present, Tringa.
As in Tringa; hind toe absent, Calidris.
Tarsus shorter than the middle toe, Arquatella.

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 173

2. Bill decurved ; tibia much exposed.
Bill compressed ; legs long, slender; middle toe

not quite three-fourths the tarsus, Ancylocheilus.
Bill depressed ; legs moderate, stout ; middle toe
nearly or about equal to tarsus, Pelidna.

II. Bill equal to the tarsus.
Tarsus equal to middle toe, Actodromas.

The most natural succession of the genera appears to be that presented
above, viz.: Micropalama, Ereunetes, Tringa, Calidris, Arquatella, Ancylo-
cheilus, Pelidna, Actodromas. Micropalama, in its long, slender, sensitive bill,
somewhat furrowed culmen and digital web, seems to form the natural con-
necting link between Scolopacee and Tringee, through Macroramphus.
Ereunetes is next most closely allied, having also the membrane to the toes;
but here the bill and feet are shortened, and have nearly the proportions of
Tringa, which most naturally succeeds. Calidris is in all essentials like
T'ringa, except the absence of the hind toe. In Arquatella the bill is some-
times very slightly decurved ; in Ancylocheilus and Pelidna it is successively
more so. In the latter the middle toe becomes nearly or quite equal to the
tarsus, opening the way for Actodromas, where the slender, attenuated bill,
and much denuded tarsus, seem to lead directly to the Totanine.

If so great a subdivision of the T'ringec as is here presented be objected to,
it is replied that the variations in external form are so great that a single
genus, in the modern acceptation of the term, cannot contain them all; and
if more than one genus be adopted for those with fully-cleft anterior toes, it is
not easy to stop short of the number here adopted. Ornithologists have
indeed perceived how unnatural was the association of all the species under
Tringa, and at different times, some of them very early, names have been
proposed for all the groups. As early as 1800, the absence of the hind toe
caused Calidris to be separated; and, in 1811, the webbed feet of Ereunetes
were made the grounds of generic distinction. Pelidna of Cuvier, instituted
in 1817 for the slender-toed smaller Sandpipers, was a further attempt at
division; but that genus, as left by its author, still contained species very
dissimilar; and, in 1829, Ancylocheilus and Actodromas were characterized.
The great peculiarities of Tringa himantopus Bon. caused it, soon after its first
discovery, in 1828, to receive subgeneric distinction from Tringa. It was not,
however, till 1858, that Arquatella, a peculiar form, was characterized. But
while in other groups, particularly among the smaller land birds, the divisions
have been minute and greatly extended, there seems to have been a general
reluctance on the part of ornithologists with regard to recognizing these
divisions. It may be that in this group Nature allows more external varia-
tion in forms very closely allied than is usual; but until this is proved to be
the case, it seems necessary, to keep pace with the progress of ornithology, to
consider the characters of the different sections as of full generic value.

Having, it is thought, dwelt sufficiently upon the general features of the
group, we proceed at once to characterize the different genera and species.

MICROPALAMA. Baird.

Hemipalama, Bonaparte, Syn. 1828, 316. Typus Tringa himantopus, Bon. nec
Bon. Obs. Wils. 1825. (Typus T. semipalmata, Wils.)
Micropalama, Baird, Gen. Rep. 1858, 726. Typus 7. himantopus, Bon.

Char. Bill long, equalling the tarsus, straight or very slightly decurved,
slender, very much compressed, tip much expanded and vascular for some
distance. Culmen on the terminal half depressed, with two rudimentary,
longitudinal furrows. Groove on the lower mandible narrow and indistinct.
Wings moderate, pointed, first primary a little the longest. Tail of twelve

1861.]

174 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

feathers, short, nearly even or slightly doubly emarginate, the central feathers
projecting but little. Legs very long ; tarsus equal to the bill; exposed por-
tion of tibia equal to middle toe, which is not quite two-thirds the tarsus.
Toes with a decided basal membrane ; flattened beneath, but only moderately
margined. Hind toe well developed. Body slender ; neck long.

A marked and very peculiar genus of Sandpipers, of which the most cha-
racteristic feature, in addition to the long compressed bill, is the remarkable
elongation of the tibia and tarsus. The former is exposed for fully tke length
of the middle toe, and is bare for a tenth of an inch or more further. The
tibial feathers are very short. The tarsus is nearly a third longer than the
middle toe. The basal membrane of the toes, which, though much emargin-
ated, is very considerable and decided, 1s greatest between the outer and mid-
dle toe, where it extends to the first joint. The wings and tail are moderate,
and present no special peculiarities.

In the lengthened sensitive bill, basal membrane of the toes, and some other
characters, Micropalama seems to have a close affinity to Macroramphus, and
in a measure to connect by means of that genus Scolopacee and Tringee, pos-
sessing, nevertheless, all the distinguishing features of the latter section.
Among the Tringee it comes nearest to Ereunetes, which has the basal web
and the same relative free portion of bill and tarsus. The other characters,
however, are widely different.

Hemipalama was proposed by Bonaparte in 1825 as a subgenus forthe Tringa
semipalmata of Wilson, but was subsequently used for the present bird. But
as the generic characters are very different, the name cannot be used in this
connection. Micropalama of Baird has as its type the T. himantopus of Bona-
parte, and is the name which should be employed.

MIcROPALAMA HIMANTOPUS, (Bon.), Baird.—Stilt Sandpiper.

Tringa himantopus, Bonaparte, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. ii. 1826, 157, [fide Gen. Rep. ]
Lesson, Manual Ornith. 1828, ii. 284. Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 380.
Bonaparte, Am. Orn. 1833, iv. 89, tab. 25, fig. 3. Audubon, Orn. Biog.
1838, iv. 332, tab. 344; Id, Syn. 1839, 235 ; Id. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 271,
tab. 334. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 232.

Tringa Douglassii, Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 379, tab. 66.

Tringa (Hemipalama) Douglassii, Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 141, [cum fig.]

Tringa (Hemipalama) himantopus, Bonaparte, Spec. Comp. 1827, 61; id. Syn.
1828, 316. Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 138.

Tringa (Hemipalama) Audubonii, Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 140, [juv.]

Hemipalama himantopus, Bonaparte, Comp. List. 1838, 49. Dekay, N. Y. F.
1844, 235, tab. 86, fig. 196.

Hemipalama multistriata, ** Licht." Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 578.

Totanus himantopus, Lambeye, Av. Cubae, 1850, 95.

Micropalama himantopus, Baird, Gen. Rep. 1858, 726.

Sp. Char. Bill much longer than the head, very slightly decurved, much
compressed; the tip flattened, expanded, punctulate. Wings moderate or
rather long, first primary longest, the rest successively more rapidly gradu-
ated. Tail rather short, slightly doubly emarginate, the central feathers pro-
jecting but little. Legs very long; exposed portion of tibia equal to middle
toe, which is two-thirds the tarsus. Adult in spring.—Upper parts very dark
brownish black, deepest on the scapulars, each feather edged and tipped with
white, light yellowish or reddish, which on the scapulars makes two or three
deep indentations. A dusky line from bill to eye, and a light one over the
latter to the occiput. Auriculars, anda continuous line beneath and in front of
the eye, light chestnut red. A broad stripe of bright chestnut on each side of
the occiput, confluent on the nape. Rump dusky; upper tail coverts white,
transversely barred with wavy lines cf deep dusky. Primaries deep dusky,
the tips blackish. Tail ashy grey, central feathers scarcely darker, the mar-

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 175

gins of all and a central field along the shaft white. Under parts white, the
throat and jugulum streaked, and the other parts thickly and uniformly waved
with transverse dusky bars, bordered with light reddish. Bill, legs and feet,
dark greenish black. Young. Upper parts a uniform light greyish ash, the
blackish feathers appearing at intervals ; these and the dusky scapulars and
wing coverts bordered with white. Upper tail coverts white, scarcely marked
with dusky. Primaries as in the adult. Under parts white, the jugulum with
an ashy suffusion, and obsoletely streaked. Slight traces of the reddish
auriculars. Bill dusky black, legs and feet light greenish yellow.

Length 9-25, extent 16°75, wing 5:1, tail 2:3. Tarsus 1:6, middle toe 1,
tibia exposed 1 inch.

-Habitat.— North America, east of the Rocky Mountains.

The preceding diagnosis would characterize the species sufficiently well for
ordinary purposes; but in view of the uncertainty whether there are not two
or more species to be enumerated as inhabitants of North America, a some-
what more extended description may not be considered unnecessary. The
following is taken from a very perfect male from Great Slave Lake in spring
plumage ; and the description of the supposed young is from a specimen from
the Red Fork of the Arkansas.

The feathers extend on the lower mandible nearly in the form of a right
angle, their upper outline being about parallel with the culmen, to a distance
beyond those on the upper equal to half the distance of those between the
rami. The crown of the head is blackish, streaked with white and with red-
dish. An ill-defined light line over the eye commences about half way be-
tween the eye and bill and extends to the occiput, widening posteriorly.
There is a dusky line between the eye and bill. The auriculars are light
chestnut red, which color extends as a line beneath and before the eye to the
white stripe above; interrupted by this, it commences above the stripe and
passes over the side of the occiput to the nape, where it is confluent with the
one on the opposite side. The hind neck is simply streaked with dusky and
whitish. The middle of the back is black, each feather edged and tipped with
light yellowish, which encroaches upon the central black in two or three irregu-
lar indentations. On the scapulars the edgings are tinged with reddish, and
the indentations are more numerous and regular. The long tertials are black-
ish, evenly edged with chestnut passing into whitish at the tip. All the
feathers of the back have a greenish gloss. The secondaries and greater
coverts are light ashy edged with white, the lesser coverts darker with light
borders. The primaries are dusky, their tips black, the shaft of the first
brown passing into white, of the others black passing into brown; the tips of
all black. The centre of the rump is dusky, the sides nearly white; the upper
tail coverts white with numerous sagittate or wavy bars of deep dusky. The
tail is very light ash, the central feathers scarcely darker, all with the margins
and a central shaft field white, most of the inner vane of the two outer being
white. The under parts are white; the throat very sparsely marked with
minute dusky streaks, which on the jugulum are much larger and more nu-
merous ; these streaks on the breast change to transverse wavy bars of dusky
bordered with reddish, which uniformly cover the whole under parts. These
lines are thickest and most distinct on the breast, growing more obsolete in
the middle of the belly, and are largest on the sides under the wings, where
the reddish margins fill up the space between the bars on the same feather,
There is little reddish on the under tail coverts, where the bars become more
or less sagittate.

The young is very different from the adult in color, but presents much the
same form and size. The upper parts are of a uniform light ashy, the blackish
of the adult appearing in irregular patches. These dark feathers, as well as
the scapulars, wing coverts and tertials are edged with white, the latter

1861.]

176 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

slightly tinged with reddish. The wings and tail are much as in the adult,
the upper tail coverts, however, scarcely barred. The under parts are white ;
the jugulum, and, to some extent, the sides under the wings with a lighter
wash of the color of the back, and with very obsolete streaks of dusky. The
under tail coverts laterally are slightly streaked with dusky. There is an
indistinct white line over the eye, and a dusky one between the.eye and bill.
The auriculars show traces of the reddish, but there is none to be perceived
on the nape or sides of the occiput. The bill is black, as in the adult, but the
legs are very different, being light greenish yellow.

The synonymy of this Sandpiper, in consequence of its very remarkable
form and colors, is definite and well determined, though, as will be seen by the
list given, various names have been applied to it by different authors. It was
first introduced to the scientific world in 1826, by Bonaparte, in the Annals of
the N. Y. Lyceum, under the name of Tringa himantopus. By the same author
it was afterwards placed in his subgenus Hemipalama, (subsequently erected
into a genus.) The type of this, however, being, as already stated, the T.
semipalmata of Wilson, the name cannot of course be retained. Nearly all
authors who speak of it employ Hemipalama, giving it either subgeneric or
full generic rank. Lambeye, however, places the bird in 7'otanus, probably
with reference to the long legs and the webbing of the toes. Tringa Douglassii
of Swainson, is undoubtedly the present bird in mature plumage, though the
figure indicates a more rufescent state of plumage than I have ever seen. The
Tringa himantopus **Bon." of the same author, Nuttall, (page 40 of the
Manual,) very precipitately ‘‘ ventures to consider as a distinct species from
the preceding " (T. himantopus,) and names it Tringa (Hemipalama) Audu-
bonit, though retaining both the 7. himantopus Bon. and Douglassii Sw. I
have little doubt, however, that all three names refer to the same bird, the
Micropalama himantopus of Baird (General Report, page 726) and of the present
article.

EREUNETES Illiger.

Freunetes, Illiger, Prod. 1811, 262; typus Æ. petrificatus, Ill.

Hemipalama, Bonaparte, Obs. Wils. 1825, 88. Typus T. semipalmata, Wils.
Nec syn. 1828.

Heteropoda, Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 136. Typus idem. Nec Latreillei, 1804,
fide Gen. Rep.

Char. Bill variable, about as long as the head, straight, quite stout, both
mandibles deeply grooved to the considerably expanded, sensitive, vascular
tip. Wings long, pointed ; secondaries deeply obliquely incised ; tertials nar-
row and elongated. Tail moderate, doubly emarginate, the central feathers
pointed and projecting. Tarsus rather longer than middle toe, usually about
equal to the bill. Bare portion of tibia two-thirds the tarsus. Toes connected
by a broad basal web, and broadly margined. Hind toe well developed.

A genus well characterized among the Tringec by the extensive webbing of
the toes, a feature by which it may be readily distinguished from all other
genera, except Micropalama. The other differences, however, from that genus
are very great. The bill is much shorter, being about equal to the head,
instead of very much longer. The middle toe is nearly equal to the tarsus,
and the bare portion of the tibia is much less. The colors are very different.
On the other hand Zreunetes comes very near to Tringa, with which it agrees
in almost every particular, except that of the semipalmation of the toes. It
appears to form the natural link between Micropalama and Tringa proper.

According to Cassin, (Gen. Rep. 724,) the genus Zreunetes of Illiger, is based
upon a bird which has been proved, by actual examination of the type speci-
men, to be the Tringa semipalmata, Wils. | Ereunetes must therefore supersede
Hemipalama, Bon., and Heteropoda, Nutt., both instituted upon the same

type.
[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. TI

EREUNETES PUSILLUS, (L.) Cassin.—Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Tringa cinclus, Dominicensis minor, Brisson, Ornith. 1760, v. tab. 37, fig. 3,
[haud dubié.]

Tringa pusilla, Linneus, Syst. Nat. 1766, i. 252, [in precedentem instituta.]
[Nec Meyer. ; nec Bechst.; nec Wils.] Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. 681.
Latham. Ind. Orn. 1790, ii. 737.

? Tringa pusilla, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 452.

Ereunetes petrificatus, Illiger, Prod. 1811, 262. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 724.

Tringa semipalmata, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, vii. 131, tab. Ixiii. fig. 3 ; id.
Ord. Ed. 1829, iii, 132 ; id. Brewer. Ed. 1840, 542, fig. 225 ; ib. Syn. 725.
Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 462. Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 381.
Audubon, Orn. Biog. v. 1839, 111, tab. 408; id. Syn. 1839, 236; id.
Birds. Amer. 1842, v. 277, tab. 336. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 239. New-
berry, P. R. R. Surv. 1857. vi. 100.

Tringa (Hemipalama) semipalmata, Bonaparte, Obs. Wils. 1825, num. 212; id.
Spece. Comp. 1827, 62.

Hemipalama semipalmata, Lambeye, Av. Cube, 1850, 96.

Tringa (Heteropoda) semipalmata, Nuttall, Man. 1834, ii. 136.

Heteropoda semipalmata, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 49. Dekay, N. Y.
Fauna, 1844, 236, tab. 86, fig. 195. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 580.

Ereunetes semipalmatus, Cabanis, Schom. Reise. iii. 758, fide Gen. Rep. Bona-
parte, Comptes Rend. xliii. 1856, fide Gen. Rep. Cabanis, Journ. fur
Orn. 1856, 419, fide Gen. Rep.

? Heteropoda mauri, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 49, fide Gen. Rep.

? Ereunetes mauri, Gundlach, Cab. Journ. 1856, 419, fide Gen. Rep.

? Hemipalama minor. Lambeye, Av. Cube, 1850, 97.

Tringa brevirostris, Spix, Av. Bras. 1825, ii. 76, fide Gen. Rep.

? Pelidna Brissoni, Lesson, Man. d'Orn. 1828, ii. 277, [ T. pusillam, Linn. citat.]

Ereunetes pusillus, Cassin, Proc. Acad. N. 8. 1860, xiii. 195.

Sp. char. Bill stout, straight, variable in length, usually about equal to
the head, the tip considerably expanded and punctulate. Feathers extending
on the base of the bill to a nearly equal distance on both mandibles, their
outline straight and vertical; those between the rami reaching but little fur-
ther. First primary usually longer than the second, the rest equally gradu-
ated. Upper tail coverts very long; tail moderate, doubly emarginate, cen-
tral feathers pointed and projecting. .Adu/t.—Upper parts variegated with
ashy, pure black, bright chestnut and white, each feather having a terminal
black field, and being margined with reddish and tipped with white or ashy.
Tertials dusky brown, edged with ashy or light chestnut; wing coverts and
secondaries dusky ash edged with ashy white. Primaries deep dusky ; shaft
of the first white, the central portions of the others the same, their bases brown
and tips black. Rump ana upper tail coverts brownish black, the outer pair
of the latter white barred with dusky. Central tail feathers dusky brown,
the others light greyish ash scarcely edged with white. Beneath white; the
throat and breast slightly rufescent, and with oval or cordate spots of brown-
ish black, most numerous across the breast, and extending sparsely along the
sides as shaft lines. Middle of belly and under tail coverts white, mostly
immaculate. Bill and feet greenish black.

Length 6:5, wing 3°75, tail 2:1; bill (average) 1 inch; tarsus 85, toe °8,
tibia, bare, :50.

Habitat.—Entire temperate North America. Bahaia Islands.

The present bird, the single admitted* American representative of a genus

* I am by no means satisfied that but a single species of Ereunetes exists in North
America. The differences in size, in length and proportions of the tarsus even, and es-
pecially in the bill, cause it to seem almost impossible that all the specimens before me
are specifically the same. Thus, the difference in the length of the tarsus, between the

1861.] 13

178 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

of such peculiar characters, requires comparison with no other sandpiper.
Actodromas minutilla has much the same pattern of coloration, and sometimes
approaches it in size ; but the other differences are too great to allow of their
being confounded.

The bill of this species varies most remarkably in length, the difference
being four-tenths of an inch; it is always, however, quite stout. The tibia and
tarsus vary somewhat, but within narrow limits. The proportions of the
quills vary, but the first is usually longest. The tail is very decidedly doubly
emarginate, the difference between the outer and next feather being nearly
one-tenth of an inch; the third is the shortest. The upper tail coverts are
very long, as are also the tertials. The winter and immature plumage shows
little or none of the reddish, the feathers being mostly ashy with lighter bor-
ders. The young in July and August have scarcely any traces of the spots
beneath, being almost entirely white, with a light buff wash across the breast.
There is also much more white on the margins of the feathers of the upper

arts.

j With the exception of Tringa canutus and Ancylocheilus subarquata, there is
perhaps no North American Sandpiper which has received such a variety of
names as the present. Fortunately, however, the proper name to be employed
is now pretty definitely determined. The subject of the generic appellation
has already been discussed under Ereunetes, and it now only remains to settle
the question of the specific denomination. The first notice of the species is in
1760, by Brisson, who, in his Ornithologia, describes and figures a Tringa cin-
clus Dominicensis minor, which can be no other than the present bird. The
description applies well, and the figure plainly shows the webbing of the toes,
a feature entirely peculiar among the smaller Tringeæ. It was upon this bird
that Linnæus, in 1766, based his Tringa pusilla, which name being the first
applied to the bird in the binomial system, has priority over all others, and
must be employed. In 1811, at the time of the founding of the genus Ereunetes,
of Illiger, that author named the bird Z. petrificatus. Cassin, in the General
Report, though admitting that T. pusilla, Linn., is really this species, does
not change Illiger's specific appellation, concerning which all doubt is removed
by the actual examination of the type specimen. Very recently, however,
in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, he has given the bird as
Ereunetes pusillus, Cass., the name by which it should be known. In 1813
Wilson named the bird 7. semipalmata, which designation being a most appro-
priate one, has been in general use among modern ornithologists, though re-
ferred by different authors successively to Tringa, Heteropoda and Ereunetes.
The Pelidna Brissoni, of Lesson, who quotes T. pusilla, Linn., is probably the
present bird.

The remarkable variations in size and in the depth of the bill to which this
bird is subject, have given rise to several nominal species. The Hemipalama

largest and smallest of these, amounts to nearly two-tenths of an inch ; and in length of
bill to about four-tenths, the latter being more than half the entire length of the shorter
bill. The shortest bills appear fully as stout as the longest. These differences do not
seem to depend upon locality, being found in specimens from the same region, while
specimens from widely separated localities are absolutely identical. Thus, an excessively
short-billed bird from Maryland is identical with one from Nebraska, while very large
and long.billed specimens from Georgia, Utah and the Pacific coast do not differ appre-
ciably. Specimens, however, from the same locality, and undoubtedly of the same species,
exhibit much variation in size, length of bill and tarsus, amount of red or white above,
and character of the spots beneath; so that without a full series of the common Atlantic
bird before me, and especially in the uncertainty, if two or more species be admitted, to
which one the name pusilla belongs, I have preferred to consider them as specifically
identical. Still, it would not be surprising if a careful and extended examination of a large
series of Ereunetes from all localities on the continent should substantiate two or even
three good species : Tringa semipalmata, of Wilson, Hemipalama minor, of Gundlach, and
Heteropoda mauri, of Bonaparte.

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 179

minor of Gundlach is founded upon shortness of bill as a character ; as is also
(fide Gen. Rep.) the Tringa brevirostris of Spix. By the same authority the
Heteropoda mauri of Bonaparte is considered as merely a larger race of the
present species.

TRINGA Liunzus.

Tringa, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. 1735. Tyups T. canutus, L. (fide G. R. Gray.)

Calidris, Cuvier, Regne An. 1817, Typus 7. canutus, L. (Nec. Cuv. 1800, cujus
typus T. arenaria, i. fide G. R. Gray.)

Canutus, Brehm, 1830, (fide G. R. Gray.)

Char.—Bil about as long as, or rather longer than, the head, straight,
stout, somewhat compressed, widening uniformly from the middle to the
slightly expanded, rather hard tip; the culmen depressed on the terminal half
to the expansion at tip, and obsoletely furrowed. Both mandibles deeply
grooved to the tip. Nostrils very large and placed far forward in the upper
groove. Feathers extending on the lower mandible much further than on the
upper, and nearly as far as those between the rami. Wings long, pointed, first
primary decidedly longest. Secondaries moderately incised. Tertials short,
broad, and comparatively stiff. Tail rather short, nearly even, the central
feathers projecting but little if any. Legs short and very stout; tarsus usually
shorter than the bill; longer than the middle toe. Tibial feathers reaching
nearly to joint; tibie bare for nearly two-thirds the tarsus. Toes very short
and stout, free at base, widely margined; outer lateral longer than inner.
Hind toe present, well developed. Claws short, stout, blunt, much curved,
dilated on the inner edge. Size large, general form stout.

In the above diagnosis I have drawn the characters of the genus so as to
include only the type (canutus) upon which it was founded. In this acceptation
it may be considered as typical of the section, embodying as it does the most
characteristic features of the group, and presenting their usual variations; very
great in plumage and in the length of the bill, and slight in the proportions of
the legs and shape of the wings and tail. The essential characters lie in the
stout, moderately long, straight bill, which usually considerably exceeds the
tarsus, which latter is much longer than the very short stout toes; the long
tibial feathers, long pointed wings, and short nearly even tail. The peculiay
proportions of bill and legs is shared by no other Sandpiper, so far as my
knowledge extends, except Calidris, which is evidently closely allied. This
genus, however, is at once distinguished by the marked character of the
absence of the hind toe. The affinities of Zreunetes have already been adverted
to. Arguatella presents the next closest relationship, but is well characterized
by the extremely abbreviated tarsus, rounded tail, and some other features.

Tringa is among the oldest of genera, having been established by Linneus in
1735. As usual with old Linnean genera, it has been used with great latitude,
all the species which now compose the section having been included in it. It
seems, however, to represent a form from which all others are sufficiently dif-
ferent to require full generic rank. Its synonyms are (fide G. R. Gray) Calidris
of Cuvier, 1800, (not of 1817, of which the type is T. arenaria, L.,) and Canutus
of Brehm, 1830.

North America possesses but a siugle representative of the genus as restricted.
The Tringa Cooperi of Baird, which has been referred to it, seems to fall more
naturally under Actodromas. Its relationships will be found fully discussed
under that head.

TRINGA CANUTUS Linnaus.—Red-breasted Sandpiper.

Tringa canutus, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. 1766, 251. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790, ii.
738. Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, ii. 473. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788. Pal-
las, Zoog. Rosso-As. 1811, ii. 197. Temminck, Man. d'Orn. 1820, ii. 627,

1861.]

180 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Jenyns, Manual, 1835, 213. Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 49. Schinz.
Europ. Faun. 1840, i. 326. Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Orn. 1842, ii. 67,
Dekay, N. Y. F. 1844, 243, tab. 85, fig. 194, et. tab. 97, fig. 218. Schlegel,
Rev. Crit. 1844, 88. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579. "Degland, Orn. Eur.
1849, ii. 219. Bonaparte, Rev. Crit. 1850, 185. Parzudaki, Cat. Ois. Eur.
1859, 14. Meyer, Brit. Birds, 1857, v. 67. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 715.

Tringa ferruginea, Brunnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, 53. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819,
xxxiv. 466.

Tringa cinerea, Brunnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, 53. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790, ii. 733.
Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, 474. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars ii. 673.
Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, vii. 36, tab. lvii. fig. 2; id. Ord. Ed. 1829, iii.
142; id. Brewer. Ed. 1840, 482, fig. 224; ibid. Syn. 725. Lichtenstein,
Verz. 1823, 72. Lesson, Man. d'Orn. 1828, ii. 283. Swainson, F. B. A.
1831, ii. 387. Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 125.

?Tringa australis, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars ii. 679. Latham, Ind. Orn
1790, ii. 737.

Tringa nevia, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars ii. 681. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790,
ii. 732. Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, ii. 480.

Tringa grisea, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars. ii. 681. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790,
ii. 733.

Tringa islandica, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars. ii. 682. Latham, Ind. Orn.
1790, ii. 137. Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, ii. 476. Audubon, Orn. Biog.
1838, iv. 130, tab. 315; id. Syn. 1839, 232; id. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 254,
tab. 328. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 224. | Holboll, Fauna Green. 1846, 38.
Nilsson, Scand. Faun. 1858, ii. 252.

Tringa rufa, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, vii. 43, tab. lvii. fig. 5; id. Ord. Ed. 1829,
iii. 140; id. Brew. Ed. 1840, 487, fig. 227; ibid. Syn. 725.

Tringa (Tringa) canutus, Bonaparte, Cat. Met. 1842, 61.

Tringa (Tringa) islandica, Bonaparte, Speech. Comp. 1827, 62.

Tringa (Tringa) rufa, Bonaparte, Obs. Wils. 1825, 93.

Sp. Char.— Largest of North American Zringee. Bill stout, straight, rather
longer than the head, npper mandible widely and deeply grooved to the expan-
sion at tip. Feathers extending on lower mandible much farther than on upper,
and nearly as far as those between the rami. First primary decidedly longest ;
tail short, nearly even ; legs short, stout; tarsus usually shorter than the bill,
but much exceeding the middle toe. Adult in spring. Upper parts brownish-
black, each feather broadly tipped and edged with ashy white, tinged with
reddish yellow on the scapulars. Rump dark ash, transversely banded with
dusky; upper tail coverts white, with transverse sagittate or crescentic
bars of brownish black. Tail greyish ash, edged with ashy white. Outer
webs and tips of primaries deep dusky, the inner much lighter. Secondaries
and coverts greyish ash, broadly edged and tipped with ashy white. Line over
the eye and entire under parts a uniform deep brownish-red, fading into white
on the sides posteriorly and the under tail coverts, which latter are marked
with sagittate spots of dusky. Legs and feet greenish black. Young in autumn.
Upper parts a uniform dark ash, or cinereous, each feather tipped with ashy or
pure white, and having a sub- terminal edging of dusky black. Indistinct line
over the eye, and whole under parts white, more or less tinged with light red-
dish, and the throat, breast and sides with rather sparse, irregularly disposed
lines and spots of dusky, which become transverse waved bars on the latter.

Length 10:5, extent 20:5, wing 6:4, tail 2-7. Bill about 1-4, tarsus 1:2,
middle toe 1 inch. Tibia bare :6.

Habitat.—Atlantic coast of North America; Europe.

This is the largest of the Sandpipers, and, though exceeding all others in the
variation of plumage to which it is subject, may yet be easily recognized in all
stages by its generic characters, which differ in some marked particulars from
those of any other bird of the section. In the above diagnosis are given the

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 181

plumage of the adult and of the young of the first autumn. These represent
the two extremes; but birds may be found of every intermediate stage. In
respect to form, the bird varies chiedy in the length of the bill and shape of
the tail. The bill in adult specimens is always longer than the tarsus, but
being dependent somewhat on age, may in young birds be found equal to the
tarsus, or even a little shorter. The tail, usually nearly or quite even, is some-
times in immature birds considerably doubly emarginate; the central feathers,
however, are never pointed and projecting as in Actodromas. As usual among
the Tringee, the tarsus and toes do not differ much in length or proportions.
Tringascanutus is mentioned in the very earliest ornithological writings, and,
as is usually the case with those species which vary much in plumage, has
received a great variety of names. The older authors instituted nominal
species on almost every change of plumage which it undergoes; but still, these
stages are now so well known, that there is little difficulty in identifying the
descriptions. The “ grisled " and “ freckled ? sandpipers of Latham and Gmelin,
T. grisea andanevia, as well as, in all probability, the Z. australis, Gm., are to be
referred to intermediate stages of the present bird. But it is the plumage of
the first autumn which has given rise to the most firmly established nominal
Species, the 7' cinerea, Auct.; it is as different as possible from that of the
adult, and at the same time is marked in character and presents but few evi-
dences of immaturity. It is not a little singular that as late as 1813 Wilson
should give the bird a new name, (7. rufa,) and say that “of this prettily-
marked species I can find no description ;" there being already at that date no
less than seven different appellations for the bird. Tringa canutus of Linnaeus
seems to have priority over all others, and is the name now in general use.

CALIDRIS Cuvier.

Calidris, Cuvier, 1799—1800, (fide G. R. Gray;) 1805, (fide Gen. Rep.) Nec
Calidris, Ouv. Regn. An. 1817.
Arenaria, Meyer, 1810, (fide G. R. Gray.) Nec Linnzi.

Char.—Bill stout, straight, about equal to the head or tarsus; tip thick-
ened, expanded and rather hard, the culmen just posterior to it somewhat
depressed and hollowed. Nostrils situated far forward. Wings long, pointed ;
tail short, doubly emarginate, central feathers projecting. Tibia bare for two-
thirds the length of the tarsus; toes very short and widely margined. Hind
toe wanting. (General characters of Tringa proper, but without hind toe.)

A genus well marked by the absence of the hind toe, a feature entirely
peculiar among Tringeæ. In other respects it comes nearest to Tringa proper,
with which it has a very close affinity, the bill, tarsus and toes, as well as the
tibia, having much the same proportions. The toes, however, are even shorter,
and the tail is doubly emarginate, a feature scarcely seen in Tringa. The bill
in its short and stout proportions has much the general appearance of that of
Charadrius, which fact, in connection with absence of the hind toe, has caused
the single species of the genus to be referred to the plovers by some of the
older authors. In all other respects, however, as well as ia general habits, the
bird is a true Sandpiper.

According to Gray, Calidris of Cuvier, of 1199—1800, is founded upon the
T. arenaria, L. The name must therefore be employed in the present con-
nection, though in 1817 Cuvier gives 7. canutus, L. as the type of the genus.
Arenaria of Meyer, of 1810, based, according to Gray, upon the T. arenaria, is
preoccupied in Botany, that being the name of an old Linnzan genus of plants.

CALIDRIS ARENARIA Illiger.—Sauderling.

Tringa arenaria, Linnæus, Syst. Nat. 1766, i. 251. Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1839,
iii. 231, v. 582; id. Syn. 1839, 237; id. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 287, tab. 338.
Schlegel, Rev. Crit. 1846, 90.

1861.]

182 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Trynga tridactyla, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-As. 1811, ii. 198.

Charadrius calidris, Linneus, Syst. Nat. 1766, i. 255. Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813,
vii. 68, tab. lix. fig. 4; id. Ord. Ed. 1829, iii. 167; id. Brew. Ed. 1840, 503.

Charadrius rubidus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. 688. Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813,
vii. 129, tab. Ixiii. fig. 3; id. Ord. Ed. 1829, iii. 170; id. Brewer. Ed. 1840,
541. fo

Arenaria vulgaris, Leisler, (fide G. R. Gray.)

Arenaria calidris, Meyer, (fide G. R. Gray.) Degland, Ornith. Europ. 1849, ii.
240. Lambeye, Av. Cubal. 1850, 100.

Calidris arenaria, Illiger, Prod. 1811, 249. Temminck, Manual, ii. 524. Lich-
tenstein, Verz. 1823, 72. Bonaparte, Obs. Wilson, 1825, v. 105. Swainson,
F. B. A. 1831, ii. 366. Nuttall, Manual, 1834, 4. Jenyns, Manual, 1835,
183. Schinz. Eur. Faun. 1840, i. 298. Bonaparte, Comp. List. 1838,50; id.
Catal. Metod. 1842, 61. Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Orn. 1842, 65. Giraud,
Birds L. I. 1844, 243. Gray, Genera, 1849. iii.581. Bonaparte, Revue Crit.
1850, 184. Cassin, U. S. Ast. Exp. 1855, ii. 194; id. Gen. Rep. 1858, 723.
Nilsson, Scand. Faun. 1858, ii. 255. Cooper et Suckley, Nat. Hist. Wash.
Terr. 1860, 241.

Calidris tringoides, Vieillot, Gal. Ois. 1834, ii. 95, tab. cexxxiv.

Calidris Americana, Brehm, Vog. Deut. 1831, 675, (fide Gen. Rep.)

Sp. Char.— Bill short, stout, straight, the tip much thickened and expauded.
Upper mandible widely, lower narrowly but distinctly, grooved. First primary
decidedly longest. Tail doubly emarginate, the central feathers pointed and
much projecting. Legs moderate, toes very short and widely margined. Adult
in spring. Entire upper parts and neck all round, variegated with black, light
ashy and bright reddish; on the back and scapulars each feather having a central
black field, and being broadly margined and tipped with ashy or reddish.
Under parts white, immaculate. Outer webs and tips of primaries deep
brownish black, inner light ashy. A white spot at base of inner primaries.
Secondaries mostly pure white; the outer vanes and part of inner on the latter
hal? dusky. Greater coverts dusky, broadly tipped and narrowly edged with
pure white. Rump, upper tail coverts and central tail feathers dusky, tipped
and narrowly edged with ashy white; lateral tail feathers very light ash, nearly
white. Legs and feet black. Young in autumn. No traces of the reddish.
Upper parts very light ash, each feather fading into white on the edges, and
with a narrow shaft line of dusky. Entire under parts pure white. Scapulars
dusky, edged with whitish. Other parts as in the adult.

Length 7:5 to S, extent 15 to 16; wing 4:9, tail 2:25. Bill about 1 inch,
tarsus rather less; middle toe °75.

Habitat. —Temperate North America; South America; Europe.

In the above diagnosis I have given the breeding plumage and that of the
young the first autumn; but a more usual winter dress differs from either.
There are traces of the reddish on the upper parts generally and on the breast.
Each feather above is brownish-black, regularly indented and tipped with ashy
white, thus giving to the upper parts the appearance of being evenly mottled.
There is a buff tinge on the breast, and also on the tips of the rump feathers.
The bend of the wing is nearly as, dark as in the adult. At all times the under
parts of the bird from the jugulum are pure white.

As stated in the remarks upon the genus, the peculiarities of the form of this
bird have caused it to be considered as a Charadrius by some of the older
&uthors. Liunzus erred so much as to refer it to that genus in one state of
plumage, and to classify it as a Sandpiper in another. Wilson, though retain-
irg the species in Charadrius, remarks upon its evident affinity to the latter
group. The Charadrius rubidus of Gmelin and Wilson represenrs the adult-
breeding plumage, and the C. calidris of the same authors, the young bird. But
the peculiarities of the bird are so great that it was very early removed from

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 183

both Zringa and Charadrius, and a genus Calidris formed for its reception. In
1811, Illiger called the bird C. arenaria, which is the name generally employed
by ornithologists since that date. Audubon, however, in all his works retains
the species in Tringa. I have found but two instances of the use of Arenaria
calidris, Mey., which are those given in the list of synonyms. Calidris tringoides
of Vieillot is undoubtedly the present bird, as is also (fide Gen. Rep ) the C.
Americana of Brehm.

ARQUATELLA Baird.
Arquatella, Baird, Gen. Rep. 1858, 714. Typus Tringa maritima, Brünn.

Char.—Bill variable, always longer than the head, straight or slightly de-
curved, very slender, much compressed, tip scarcely expanded. Groove in
lower mandible shallow, sometimes nenrly obsolete. Wings long, pointed.
Tail moderate, cuneiform. Tibial feathers very long, covering the joint.
Tarsus extremely abbreviated, much shorter than the bill or middle toe. Toes
very long, broadly margined and flattened beneath. Hind toe very short; claws ,
short and blunt.

In the remarkably abbreviated tarsus, much surpassed by the long toes,—in
the lengthened tibial feathers, cuneiform tail and slender compressed bill,—Ar-
quatella constitutes perhaps the most marked section of the Tringew, and one
well worthy of full generic rank. Indeed it is a little remarkable that it was
not earlier separated from the other allied genera. By most authors it has been
considered as a true Tringa, and placed iu close connection with 7. canutus.
Bonaparte, however, gives it as a Pelidna, though Cuvier, in establishing that
genus, retains it in his Calidris, (of 1817 = Tringa proper.) Besides its striking
peculiarities of form, the colors of the single species is very different from that
of any other known Sandpiper. The name Arquatella is Pallas's specific appel-
lation of the bird.

ARQUATELLA MARITIMA (Briinn.) Baird.—Purple Sandpiper.

Tringa maritima, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, 54. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars
ii. 678. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1796, ii. 731. Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, 481.
Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 471. Temminck, Manual, 1820, ii. 619.
Lesson, Manual, 1828, ii. 283. Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 382. Nuttall,
Manual, 1834, ii. 115. Jenyns, Manual, 1835, 211. Audubon, Orn. Biog.
1835, iii. 558, tab. 284; id. Syn. 1839, 233; id. Birds Am. 1842, v. 261,
tab. 330. Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Birds, 1842, ii. 67. Schinz, Eur. Faun.
1840, i. 324. Schlegel, Rev. Crit. 1844, 88. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 236.
Dekay, N. Y. Fauna, 1844, ii. 237, tab. 87, fig. 98. Hollbol, Fauna Græn.
1846, 39. Degland, Orn. Eur. 1849, ii. 222. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579.
Parzudaki, Cat. Ois. Eur. 1856, 14. Meyer, Brit. Birds. v. 1857,80. Nils-
son, Scand. Faun. 1858, ii. 235.

Pelidna maritima, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 49; id. Rev. Crit. 1850, 185 ; id.
Cat. Met. 1842, 60.

2Tringa striata, Linneus, Syst. Nat. 1766, i. 245. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790, ii.
733. Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, ii. 472. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars
ii. 672.

Tringa undata, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, 55. Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790, ii. 732.
Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. pars ii. 678. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv.
470.

Tringa nigricans, Montagu, Linn. Trans. 1796, iv. 40, (fide Gen. Rep.)

Trynga arquatella, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-As. 1811, ii. 190.

Tringa canadensis, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1719, xxxiv. 453.

Tringa (Arquatella) maritima, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 717.

Sp. Char.—Form and proportions typical of the genus. Adult. Entire upper
parts a lustrous very dark bluish or blackish ash, with purple and violet

1861.]

181 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

reflections, and each feather with a lighter border. Greater and lesser wing
coverts, tertials and scapulars edged and tipped with white. Secondaries
mostly white. Primaries deep dusky, the shafts dull white except at tip, where
they are black. Upper tail coverts and central tail feathers brownish black
with purplish reflections, the outer pair of the former white barred with dusky.
Lateral tail feathers light ashy. Jugulum and breast bluish ash,-each feather
of the latter edged with white, and the ash extending along the sides beneath
the wings. Rest of under parts white, immaculate. Legs, feet and bill at base
light flesh-color; rest of bill greenish black. Young in September. Upper parts
much the color of the adult, but with each feather broadly edged and tipped
with light buff or reddish yellow. Light edging of wing coverts ashy instead
of pure white. Under parts everywhere thickly mottled with ashy and dusky,
deepest on the breast and jugulum.

Length 8 to 9, extent 15 to 16, wing about 5, tail 2:6. Bill above (average)
1:2; tarsus :9; middle toe 1-1; tibia bare :45.

Habitat —Atlantic coast from Greenland to Florida. Europe.

Except in the very immature plumage given above, this Sandpiper varies but
little in color, the difference between adult and young being chiefly in the
depth and intensity of the tints. As the bird advances toward maturity, the
upper parts become darker and more lustrous, the edgings of the wing coverts
and scapulars more conspicuous and better defined. The mottling of the under
parts is gradually restricted till it forms the well defined, uniform dark ash of
the jugulum and breast, the sides being always sparsely streaked, and the rest
of the under parts white, immaculate. The youngest specimens, however, show
a very decided greenish or purplish lustre. While the length and proportions
of the tibia, tarsus and toes are remarkably constant, the size of the whole bird,
and more particularly that of the bill, varies greatly. The difference in the
length of the bill of five specimens now before me amounts to threc-tenths of
an inch, and in that of the whole bird to considerably more than an inch. A
specimen from Greenland is the smallest, having the wing four-tenths of an
inch shorter than in one from New Hampshire. In this specimen the legs and
feet are dusky-green instead of flesh-colored, and the bill is scarcely lighter at
base.

Owing to the striking peculiarities of form and color which this species pre-
sents, there has been, contrary to what is usually the case with the Sandpipers
known to the earlier authors, comparatively little confusion regarding it. As
far as I have been able to ascertain, it has been considered as a true Tringa by
all authors except Bonaparte (who refers it to Pelidna) up to the time of the
General Report, in which work it is very properly made the type of a distinct
genus. Most authors have also adopted the original specific appellation given
by Brünnich in 1764; and I have not met with any other name in works pub-
lished since 1819, in which year it is given'as “ Le tringa cendré du Canada,
Tringa Canadensis, Lath.” by Vieillot. There can be no doubt with regard to
the bird which is referred to under this head; for after a description which
applies well to the usual immature plumage, (not that of the very young given
in the diagnosis,) the author adds, ‘‘ mais ce qui distingue cet oiseau de ceux
de son genre, c'est d'avoir les jambes couvertes de plumes jusqu’ au talon, et
méme au-dessous,’—a feature which exclusively characterizes the A. maritima.
Tringa undata of Brünnich, Gmelin, &c., is considered as the young of this
species in the plumage given in the diagnosis, where the light borders of the
feathers of the upper parts and the transverse mottling of the lower give to the
bird a somewhat wavy appearance. Tringa striata of Linnzus, Gmelin, &oc., is
generally supposed to refer to this species. Pallas gives it as Trynga arqua-
tella, an appellation from which the generic name is derived.

ANCYLOCHEILUS Kaup.

Erolia, Vieillot, Analyse, 1816, 55; Typus Scolopax subarquata Guld., secundum
G. R. Gray et Gen. Rep. (ZZrolia, Vieill., Gal. 1834 = Hrolia.)
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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 185

Ancylocheilus, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1839, 50; Typus Tringa subarquata,
Temm.

Char.—Bill much, longer than the head, slender, compressed, considerably
decurved, the tip not expanded, and rather hard. Grooves in both mandibles
very narrow, but distinct, Wings long, pointed. Tail very short, nearly even.
Legs long, slender; tarsus and tibia both lengthened, the latter exposed for
nearly or quite half the length of the former. Toes moderate, slender, slightly
margined, the middle one about three-fourths the tarsus.

The essential characters of this well. marked genus lie in the long, slender,
decurved bill, with hard unexpanded tip, the long slender legs, and very short,
nearly even tail. In addition, it may be stated that the groove in the upper
mandible, except just anterior to the nostrils, is very narrow, though deep ; the
feathers extend between the rami scarcely further than those on the side of the
lower mandible, which exceed those on the upper but little; the tip of the bill
is pointed and acute; the claws are all very slender and acute. In form this
genus approaches nearest to Pelidna, from which, however, it is perfectly dis-
tinct and easily recognizable. The bill of the latter is much stouter, depressed
instead of compressed, and the feathers extend to some distance between the
rami of the lower jaw. The tail is longer and deeply doubly emarginate. An
important difference is to be found in the legs, in the proportion of the tibia,
tarsus and toes. In Pelidna the toe is nearly equal to the tarsus, which is con-
siderably more abbreviated than in Ancylocheilus. The tibiz appear to be
exposed to a less extent. .

According to Gray and to the General Report, Hrolia of Vieillot (Anal. 1816,
ut suprà) is founded upon the present bird. With every disposition to rely
upon such authority, iu a careful examination of the characters of the genus in
in that work and iu the Nouv. Dict. (1817,) as well as of Ærolia in the Galerie,
(1834,) I have been unable to reconcile them with those of the bird now under
consideration. In all these works, apparently the most important characters
are stated to be the absence of the hind toe, and the presence of a membrane
between the outer and middle, neither of which features exist in the Scolopax
subarquata, Guld. In the G'alerie, reference is made to the Nouv. Dict., (x. page
409.) where the genus is fully characterized. A portion of the diagnosis is
as follows ;—*: Erolie, Hrolia Vieill. Genre de l'Ordre des Zchassiers, et de la
famille des ZZialites. —trois doigts devant, point derrière; les exterieurs unis à
la base par une membrane, l'énterne libre. Ce genre ne content qu'une espéce
qui se trouve en Afrique, et dont on ne connoit que la dépouille.” It will be
seen that the author places the bird (* dont on ne connoit que la dépouille ")
not only in a different genus, but in a family entirely distinct from the Sand-
pipers; and the description of * L'Erolie varié, Zrolia variegata, Vieill., which
follows, I cannot identify with any plumage of Zringa subarquata with which I
am acquainted. It should also be borne in mind that Vieillot (Nouv. Dict., ut
infra) correctly describes the present bird under the name of “ Le tringa cocorli,
T. subarquata, Temm.," and no reference whatever is made to Hrolia. Now, it
is by no means impossible that Hrolia variegata may have been positively
identified with 7. subarquata by actual examination of the type specimen, or
otherwise; but even in that case I do not think the name should be adopted.
The position of Hrolia variegata in the system is very different from that which
Tringa subarquata occupies, and the characters of the genus as published to the
world are widely at variance with those presented by that bird.

From these considerations therefore I have adopted Ancylocheilus of Kaup,
(1829,) concerning which there is no doubt.

ANCYLOCHEILUS SUBARQUATA (Guld.) Kaup.—-Curlew Sandpiper.

Scolopax subarquata, Guldenstaedt, Nov. Com. Petrop. 1775, xix. 471, tab. xviii.
fide Gen. Rep. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. 658.

1861.]

186 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Scolopax africanus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. 655.

Tringa subarquata, Temminck, Man. 1820, ii. 609. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. xxxiv.
1819, 454. Nuttall, Man. 1834, ii. 104. Jenyns, Man. 1835, 208. Audubon,
Orn. Biog. 1835, iii. 444; id. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 269, tab. 333; id. Syn.
1839. Schinz, Eur. Faun. 1840, i, 320. Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Orn. 1842,
ii. 71. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 237. Schlegel, Rev. Crit. 1844, 88. Dekay,
N. Y. Fauna, 1844, 239, tab. 95, fig. 213. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579.
Degland, Orn. Eur. 1849, ii. 225. Meyer, Brit. Birds, 1857, v. 91. Nilsson,
Scand. Faun. 1858, ii. 239.

Pelidna subarquata, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 50; id. Rev. Crit. 1850, 185.

Ancylocheilus subarquata, Kaup, Eur. Thierw. 1829. Parzudaki, Cat. Ois. Eur.
1856, 14.

Numenius subarquata, Bechstein, Nat. Deut. iv. 148, fide Temminck.

Numenius pygmaus, Bechstein, Nat. Deut. iv. 135, fide Temminck.

Numenius ferrugineus, Meyer, fide Vieillot.

Numenius africanus, Latham, Ind. Orn. 1790, ii. 712.

Erolia variegata, Vieillot, Anal, 1816; id. Nouv. Dict. 1817, x. 409, secundum
Gen. Rep. Lesson, Man. 1828, ii. 302.

ZErolia varia, Vieillot, Gal. des Ois. 1834, ii. 89, tab. cexxxi. ; (—Erolia variegata.)

Faleinellus cursorius, Temminck, fide Parzudaki.

Tringa (Tringa) subarquata, Bonaparte, Specch. Comp. 1827, 62.

Pelidna (Ancylocheilus) subarquata, Bonaparte, Cat. Met, 1842, 60.

Tringa (Erolia) subarquata, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 718.

Sp. Char.—Form typical of the genus. Adult. Crown of head and entire
upper parts lustrous greenisn black, each feather tipped and deeply indeuted
with bright yellowish red. Wing coverts ashy brown, each feather with a
shaft line of dusky and with reddish edging. Primaries deep dusky, their
shafts brown at base and black at tip, the central portion nearly white. Upper
tail coverts white with broad bars of dusky, and tinged at their extremity with
reddish. Tail light greyish with greenish reflections. Sides of the neck and
entire under parts uniform deep brownish red. Under tail coverts barred with
dusky. Avxillars and under wing coverts white, Bill and legs greenish black.
Young in autumn, Crown of head and back brownish black, with a slight
greenish lustre, each feather edged with white or reddish yellow. Rump plain
dusky, upper tail coverts white. Wing coverts with broad greyish-white
borders. Tail light ashy, edged and tipped with white, the central feathers
with a subterminal dusky border in addition. Under parts entirely white, the
breast and sides of the neck finely streaked with dusky, the former with a light
buff tinge.

Length 8:5, wing 4:9. Bill (average) 1:5. Tarsus 1:3; toe -9; tibia bare °7.

Habitat.— Atlantic coast of United States; rare. Europe, Asia, Africa."
(Gen. Rep.)

The variations in both plumage and dimensions which this species presents
are very great, fully equal to those exhibited by Tringa canutus. I have given
above the colors of the adult and of the young of the first fall, between which
there may be found every gradation, more especially in reference to the red of
the under parts, which at different ages appears as mottling of greater or less
extent. The species may, however, be easily recognised in every stage of
plumage by its generic characters. The single American specimen before me
differs from European skins in a shorter stouter bill,in a shorter tarsus and
toes, and in a remarkably abbreviated hind toe.

There has been considerable confusion among writers with regard to the
synonymy of this species. It has received quite a variety of both generic and
specific appellations, and from its many changes of plumage several nominal
species have arisen. The bird was first mentioned, in 1775, by Guldenstaedt,
(Nov. Comm, ut suprà,) who introduced it under the name of Scolopax subar-
guata. This specific appellation is the one which has been employed by most

[July;

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 187

authors. It has been placed in seven different genera,—Scolopax, Numenius,
Tringa, Falcinellus, Pelidna, Ancylocheilus and (according to Gen. Rep.) Hrolia.
It was probably the long, slender, decurved bill which caused some of the
earlier authors to consider it as a Numenius. The Numenius subarquata, Bechst.,
or the Scolopax subarquata, Gm., is the summer plumage of this species, and
the Numenius Africanus, Lath., or the Scolopax Africanus, Gm., the winter. The
N. ferrugineus, Mey. is this species, according to Vieillot; and Temminck also
gives N. pygmeus, Bechst. as a synonym, considering it as the young before the
first moult. The “Red Sandpiper” of Latham and Pennant refers to this
species, though in the synonymy the former gives T. /celandica; Linn. and 7.
ferruginea, Briinn., both of which names are synonyms of 7. canutus. The
relationships of Hrolia variegata or Avrolia varia have already been discussed
under the head of Ancylocheilus.

PELIDNA Cuvier.

? ? Scheeniclus, Me hring, Gen. Av. 1752, 77.
Pelidna, Cuvier, Regne Anim. 1817, 490. Typus T. cinclus, L.

Char. Bill stout, much longer than the head or tarsus, decurved, depressed,
tip somewhat expanded and punctulate. Grooves in both mandibles very deep
and distinet. Wings moderate ; tertials long, narrow and flowing. Tail rather
long, deeply doubly emarginate, the central feathers projecting. Legs mode-
rate, or rather long. Tarsus but little if any longer than the middle toe. Bare
portion of tibia more than half the tarsus. Toes rather long, and narrowly
margined.

The essential characters of this genus lie in the long, stout, decurved bill,
longer than the head or tarsus, and the tarsus but little longer than the middle
toe, approaching in this respect to Actodromas, to which, in the doubly emar-
ginate tail and, to some extent, the general pattern of coloration and changes
of plumage, it is still more nearly related. Its affinities to Ancylocheilus, which
are close, will be found discussed under that head. The genus is very variable
in the length of its bill, though the legs, as usual among the Tringeæ, are pretty
constant. The colors of the two species of the group are subject to many and
great variations dependent upon age and season, which in each have given rise
to a second nominal species. In addition to these, minor differences in size
and color have been made the grounds of specific distinction by some European
writers. With these, however, the present monograph has nothing to do, since,
in according to the American bird specific distinction from that of Europe, the
intricate and difficult synonymy of the latter is excluded.

The genus Pelidna, of Cuvier, (1817), has been employed by different writers
in a very unnatural manuer to designate the smaller Sandpipers indiscrimi-
nately, nearly all the species having been at one time or another included in it,
grouped together without the slightest regard to their natural affinities. This
is perhaps due in a measure to the very loose manner in which it is character-
ized by Cuvier, who merely says, iu instituting the genus,—''les Pelidnes ne
sont que de petites maubéches, à bec un peu plus long que la téte, et dont les
pieds n'ont ni bordures ni palmures." The genus has in consequence fallen
somewhat into disrepute among later ornithologists, who generally avoid the
use of it; but still it must stand for the type upon which it was founded ( T.
cinclus, L.) if no other name has been previously proposed for the same group.
Scheeniclus, of Mcehring, (1752), is said by some authors to refer to that type ;
but I can find no characters which restrict it to the 7. cinclus. The brief diag-
nosis is as follows: ‘‘ Rostrum digitis cum ungue fere zquale. Pes tetradac-
tyla. Membrana dimidium primum articulum inter extimum et medium digitum
occupans." Now as the bill is not * about equal to the middle toe and claw,”
but very much longer, and as there is scarcely the rudiment of à membrane
between the outer and middle toe, which does not nearly occupy * half the first
joint," the only character left which really belongs to the 7. Alpina is * pes

1861.]

188 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

tetradactyla,? which of course applies equally well to any other Sandpiper
except Calidris arenaria.

In the uncertainty, therefore, it may be best to use Pelidna of Cuvier, which,
although loosely characterized, is definitely located by the mentioning of the
type upon which it is founded.

PgLIDNA Amerroana (Cass.) Coues.—A merican Dunlin.

Tringa alpina, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, vii. 25, tab. lvi. fig. 2; id. Ord. Ed. 1829,
iii. 136 ; id. Brewer Ed. 1840, 475, fig. 220; (nec Linnzi, nec al. script.
Europ.) Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 383. Nuttal, Manual, 1834, ii. 106.
Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1835, iii. 580, tab. 290; id. Syn. 1839, 234; id. Birds
Amer. 1842, v. 266, tab. 332. Girard, Birds L. I. 1844, 228. Newberry,
P. R. R. Expl. 1857, vi. 100.

Tringa (Tringa) alpina, Bonaparte, Obs. Wils. 1825, v. 92.

Tringa cinclus, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, vii. 3S, tab. lvii. fiv. 3; id. Ord. Ed.
1229, iii. 138; id. Brewer, Ed. 1840, 484, fig. 225; (nec Linnai, nec al.
script. Europ.) Dekay, N. Y. Faun. 1844, 240, tab. 84, fig. 292.

Pelidna cinclus, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 50.

Tringa alpina, var. Americana, Cooper et Suckley, Nat. Hist. Wash. Terr.
1860, 239.

Tringa (Scheniclus) alpina, var. Americana, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 719.

Sp. char. Larger than P. alpina. Bill longer, stouter and more decurved
than in the type of the genus. Wings moderate, pointed, first primary decided-
ly longest. Tail rather long, deeply doubly emarginate, the central feathers
projecting, the upper coverts much lengthened. Legs much longer than in P.
alpina, the tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe. Adult in breeding plu-
mage.—Crown of head and upper parts generally bright chestnut red, the
feathers with a central field of black, and on the scapulars with whitish mar-
gins. Lesser wing coverts plain greyish ash, each feather with a shaft line of
dusky and with a light border; greater broadly tipped with white. Outer vanes
and tips of primaries deep dusky, almost black, those of the inner edged with
white towards their bases; inner vanes of all light ashy. Secondaries mostly
white. Tertials with the rump and upper tail coverts brownish black, with
either plain greyish or light reddish edges, the outer pair of the latter mostly
white. Central tail feathers brownish black, the rest light greyish ash. Fore-
head, line over the eye and whole under parts white, the jugulum with nume-
rous longitudinal lines and streaks of brownish black, and the belly with a very
broad bar of pure black. Legs, feet and bill black. Adult in winter, and young.—
Upper parts a uniform dark ash, generally with traces of the reddish on the
scapulars, and the feathers with darker shaft lines. White edgings of inner
primaries very conspicuous. Jugulum with an ashy suffusion, and with nume-
rous illy defined, blended streaks of dusky. Rest of under parts pure white.

Length 8:5, extent 14:5, wing 4:9, tail 2:3. Bill above 1:6, tarsus 1:1, middle
toe :95, tibia bare, :6.

Habitat. Continent of North America.

Although it may seem a hazardous undertaking to separate the Dunlins of
America and Europe, yet on the authority of that most accurate ornithologist,
Mr. Cassin, and from the testimony of numerous specimens from both countries
before me, I cannot but come to the conclusion that they are specifically dis-
tinct, The uniformly larger size, the disproportionately longer, stouter and
more decurved bill, and the invariably longer and differently proportioned legs,
are discrepancies which can hardly be allowed to exist in the same species.
The constancy of these differences in so notoriously variable a bird as the pre-
sent, as well as their radical nature, are indications which cannot be neglected.
The distinctive characters being entirely those of size and proportion, the com-
parative measurements of three specimens from each country is subjoined:

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 189

Name. Length.|Extent.| Wing., Bill. tap PLEA Toe.

Pelidna Americana ................. 8:50* | 15-40* | 4-70 | 1°50 | 1:08 -98
d 4. apito .| 9:00* | 14-00* | 5-05 | 1°74 | 1°13 1:05

o: "5. Beóoocococosocc 8:25* 4:65 | 1:54 | 1:03 “95
Pelidna alpina.......... ....-.-..--- 7-907 2:292 A02 O0 :90
t ^^. ebooocooe irano 8:10T 4-70 | 1:42 | 1:02 :88

i “© (C Schinzii,")...| 8:407 450 | L40| -92 *85

* Fresh; on authority of collector. t Of skin ; approximate only.

The comparative diagnoses would be briefly as follows:

P. alpina. Length 8 inches. Bill, average, 1-4. Tarsus but little if any
longer than middle toe. Length of tarsus and toe 1:75.

P. Americana. Larger; length 8:5 inches. Bill average 1:7; disproportion-
ately longer, stouter, more decurved. Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle
toe ; legs considerably longer; length of tarsus and toe 2 inches.

Among the specimens from the west coast there appear to be two very de-
cided types. One is that common to the Atlantic coast, in which the bill mea-
sures on an average 1:50 of an inch in length, and the wing 4:60. Of the other
there are three specimens before me, collected at different times, absolutely
identical in size and proportious, and differing greatly both from eastern speci-
mens and all others from the west coast. In these the bill measures 1:72 of an
inch, being nearly a fourth of an inch longer than in P. Americana ; the wing
is nearly five inches; the legs are somewhat longer, and the whole bird con-
siderably larger. The differences, indeed, between these specimens and the
average of P. Americana are nearly if not quite as greatas those which separate
that latter species from the a/pina. "These facts are of importance, and would
seem to point to one of the following considerations :—either the three specimens
alluded to belong to a species distinct from the Americana, or that they repre-
sent one extreme, and P. alpina, or more properly T. Schinzii, Brehm.,* the
other of one and the same species, of which P. Americana is the intermediate
form. I cannot but think, however, that the former supposition is the most
probable; for it seems almost impossible in one species there should be such
variations, and those too of such a radical nature as are presented by specimens
of Pelidna from different localities. "Thus, to consider a bird in which the bill
measures 1:20, the leg 1:75, and the wing 4:40, (as in the smallest specimen of
Pelidna before me,) as specifically identical with one in which these parts were
respectively 1-75, 2-10 and 495, would be almost without a parallel in orni-
thology ; while, at the same time, if they be considered distinct, it is impossible
to avoid recognizing also the intermediate form. But if, as I think has been
pretty conclusively shown, the American bird is distinct from the European,
then the west coast specimens above referred to are equally worthy of specific
distinction.r Still, with but three specimens before me, I do not venture, in
the case of so variable a bird as a Sandpiper, to present it as distinct; but
should the above differences be found constant, and showing no graduation
towards the Americana, I should have no hesitation in so doing. In the event
of their proving really distinct, I would propose the name of Pacifica as an ap-
propriate one.

* With but a single specimen of T'ringa Schinzii before me, I am not prepared to ex-
press any opinion with reference to its relationships to Pelidna alpina. In this paper I
consider it as merely a smaller race of the latter, entirely upon the high authority of the
General Report.

t In the field notes of the late Dr. C. B. R. Kennerly, I find the opinion expressed that
they are distinct; and I am informed by Dr. Geo. Suckley, U. S. A., that he has always
doubted the specific identity of the various specimens of Pelidna from the west coast.
Both of these gentlemen have enjoyed excellent opportunities for observation and com-
parison, and their opinions should carry with them considerable weight,

1861.]

190 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

The above remarks are made rather with the view of calling attention to the
facts, than as presenting any solution of the problem. The whole subject is
one of great interest, and well worthy of extended and careful investigation.

ACTODROMAS, Kaup.

Actodromas, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 55; Typus Tringa. minuta, Leisl,

Char. Bill about equal to the head or tarsus, short, straight, very slender,
somewhat compressed, the tip puuctulate, scarcely expanded, acute. Grooves
on both mandibles very deep, and extending nearly to the tip. Nostrils situated
very near the base of the bill. Feathers extending on the lower mandible much
beyond those on the upper, and half as far as those between the rami. Wings
long, pointed, first primary usually loagest; tertials long, slender, flowing.
Tail rather long, deeply doubly emarginate, the central feathers much project-
ing; upper tail coverts moderately long. Tibia bare for more than half the
length of the tarsus ; the feathers very short, making the exposed portion nearly
as great. Tarsus equal to the middle toe. Toes long, slender, very narrowly
margined, entirely free at base. (In typical species the jugulum with an ashy
or brownish suffusion, thickly streaked; the rump and upper tail coverts with
a central blackish field.)

The genus Actodromas, of Kaup (1829) includes a well marked and very
natural group of Sandpipers, the quite numerous species of which are very
closely related borh in form and colors. Its type, from which I have drawn the
characters in the preceding diagnosis, is the 7. minuta, Leisl., a European
species not occurring in North America, being replaced in that country by the
Tringa Wilson: of Nuttall, a very closely allied species, and one with which it
has been confounded by some authors. The essential characters of the genus
lie in the short, straight, slender bill, which equals the head or tarsus ; the long
slender toes, the middle equal to the tarsus; the much denuded tibia with its
short feathers, and the long, deeply doubly emarginate tail. The peculiar pro-
portions of bill, tarsus and toe are shared by no other Sandpipers, so far as my
knowledge extends. The geuus is divisible,into two well-marked sections:
-Áctodromas proper, with the type 7. minuta, having its characters strictly as
above ; and Heteropygia,* with the Tringa Bonapartei as type. The latter differs
in the stouter bill, more expanded at tip; in the much less extent of the en-
croachment of the feathers on the lower mandible; in the longer legs, the tarsus
rather exceeding the middle toe ; in the entire absence of the brownish or ashy
suffusion on the jugulum, and in the white upper tail covers. In this section I
have placed the Tringa Cooperi of Baird, which is most closely related to the
A. Bonapartei, and is at any rate an Actodromas rather than a true Tringa.

The species of the genus now ascertained to inhabit North America are five
in number: A. maculata, A. minutilla, and the new A. Bairdii, coming under
Actodromas proper; A. Bonapartei and A. Cooperi, which compose the section
Heteropygia. The three first of these are so nearly alike in colors, that, their
form being absolutely identical, size is the chief specific difference. A. macu-
lata is much the largest, being about nine inches in length; A. minutilla is very
small, being less than six inches; while A. Dairdü is exact'y intermediate
between the two, measuring a little over seven inches.

The following brief schedule will serve to distinguish the five species, when
in adult breeding plumage :—

Actodromas, Kaup.

A. Jugulum with a brownish or ashy suffusion, thickly streaked. Rump and
upper tail coverts with a central black field.

* The name is used with reference to the most conspicuous, though probably not most
important, feature in which it differs from Actodromas proper. The combination being
rather an obvious one, the name may have been already employed ; in that event I would
suggest Delopygia with much the same signification.

[J uly,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 191

]. Much the largest; length ‘about 9 inches, wing (average) 5:25.
; Crown much darker than the hind neck, the transition abrupt.
Chin immaculate. Edgings of feathers on upper parts light
chestnut-red, not making indentations towards the shaft. Suf-
fusion on jugulum very deep, the streaks narrow, distinct.
Central tail feathers long, pointed, much projecting. Bill and
legs dusky green, maculata.
2. Smaller; length 7-25 inches, wing 4:8. Crown not conspicuously
darker than hind neck. Edgings of feathers on upper parts
light reddish yellow, scarcely brighter on the scapulars, making
indentations towards the shaft. Suffusion on jugulum very
light, the markings rounded, somewhat obsolete. Central tail
feathers rounded, less projecting. Bill and legs black, Bairdii.
3. Much the smallest; a miniature of the preceding; length 5:75;
wing 3:4, Edges of feathers chestnut-red, usually more or
less indented, tipslighter. Bill black, legs dusky green, minutilla.
'

Heteropygia, Coues.

B. Jugulum without an ashy or brownish suffusion. Upper tail coverts white.
4. Length 7:5. Jugulum thickly streaked with rather narrow
lines. Upper tail coverts immaculate, except the outer pair.
Central tail feathers nearly black, considerably projecting, ^ Zonaparte.
5. Much larger; length 9:5. Jugulum with sparse, rather broad
oval spots or streaks. Upper tail coverts with sagittate spots
of dusky. Central tail feathers scarcely darker than the late-
ral, projecting but little, Cooperi,

Comparative Measurements of Species.

Coverts | Central

Bill Middle|Duter| to end |Feathers

Name. Sex. | Length.| Extent. | Wing. | above.|Tarsus| Toe. | Toe. | of tail. | project.
A. maculata, 9:00* eS aes PA EZA a E AES) 80 52
do. © |-8:50 } 16:50 | 5:00} 1-15.) I-10 1-12 |.-92:.] -80 “40
do. 9-10 | 18°20 | 5:55 | 1:20] 1:14) 1-14 | 92 |. -90 42
A. Baird. e 7:15 4:900 853 MESS 83 | ‘70 60 20
do. e 7-25 | 15:25 | 4-85 | *86| -88 88 | -72 50 15
do. d 7-25 | 15:25 | 480 | :86 “90; 82-69 3 16
A. minutilla. | 9 3:35. T4269 fran -6|| 45 18
do. fot 6-000 IES 0 S35) - 2 (BAP cem 64 40 25
do c 6:00 |12-00| 3:56 “74 75 85 | -66 58 20
A. Bonapartei.| d$ | 7-40 |15:00| 470 |. -94| -98| -95|-80| -80 29
do. 4:85 :88 98]| :90|-80 80 22
do. g 7-40 | 15:10 | 4:80 Chay) S| IL I Sib) 15 22

A. Cooperi. d 9:50 5-75 | 1-23 | E14 | 1:08 | -95 85 15 |

ACTODROMAS (ACTODROMAS) MINUTILLA (Vieill.) Coues.—Least Sandpiper.

Tringa minutilla, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 452, (haud dubie.) “ Vieill,”
Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579.

Tringa pusilla, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, v. 32, tab. xxxvii. fig. 4; id. Ord. Ed.
1829, iii. 134; id. Brewer, Ed. 1840, 347, fig. 161. (Nec Lianæi; nec
Meyer; nec Bechst.) Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 386. Audubon, Orn.
Biog. 1838, iv. 320, tab. 180; id. Syn. 1839, 237; id, Birds Amer. v. 1842,

*The measurements of the length and extent are from the fresh bird, and on the
authority of the collector.

1861.]

192 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

280, tab. 337 ; Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 240. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579.
Woodhouse, Expl. Zuni. 1853, 100.

Pelidna pusilla, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 50. Gosse, Birds Jamaica, 1847,
348.

Tringa Wilsoni, Nuttall, Man. 1834, ii. 121. Cooper et Suckley, Nat. Hist.
Wash. Terr. 1860, 240. 1

Tringa (Tringa) pusilla, Bonaparte, Comp. Specch. 1827, 237.

Tringa (.Actodromas) Wilsoni, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 721.

Sp. Char.—The smallest of North American Tringeæœ. Bill straight, very
slender, about equal to the tarsus, but varying somewhat, the tip scarcely
expanded, and the point very acute. Wings long, first and second primaries
about equal, third but little shorter. Tertials very long, frequently nearly
equalling the primaries. Tail rather long, the central feathers moderately pro-
jecting and rather rounded. Middle toe frequently slightly longer than tarsus.
Upper parts generally with each feather having a central black field, and being
edged with chestnut and tipped with ashy white, the margins making a deep
indentation in the middle of the feather. Outer row of tail coverts white, with
large, sagittate, dusky spots. Central tail feathers black, edged with light
reddish, the others very light ashy with whitish borders. Primaries deep
dusky, almost black, the shaft of the first white. Secondaries and greater
coverts dusky, lighter on the inner vanes, and tipped with white. An indistinct
whitish line over the eye, and a dusky one between the eye and bill. Jugulum
and sides to same distance with a very decided brownish suffusion, and thickly
marked with rounded spots and streaks of dusky. Chin and under parts gene-
rally white, the former usually with minute points of dusky. Legs, feet and
bill greenish dusky, the latter nearly black.

Length 5:5 to 6, extent 11:5 to 12, wing 3:4. Bill, tarsus and middle toe
about 15.

Habitat.—Entire temperate North America.

The diminutive size of the present species at once distinguishes it from any
other Sandpiper now recognised as an inhabitant of North America; but in
view of the species of other countries with which it is very closely allied, and
especially of the uncertainty whether there be not two or more distinct species
in North America, a more minute description may not be considered as unneces-
sary In addition, therefore, to the preceding diagnosis, which presents the
principal characters of adult individuals, the following remarks may tend to
define it with more precision.

In apparently adult specimens, the general style of coloration much more
closely resembles that of Bairdii than of maculata, in the rounded black spots
and color of the edgings, as well as in the scolloping at the middle of each
feather. Young birds, however, are precisely similar to the maculata in the
same stage, having the edges of the feathers bright chestnut, and the tips pure
white. In this respect the species departs from the general rule with regard to
young birds, the plumage at that age being. actually brighter than during the
breeding season. The same is the case with the A. maculata. An evidence of
immaturity, however, may always be found in the color of the jugulum, where
the wash is simply dull ashy, and the streaks narrow and illy defined. The
chin, too, is immaculate, while with the adults it is usually minutely dotted
with dusky. Tbe young have the lesser wing coverts broadly margined with
light reddish, while tbe adults have them merely a lighter shade of the color
of the rest of the feather. The color of the jugulum is much that of A. Bairdii,
being of the same decided brownish tint; and the similarity is heightened by
the rounded and somewhat obsolete character of the spots. The color of the
breast extends along the sides about half way to the tail, but some feathers are
marked with dusky quite to the vent. The under tail coverts are usually im-
maculate, but sometimes have shaft lines of dusky. The primaries are deep
dusky, still darker at tip, the shaft of the first being white for its entire length,

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 193

the other having their bases and tips brownish. The secondaries and greater
coverts are nearly as dark as the primaries, both conspicuously tipped and
their inner vanes edged with white. The axillary feathers are white; and, in
the closed wing, a portion of the under coverts form a large triangular patch
of white near the shoulder.

A specimen from the west coast presents a very remarkable pattern of color-
ation. It has not the least trace of any reddish or chestnut, being everywhere
of a uniform dark ash, each feather with a central spot or shaft line of dusky.
The rump is scarcely darker than the back. The breast is merely a lighter
shade of the color of the back, and the streaks are so indistinct às to be
scarcely perceptible. This is very different from the plumage of the young
given above; and it is not impossible that the bird is of a species distinct from
the one now under consideration. The general pattern, however, is very simi-
lar to that presented by the young Bairdii; and in the absence of any differ-
ences of size or proportions, and with but a single specimen before me, I am
unwilling to risk adding another name to the already overburdened synonymy
of the smaller Sandpipers. In another specimen, also from the west coast, the
prevailing color of the upper parts is almost black, the feathers, except on the
scapulars, being scarcely edged with reddish; and the streaks on the breast
are very numerous and dark, upon a nearly white ground. This state of
plumage is exactly parallel with that sometimes exhibited by undoubted
specimens of A. maculata.

The relationship of this species to the European A. minuta are close; and,
with but a single very defective and immature skin of the latter before me, I
cannot well state the points of difference; but all authors are agreed upon the
specific distinction of the two. As far as I can judge, A. minuta is considerably
the largest, (wing 3:85 instead of about 3:4,) and the proportions of the pri-
maries are quite different from those of A. minutilla. A. minuta has been given
as an inhabitant of North America by both Swainson and Nuttall, but probably
upon insufficient or erroneous data.

With regard to this little Sandpiper, there has been considerable confusion
among authors, arising partly from the great similarity it bears to some other
species, such as the Tringa minuta and T'emmincki?, and partly from a misinterpre-
tation of the 7. pusilla* of Linnzeus. This name was applied by Wilson, in 1818,
to the species now under consideration, and is adopted by Swainson, Audubon
and some other writers. The 7. pusilla of Nuttall (* stint or little sandpiper")
is T. Temminckii, Leisl.; and is erroneously given as an inhabitant of North
America. What “Le tringa béco, 7. pusilla, Lath.,” of Vieillot refers to is a
little doubtful. The author quotes plate 37, fig. 4 of Wilson's Ornithology,
which is 7. pusilla, Wils. ( T. Wilsoni, Nutt.;) and also cites the “ petite Alouette-
de-mer de Saint-Domingue” of Brisson, which is T. semipalmata, Wils. ( Ereu-
netes pusillus, Cass.) The description, however, especially with reference to
the stout bill, traces of reddish on the under parts, &c., seems rather to point
to the latter, which it may be best to consider it, even though no mention is

* For convenience of reference, the four species to which the name pusilla was origi-
nally applied, with their more prominent synonyms, are here inserted.

Tringa pusilla, Linneus = Ereunetes petrificatus, Wiger = Tringa semipalmata,
Wilson — Heteropoda semip., Nuttall, and Hemipalama semip., Bonaparte = Freunetes
pusillus, Cassin; (Heteropoda mauri, Bonaparte, and Hemipalama minor, Gundiach, are
synonymous ?)

Tringa pusilla, Meyer = Tringa minuta, Leisler = Actodromas minuta, Kaup.

Tringa pusilla, Bechstein = Tringa Temminckit, Leisler — Actodromas Temminckii,
Bonaparte.

Tria pusilla, Wilson = Tringa minutilla, Vieillot = Tringa Wilsonii Nuttall =
Actodromas Wilsoni, Cassin = Actodromas minutilla of the present article.

It will thus be seen that Tringa pusilla of Linneus, Meyer, Bechstein and Wilson
refers to four distinct species,

1861.] 14

194 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

made of the webbed feet. The remarks made in this article, under the head cf
Ereunetes pusillus, will, it is hoped, show that the name pusilla was originally
used in a very different connection, and hence cannot be employed for the pre-
sent species. Bonaparte, as early as 1825, seems to have been aware that the
T. pusilla of Linneus was not the bird given under that name by Wilson; for
in his Observations on the Nomenclature of Wilson's Ornithology, on the sub-
ject of T. semipalmata, Wils., he gives as a reason for not adopting pusilla for
that latter species, that * several species have been confounded together under
the name of 7. pusilla; and although the present (T. semipalmata, Wils.) is the real
species, it'would be adding to the existing confusion to change the most appro-
priate name of semipalmata, given by the author who first separated the species,
in order to apply à name generally given to another, to which in that case we
ought to give a new name." In 1834, Nuttall applied the name Wilsoni to a
species whose manners and habits he described so accurately that there can be
no doubt of its referring to the bird now under consideration, though he, too,
fell into the error of quoting 7. cinclus dominicensis minor, Briss. This name
Wilsoni being supposed to be the only one hitherto applied to the species,
(except of course pusilla, untenable for the reason already given,) is the one in
general use among more modern ornithologists. In view of the existing con-
fusion, it is with great reluctance that I adopt still another name for this
species; but the Zringa minutilla of Vieillot points so unmistakeably to the
present bird, that a strict adherence to the laws of ornithological nomenclature
renders this necessary. This author (page 466 of the Nouv. Dict.) says: “Le
nom que j'ai conservé à cet oiseau est celui sous lequel il est connu dans nos
colonies d' Amerique, et qui lui a été imposé d'après sa petite taille .. . . il a des
rapports avec le tringa minuta de Leisler.... je l'ai souvent vu à Halifax, et
dans la Nouvelle-Ecosse . . . . comme les tringas becos,” (T. semipalmata,
Wils.?) “se comport de méme, il en est resultó qu'on les a confondus en-
semble." There is no North American Sandpiper but the present remarkable
for its diminutive size, and having relationships with the 7. minuta, Leisl., that
is found in Nova Scotia, except the 7. semipalmata, Wils., with which, as the
author remarks,* it is sometimes confounded, from a general similarity in
habits and appearance. The description given applies well; and in some par-
ticulars, such as the length (quatre pouces dix lignes) and the proportions of
the bill, (^ noir, trés-gréle, et long de neuf legnes; les tarses de la méme lon-
geur,") can refer to no other North American Sandpiper.

From these considerations therefore I adopt the name mnutilla, at least until
some weightier reasons be adduced to disprove the position assumed.

ACTODROMAS (AcTODROMAS) Barnprr Coues.—Baird’s Sandpiper.
Tringa (Actodromas) Bonaparte, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 122. In part.

Sp. Char.—Form and proportions typical of the genus. Bill small, slender,
rather shorter than the head, equal to the tarsus, the tip scarcely expanded, its
point very acute. Grooves in both mandibles very long and deep, that of the
lower very narrow. Feathers extending on the side of lower mandible much
farther than those on the upper, about half as far as those between the rami.
Wings long; first and second primaries about equal, but varying, third
much shorter; tertials long, slender, flowing. Tail rather long, but slightly
doubly emarginate, the central feathers rounded, projecting but little. Toes
long, slender, slightly margined, the middle with its claw about equal to tarsus.
Adult in breeding plumage. Entire upper parts a very dark brownish black,
deeper on the rump and lighter on the neck behind, each feather bordered and
tipped with ligbt reddish yellow ; on the scapulars the tips broader and nearly
pure white, and the margins brighter, making several deep indentations towards

LIMEN, ou eoo 5 LE ec
* If, as is probably the case, “le beco” be the 7'. semipalmata, Wils.

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 195

the shaft. Upper tail coverts long, extending to within half an inch of the tips
of the central tail feathers, black, except the outer series, which are white with
dusky markings. Central tail feathers brownish black, the rest suecessively
lighter, and all with a narrow border of white. Jugulum with a very decided
light brownish suffusion, (much as in A. maculata,) and, together with the sides
under the wings to some distance, with rounded obsolete spots and streaks of
dusky. Throat and under parts generally white, immaculate. Bill, legs and
feet black. Young in August. Dimensions and proportions as in the adult,
Upper parts & nearly uniform light ashy brown, deeper on the rump, each
feather with a central dark field and with a light edge. Traces of the brownish
black of the adult on the scapulars. Breast and jugulum with the suffusion
very light reddish brown, the streaks sparse and very indistinct.

Length 7-25, extent 15:25, wing 4:9. Bill above, tarsus and middle toe about
:85.

Habitat.—North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. Not on the Atlantic
coast. (?)

The preceding diagnosis expresses the most essential characters of a Sand-
piper, hitherto confounded with the A. Bonaparte?, but nevertheless perfectly
distinct from that or any other species recognized as an inhabitant of North
America. Though a true Actodromas, and very closely related to the A. minu-
tilla and maculata, a similarity in size, in changes of plumage, and, to some
extent, in general appearance, has caused it to be referred to A. Bonapartei,
which, however, belongs to a group subgenerically distinct. But the two difler
very materially both in tints and in the pattern of coloration of the upper parts,
and in the character of the upper tail coverts and the jugulum. The following
brief schedule will express the chief distinctive features of each, and render
further comparison unnecessary.

A. .Bairdii.—Length about 7:25 inches. Bill slender, entirely black. Feathers
extending on the lower mandible much beyond those on the upper. Edging of
scapulars light buff color, indented. Breast and jugulum with a decided
brownish suffusion, the markings rounded, sparse, rather obsolete. Upper tail
coverts much lengthened, black; central tail feathers projecting but little, the
emargination of the tail slight.

A. Bonapartei,.—Length about 7:50 inches. Bill stout, flesh colored at base
below. Feathers exteuding on the lower mandible but little if any beyond
those on the upper. Edging of scapulars bright chestnut, scarcely indented.
Jugulum and breast with a scarcely appreciable ashy wash, the streaks narrow,
numerous, well defined. Upper tail coverts moderate, white; the central tail
feathers considerably projecting, and tail quite deeply emarginate.

The species is a true Actodromas, and belongs subgenerically to the same
group as A. minutilla and maculata, with both of which it is very closely related,
and requires comparison. In size it is exactly intermediate between the two,
exceeding the minutilla by about as much as it is itself surpassed by the macu-
lata. The slender black bill is very similar to that of minutilla, and the general
pattern of coloration almost identical. The colors, however, are everywhere
much lighter; the edgings of the feathers of the upper parts being of a light
reddish yellow or buff, instead of the bright chestnut red of minutilla; while
the streaks upon the breast are fewer, less distinct and more rounded. It is
considerably smaller than A. maculata; there is nothing of the abrupt transition
from the dark crown to the much lighter hind neck, so conspicuous in the
latter; the tertials want the bright reddish edgings, and the pattern of color-
ation of the upper parts are quite different. While the suffusion of the breast
and jugulum is much the same, the markings are more rounded, sparse and
indistinct. There is also a great difference in the bill, as regards size, shape
and color. The species differs from both minutilla and maculata in one important
respect,—the character of the changes of plumage it undergoes. The young
of both the former are usually quite as bright, if not brighter, than the adults ;

1861.)

196 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

and the markings are all definite and distinct, while immature birds of tho
present species are of a nearly uniform ashy above, the suffusion of the breast
very light, and the streaks so indistinct as to be scarcely appreciable. In this
respect it resembles A. Bonapartei, with the different stages of which there is a
perfect parallelism. In some stages of plumage it approaches the A. Cooperi,
the resemblance being further enhanced by the slight emargination of the tail.
The greatly superior size of the latter, however, independently of its subgeneric
characters, at once distinguishes it. Some specimens show a tendency towards
the general dusky state of plumage also exhibited by both minutilla and macu-
lata, when the upper parts are very dark and nearly uniform, being scarcely
relieved by lighter margins of the feathers.

The following detailed description which will serve to definitely characterize
this species in the plumage of the adult during the breeding season, and of the
young bird of the first fall, is taken from a very perfect male shot May 19th, at
Fort Resolution, and from a young male obtained in Nebraska during the latter
part of July.

The bill is of moderate length, and very slender, expanded but slightly at tip,
and the point very acute ; the grooves arelong, extending quite to the expansion
of the tip, that of the lower mandible being narrow but distinct. The bill is
entirely black. The feathers encroach on the lower mandible much beyond
those on the upper, about half as far as those between the rami. Their upper
outline is about parallel with the culmen. There is much white about the
head ; the extreme forehead and the lower eyelid are white, while a broad ill-
defined band of the same passes over the eye. A narrow and well defined dusky
stripe passes from the eye to the nostril. The crown is streaked with dusky
brown and dull ochreous, and is darker along a broad medium stripe than at
the sides. The sides and back of the neck are much like the crown, but rather
lighter, the transition being gradual. The upper parts generally are of a dark
brownish black, every feather being edged with light reddish yellow ; on the
scapulars each feather is broadly bordered with bright buff, still more widely
at the end with a dull shade of the same, the extreme tip being white. On
most of the feathers the edging makes a deep, more or less irregular indenta-
tion, leaving the black only as a line along each side of the shaft. The long
tertials, the secondaries, and greater wing coverts are dusky, fading into dull
white on the edges. The lesser coverts are very dark, with scarcely
lighter tips. The primaries are deep dusky, almost black, the shaft of the first
white, of the others mostly brownish. The inner primaries are very narrowly
edged on the outer vane with white. The tail coverts are black, the outer
series with sagittate spots of white. The central tail feathers which are
rounded and project but little beyond the rest, are brownish black, narrowly
edged with white; the lateral light ashy, fading into white at the edges. The
chin and throat are white, and immaculate or nearly so. The jugulum, breast,
and sides to some distance have a very decided light brownish, or ochreous suf-
fusion, and the makings are rather sparse, rounded, and indistinct, in the mid-
dle of the breast nearly obsolete. They are largest and most conspicuous just
before the bend of the wing, where they gradually pass into the stripes of the
sides of the neck. The rest of the under parts including the axillars and under
wing coverts are white, immaculate. The tibial feathers are ashy; the legs
and feet black.

The young has the form and proportions much as in the adult. The white
about the head is much restricted, and the line over the eye so illy defined as
to be scarcely appreciable as sach. The upper parts generally are of a dull
nearly uniform brownish ash, each feather with a shaft line of dusky, and
with a lighter tip. There are traces of the brownish black of the adult at in-
tervals, but more particularly on the scapulars, where the edgings are yellowish
white. The rump and upper tail coverts are nearly as dark as on the adult.
The suffusion of the jugulum and breast is a very light shade of reddish brown ;

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 197

and the streaks are sparse, and so indistinct as to be in some places scarcely
appreciable. The wash extends for some distance along the sides under the
wings.

dn intermediate, and perhaps more usual state of plumage during the winter
differs in some respects from either of the preceding. The centres of the
feathers of the upper parts are nearly as dark as in the adult, but they are
every where rather broadly tipped with pure white. In other respects the
plumage generally is much like that of the adult, except that, as might be ex-
pected, the wash on the jugulum is very light and much restricted, and the
streaks very indistinct.

Upon inspection of Andubon’s figure of the male of his Tringa Schinz, I was
inclined to think that it was taken from a specimen of the present species. It
represents a male in the act of flying, and shows plainly the upper tail coverts,
which are entirely dark colored, as are also the upper parts generally. In the
collection, however; I find a specimen of the true Bonaparted, labelled “ St.
Augustine, Fla.,” received from Mr. Audubon, which is in all probability the
original of the figure. It is in the peculiar dusky state already mentioned, and
agrees very nearly with the plate. His figure of the female is undoubtedly
that of a true Bonapartei. The fact of his remarking that “In some individuals
about six of the middle tail coverts are black, the lateral barred with white
and dusky,” show that he was acquainted with both species, but considered
the differences as dependant upon sex or age. The diagnosis given by Mr.
Cassin, in the General Report, of Tringa Bonapartei, points unmistakeably to that
bird; but on the examination of the four specimens there enumerated, I find
three of them to be of the present species. The differences were most unac-
countably overlooked by that accurate ornithologist, though on a very cur-
sory comparison of the types of the descriptions in the present article, with
specimens of A. Bonapartei, he pronounced them to be totally distinct.

The first specimen of the present species procured were taken by Dr. Hayden,
during the exploration of Nebraska, by Lieut. Warren. There are also speci-
mens in the collection from Fort Kearney, by Dr. Cooper, from the Zuniriver, by
Dr. Woodhouse, and from the vicinity of Great Slave Lake, by Mr. Kennicott
and Mr. Ross. These widely separated localities would seem to indicate &
habitat co-extensive with that of A. Bonapartei, and probably embracing the
continent of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. I have never seen
it, however, from the Atlantic coast.

In presenting to the scientific world this my first new species, I should do
violence to my feelings, did I give it any other name than the one chosen. To
Spencer F, Barnp, I dedicate it, as a slight testimonial of respect for scientific
acquirements of the highest order, and in grateful remembrance of the unvary-
ing kindness which has rendered my almost daily intercourse a source of so
great pleasure, and of the friendly encouragement to which I shall ever feel in-
debted for whatever progress I may hereafter make in ornithology.

ACTODROMAS (ACTODROMAS) MACULATA (Vie ill.) Cass.—Pectoral Sandpiper.

Tringa maculata, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 465.

Pelidna maculata, Parzudaki, Cat. Ois. Eur. 1856, 15. (T. Bonapartei, Schlegel
per errorem citat.)

Tringa campestris, Lichtenstein, Verz. 1823, 74; (nec Vieill., 1819.)

Pelidna pectoralis, Say, Long's Exped. 1823, i. 171. Bonaparte, Comp. List.
1838, 50. Cassin, U.S. Ast. Exp. 1855, ii. 195.

Tringa pectoralis, Bonaparte, Am. Orn, 1833, iv. 43; tab. xxiii.; id. Cat. Birds
U. S.; id. Syn. sp. 250; (fide Bon.) Nuttall, Manual, 1834, ii. 111.
Jenyns, Manual, 1835, 210. Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1835, iii. 601; v. 582;
tab. 294; id. Syn. 1839, 232; id. Birds Amer. v. 1842, 259; tab. 329.
Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Birds, 1842, ii. 67. Giraud, Birds L. I., 1844, 233,
Dekay, N. Y. Faun. 1844, 242, tab. 85, fig. 193. Schlegel, Rev. Crit. Ois,

1861.]

198 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Eur. 1844, 89. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579. Lambeye, Aves Cube, 1850,
98. Woodhouse, Sitgreave's Expl. 1853, 100. Meyer, Brit. Birds, 1857, v.
89. Cooper et Suckley, Nat. Hist. Wash. Terr. 1860, 230.

Tringa Dominicensis, Degland, Orn. Eur. 1849, ii. 232.

Tringa (Tringa) pectoralis, Bonaparte, Spec. Comp. 1827, 62.

Pelidna (Pelidna) pectoralis, Bonaparte, Cat. Met. 1842, 60.

Tringa (Actodromas) maculata, Cassin, Gen. Rep. Birds, 1858.

Sp. Ch.—Bill alittle longer than the head, about equal to the tarsus or middle
toe, moderately stout, straight or very lightly decurved, the tip more expanded and
punctulate than in the type of the genus. Grooves in both mandibles long and
deep. Wings long, pointed, first primary decidedly longest; tertials very long, nar-
row, and flowing. "Tarsus equal to middle toe, both about equal to the bill. Tail
rather long, deeply doubly emarginate, the central feathers pointed and greatly
projecting. Adultin Spring. An ill-defined white line over the eye, anda
more distinct one of dusky between eye and bill. Crown streaked with brown-
ish black and light chestnut, conspicuously different from the neck behind,
which is streaked with dusky and light ochreous. Upper parts generally, a very
dark brownish black, every feather edged with ashy or dark chestnut red,
brightest on tbe scapulars, the tips usually lighter, and the margins never mak-
ing deep indentations toward the shaft. Rump and upper tail eoverts black,
the outer series of the latter white, with sagittate spots of dusky. Primaries
deep dusky, almost black, the shaft of the first white, of the others brown.
Secondaries and greater coverts dusky, edged and tipped with white. Lesser
coverts dusky, fading into light greyish ash on the edgés. Central tail feathers
brownish black, lighter on the edges, the lateral light ashy margined with
white. Jugulum and breast with a deep wash of ashy brown, and with very
numerous well defined streaks of dusky; the suffusion extending on the sides
under the wings to some distance, where the dusky streaks are mostly shaft
lines. Chin, and under parts generally, white, immaculate. Bill and feet dusky
greenish. Young in September. Edges of the feathers of the upper parts generally,
and of the tertials and central tail feathers, light bright chestnut, and the tips
pure white. Lesser wing coverts broadly edged and tipped with light ferru-
ginous. Suffusion on the breast and jugulum with a yellowish ochreous tinge
not seen in the adult, and the streaks less distinct. Other parts as in the
adult.

Length 9 to 9:5 inches, extent about 18, wing (average) 5:5. Bill, tarsus,
and middle toe about 1:10.

Habitat.—Entire temperate North America. Europe.

This is the largest of the species of this group inhabiting North America,
with the exception of the A. Cooperi ; and though it is subject to great variations
both in size and color, is not easily confounded with any other. The size, the
character, and color of the margins of the feathers of the upper parts, the crown
conspieuously different from the hind neck, and the deep pectoral wash, readily
distinguish it. Its relationships are closest with the A. Bairdii, both having
the black rump and upper tail coverts, and suffusion on the jugulum. The
considerably superior size of the present species, however, at once distinguishes
it, independently of the different color and pattern of the markings on the upper
parts. In maculata the edgings of the feathers are either dull ashy or bright
chestnut, and are never of the light reddish yellow of Baird. There is nothing
of the scolloping of the edgings on the scapulars, which in Bairdii give the
appearance of a rounded black spot on the end of each feather. The emargina-
tion of the tail is more than twice as great. The pectoral wash is much deeper,
and the streaks more numerous and distinct. The much smaller size, the white
upper tail coverts, and absence of a decided pectoral wash of A. Bonapartei at
once separate that species without further comparison. The similarity in every
respect except with regard to size presented by the A, minutilla is very great,
especially in immature individuals of the latter ; but its diminutive size renders

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 199

comparison unnecessary. The differences between the present species and the
A, Cooperi will be pointed out under the head of t5e latter.

In addition to the characters given on the diagnosis, the following remarks
may serve to illustrate the peculiarities of the present species, with its varia-
tions. While the difference in size between the largest and smallest specimens
before me is very considerable, amounting to over half an inch in the wing, and
more than an inch in entire length, the bill and feet vary but little in length
and proportion. The difference in the length of the billis but about one-tenth
of an inch, and of the tarsus and toes it is less. The three are about equal, and
from 1:10 to 1:20 of an inch in length. The proportions of the quills seem con-
stant, the first being decidedly longest. The tertials vary quite remarkably in
length, in some specimens nearly equalling the longest primary, and in others
being over an inch and a half shorter; they usually, however, reach to within
less than an inch of the tips of the wings. The feathers, which encroach on the
side of the lower mandible but little beyond those on the upper, present an acute
angle, their upper outline being parallel with the commissure, and the lower
sloping rapidly backward. The crown is much darker than the hind neck, the
transition being marked and abrupt. The upper parts vary greatly in the
color of the margins of the feathers, it being of every intermediate shade from
a very dull ashy with scarcely a tinge ef reddish to very bright chestnut. In
the latter case, the tips of the feathers are nearly pure white; but this pattern
of coloration is mostly confined to the young bird, which, as is also the case
with A. minutilla, is of actually brighter colors than when adult. An evidence
of immaturity is always to be seen in the light ferruginous edgings of the
lesser wing coverts, which in the adults are merely light ashy. The same fea-
ture characterizes the young mizutilla, and is also found in the European A.
minuta. While the pectoral wash is always deep and decided, its color varies
considerably. In the adults it is usually a very dark ash, while in the young
of the year it has alight ochreous or buff tinge. In the former it fades gradually
into the white of the chin, while on the latter it forms a well defined more or
less triangular white patch. The line of demarcation on the breast is always
sharply defined. In some specimens there are dusky shaft lines along the
sides quite to the vent. This species also sometimes exhibits the peculiar
dusky state of plumage found in the minutilla and Bairdit.

Contrary to the general rule among the Sandpipers, there has been very little
confusion among authors with regard to this species, and its synonomy is de-
finite and well ascertained. The first notice of it by an American author was
in 1823, in Long's expedition to the Rocky Mountains, where it was named
Pelidna pectoralis, by Say. This specific appellation, certainly a most appro-
priate one, is that which has been in general use among authors, the bird being
as usual referred to both Pelidna and Tringa. It is, however, very different from
either, and is in every essential a true Actodromas. “Le tringa maculé,"
Tringa maculata of Vieillot, (1819,) unquestionably refers to the present species,
and the name has therefore priority over pectoralis. Lichtenstein, in 1823,
named the species 7. campestris, which of course is also superseded by maculata
Vieill. Degland, in 1849, presented the bird as Tringa dominicensis, the name
being derived from the 7. cinclus dominicensis of Brisson, (1760.) This author,
however, was no binomalist, and has hence no claim to bestow names in such
a system.

ActopromMas (HreTEROPYGIA) BONAPARTEI (Schl.) Cass.—Bonaparte’s Sand-
piper.
? Scolopaz pusilla, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1788, i. 663.
Pelidna cinclus, var. Say, Long’s Exped. 1823, i. 172.
Tringa Schinzii, * Brehm.” Bonaparte, Syn. 1828, (nec Brehm. que T. alpina,
var.? fide Gen. Rep.) Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 384. Bonaparte, Am.
Orn. 1833, iv. 69. Nuttall, Manual, 1834, ii. 109. Audubon, Orn. Biog.

1861.]

200 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

1833, iii. 529, tab. 278 ; id. Synopsis 1839, 236 ; id. Birds Amer. 1842, v.
275. Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Orn. 1842, ii. 72. Giraud, Birds L.I. 1844,
241. Dekay, N. Y. F. 1844, 241, tab. 84, fig. 191. Degland, Ornith. Europ.
1849, ii. 231. Lambeye, Aves Cube, 1850, 98. Woodhouse, Sitgreave’s
Exped. 1853, 100. Meyer, Brit. Birds, 1857, v. 96.

Pelidna Schinzii, Bonaparte, Comp. List. 1838, 50; id. Cat. Met. 1842, 60.

Tringa Bonapartei, Schlegel, Rev. Orit. Ois. Eur. 1844, 89.

Tringa (Actodromas) Bonapartei, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 722.

Sp. char. Bill quite stout, moderately long, equal to the head or tarsus, the
tip somewhat expanded. Grooves on both mandibles long and deep. Feathers
extending on the lower mandible but little beyond those on the upper. Wings
long, pointed, first primary decidedly longest ; tertials long, narrow and flowing.
Tail moderate, quite deeply doubly emarginate, the central feathers somewhat
pointed and considerably projecting. Tarsus rather longer than the middle toe.
Toes long, slender and slightly margined. Adult in breeding plumage.— Crown
and upper parts generally light brownish ash, each feather with a large field of
dusky towards its end, and on the crown and middle of the back edged with
light yellowish red, deepening into bright sienna on the scapulars. Lesser
wing coverts dark brownish ash, fading into light ashy on the edges, and with
shaft lines of blackish. Secondaries and greater coverts light greyish ash,
edged and tipped with white. Tertials very dark brownish ash, fading into
light ashy on the edges. Primaries deep dusky, their shafts white in the cen-
tral portions, and the innermost edged with white. Rump brownish black.
Upper tail coverts white, their outer series with sagittate spots of dusky. Cen-
tral tail feathers deep brownish black, the rest very light greyish ash, broadly
edged and tipped with white. Jugulum and breast with a scarcely appreciable
wash of very light ashy, with very numerous, distinct, linear-oblong streaks of
dusky brown; these extend as minute dots nearly or quite to the bill, and as
narrow shaft lines, along the sides to the vent. Rest of under parts white, im-
maculate. Lower mandible flesh colored for half its length; rest of bill, wita
the legs and feet, black. Young in August.—Upper parts a nearly uniform dark
ash, the black of the adults showing at intervals, but principally on the scapu-
lars, where also the reddish margins of the feathers are apparent. Jugulum
and sides under the wings with an ashy suffusion, more conspicuous than in the
adult, but much more restricted, and the streaks more obsolete and indistinct.
Central pair of upper tail coverts usually dusky. Other parts as in the adult,

Length 7-5, extent 15, wing 4-8 inches. Bill, tarsus and middle toe rather
less than one inch.

Habitat.—North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. Europe.

The preceding diagnosis would characterize the species sufficiently well for
all ordinary purposes; but in view of the great confusion which exists among
authors, most of whom refer it to a very different bird, a somewhat extended
account of its markings and variations appears necessary, A very perfect male,
in breeding plumage, from Great Slave Lake, and an immature specimen of the
same sex, obtained in Labrador during the month of July, are considered as
respectively representing the adult and young, and taken as standards of com-

arison.
i Adult—The bill, which is quite stout, and somewhat expanded at the tip,
rather less than an inch in length, and about equal to the head or tarsus. It
is pretty constant, the difference in length between the longest and shortest
billed specimens before me not exceeding the tenth of an inch. The lower
mandible is flesh-colored for nearly half its length. The feathers extend on the
side of the lower mandible but little if any beyond those on the upper, and their
encroachment between the rami is not great. There is a white stripe over the
eye, and a dusky one between the eye and nostrils, but both are very illy de-
fined. The general color of the upper parts is.a light brownish ash; but on
the back the feathers have such large blackish central fields, and so conspicu-

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 201

ously reddish margins, that the original color is seen only on the rather broad
tips of the feathers. On the scapulars the reddish deepens into bright sienna,
which borders the feathers evenly, showing little or no disposition towards the
scolloping so conspicuous in Bairdii and minutilla. Some of the scapulars, how-
ever, are simply bordered with the prevailing ashy, and ail are tipped with it.
The long narrow tertials are sooty brown, fading into ashy on the edges.
The secondaries and greater coverts are greyish ash, the former much the
lighter, both edged and broadly tipped with pure white. The lesser coverts are
dusky brown, edged with lighter. The primaries are dusky, nearly black on
their outer vanes and at the tips, their shafts brownish at base, gradually fading
into pure white, which again darkens with black at the tip. The innermost
primaries are quite conspicuously edged with white. The rump is dark sooty
brown.. The upper tail coverts are white, the outer series with sagittate
dusky spots. The central tail feathers are sooty black, with narrow lighter
margins ; the rest a very clear light ashy, margived and tipped with pure white.
The under parts are white; the throat, jugulum and breast with a scarcely ap-
preciable wash of very light ashy, and very thickly streaked with well defined,
narrow, linear-oblong marks of brownish black. These streaks, reduced to
their minimum, extend as minute points nearly or quite to the bill, and, chiefly
as narrow sbaft lines, extend along the sides under the wings to the tail coverts,
the dusky spots on the upper being the continuation of them. The other under
parts are pure white and immaculate. The legs and feet are black.

Young.—The young differs very materially from the adult. The upper parts
generally are of a nearly uniform dark greyish ash, the feathers with scarcely
lighter margins. The black central fields and the reddish margins soon appear
at irregular intervals, giving to the upper parts a more or less variegated ap-
pearance. The reddish is seen mostly on the scapulars. The wings and wing
coverts are exactly like those of the adults, in this respect showing a remarka-
ble deviation from the usual rule among the species of this genus, where an
evidence of immaturity is to be found in the light ferruginous edgings of all
the lesser wing coverts.* The central pair of the upper tail coverts are wholly
dusky, and, in addition to the sagittate spots on the outer series, the interme-
diate ones are sometimes marked in the same manner. The wash on the jugu-
lum is considerably more conspicuous than in the adult, but at the same time
itis much more restricted, and the streaks are fewer and very indistinct. It
extends, however, along the sides much as in the adults. This state of plumage
is identical with that exhibited by the Tringa alpina at the same age in all re-
spects, except those of the reddish lesser wing coverts and black upper tail
coverts of the latter species. Though the adults of the two species are very
different, this close resemblance of the young was probably one cause of the
two birds being confounded by American writers. Between the plumage of the
adult and young, as characterized above, there are to be found birds of every
intermediate stage. A specimen shot in the middle of August has already the
markings of adult and young in nearly equal proportions, while a winter speci-
men agrees in almost every respect with the adult in breeding plumage described
above. This species is also found in the peculiar dusky state of plumage, where
all the features are very dark and scarcely relieved by ashy or reddish margins,
already adverted to in the case of Actodromas maculata, Bairdii and minutilla.
It is most probable that all the species of the genus are liable to this curious
variation.

The relationships of this species are decidedly closest with the A. Cooperi,
both having clearly the same form, and the pattern of coloration being very
similar. The greatly superior size, however, of the latter, independently of the
variegated upper tail coverts, different character of the spots beneath, and other

* The same feature is seen in Pelidna alpina and Americana, a circumstance which
would seem to indicate that the two genera are closely allied, as is indeed the case.

1861.]

202 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

features, at once separates it without need of a more extended comparison. The
larger size, pectoral wash, and black rump and upper tail coverts of A. maculata,
at once distinguishes it, while the very diminutive proportions of A. minutilla
render comparison equally unnecessary. Its relationships to the A. Bairdü
have already been discussed.

It is a little extraordinary that with regard to so marked and well character-
ized a Sandpiper as the present, there should have arisen the confusion which
until recently has prevailed among authors, nearly all referring it to a very dif-
ferent bird. To use the apt and expressive words of the General Report, it has
been “sadly misnamed by American ornithologists.” When in mature plumage
it bears very little resemblance to the Tringa Schinzii, Brehm., which, according
to the same authority, is “ merely a smaller variety, or perhaps only smaller
specimens of the common Tringa alpina .' This grave error probably
originated from two causes: first, that Say, in his original description (the first
notice of the bird by an American writer) designates it as Pelidna cinclus, var. ;
and secondly, that though the adults are as different as possible, the young of
the two, as already stated, are nearly identical in plumage, almost the only dif-
ference lying in the proportions of the bill and feet; characters which,
though important and essential, might readily be overlooked in birds of this
group, in which the colors were similar. This similarity in the young and
great difference between the adults of the present species and the Tringa alpina,
var. caused Bonaparte, in his American Ornithology, to fall into a curious
error. Under the head of Tringa Schinzii, Brehm., he describes the present
species accurately, properly quoting the Pelidna cinclus, var. of Say ; yet only
the description of what he considered as the young “ 7. Schinzii” applies to the
A. Bonapartei. For, speaking of the adult, he says: ‘This Sandpiper is well
known to appear in a summer vesture analogous to that of Tringa alpina, at the
same season, but we have never met with an American specimen in that state ;" and
further on he describes adult Zuropean specimens as having * the breast almost
entirely of a jet black color," clearly referring to the so-called Tringa Schinzit,
i. €, to the smaller variety of the T. alpina. Nuttall, probably following Bona-
parte, commits precisely the same mistake. Audubon’s Tringa Schinzii is un-
doubtedly the present species, though the measurements given are rather those
of A. Bairdii ; and, for reasons stated elsewhere, I am inclined to think that his
figure of the male was taken from an individual in the peculiar abnormal dusky
state of plumage already so often adverted to. The descriptions of Tringa
Schinzii by other American authors, and by those European writers quoted in
the list of synonyms, all appear to refer to the true Bonapartet.

The description by Schlegel, in 1844, of Tringa Bonapartei, unmistakeably
points to the present species, and, as it is the first distinctive specific appella-
tion, must be employed. Parzudaki, in his Catalogue, very wrongly gives Bo-
napartei, Xch., as a synonym of Pelidna maculata, (pectoralis of Say.) Scolopax
pusilla of Gmelin is in all probability the present bird, as particular mention is
made of the white upper tail coverts; but from the brevity of the description,
it is impossible to determine this point satisfactorily.

Acropromas (HrTEROPYGIA) Cooperi (Baird) Coues.—Cooper’s Sandpiper.
Tringa Cooperi, Baird, Gen. Rep. 1858, 716.

Sp. char. Largest of the group. Bill considerably longer than the head, ex-
ceeding the tarsus, straight, rather stout, tip scarcely expanded. Feathers ex-
tending on side of lower mandible scarcely further than those on the upper.
Wings long, pointed, first primary decidedly longest; tertials moderately long
and rather slender. Tail moderate, slightly but decidedly doubly emarginate,
the central feathers projecting. Tarsus rather longer than the middle toe;
tibia bare for half the length of the tarsus ; toes all long, slender and slightly
margined. Adult in spring.—Upper parts a nearly uniform light greyish ash,

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 203

each feather with a central brownish black field, deepening into pure black on
the scapulars, where also the edgings of some of the feathers have a reddish
tinge. Tertials sooty brown, fading with light ashy on the edges. Secondaries
and greater coverts dark greyish ash, edged and broadly tipped with white.
Primaries deep dusky, almost black on the outer vanes and at the tips, the in-
nermost edged with white; shafts of all brown at base and black at tip, the
central feathers being white. Upper tail coverts white, with sagittate spots of
dusky. Tail feathers ashy brown, the central pair darkest. Under parts white ;
the jugulum, breast, and sides of the neck with a slight reddish tinge, and, to-
gether with the sides, with numerous streaks and oval spots of dusky, which
become large and V-shaped on the flanks.

Length (of skin) 9:5 inches ; wing 5-75, tail 2:80, bill above 1:23, tarsus 1.14
middle toe 1.

Habitat.—Long Island.

In order to exhibit more fully the features and peculiarities of this curious
Sandpiper, differing in many essential respects from any other described as
North American, the following additional remarks may be required, that we
may be better enabled to judge of its relationships and affinities, which are mat-
ters of some uncertainty. The characters are taken from the type of the
Species, the original of the description in the General Report.

The bill and feet though rather stout for an Actodromas, are slender in com-
parison with Zringa. The tip of the former is but slightly expanded, and rather
obtuse. The grooves in both mandibles are long and distinct, that of the lower
being narrow but deep. The position of the nostrils is nearly intermediate be-
tween Tringa and Actodromas. The nature of the encroachment of the feathers
on the bill is identical with that of A. Bonapartei, and very different from that
of Tringa. The wings are long and pointed, the first primary much the longest,
as in Tringa canutus, and the graduation of the others exactly as in that species.
The tertials are rather long, narrow, and flowing. The emargination of
the tail, though not great, is decided ; the central feathers project a little be-
yond the others, but are not much darker than the others; the outer pair are
next in length, and the third are the shortest. The legs and feet are long and
comparatively slender. The tibia are long and much denuded, the bare por-
tion being nearly two-thirds the tarsus. The latter is rather shorter than the
bill, but at the same time slightly exceeds the middle toe and claw. The toes.
are all long, slender and slightly margined, and the hind one is well developed.
The coloration of the upper parts is very different from that of 7. canutus, and
exceedingly similar to that of A. Bonapartei, almost the only difference being a
rather less amount of reddish on the back. The rump and upper tail coverts
are much the same asin T. canutus being white, with sagittate spots and waved
bars of dusky. The pattern, and colors of the under parts, though agreeing
with A. Bonaparte in the absence of a decided pectoral wash, are yet very dif-
ferent, the spots being sparse, and extending over the whole breast, instead of
being very numerous and confined strictly to the jugulum and sides. In this
respect it approaches the young Tringa canutus or still more the adult Ereunetes
pusillus, the similarity being heightened by the slight reddish tinge on the
jugulum.

Having thus presented the chief peculiarities of this very unique Sandpiper,
we are prepared to discuss the question of its affinities. Were the size and
proportions of bill, tarsus, and toes the same as in the A. Bonapartei, it might
almost be a question whether it were not an accidental variety of that species ;
but the discrepancies in these particulars are too great to admit the doubt, The
differences from all other species are sufficiently obvious. Granting, then, that
it is a distinct bird, it only remains to settle the question of its generic relation-
ships; which, as it presents a most remarkable combination of the characters
of both Tringa and Actodromas, is a matter of some uncertainty. We cannot
but think, however, that all the most important characters of the bird incline

1861:]

204 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

towards Actodromas, rather than to Tringa, and that A. Bonapartei is its nearest
ally. While the actual proportions of the bill, tarsus, and toe of Tringa are
preserved, the difference in length of the bill over the tarsus, and of the latter
over the middle toe, is very trifling, and in the latter case, moreover, it is pro-
duced by a slight lengthening of the tarsus rather than by any shortening or
stoutening of the toes, which are long, slender, and slightly margined as in
Actodromas proper. The claws are all long, slender, and slightly curved, while
exactly the reverse is the case with 7ringa. The tibi: are bare for a consider-
ably greater extent, and the tibial feathers short. In the adults of Tringa these
reach nearly to the joint. In the slight (though decided) double emargination
of the tail, with its central feathers, but little different from the lateral, and in
the pattern of the rump and upper tail coverts, there is shown a near approach
to Tringa. The primaries are as in Tringa, but the elongated tertials are those
of Actodromas. The stoutness of the bill and the position of the nostrils, are
intermediate between the two, but the encroachment of the feathers is exactly
that of A. Bonaparte. The coloration of the upper parts, except of the rump,
is almost identical with that of Bonapartei, and that of the lower much nearer
to it than to the adult 7. canutus.

From the above considerations, especially in reference to the indications af-
forded by the legs, always important among the Zringez, we cannot but con-
clude that the bird is Actodromas, rather than a true Tringa. Still we shonld
hardly bave ventured to change it from the position assigned by such high au-
thority, had not Prof. Baird, in an attentive réexamination of the characters
of the bird, acquiesced in our views, and expressed his entire approval of the
course pursued.

In view of the many peculiarities presented, it might perhaps have been ad-
visable to consider the present bird, instead of the A. Bonaparte? as typical of
Heteropygia. But as the two are very closely allied, and both subgenerically
distinct from .4cfodromas proper, we have preferred to give the common and
well known bird as the type.

The subject of the present article, is, with a single exception, we believe, the
ouly krown specimen of this excessively rare species. itis fortunately adult,
having been taken in May. The changes of plumage it undergoes, and the
extent of the variation to which it is subject, cannot therefore be given. They
are, however, in all probability parallel with those of A. Bonapartei.

* [t is possible that this species may have been previously indicated under
some of the names quoted as synonyms, such as Tringa noveboracensis, &c.,
although, from the brevity of the descriptions, it is impossible to determine
this point satisfactorily."—(BarRD.)

Having thus passed in review the species of Zringee well ascertained to in-
habit North America, it may be well to notice those attributed by authors to
that country. As far as I am able to ascertain they are the following:

AcTODROMAS MINUTA Kaup.

Tringa pusilla, Meyer. (Nec Linn. ; nec Bechst. ; nec Wils.)
Tringa minuta, Leisler. Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 385. Nuttall, Manual.
1834, ii. 119.

It is not impossible that this species should occur in North America, or that
there should exist a * Pigmy" Sandpiper distinct both from the A. minutilla
and the European species. Observation, however, does not as yet warrant the
belief that such is the case.

ACTODROMAS TEMMINCKII Bon.
Tringa pusilla, Bechstein. (Nec Linn.; nec Meyer; nec Wils.)

[July,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 205

Tringa Temminckii, Leisler.
Leimonites Temminckii, Kaup.
Tringa pusilla, “Linn.” Nuttall, Man. ii. 1824, 117. (Nec Linn.)

This species, a specimen of which we have never had the pleasure of ex-
amining, is given by Nuttall as an inhabitant of North America, though in all
probability upon insufficient or erroneous data.

LimicoLa PYGMÆA, Koch.

Numenius pygmeus, Latham.
Tringa elorioides, Vieillot, fide Parzudaki.
Tringa platyrhyncha, Temminck. Nuttall, Man. 1834, ii. 114.

This marked and very curious Sandpiper is stated by Nuttall to be “ of very
rare occurrence in the United States.” Ihave never seen an American speci-
men, and its existence in that country must be considered as extremely
doubtful.

In addition to the above, nearly all the short-billed species of Totanine were
considered by the older authors as Zríngec. Tringa rufescens, Vieill. of authors,
though given asa Tringa as late as 1842, by Audubon, is in all essentials a
true Tatler, and very closely related to Actiturus, Bonaparte.

August 6th.
Vice President BRrDGES in the Chair.

Thirteen members present.

The death of Dr. George Spackman, a member, at Philadelphia,
on the 3d inst., aged 56, was announced.

On leave granted, the Committees appointed on the papers by
Messrs. Abbott, Elliott and Coues, read in July, were permitted to
report, and the papers were ordered to be printed in the Proceedings
for July.

August 13th.
Dr. LEIDY in the Chair.

Nine members present.

The following papers were presented for publication :

“ On three new forms of Rattlesnakes,” by Robert Kennicott.
« Notes and Descriptions of Anoles," by E. D. Cope.

“ Notes on the Ornithology of Labrador," by Elliott Coues.

August 2'Tth.
Dr. LEIDY in the Chair.

Twelve members present.
On report of the respective Committees, the following papers were

ordered to be published in the Proceedings :
[Aug.

206 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

On three new forms of Rattlesnakes.
BY ROBERT KENNICOTT.

Caudisona lepida Kennicott.

Spec. char. Head ovoid, tapering to the nose, which is very narrow, pointed
and much depressed. Nostril very small, circular and placed near the point of
the nose in about the middle of a single nasal. Two elongated frontals in
contact, extending behind the nostrils. Superciliaries and other large plates
smooth. Rostral sub-triangular, broader than high, the apex turned back
slightly upon the crown. Upper pre-orbital small and separated from the
post nasal by the width of two larger plates. Labials rather large, 12 above
10—12 below. Color of head yellowish ash.

Two heads of a rattlesnke from Presidio del Norte and Eagle Pass show such
remarkable features as to render it justifiable to describe the species from
these alone.

The head is much depressed, the genera! outline ovoid, tapering regularly
from about opposite the angle of the mouth tothe nose, The crown is remark-
ably smooth and the occipital scales very faintly carinated. There are two large
frontals elongated laterally and posteriorly, with their inner ends in con-
tact. They are convex on their external, and concave on their internal edges,
and extend for nearly half their length back of the nostril. Behind and fitting
into the emargination formed by these, are two subquadrangular and smaller
plates in contact; immediately behind these is another similar pair, On
each side of these two last pairs, at the edge of the crown, between the super-
ciliaries and anterior frontals, is a larger plate. The superciliaries are rather
small, and, like the other larger plates quite smooth; the space between
the superciliaries is narrow, and filled with irregular rather large scales ; the
posterior part of the crown is also covered with rather large and smooth scales.
The pre-orbitals are remarkable ; the lower is, as usual, small and elongated
over the pit, but the upper, very small and quadrangular, is separated from
the nasal by the length of two plates, each larger than itself. In all the other
species the upper pre-orbital is large, more or less elongated and in contact
with the post nastal or only separated from it by the width of one smaller
plate. The sub-orbital chain is complete, and there is only a single row of
scales between it and the labials. The color of the head is uniform yellowish
or light brownish ash without any distinct spots or stripes, though each plate
is minutely mottled with brownish, and with a few scattering large black dots,
and there is very faint indication of the usual posterior facial stripe extending
over the angle of the mouth.

The body of this species will doubtless exhibit characters as important as
those of the head. It will at once be distinguished from C. molossus and
C. tigris by the single nasal, position of pre-orbitals, namber and compara-
tive size of labials, and number of rows between the sub-orbitals and labials,
and by the narrow pointed nose instead of the broad blunt snout of C.
molossus and C. tigris. It disagrees also with C. lucifer in all of the
above characters, excepting the size of labials and the narrow nose, and differs
widely from that species in the depressed snout, wide rostral, and perfectly
smooth plates and scales on the head. By the smoothness and size of the
plates, and absence of the horn, it will at once be distinguished from C.
cerastes, It will be impossible to confound it with any of the eastern
species.

Caudisona atrox Cope. Var. Sonoraensis Kennicott.

Specimens from Sonora and vicinity show some permanent differences from
the more eastern types; and, though the differences detected as yet are
thought too slight to characterize a distinct species, subsequent researches
with the aid of better material will very likely prove the western type to be

[Aug.

" mM€— XE, ,
A A. 7
PA e J a ota -i has (C, oL,
NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 215

tail, with crescentic marks upon the nape, as in Varanus niloticus, and
light and dark variegations upon the front and chin, (Smiths. No. 57423.)

Specimens (adults, No. 5738) in Mus. Smithsonian, from Monte Verde, Cuba,
Mr. C. Wright discoverer; also Mus. Acad. Nat. Sciences. This interesting
species resembles somewhat the form of A. (?) carolinensis, from Cuba.
In specimens of that species of very small size the facial rugs are promi-
nent, the frontal scales much more numerous, and those of the back and belly
keeled. The breadth between the orbits greater inisolepis, and the au-
ricular aperture smaller. In the oviduct of the female was found a single
large egg. Observations upon numerous species of Anolis, incline me to adopt
the suggestion of Dr. Günther, viz., that but one egg at a time is impregnated
and excluded.

Xiphocereus Valencienii Fitz., Syst. Rept. 1843. Anolis Valenciennii
Dum. Bibr., Erp. Gen. iv. 131, 1837. Placopsis ocellata Gosse, Ann. Mag. N. H.
1850, p. 346. Anolis leucocephalus Hall., Proc. A. N. Sci. Phil. 1856, p. 228.

The genus first defined by Mr. Gosse, as above, though previously named by
Fitzinger, is to be separated, in our opinion, not so much on account of the
size of the plates of the front, but by reason of their curious homology with
those of the plate headed Lacertide and Scincide, which is readily traced. In
the tail, and nature of the dermal covering, it resembles Eupristis ; in the form
of the head it imitates Anolis iod urus, and opalinus most closely. It
is interesting to observe that both these species, and Eupristis Ed wardsii,
Cope, inhabit with it the island of Jamaica.

Notes on the Ornithology of Labrador.
BY ELLIOTT COUES.

During the summer of 1860 I accompanied an expedition in charge of J. W.
Dodge, Esq., which visited the coast of Labrador, inorderto procure forthe Smith-
sonian Institution specimens of the birds to be found there, together with their
nests and eggs, and to study their habits during the breeding season. The
late period of arrival upon the coast, which was not until the first week in
July, prevented any very extensive operations in the department of Oology,
while the nature of the localities visited, joined with some circumstances of a
private character, rendered the formation of a large collection of birds imprao-
ticable. In the following pages, however, are embodied the results of my in-
vestigations ; and though the list of the species noticed is, from my limited
opportunities for observation, necessarily incomplete, it is hoped that it will
not be found entirely wanting in points of interest with regard to the habits of
the birds which pass the breeding season in Labrador.

A brief notice of the different localities which were visited may not ‘be con-
sidered unnecessary. The first point reached was Sloop Harbor, a few miles
south of Little Mecattina, where were collected most of the eggs procured dur-
ing the voyage. Here the Somateria mollissima and the Utamania torda were
the most abundant and characteristic birds, while the Larus argentatus, Uria
grylle, and Mergus serrator were also very numerous, all breeding on the islands
in the vicinity. On the 6th of July, the vessel left Sloop Harbor, and, pass-
ing the Murre Rocks, where the Uria lomvia was breeding in immense num-
bers, proceeded directly to Esquimaux Bay, where the greater part of the
summer was spent. Here were collected most of the land birds procured,
among them the new Aegiothus fuscescens. Zonotrichia leucophrys, and Anthus
ludovicianus were very abundant ; and Pinicola Canadensis and Turdus Alicie
not rare. Grouse and Ptarmigan were also met with ; and I was fortunately
enabled to examine an extensive breeding place of the Mormon arcticus (?).

A few days were spent at Rigolet, a station of the Hudson Bay Company, in

1861.]

216 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

charge of Henry Conolly, Esq., from whom were received some valuable
meteorological statistics. On the 15th of August the vessel left Esquimaux
Bay, and proceeded to Henley Harbor, at the northern entrance to the Straits
of Belle-Isle. At that date the smaller waders generally had commenced their
southern migration, and during two weeks spent there, which completed my
stay on the coast, specimens of most of them were procured.

In the preparation of the following pages, I have not attempted to present
the synonymy of the species, nor their diagnoses. To do so would be but to
repeat what may be found in full in the General Report on Birds, by Baird,
Cassin and Laurence, (vol. ix. P. R. R. Exp, and Surv.) Reference is there-
fore made to the pages of this work ; and also to Audubon’s Birds of America,
the standard authority on the habits of the birds, where the further history of
each species will be found fully elucidated. The names and authorities
adopted are strictly those of the General Report, exeept in a few cases where
some change appeared necessary, from the characters of the birds entitling
them to full generic rank.

Fauco (HYPOTRIORCHIS) CoLUMBARIUS Linn.—Pidgeon Hawk. ‘‘ Sparrow Hawk.”’

Falco columbarius, Aud., Birds Amer. vol. i. page 88, pl. 21.
Falco (Hypotriorchis) columbarius, Cassin, Gen. Rep. page 9.

The Pidgeon-hawk I met with on but two occasions. On the 5thof August,
while on a small rocky island in Groswater Bay, one was seen circling in the
air at a moderate height, and constantly uttering its loud harsh cries; but
owing to its watchfulness, I could not secure it. On the 25th of the same
month, at Henley Harbor, another individual was seen, foraging among the
immense flocks of Curlews, (Numenius borealis), which then covered the hills
in the vicinity. The Pidgeon-hawk is occasionally stuffed and offered for sale
by the natives ; and from their accounts I should judge it to be not at all rare.
It is known to them as the ** Sparrow-hawk,’’ by which name, however, they
also designate the F. sparverius.

On the return voyage, when more than a hundred miles from any land, a
Pidgeon-hawk made its appearance, and after circling about for some time, to
select the safest place on which to alight, at length settled on the outermost
bowsprit rigging, apparently quite exhausted. Yet even in this worn-out con-
dition so watchful was it, that on my levelling a glass at it, it instantly took
flight and disappeared.

FArco (TINNUNCULUS) SPARVERIUS Linn.—Sparrow Hawk.

Falco sparverius, Aud., Birds Amer. vol. i. p. 90, pl. 22.
Falco ( T'innunculus) sparverius, Cassin, Gen. Rep. p. 13.

But a single individual of this species, so abundant in most portions of the
United States, was observed during my stay in Labrador. On the 10th of
September, however, while in the Gulf of St. Laurence, off the Isle of Cape
Breton, several were seen during the day. They circled quite closely around
the vessel, showing but little fear.

? Parco (HrgRorALCO) Isnanpicus Gmelin. —Gyr Falcon. ‘‘ Speckled Hawk."

? Falco Islandicus, Aud., Birds Amer. i. 81, pl. 19.
? Falco (Hierofalco) Islandicus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 13.

I had not the good fortune to obtain, or even meet with, either species of
Gyr Falcon. The hunters with whom I conversed on the subject, said that
they were seldom seen in the summer, but that they become more abundant
in the autumn and winter. They were represented as at all times very shy
and difficult to procure, frequenting the highest and most inaccessible crags,
and subsisting mainly on Grouse and Ptarmigan. I could not, of course, de-
termine from these accounts whether F. /slandicus or candicans was referred

[ Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 217

to; but the habits of both are probably exceedingly similar, if not identical,
They are known to the natives under the name of ‘‘ Speckled-hawks.”’

ASTUR ATRICAPILLUS ( Wils.) Bon.—Goshawk. ''Partridge-hawk."'

Astur palumbarius, Aud., Birds Amer. ii. 95, pl. 23.
Astur atricapillus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 15.

I obtained a single specimen of this hawk, in immature plumage, from a
small collection of skins offered for sale by the natives. They know it as the
‘t Partridge-hawk," but further than this I learned nothing respecting it. It
does not appear to be abundant.

ARcHIBUTEO Sancti-JoHANnNis (Gm.) Gray.—Black-hawk.

Archibuteo Sancti-Johannis, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 33.

While at Puffin Island, on Groswater Bay, I twice saw a large hawk that I
supposed to be this species. It was hovering at a great height over the island,
and constantly uttered its loud, piercing screams. I was unable to secure this
specimen, which was the only one I observed during my stay in Labrador.

Aquita Canavensis (Linn.) Cassin.—Golden Eagle. ‘‘ Grepe.”’
Aquila chrysetos, Aud., Birds Amer. i. 50, pl. 12.
Aquila Canadensis, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 41.

An intelligent hunter, whom I questioned concerning this Eagle, informed
me that though he knew it well, it was very rare, and very seldom obtained.
His deseription was so exact, that I had no difficulty in determining that the
present species was referred to, and not the Z/allietus albicilla, concerning
which, though it may be found in Labrador, I could learn nothing. He applied
to the A. Canadensis the name of ‘‘Grepe,’’ or ‘‘Greep,’’ the derivation of
whieh word I was unable to ascertain.

Buso VinGiNIANUS (Gm.) Bon. —Great Horned Owl.

Bubo Virginianus, Aud., Birds Amer. i. 143, pl. 39. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 49.

A single specimen of this bird which I saw at Rigolet, made me aware of its
existence in Labrador. I learned nothing of its habits; which, however, in
all probability, do not differ materially from those of the more southern bird.

PicorpEs arcticus (Sw.) Gray.—Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.
Picus arcticus, Aud., Birds Amer. iv. 266, pl. 268.
Picoides arcticus, Baird, Gen. Rep. 98.

I did not myself meet with any individuals of the Three-toed Woodpecker ;
but I saw a specimen in a collection of skins made by the natives. It is pro-
bably not rare in the interior.

CERYLE ALCYON (Linn.) Boie.—Belted Kingfisher.

Alcedo alcyon, Aud., Birds Amer. pl. 77
Ceryle alcyon, Baird, Gen. Rep. 158.

I ascertained the existence of this bird in Labrador, from a single skin in the
possession of the natives. They considered it as a rare bird.

Torpus (Turnus) Auicra Baird.—Grey-cheeked Thrush.

Turdus (Turdus) Alicie, Baird, Gen. Rep. 217.

I was not a little suprised to find this species breeding abundantly in Lab-
rador, its habitat being given by its describer as ‘‘the Mississippi Region to

1861.]

218 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the Missouri."* On the 24th of July I came upon a family of these birds in
adeep thickly woodedravine. The young were apparently just commencing to
fly. Both pareuts uttered constantly a rather melancholy ‘‘pheagh,’’ in a low
whistling tone. The female evinced the greatest anxiety for the safety of her
brood, and endeavored to lead me from their vicinity by fluttering from bush
to bush ; and it was only with some difficulty that I secured both parents. In
the course of the same day I saw several of these Thrushes, only, however,
among the thickest firs. They all uttered precisely the same note, and were
very timid, darting into the most impenetrable thickets, so that it was with
great difficulty they could be procured. They appear to be very abundant in
Labrador; probably full as much so as the 7' Swainsoni in most portions of
eastern United States.

There are readily appreciable characters by which this species may be dis-
tinguished from the closely allied 7. Swainsoni. The uniformly longer,
straighter, and narrower bill is a striking feature. The upper parts are of a
much darker shade of olive, as are also the sides under the wings, and the
spots on the throat and breast. But the most prominent feature is the entire
absence of any buff tinge on the throat and sides of the head and around the
eye, so conspicuous in T. Swainsoni. The whole bird is also considerably
larger.

TuRDUS (PLANESTICUS) MiGRATORIUS Linn.—Robin.

Turdus migratorius, Aud., Birds Amer. iii. 121, pl. 142.
Turdus (Planesticus) migratorius, Baird, Gen. Rep. 218.

The Robin, so common and well known throughout the United States, is
equally abundant in all well wooded districts in Labrador. Its habits are so
familiar to every one, that a detailed account of them would be superfluous.
I remarked, however, that they appeared to be shyer than might be expected
in a country where they are so seldom molested.

SAXICOLA @NANTHE Bechst.—Stone Chat.

Sazicola enanthe, Baird, Gen. Rep. 220.
? Saxicola enanthoides, Vigors, Zool. Voyage Blossom, 1839, 19. Cass. Ill. i.
1854, 208 ; pl. xxxvi.

I had the good fortune to procure a specimen of this interesting bird, at
Henley Harbor, on the 25th of August. The sailor who brought it to me
stated that it was in company with two others, but could give no intelligible
account of its voice or manners. It was in immature plumage, very different
from that of the adult, and was excessively fat.

The North American Sazicola has by some authors been considered distinct
from the common European S. enan!he, under the name of S. enanthoides,
first applied by Vigors to a bird from the North-west Coast. The author re-
marks upon its very close affinity to the European bird, and apparently con-
siders the locality as the strongest ground for supposing a specific distinction.
The name was subsequently applied by Cassin, in the work above cited, to a
bird from Nova Scotia, the larger size and rather different proportions of the
tarsus being with this author the most important characters. In a critical
comparison of specimens from Europe, Greenland and Labrador, I have been
unable to detect any distinctive features beyond those of size, and very slight
differences of proportion ; which last, however, are not constant, or greater than
exist between undoubted specimens of S. enanthe. The difference in size is
no greater than would be expected from tbe more northern locality of the bird

*[ have since detected this species at Washington, D. C.; and wel! characterized spe-
cimens have also been obtained in the same locality by my friend, Mr. D. W. Prentiss.
This would seem to indicate an eastern range at least equal to that of T. Swainsoni,
with which it is found associated, in the region west of the Mississippi. [A
ug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 219

examined. In the table of comparative measurements given below, it will be
seen that the specimens from Greenland and Labrador are very nearly of the
same dimensions, and also larger than European skins, though the details of
bill, tarsus, &c., do not differ materially. It is not impossible that Vigor’s
bird should be distinct from the S. enanthe, especially as the measurements, *
if accurate, would indicate a bird of rather small dimensions for so northern a
a locality ; but at present I cannot but regard the Labrador bird as identical
with the European. The question can only be definitely settled by a series of
specimens from different localities in both continents.

CoMPARATIVE MEASUREMENTS.

1 í J x eee e E
Ea Rp. HEBES 2 nir
0. ocality. | © EX ES || tem eyes rine isp eee Mires ES ICE

4^3 8 RIS see mas

Europe, .....| ad. [5°90 3:13 2:45 | -50 |*80 :38 |1:07| -82 | .57

18958|Francee, .....| yg. |5*50T 3:73|2:30| :52 | "79 | 40 1-07 | -87 | .59

20551|Greenland, | yg. 6:20] (4:05/2:55 | -49 | 78 | -40 1:10|:85 | -58

18075|Labrador, ..| yg. |7:00 |12°6 4:05/2:55 | -50 | 79 | -40 1°08] -83 | *58
f of Skin |

REGULUS CALUNDULA (L.) Licht.—Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Regulus calendula, Aud., Birds Amer. ii. 168, pl. 133. Baird, Gen. Rep. 226.

A single specimen, a bird of the year, was obtained at Rigolet, on the 6th of
August, shot in a very densely wooded ravine. No other individuals were
observed. It is, however, in all probability an abundant bird in Labrador.

AwTHUS Lupovicianus (Gm.) Licht.—Tit-lark.

Anthus Ludovicianus, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 40; pl. 150. Baird, Gen. Rep.
232.

The Tit-lark I found abundant in every locality in Labrador which I visited,
and I had ample opportunities of observing its habits during the breeding
season. It is the most numerous of the land birds, with the exception, per-
haps, of the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys. Some of the most
rocky and barren islands along the coast are inhabited only by these birds,
with perhaps a solitary pair of horned larks, Eremophila cornuta. It fre-
quents only open, bare, and exposed situations, such as the coast of Labrador
every where affords, and i is never found in thickly wooded localities.

Two nests which I obtained, were precisely identical in situation, form and
construction. Each was placed on the side of a steep precipitous chasm, ina
cavity in the earth of about the size of a child’s head, into which a little dried
moss had been previously introduced to keep the nest from the damp earth.
It was composed entirely of rather coarse dried grasses, very loosely put to-
gether, with no lining of any sort. The external diameter was about six
inches ; the exterior three inches, by two in depth. The eggs were in one in-
stance five, in the other four ; their average length, for they varied somewhat,
was thirteen-sixteenths of an inch, by nine-and-a-half-sixteenths of an inch in
greatest diameter ; of a dark chocolate color, indistinctly marked with numer-
ous small lines and streaks of black.

The parent does not leave the nest until nearly trodden upon; then she
flutters off with loud cries of distress which soon bring the male, though with-
out attempting to lead the intruder from the nest by feigning lameness, as is
the habit of so xd birds. The pair together hover over the head of the in-

v TI 594 wing, 36; bill, rictus, 34; tail, 214 ; tarsus, 1."
1861.]

229 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

truder, at times approaching within a few feet, and all the while expressing
their distress and anxiety by the most plaintive cries, until he withdraws ;
they even then frequently follow him for some distance. On such occasions
several pairs in the vicinity are often attracted to the spot, and join their cries
with those of the afflicted parents. Besides these cries, and their usual chirp,
these birds have a much lower softer *‘ tsip ;" and the males during the breed-
ing season have a very sweet, pleasant song.

The flight of the Tit-lark is performed in an unsteady undulating manner,
and is not ordinarily protracted to any great distance. On alighting they
rapidly vibrate the tail several times, in the manner of all the Motaci/line.
They seldom or never alight on trees or bushes, but always on the ground,
where they walk or run with great ease and rapidity. They are fond of re-
sorting at low tide, to the ‘‘ land-washes,’’ (as the low muddy flats over which
the tide flows are styled in Labrador,) where they run about on the mud and
dried ‘‘ Eel-grass,"' (Zostera), searching for food in company with the smaller
Sand-pipers, and very much in the same manner. Though finding an abun-
dance of food, none that I examined were at all fat. They at all times exhibit
a heedless familiarity and entire want of fear of man, though the observer may
be standing within a few paces. They feed unconcernedly around the doors of
the houses ; and I have frequently seen them searching for food on the very
roofs of the sheds and houses ; which, being thatched with brush, and a layer
of turf, afford a convenient lurking place for their insect prey.

DzxpRorcA PINUS (Wils.) Baird.—Pine-creeping Warbler.

Sylvicola pinus, Aud, Birds Amer. ii. 37 ; pl. 82.
Dendroica pinus, Baird, Gen. Rep. 277.

This, and the succeeding species were the only Dendroicas met with in
Labrador. The single specimen of the Pine-creeping obtained was shot in
very dense fir woods, on the Ist of August, and was a young bird apparently
just able to fly.

DENDROICA STRIATA Baird.—Black Poll Warbler.

Sylvicola striata, Aud. Birds Amer. ii. 28 ; pl. 78.
Dendroica striata, Baird, Gen. Rep. 280.

This species I observed in every suitable locality, and was the only warbler
I found abundant. It is very numerous in all well wooded situations, and ls
a most expert fly-catcher. On many occasions I saw it dart into the air in
pursuit of flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, and return again to the same
twig, in the manner of our common Wood Pewee, Contopus virens. This seems
to be amore constant habit with this warbler, than with any other of its
genus.

Parus Hupsonicus Forster.—Hudsonian Titmouse.

Parus Hudsonicus, Aud. Birds Amer. ii. 155 ; pl. 128. Baird, Gen. Rep. 395.

This species I met with on several occasions, always finding them associat-
ing in small restless companies. I experienced great difficulty in procuring
specimens, owing to the dense nature of the firs they inhabit ; for when in
sight, they were always so near, that it was almost impossible to kill them
without mutilation. Those procured were all young birds, exhibiting the mark-
ings of the adults very indistinctly. They were remarkably tame and familiar,
hopping about unconcernedly within a few feet of my head, and hanging from
the twigs in every conceivable attitude. I could discover little or no difference
in their notes from those of the common Chickadee, P. atricapillus, to which
they likewise exhibited a great similarity in their general manners, evincing
the restlessness and activity so characteristic of the latter bird, and for
which the whole family of Paride are so noted.

[Aug.

bo
to
T

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.

EREMOPHILA CORNUTA Boie.— Horned Lark. ‘‘Skylark.”’

Alauda alpestris, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 44; pl. 151.
Eremophila cornuta, Baird, Gen. Rep. 402.

Very abundant on all the barren moss-covered islands along the coast, and
in every suitable situation on the main land. Labrador, indeed, from the
faet that it is the most southern region which affords the peculiar open and
exposed situations which these birds exclusively frequent, seems to be their
special breeding ground. In their voice, flight, and general manners I noticed
nothing different from their usual habits, well known during their extensive
southern migration, except that they of course do not associate in flocks dur-
ing the breeding season. To the natives they are known by their usual
name of ‘‘ Sky-larks."

Pryicona CANADENSIS (Briss.) Cab.—Pine Grosbeak. ‘‘ Mope,” ‘‘ Redbird."*

Corythus enucleator, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 179 ; pl. 199.
Pinicola canadensis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 410.

The Pine Grosbeak I ascertained to be not at all rare along the coast of
Labrador, where I obtained several specimens; and it is probably still more
abundant in the interior. It is confined entirely to the thick woods and
patehes of serubby juniper. It is not at all shy, rather evincing a heedless-
ness of the presence of man, that must arise from the fact that it is so seldom
molested ; still from the dense nature of the firs it inhabits, it is rather diffi-
cult to procure. The female of a pair I obtained sat unconcernedly on a twig
only a few paces distant, while I reloaded after shooting her mate; uttering
continually a low soft ‘‘shep,’’ almost exactly like that of the common Fox
Sparrow, Passerella iliaca. Another note which I occasionally heard was a
prolonged whirring chirrup, uttered in a rather low tone, which appeared to be
the usual note of recognition between the male and female. This bird is com-
monly known to the natives by the singular appellation of ‘‘ Mope ;’’ the
derivation of which word I could not ascertain. It is also sometimes called
the ‘‘ Red-bird ;" and it has in addition an Esquimaux name, which, however,
I do not venture to attempt.

AgrGiotaus Cabanis.

Syn. Acanthis, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. 540. Nec Bechst. 1802; nec Keys. et
Blas. 1840.

Aegiothus, Cabanis, Mus. Hein. 1851, 161. Typus Fring. linaria L. Baird,
Gen. Rep. 1858.

Gen. Ch. Size small. Crown with a crimson patch ; the breast and rump
tinged with rosy in the male. Bill short, rather slender, conical, and acutely
pointed, the lateral outlines concave ; culmen, gonys and commissure about
straight. Upper mandible with several obsolete ridges parallel with the cul-
men. Base of upper mandible covered with rigid, appressed, bristly plumuli,
concealing the nostrils. Wings very long, reaching beyond the middle of the
tail ; first, second, and third primaries nearly equal, second usually a little the
longest. Feet short, weak; tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw.
Inner lateral toe rather longer than the outer ; hind toe rather longer than the
inner lateral, its claw longer than the digital portion. Tail moderately long,
deeply forked ; of twelve feathers.

A genus of fringilline birds of the sub-family Coccothraustine Baird, as de-
fined by that author, coming between Cannabina Brehm, (Handbuch, 1828,
Type F. cannabina Linn.), and Leucosticte, Swainson, (F. B. A. 1831, iii. 265,
Type Linaria tephrocotis, Sw.,) though its affinities are clearly with the former
genus. The general form, in the long wings, moderately long, forked tail, and
very short, weak feet, and to some extent the pattern of coloration, in the
conspicuous pileum, gular patch, rosy rump, &c., are very similar. But im-

1861.]

222, PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

portant differences are to be found in the slenderer, much more acutely
pointed bill, with its decidedly concave lateral outlines, and the different cha-
racter of the nasal plumuli. The toes are much shorter, the lateral unequal,
and the tail feathers broader and more rounded.

Aegiothus of Cabanis (Mus. Hein. 1851, 161,) is based upon the Fringilla
linaria of Linnæus ; and supersedes Acanthis of Bonaparte (Consp. Av. 150,)
which though used in connection with the present genus, is pre-occupied for
another group.

AEGIOTHUS FUSCESCENS Coues, Nov. sp.—Dusky Red Poll.

A. Aegiotho linario paululum minor, rostro fusco magno, robusto plumul s brevibus
sparsisque ; superioribus partibus fuscis, vix lutéo striatis ; alis caudáque vix
albido marginatis, lateribus distincte nec confluent? fusco-striatis. Mas nupt.
temp. uropygio rosaceo, pectore carmesino. Long. 5.25 pollices ; ala 2.90 poll.

Sp. Ch. Bill large, very stout, the culmen and gonys slightly convex.
Nasal plumuli very short and scant, barely covering the nostrils. Wings very
long, pointed; first primary usually longest, second nearly, sometimes quite
equal to it, third and fourth successively a little shorter. Tarsus about equal
to middle toe and claw. Inner lateral toe but very little longer than the
outer, its claw reaching scarcely beyond the basal third of the middle claw.
Tail of moderate length, deeply forked. Male, adult.—Bill dusky except at
base below. Frontlet, space between eye and bill, and gular patch, dull sooty
brownish black. Entire upper parts deep dusky or chocolate brown, the edges
of the feathers scarcely lighter. Rump whitish, tinged with rosy, thickly
streaked with dusky. Wings, wing-coverts, and tail, deep dusky, very nar-
rowly margined and tipped with dull whitish. Throat, breast and sides for
some distance bright rosy, or carmine. Sides thickly marked with narrow,
sharply defined streaks of chocolate brown. Rest of under parts white.
Female adult.—Rather smaller than the male; rump but slightly tinged with
rosy, and few or no traces of the carmine on the breast, which is dull white
streaked with dusky. Other parts as inthe male.

Length 5.25 inches, extent 9.00, wing 2.90, tail 2.30. Bill above .35.
Tarsus .55 ; middle toe with claw .55; inner lateral .38.

Habitat.—Northern and Eastern North America. Fort Resolution, (Kenni-
cott.) Labrador, (Coues.)

The essential features in which this species differs from the A. linaria, are
those given in the diagnosis. The most striking peculiarity of form, as there
stated, lies in the bill, which in size and proportions more resembles that of
Leucosticte than Aegiothus. The nasal plumuli are much shorter and more
sparse. The other proportions are as in A. linaria, but the size is somewhat
less. The colors are very different; the upper parts of A. fuscescens being so
dark and so obsoletely streaked as to seem almost uniform, which appearance
is further heightened by the very narrow light edging to the wings and tail,
which is reduced to a minimum. The sides are very thickly, but at the same
time very distinctly, streaked with narrow sharply defined lines of deep choco-
late brown. These streaks in A. linaria are less numerous, illy defined and
more or less confluent. The carmine on the breast of full plumaged males
appears to be deeper than is usual in A. /inaria, while at the same time the
rump is less rosy.

This interesting bird, though by no means so common as the Tit-lark or
White-crowned Sparrow, is yet abundant along the coast of Labrador, where
apparently it replaces the allied Chrysomitris tristis, its southern representative.
It is a remarkably unsuspicious and familiar species, showing no signs of fear
even when very closely approached. It frequents almost exclusively the
scrubby juniper which grows every where in open places, in thick, almost im-
penetrable patches. I do not think that I ever observed it in more densely

[ Aug:

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 228

wooded districts. Its flight is performed in an irregular desultory manner,
rising and falling in cycloidal curves, and is seldom protracted to any great
distance. While passing overhead it utters continually a peculiar rattling
chirp impossible to describe, yet once heard never to be mistaken ; and while
seated on a twig, or engaged in searching for food, it has all the plaintive and
varied modulations for which the Chrysomitris tristis is so noted, and from
which the latter derives its specific name. I never heard any thing that could
with any propriety be called a song. The food of this species consists entirely
of the seeds of various grasses ; and when shot while feeding, it will be found
to have the throat crammed with them. In this respect, as well as in voice,
flight and general manners, I could not but be struck with the similarity which
exists between this bird and the common Goldfinch. Audubon, in his account
of the A. linaria, is at some pains to refute the opinion that there exists be-
tween that bird and the Chrysomitris, the great similarity in general habits that
has been ascribed to it. Receiving the testimony of that unrivalled student
of nature, the close resemblance which I am able to state does exist between
the present bird and the Goldfinch, would furnish, if necessary, additional
proof of the specific distinction of A. fuscescens and linaria ; since the habits
and manners of two birds, however closely allied, will always be found to differ
in some particulars.*

PASSERCULUS SAVANNA (Wils.), Bon.—Savannah Sparrow.

Emberiza savanna, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 68; pl. 160.
Passerculus savanna, Baird, Gen. Rep. 442.

The partiality of this species for low moist meadows and watery savannahs,
and the vicinity of the sea-shore, where it frequently associates with the Am-
modromus caudacutus, is well known as its most characteristic habit. In
Labrador, where it is abundant during the summer months, I never noticed
it in any other situation. It was frequently to be seer even on the beds of
dried ‘‘ Eel-grass,"' (Zostera,) along the rocky shore, searching for food in com-
pany with the Tit-larks, and Bonaparte's Sandpipers, Actodromas Bonapartei.
It is a shy and timid species, when approached darting at once into the thick-
est and rankest grass. It is then rather difficult to procure; for it rises only
when almost trodden on, flies a few yards in a rapid zigzag manner, and then
darting down again, runs rapidly to a considerable distance. It is a very ac-
tive species, almost continually in motion, running nimbly through the tall
grasses like amouse. I heard no notes except the usual sparrow-like chirp,
though in the spring it has considerable vocal powers as I have.ascertained on
other occasions.t The young differ greatly from the adult, the plumage being
every where strongly tinged with ferrugineous, most conspicuous on the wing
coverts and tertials; the under parts are thickly streaked with dusky. On
the 1st of September, when I left the country, the species was still numerous,
apparently as much so as ever.

While off the coast of Nova Scotia, the land appearing as an indistinct line
on the hcrizon, a Savannah Sparrow alighted on the vessel in so exhausted a
state, as to suffer itself to be taken in hand. After resting a short time, how-
ever, it took flight and disappeared in the direction of the land, which it no
doubt reached in safety.

ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS (Forst.) Sw.—White-crowned Sparrow. *'Chip-bird."

Fringilla leucophrys, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 157; pl. 192.
Zonotrichia leucophrys, Baird, Gen. Rep. 458.

This large and handsome Finch breeds in great numbers along the entire

* No individuals of A. linaria were seen during my stay in Labrador.
+ At Washington, D. C., in the month of April.
1861.]

4

294 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

coast of Labrador. Though I found it plentiful in every locality which I
visited, and in all situations, it seems particularly fond of deep thickly wooded
and secluded ravines, surrounded by high precipitous cliffs ; and when in more
open districts confines itself chiefly to the most tangled patches of juniper
and scrubby fir. It is a very active and sprightly bird, almost continually in
motion; it seldom alights without jerking and flirting the tail, and rapidly
uttering its loud chirping. While the female is incubating, the male has a
habit of mounting to the top of the cliff or tree nearest his nest, and there re-
peating his loud, somewhat monotonous, but not unpleasing notes for a half
hour at atime. This song is very similar to that of the allied Z. albicollis,
the common White-throated Sparrow, and consists of two long drawn syllables
with a rising intonation, and then three more in a quick hurried manner,
with a falling cadence ; *' pzé, de£, dé-dé-dz ;? the whole a mellow whistle.
Should the performer be observed or approached while thus engaged, he in-
stantly becomes silent, and dives hastily into the nearest cover.

The nest of the White-crowned Sparrow is always, I believe, placed on the
ground ; and, oftener than elsewhere in the midst of the little patches of a low
heath that grows abundantly wherever the ground is dry enough. It is com-
posed externally of moss, internally of fine dried grasses, evenly disposed in a
circular manner. The eggs are four or five, oftener the former. Nuttall,*
when he states that ‘‘the eggs, four or five in number, are said to be of a
dusky or chocolate color," probably had reference to those of Anothus ludovi-
cianus, which are much as he describes them. A nest of the White-crowned
Sparrow, which I found on the 23d of July, contained four young, but a few
days old. These, however, must have been rather late, as by the 1st of August
there were many young birds to be seen. The female, when surprised on the
nest, flutters off in silence, retiring but a short distance ; but the male, if he be
near, instantly flies to the top of the nearest tree or bush, and there vociferates
his angry remonstrances, flirting his tail and jerking his body in the most
energetic manner. This species, though not so familiaras the Tit-lark, is still
frequently seen about the houses; and it is known to the natives simply as
the ‘‘ Sparrow,” or oftener as the ‘‘ Chip-bird.’’

Juxco HyrEMALIS (L.) Sclater.—Snow-Bird.

Niphea hyemalis, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 88 ; pl. 167.
Junco hyemalis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 468.

The Snow-bird, so common and so well known in winter throughout the
eastern portions of the United States, is not so abundant as might be expected
in Labrador, one of its breeding regions. From the fact that I was not in a
suitable locality, I did not observe it untilthe latter part of July, at which
time it was in small companies, the old and young associating together. They
kept entirely in the thick woods, and were rather timid. I heard no song,
nor indeed any note except the easily recognized chirp peculiar to this species.

Until within a few years the breeding places of the snow-bird were unknown,
and its nidification involved in an obscurity remarkable for so common and
familiar a bird. But it is now well ascertained to breed in the entire region
around Hudson's Bay, and southward in the mountainous regions of New

York and Pennsylvania.
SPIZELLA MONTICOLA (Gm.) Baird.—Tree Sparrow.

Emberiza canadensis, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 83 ; pl. 166.
Spizella monticola, Baird, Gen. Rep. 472.

This little Sparrow is quite common in all wooded districts in Labrador. It
is there a very tame and unsuspicious bird, showing no fear even when very

* Manual of Ornithology, Ist ed. i., page 479.
[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 285

closely approached. I heard no note beyond the usual sparrow-like chirp. It
probably leaves the country for the south by the Ist of October, as early in
November it is abundant throughout the United States as far south, at least,
as Washington, where it may be found in great numbers during the winter

months.
ScoLECOPHAGUS FERRUGINEUS (Gm.) Sw.—Rusty Grakle,

Quiscalus ferrugineus, Aud. Birds Amer. iv. 65; pl. 222.
Scolecophagus ferrugineus, Baird, Gen. Rep. 551.

This, the only representative of the Zcteride I observed in Labrador, appears
to be rather uncommon. I noticed nothing peculiar in its habits, very pro-
bably, however, because my opportunities for observation were so limited.
The only note I heard was the rough guttural ‘‘chuck,’? common to most of
the species of the family. On the 24th of July, I came upon a family of these
birds, in a densely wooded marshy spot, The young were at that time just
fully fledged, and were fluttering around the vicinity of the nest. The species
is confined to heavily wooded districts, showing evident partially for the low
swampy or boggy localities, interspersed with pools, for which some parts of
Labrador are so famous.

Corvus CARNIVoRUS Bartram.—Raven.

Corvus coraz, Aud. Birds Amer. iv. 78; pl. 224.
Corvus carnivorus, Baird, Gen. Rep. 560.

This celebrated bird does not appear to be rare along the coast of Labrador.
The high, precipitous and almost inaccessible cliffs, which, rising abruptly
from the sea, give to this rock-bound coast such a barren aspect, afford safe
and convenient retreats, where it constructs its nest, and rears its young in
perfect safety. It is so excessively watchful and wary a bird, that although
we saw them frequently, not a single individual was shot by any of our party.
Indeed, I know of no bird more difficult to procure than the Raven ; for in ad-
dition to its natural sagacity, which surpasses that of almost any bird, the
peculiar nature of the rocks it inhabits render the surprising of it almost an
impossibility. Its voice is similar to that of the common crow, but far louder
and rougher. Ravens are most frequently seen in pairs; and they often de-
scend to the sea shore, to feed on the dead fish, crabs, and other animal sub-
stances thrown up by the waves. The eggs, when they can be procured, are
eaten by the natives ; a species of vandalism well calculated to disturb the
equanimity of any ardent collector or naturalist.

At Henley Harbor, an arm of Chateaux Bay, at the northern entrance to the
straits of Belle-Isle, there is a remarkable geological formation, known as the
* castle." This singular butte rises abruptly to a height of between 150 and 200
feet above the level of the sea. The sides are either perpendicular or even
over-hanging, the strata perfectly vertical, regular and composed of pentagonal
prisms, remarkably distinct. The top is perfectly smooth and level, and
covered with a rich growth of moss, lichens, and the Empetrum nigrum. The
ascent can be effected only at one point, where the soft crumbling rock has.
been worn away by the long continued trickling of water. The whole appears
to be in a State of rapid decomposition ; large masses of rock lie around the
base in confusion, the strata, however, still distinctly visible. The débris
thus accumulating at the base has raised a slope to within about fifty feet of
the summit. A narrow but very deep channel, cut apparently by the action
of the water, separates from it an island on which is another but less exten-
sive formation of the same nature. This ‘‘ castle’? was the abode of a pair of
Ravens, which, I was told, had resorted there regularly for several years.
The nest was placed on a narrow ledge, inaccessible except from above by
means of a rope. It was empty at the time I visited the place.

1861.] 16

226 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Corvus AMERICANUS Aud.—Crow.
Corvus Americinus, Aud. Birds Amer. iv. 87; pl. 225. Baird, Gen. Rep. 566.

On the 14th of July, while under full sail, a crow flew directly past the
vessel, near enough for me to identify it without the possibility of mistake.
It was the only individual observed during my whole stay in the country.

PERISOREUS CANADENSIS (L.) Bon.—Canada Jay. ‘‘ Whiskey Jack."
Garrulus brachyrhynchus, Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 296 ; pl. 53. juv.
Garrulus Canadensis, Aud. Birds Amer. iv. 121; pl. 234
Perisoreus Canadensis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 590.

My first acquaintance with this remarkable Jay was on the 1st of August,
in a very dense spruce forest. Contrary to my previous impressions regarding
the species, on this occasion they were very shy, alighting only on the tops
of the tallest trees, and flying off with loud harsh screams on my approach.
Subsequently, however, at Rigolet, I found them abundant, and very familiar;
one or more were always to be seen hopping unconeernedly in the garden
patches around the houses, not in the least incommoded by the presence of
man, and showing no signs of fear when very closely approached. The voice
of this bird is a loud, harsh, discordant scream, very unlike that of the Blue
Jay, Cyanura cristata. It possesses all the cunning and thievish propensities
for which the whole family of garruline birds are so noted. It is particu-
larly expert in stealing the bait from the fox and marten traps, on which ac-
count it is greatly detested by the hunters, who destroy it whenever oppor-
tunity occurs. Its most common appellation is simply ‘‘ Jag-bird," though
it is also known as the ** Whiskey-Jack.’’ According to Dr. Suckley, (P. R.
R. Rep. xii. pt. ii., p. 216,) who is indebted to Mr. Kennicott for the informa-
tion, this curious appellation is probably a corruption of the Chippeway name
** Wiss-ka-chon," changed first into ** Whiskey-John,’’ and then further twisted
to ** Whiskey-Jack.”’

The young Canada Jay is wholly of a dull sooty black, with no white what-
ever about the head. In this state of plumage it has been described and fig-
ured by Swainson (F. B. A. 1831, ii. page 296, pl. 55) as a distinct species,
under the name of Garrulus brachyrhynchus.

TETRAO CanapeEnsis Linn.—Canada Grouse. ‘‘ Spruce Partridge.”
Tetrao Canadensis, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 83, pl. 294. Baird, Gen. Rep. 622.

Although the proper abode of the Canada Grouse is the dense and almost
impenetrable forests of spruce and fir in the regions around Hudson’s Bay,
where it is an abundant bird, it is also found as far south as Maine and New
‘York. There, however, it is chiefly confined to the more mountainous regions.
In the west it is replaced by the closely allied T. Franklinii of Douglas, dis-
tinguished by the absence of the rufous band on the tail, and the conspicuous-
ly white margins of the tail coverts. The Canada grouse are mostly restricted
to thickly wooded regions, where they find an abundance of their favorite
food, consisting of seeds and berries of all kinds, and the buds of various
‘shrubs. When skinned they emit a peculiar aromatic odor, arising from the
highly flavored nature of their food; their flesh is dark colored and rather
bitter. When disturbed they fly but a short distance, soon alighting on the
trees, in which position they may be easily approached. The young, which
seldom, I believe, number more than five or six, are led about by the parent
for some time after they are able to fly. On the 24th of July I surprised
several broods, still under the care of the parent. The mother, on discover-
ing me, instantly uttered a **cluck,"' very similar to that of the common hen,
and flew on to the nearest tree, while the young scattered in every direction,
and concealed themselves in the thickest brush. A chick which I obtained
at that date flew with perfect ease, though it could not have been more than

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 221

two weeks old, and was as yet covered with scarcely anything but down. Its

color was a dirty yellow; the few feathers buff, transversely barred with

brown; and in size it was about equal to a chicken a week or ten days old.
The species is invariably known as the ‘‘ Spruce Partridge.”

LacoPvs ALBUS (Gm.) Aud.—Ptarmigan. ** Willow Partridge.”

Lagopus albus, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 114, pl. 299. Baird, Gen. Rep. 633.

Great confusion prevails among the North American Ptarmigan, both with
reference to the number of species to be enumerated, and their relationships
to those of Europe. This is occasioned partly by the remote and inaccessible
nature of the regions they inhabit, which cause comparatively few specimens
to reach the hands of naturalists, and the difficulty of procuring them in sum-
mer plumage ; since in winter they are almost entirely white, and present few
distinetive marks beyond those of size and slight differences of proportions.
By the latest authority on the subject, four species are assigned to North
America: L. albus Aud., (the old Tetrao albus of Gmelin,) the largest, en-
tirely white except the tail feathers, and with a very stout bill; L. rupestris
Leach, which is smaller, with a slenderer bill and a black stripe through the
eye; L. Americanus Aud., a species doubtfully admitted, coming nearest to
the albus; and L. leucurus, a small western species, concerning which there
has been no difficulty. Two of these species are found in Labrador: the L.
albus and rupestris, known respectively as the ‘‘ Willow " and ‘‘ Rock Par-
tridge." The distinction between them is always recognized ; and they are so
named from the fact that the former is confined chiefly to thickly wooded dis-
triets, while the latter inhabits more open and barren situations.

On the 23d of July I came upon a pair of the larger kind, amid tangled
bushes inalow swampy situation. They were very tame and unsuspecting,
walking unconcernedly along but a few feet from me, though their being in
deep moult, and unable to fly, may have been the cause of this remarkable
familiarity. Iam credibly informed, however, that at certain seasons, while
perched on trees, they can be captured by a noose at the end of a rod or pole.
Great numbers of these birds are skinned and stuffed by the natives, while in
winter plumage, and sold for about 25 cents apiece. While being skinned,
they emit a highly aromatic odor, very similar to that given out by the Spruce
Partridge. Their flesh is much used as an article of food.

LAGOPUS RUPESTRIS Leach.—Rock Ptarmigan. ‘‘ Rock Partridge.”

Lagopus rupestris, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 122, pl. 301. Baird, Gen. Rep. 635. "

This species also occurs along the coast of Labrador, though, as might be
expected from the densely wooded nature of the greater part of the country,
much less abundantly than the preceding. I did not meet with it except in
the collections of the natives.

BorAvRUuS LENTIGINOSUS Steph.—Bittern.

Ardea lentiginosus, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 94, pl. 365.
-Botaurus lentiginosus, Baird, Gen. Rep. 674.

The Bittern is the only species of Heron which ventures so far north as
Labrador, with the exception of the Ardea herodias and Nyctiardea Gardeni,
which may possibly be found within its limits. The only indications I dis-
covered of the presence of the Bittern was a wing in the possession of a hunter,
who, however, did not consider it as a very rare bird.

CHARADRIUS VinoiNicUS Borck.—Golden Plover.

Charadrius marmoratus, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 203, pl. 316.
Charadrius Virginicus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 690.

1861.]

228 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

No Golden Plovers were observed until a short time before we left the coun-
try; then, about the date of the departure of the Curlews, Numenius borealis,
they made their appearance in small numbers, in flocks of about a dozen or
more. Some of them were in very perfect plumage.

AEGIALITIS SEMIPALMATUS (Bon.) Cab.—Ring Plover. *' Ring-neck."

Charadrius semipalmatus, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 218, pl. 320.

Aegialitis semipalmatus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 694.

The Ring Plovers are excessively abundant during the summer months
along the whole coast of Labrador, which is one of their favorite breeding lo-
calities. On the first of September they had not yet left the country, being
still as abundant as ever. When not separated into pairs for the purposes of
reproduction, they frequent mostly sandy beaches and muddy flats, where
they are found in loose straggling companies of from five or six to a dozen or
more individuals, associated with the Semipalmated and Bonaparte's Sand-
pipers. They scatter widely apart while searching for food, running swiftly
and gracefully over the sand, with the head lowered. They are at such times
usually silent, except when disturbed, when they utter a loud mellow whistle
on taking flight. Of all the smaller waders, none, with the exception of Bo-
naparte's Sandpiper, Actodromas Bonapartei, is so gentle and unsuspicious.
They never seem to notice an approach of a few yards, and indeed I have
sometimes found it difficult to force them to fly. They merely run swiftly a
few steps, and then stand perfectly motionless, regarding the intruder in si-
lence. The young run about as soon as hatched, and follow the parent, who
leads them in search of food. They are at this time prettily mottled with
black, light brownish and white, most of the under parts remaining of the
latter color. Birds of the year may at all times be distinguished from the
adults by the black of the bands being replaced by dull dirty ash.

No individuals of the A. melodus were observed in Labrador, nor did I find
any indications of their presence there. From the fact of Audubon’s finding
them at the Magdalene Islands, it is to be supposed that they breed, sparingly
at least, in the country.

STREPSILAS INTERPRES (L.) Ill.—Turnstone. ''Chickling."

Strepsilas interpres, Aud., Birds Amer. v, 231, pl. 323. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 701.

The Turnstone I first observed at Henley Harbor, on the 20th of August,
when the smaller waders generally had commenced their southern migration,
How long they remain in the country I do not know, but on the 1st of Sep-
tember they were apparently as numerous as ever. Though not a very abun-
dant species, I was enabled to procure a sufficient number of specimens, and
to observe its curious habits. It afforded me much pleasure to notice with
what dexterity they insert the bill beneath small stones and pebbles, and with
a quick jerk turning them over, seize upon their prey lurking beneath. Though
more shy and wary than the Sandpipers usually are, they did not seem to be as
much so as the larger Tatlers. They are known to gunners by the name of
t‘ Chicklings."?

PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS (L.) Bon.—Red Phalarope. ** Bay-bird."'

oa fulicarius, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 291, pl. 339. Cassin, Gen. Rep.
07.

Three specimens of this species were shot at sea, off Belle-Isle, from a flock
of six. They were flying in a very compact body, much in the manner of the
smaller Sandpipers, for which I at first mistook them. The sailors called them
“ Bay birds." While at sea we frequently saw this species, or the P. hyper-
boreus, resting gracefully on the water, particularly near masses of floating
seaweed. Indeed, the Phalaropes, as a genus, are noted among all the smaller

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 229

waders, both for their beauty and elegance of form, and their grace and ac-
tivity of movement ; whether running swiftly along the sandy shore, or swim-
ming buoyantly on the water, or stepping lightly over the floating leaves of
aquatic plants, their motions are equally pleasing. Their lobed feet make
them perfectly at home on the water, and they are often seen at a considera-
ble distance from land. The fulicarius and hyperboreus are both known by the
uncouth and inappropriate, though curious name of ‘‘ Sea-geese.”’

Gattinaco Witsont (Temm.) Bon.—Wilson’s Snipe.

Scolopax Wilsoni, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 339, pl. 350.
Gallinago Wilsoni, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 710.

From the accounts of the natives, I should judge that the Snipe is abundant
in Labrador, as it is in most parts of the United States. I met with but a
single individual.

MacRoRHAMPHUS GRISEUS (Gm.) Leach.—Red-breasted Snipe.

Scolopax noveboracensis, Aud. Birds Amer. vi. 10, pl. 351.
Macrorhamphus griseus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 712.

I procured a single individual of this species in immature plumage on the
23d of August, but I learned nothing further respecting it than that it is known
by the name of ‘‘ Brown-back."

Trinca cANvTUS Linn.—Red-breasted Sandpiper.

Tringa islandica, Aud. Birds Amer. v. 254, pl. 328.
Tringa (Tringa) canutus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 715.

This large Sandpiper I met with for the first time at Henley Harbor, on the
21st of August, when the Tringas and small Waders generally had commenced
their southern migration. A few specimens were procured, in immature plu-
mage, showing but slight traces of reddish on the under parts.

ACTODROMAS Kaup.

Actodromas, Kaup., Sk. Ent, Eur. Thierw. 1829. Typus Tringa minuta Leis}.

Gen. char. Bill about as long as, or very little longer than, the head,
Straight, slender, compressed, the tip very slightly expanded. Both mandi-
bles deeply grooved to the expansion of the tip. Wings long; the first and
second primaries about equal, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries short,
obliquely incised at the ends ; tertials long, slender, flowing. Tail rather long,
doubly emarginate, the central feathers projecting. Tibia bare for two-thirds
the length of the tarsus. Tarsus about equal to the bill, and equal to the
middle toe. Toes entirely free at base, and but very slightly margined. Hind
toe very short.

The characters of this genus are well marked and decided, and are very dif-
ferent from those of Tringa, with which it is usually associated. In the latter,
the bill is very stout, much expanded at tip, and considerably longer than the
head or tarsus ; the tertials short, thick and comparatively stiff; the tarsus is
much longer than the toes, which are very short, stout and widely margined ;
the tibial feathers reach nearly to the joint, and the tail is nearly even, with
the central feathers not projecting. The pattern of coloration is very different.
In all these particulars of form and proportion, Tringa has very little simi-
larity to Actodromas, which is well worthy of full generic rank. As already
indieated, the essential characters of the latter lie in the proportions of the
bill, tarsus and toe, which are of equal length, and in the doubly emarginate
tail. Other features are found in the elongated tertials, long, much exposed
tibize, almost entire want of margins of the toes, &e. The known species are
very similar in general pattern of coloration, all having the upper parts varied

1861.]

230 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

with deep brownish, light ashy and reddish ; the breast and jugulum with an
ashy or brownish suffusion, the rest of the under parts being white. All, ex-
cept A. Bonapartei, and A. Cooperi, have a central blackish field on the rump.
The genus comes nearest to Pelidna Cuvier, (Regn. Anim. 1817; type T. cin-
clus, L.) which, however, differs in the long decurved bill and some other pe-
culiarities. :

ACTODROMAS MACULATA (Vieill.) Cassin.—Pectoral Sandpiper. ‘‘Grass-snipe.”’

Tringa pectoralis, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 259, pl. 329.
Tringa (Actodromas) maculata, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 720.

The ‘‘ Grass-snipe,’’ as this species is most appropriately called, differs es-
sentially in its habits from any other Sandpiper with which I am acquainted,
except the A. minutila. Between these two species, however, there is a
striking similarity, both as regards form, color and general habits. I first
noticed the Pectoral Sandpiper at Henley Harbor, on the 20th of August, when
it had commenced its southern migration. I there found it abundant, and
had ample opportunities both of observing its habits and procuring specimens.

This species is seldom or never seen on open sandy beaches, as it prefers at
all times the low muddy flats laid bare by the tide, the pools and ditches
which intersect them, and the salt marshes by which they are bordered. They
are not restricted to the neighborhood of the sea, but frequent low wet mea-
dows and fields at a great distance from any large body of water. There they
walk slowly and sedately through the grass in search of food, having little or
none of the restless activity which characterizes most Sandpipers. While thus
engaged the tail is generally elevated, somewhat on the manner of the Zenai-
dura Carolinensis, if comparison can be made between two birds so dissimilar.
This habit of frequenting meadows has gained for them their common appella-
tion of «^ Grass-snipe." When they rise from the grass to alight again at a
short distance, they do so in silence, or with a single ‘‘ tweet,’’ and fly slowly
evenly, and with the wings deeply incurved. When, however, they are fright-
ened, by being repeatedly forced up, or when they are suddenly startled, they
spring vigorously, emitting loud rapidly repeated notes, and fly in a quick
zigzag manner, like the common snipe. They are then equally difficult to
shoot. On several occasions I have noticed a habit which this bird possesses,
which I do not recollect of ever having seen stated. When suddenly startled
they rise with a loud note, and mounting very high .in the air circle over the
head of the intruder for several minutes, flying with very great rapidity and
in perfect silence. When about to alight, which they often do at the very
spot from which they rose, they nearly close the wings, and dart suddenly
down in an almost perpendicular direction. This curious habit I have also ob-
served at Portsmouth, N. H., and frequently at Washington, D. C.

This species is found in pairs or singly, and never, I believe, in flocks of
any extent. They are very tame and unsuspicious, permitting a near approach
without becoming alarmed. In the fall they-are excessively fat and delicately
flavored, and afford delicious eating. Very little is known of their breeding
places, or of their peculiar habits during the season of reproduction.

ACTODROMAS MINUTILLA (Vieill.) Coues.—Least Sandpiper. ‘‘ Peep.”

Tringa minutilla, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 466. Gray, Genera, 1849,
iii. 579.

Actodromas minutilla, Coues, Monog. Tring. N. A., in Pr. A. N. S. Ph. July,
1861, 191.

Tringa pusilla, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, v. 32, pl. xxxvii. fig. 4; id. Brew.
Ed. 1840, 347, fig. 161; id. Ord. Ed. 1829, iii. 134 ; nec Linnsi. Swainson,
F. B. A. 1831, ii. 386. Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1834, iv. 180; id. Birds
Amer. 1842, v. 280, pl. 337 ; id. Syn. 1839, 237. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844,
240, Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579.

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 231

Pelidna pusilla, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 50. Gosse, Birds Jamaica,
1847, 348.

Tringa (Tringa) pusilla, Bonaparte, Comp. Specch. 1827, 62.

Tringa Wilsoni, Nuttall, Manual, 1834, ii. 121. Cooper and Suckley, Nat.
Hist. Wash. Terr. 1860, 240. Cassin, Pr. A. N. S. 1860, xiii. 196.

Tringa (Actodromas) Wilsoni, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 721.

Until very recently, great confusion has prevailed among the smaller Sand-
pipers ; and even now, though the species are pretty well ascertained, the
proper name applied to each, and their synonomy, are points which are not yet
definitely settled. With regard to no name, however, has there been so much
difficulty as to that of Tringa pusilla Linn., the proper locating of which has
ever been a disputed point. Most authors have referred it to the bird which
Wilson, in 1813, (Am. Orn. ut suprà,) designated by that name, and which
was subsequently, in 1834, dedicated to that naturalist by Nuttall, (Man. Urn,
ut supra.) Audubon, in all his works, Gray, in his genera, and Bonaparte,
in his earlier works, adopted the name of pusilla for the present bird. As
early as 1825, however, Bonaparte was aware that the T. pusilla of Linneus
was not the bird that Wilson gave under that name; for, in his observations
on Wilson’s Nomenclature, pages 88, 89, on the subject of Tringa semipalmata,
Wils., he says, ‘‘Several species have been confounded together under the
name of T. pusilla; and although the present’’ (T. semipalmata, Wils.) ‘‘ is the
real species, &c. In 1858, Cassin (Gen. Rep. page 725) proved pretty con-
clusively that the T. pusilla of Linneus, based upon the T. cinclus domini-
censis minor of Brisson, is really the Hreunetes petrificatus of Illiger, though he
does not change Illiger's specific name. This, however, he has recently done
in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, (xii. 195, 1860,) where he
gives the bird as Æ. pusillus.

The name of pusilla, then, being exploded for the species now under con-
sideration, the question arises what specific name is to be applied to it. Later
authors have mostly taken that of Wilsoni, given to the species in 1834, by
Nuttall, who describes its habits so accurately that there can be no doubt as
to what bird he has reference. But the claims of ‘‘ Le tringa maringouin,’’
Tringa minutilla of Vieillot (Nouv. Dict ut suprà) to be the present species,
appear to have been overlooked, or at least not generally conceded. Brewer,
indeed, in his edition of Wilson, in 1840, quotes it, and Cassin, in the General
Report in 1858, gives it as a synonym, but both with a query. But that
Tringa minutilla really refers to the present species, there can be, I think, no
reasonable doubt. Vieillot, page 466 of the Nouv. Dict., says of it, ** Le nom
que j'ai conservé à cet oiseau est celui sous lequel il est connu dans nos colo-
nies de Amerique, et qui lui a été imposé d’après sa petite taille ;"' and after
a description which applies well, he continues—‘‘ Il a des rapports avec le
tringa minuta de Leisler," and adds, speaking of its habits, ** Comme les trin-
gas becos se comportent de méme, il est résulté qu'on les a confondus ensem-
ble." The description, especially with reference to size (‘‘ quatre pouces dix
lignes") and to the length and proportions of the bill, (** noir, trés grêle, et
long de neuf lignes; les tarses de la méme longuer,") will apply to no other
Species. Another evidence that this description has reference to the Actodro-
mas Wilsoni, is the fact that the author recognizes Tringa semipalmata, Wils.
“ Le tringa demipalmé "' as a totally distinct species. What the ** tringa beco,
Tringa pusilla, Lath.,’’ of page 452 of the same work, refers to, is rather diffi-
cult to determine. Vieillot refers to the Am. Orn. plate 37, fig 4, which is
Tringa pusilla of Wilson; but also quotes Brisson’s ‘‘ petite Alouette-de-mer
de Saint-Dominque " which is Ereunctes petrificatus of the General Report.
The description, however, applies best to the latter, which it may be well to
consider it.

From the foregoing considerations, therefore, I cannot but adopt the specific
name of minutilla, which has priority over Wilsoni, at least until weightier

1861.]

282 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

reasons are adduced on the opposite side of the question. With regard to the
generic characters there is not the slightest difficulty. The bird presents the
closest affinity to the type of the genus Actodromas, (T. minuta Leisl.,) and
is very different from either Tringa or Pelidna, in both of which it has been
placed.

This diminutive species, in form, color and general habits, is very closely
allied to the preceding, of which it is in fact a perfect miniature. As far as
my own observation extends, the same remarks with regard to the manners,
voice, flight, &c., apply equally well to this species. It even possesses the
curious habit mentioned under the preceding bird. Though so much smaller,
its note is fully as loud and piercing. The chief difference is, that in the fall
the Least Sandpipers collect in flocks of considerable extent, and that they are
found on sandy beaches oftener than are the Pectoral Sandpipers. Neverthe-
less, its favorite situations are low muddy flats, and the ditches that intersect
marshy and sedgy fields, where it finds an abundance of its favorite food. In
Labrador I think I never observed them in any other situations. They search
for food with remarkable industry and perseverance, carefully examining with
their delicate bills every inch of ground they pass over; while thus engaged
they may be approached within a few feet without showing any signs of fear.
Together with the A. Bonaparte? and the Ereunetes pusillus, they are known
by the common name of ‘‘ Peeps." On the first of September they had not
left the country, being still abundant. :

Actopromas (HErERoPYGIA) BowAPARTED: (Schl.) Cassin.—Bonaparte’s Sand-
piper. ‘‘ Peep.”

Pelidna cinclus, var. Say, Long’s Exped. 1823, i. 172.

Tringa Schinzii, ** Brohm.” Bon. Syn. 1828. [Nec Brehm.] fide Gen. Rep.
Aud. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 2775, pl. 335, et al. Auct. Amer.

Tringa Bonapartei, Schlegel, Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur. 1844, 89.

Tringa (Actodromas) Bonapartei, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 722.

Actodromas (Heteropygia) Bonapartei, Coues, Monogr, Tring. N. A., in Pr. A.
N. S. Ph. July, 1861, 199.

Audubon, in his account of this species, remarks: ‘‘ Those procured in Lab-
rador were shot in the beginning of August, and were all young birds, appa-
rently about to take their departure." I met it for the first time on the 30th
of July ; but on the first of September, when I left the country, they were still
as numerous as ever. They are found in great abundance on the rocky shores
of Labrador, where covered with sea-weed and interspersed with muddy flats
and shallow pools, in which last the birds wade quite up to the breast. I have
also frequently seen them in a situation where I never found any other Sand-
piper—on the large masses of rock sloping down abruptly to the water, green
and slippery from the continued falling of the spray. They seem to be very
fond of these locations, and I seldom passed one without seeing several of
these ‘‘ peeps ’’ running nimbly about ; and I have actually approached with-
in three or four feet of them, as they stood motionless regarding me with
curious eye. Of all the Sandpipers this is the most gentle and unsuspecting ;
they seem utterly regardless of the presence of man, and do not intermit their
occupation of searching for food, though the observer may be standing within
a few feet of them. When startled they emit a low soft ‘‘ weet’ very differ-
ent from that of any other Sandpiper, and fly off in a very compact flock. If
a part of them be killed, the gunner may commit equal havoc with his second
barrel, as after a few circlings they fly past, or alight again on the same spot.
They fly rapidly, in a rather unsteady manner, alternately showing the
under and upper parts; and they may always be recognized in flight by the
conspicuously white upper tail coverts. They usually associate with the

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 283

Semipalmated Sandpipers and the Ring Plovers, and in common with other
small species are known by the general name of ‘‘ Peeps.’ Those that I shot
were not so excessively fat as the A. maculata and Ereunetes pusillus commonly
are at the same season.

EREUNETES PUSILLUS (Briss.) Cassin.—Semipalmated Sandpiper. ‘‘ Peep.”

Tringa cinclus dominicensis minor, Brisson, Ornith. 1760, v. 222, pl. xxv. fig. 2,
[haud dubié.]

Tringa pusilla, Linneus, Syst. Nat. 1766, i. 252, fide Gen. Rep.

? Tringa pusilla, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 452, [ad T. cincl. dom. min.
Briss. refert. ]

Ereunetes petrificatus, Illiger, Prod. 1811, 262. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 1858, 724.

Tringa semipalmata, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, vii. 131, pl. Ixiii. fig. 4; id. Ord.
Ed. 1829, iii. 132, pl. Ixiii. fig. 4; id. Brewer, Ed. 1840, 542, fig. 225 ; ibid.
Syn. 725. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. 1819, xxxiv. 462; Dict. Class d' Hist. Nat.
1822, ii. 251. Swainson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 381. Audubon, Orn. Biog.
1839, v. p. 110, pl. 408; id. Syn. 1839, 236; id. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 277,
pl. 336. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 239. Newberry, P. R. R. Surv. 1857,
vi. 100.

Ereunetes semipalmatas, Cabanis, Schomburgk’s Reise, iii. 758, fide Gen. Rep.
Bonaparte, Compt. Rend. 1856, fide Gen. Rep. Cabanis, Journ. 1856,
419, fide Gen. Rep.

Tringa (Hemipalama) semipalmata, Bonaparte, Obs. Wils. 1825, num. 212 ; id.
Specch. Comp. 1827, 62.

Tringa ( Heteropoda) semipalmata, Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 136.

Hemipalama semipalmata, Lambeye, Av. Cubae, 1850, 96.

Hemipalama minor, Lambeye, Av. Cubae, 1850, 97.

Heteropoda semipalmata, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 49. Dekay, N. Y.
Fauna, 1844, 236, pl. 86, fig. 195. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 580.

? Heteropoda. mauri, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, 49.

Ereunetes mauri, Cabanis, Journ. 1856, 419, fide Gen. Rep.

Tringa brevirostris, Spix, Aves Bras. 1825, ii. 76, fide Gen. Rep.

? Pelidna Brissoni, Lesson, Man. d'Ornith. 1828, ii. 277, [T. pusillum, Linn.
citat. ]

Ereunetes pusillus, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. 1860, xiii. 195. Coues, Monog.
ining AS, iu Pr. A. N.S. Bh. July, 1861, 177.

The statements made under the head of Actodromas minutilla, tending to
demonstrate that Tringa pusilla of Linnzus is not the bird given under that
name by Wilson, also prove that the name really belongs to the species now
under consideration. As there stated, pusilla was applied by Linnæus in 1766
to the bird figured and described by Brisson, (Ornith. 1760, v. p. 222, pl. xxv.
fig. 2,) under the appellation of ‘‘ La petite Alouette-de-mer de S: Dominque,"
T'ringa cinclus Dominicensis minor. The description applies well, and the figure
plainly shows the webbing of the toes, a feature which exclusively character-
izes this species among the smaller Sandpipers. There being no reasonable
doubt, therefore, of what pusilla really refers to, it must, according to the laws
of noménclature, take precedence over both petrificatus of Illiger, and semipal-
matus of Wilson. Cassin restores the name in the Proceedings of the Acade-
my of Natural Sciences, above cited, there calling the bird Hreunetes pusillus,
though in the General Report he retains the specific name of petrificatus be-
stowed by Illiger in 1811.

The webbed feet of this bird were very early made the grounds for generic
distinction from Tringa, to which they would fully entitle it, even were no
other characters involved. But though several genera have been proposed
for it, fortunately there is not the slightest difficulty as to the proper one to
be employed. Heteropoda of Nuttall, (1834,) and Hemipalama of Bonaparte,
(1825,) must both yield to Ereunetes petrificatus, which, according tothe Gene-

1861.]

234 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

ral Report, has been proved to be the T. semipalmata of Wilson, by actual ex-
amination of the type specimen. This being the case, Ereunetes must be used
in the present connection, though for the reasons given above, parte
cannot be retained. The cause of Nuttall’s proposing for the bird a new genus
was probably the fact that Bonaparte in 1828 employed his Hemipalama in
connection with a very different bird—the Micropalama himantopus of Baird—
with which it has scarcely a generic character in common except the webbed
toes. As a reference to the article will show, the name was proposed for, and
first used in connection with, the T. semipalmata Wils.

I have thought it well to present the synonomy of this species, since, as will
be seen, it has received a great variety of names. According to the General
Report, the Heteropoda Mauri of Bonaparte, or the Ereunetes Mauri of Cabanis,
is merely a large race of the present bird ; while the remarkable variations in
the length of the bill, to which the species is subject, have given rise to the
Hemipalama minor of Gundlach, and the Tringa brevirostris of Spix. Pelidna
Brissoni of Lesson is probably this species, gince he refers to Tringa pusilla of
Linneus.

No individuals of this species were observed until the latter part of July,
but soon after that date they became excessively abundant, and continued so
during the month of August. When on muddy flats I generally found them
associated with the Ring Plovers and Bonaparte’s Sandpipers; but when on
open sandy beaches they keep mostly to themselves, sometimes in flocks of
great extent, the other species with which they principally mix not generally
frequenting such situations. When in large flocks dozens may be killed ata
shot ; and as, after many wheelings, they often alight again on the same spot,
they afford a second opportunity to the guaner. When wounded, they swim
with considerable ease, aided by their semipalmated feet; but they are not
capable of diving to any extent. These birds, possessing very few distinctive
traits of habit among the smaller Sandpipers, are yet remarkable in one par-
ticular—the great facility with which they may be decoyed by imitating their
call—a low mellow whistle. When skilfully executed, I have seen them ap-
proach within a few feet of the person seated on a rock in full view, though a
moment after, on discovering their mistake, they would immediately take
flight. They are also noted for the excessively fat condition in which they
are always found in the fall, exceeding that of almost any other bird of their
family.. In this state they are delicious eating, being tender, juicy and deli-
cately flavored, but on account of their diminutive size they are not much
sought after. This species is the ‘‘ Peep "' par excellence, though the Acto-
dromas Bonapartei and minutilla are also known by the same name.

GAMBETTA MELANOLEUCA (Gm.) Bon.—Tell-tale. ‘‘ Yellow-legs.”’

Totanus vociferus, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 316, pl. 345.
Gambetta melanoleuca, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 731.

This large tatler, so well known and so universally disliked by all gunners
on account of its watchful and noisy nature, is a very common bird along the
coast of Labrador during the summer and early fall. During the fore part of
the summer I found them very wary and difficult of approach. They would
stand motionless and in silence, regarding me with watchful attention until I
was nearly within shooting distance, when, at a single note from one of the
flock, all would instantly take flight, emitting their loud and clear whistling,
as if rejoicing at my discomfiture. By the middle of August, however, they
seemed to have laid aside their watchfulness, and numbers were procured
without difficulty. Though found in all situations near the water, their favo-
rite localities seemed to be the muddy flats laid bare by the tide, the salt
marshes adjoining them, and the pools which dot these marshes. They are
seldom found in good condition for the table, being generally very lean. They
are known altogether as ‘‘ Yellow-legs.’’

[ Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 285

TRINGOIDES MACULARIUS (L.) Gray.—Spotted Sandpiper. ‘‘ Teeter-tail.”’

Totanus macularius, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 303, pl. 342.
Tringoides macularius, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 735.

The Spotted Sandpiper forms almost the only exception to the general rules,
that the species of this family retire to very high latitudes to rear their young,
and on their return south in the fall associate in flocks of greater or less ex-
tent. It has a breeding range almost unparalleled among the Sandpipers,
rearing its young from as far south, at least, as Washington, D. C., to the
confines of the Arctic circle. Nor is it confined to the immediate vicinity of the
sea; it abounds along the rivers and creeks of the interior, and shows a marked
predilection for the vicinity of man’s abode. The nest is usually placed in an
orchard or meadow, often in a ploughed field, and is a mere depression in the
ground, lined with a few dried grasses, or a little eel-grass, (Zostera.) The eggs,
as usual in this family, are four in number, large for the size of the bird, pointed,
and of a light cream color, every where blotched and spotted with dark brown
. and black. A nest found on the 4th of July, on one of the barren islands off the
coast of Labrador, contained eggs in which the embryos had scarcely begun to
be developed, while on the 17th of June, eggs found at Portsmouth, N. H.,
were on the point of hatching.

The Spotted Sandpiper is at all times a solitary species; it is rare to see
more than two or three together. Its note is a low mellow ‘‘ weet,” often re-
peated. When wounded, even if very severely, it dives with great facility and
quickness, and sometimes swims a considerable distance under water. Its
most peculiar trait, however, is the habit it possesses of always, on alighting,
and frequently at other times, balancing its tail in a remarkable manner, just
as the Solitary Sandpiper, Rhyacophilus solitarius, does its head. This pecu-
liarity has gained for it the common appellation of ** Teeter-tail.”’

TRYNGITES RUFESCENS (Vieill.) Cab.—Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Tringa rufescens, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 264, pl. 331.
Tryngites rufescens, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 739.

A single specimen of this rather uncommon Sandpiper was shot on the 20th
of August by one of the sailors, but was unfortunately too much mutilated to
be preserved. I learned nothing of its habits ; it is probably a rare bird in
Labrador.

Nomeniws (Numenius) LowGiRosTRIS Wils.—Long-billed Curlew. ‘‘ Sickle-bill.?"

Numenius longirostris,, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 35, pl. 355. Cassin, Gen. Rep.
743.

Although I did not meet with this species myself, I was assured by all the
hunters that it is occasionally seen among the vast flocks of the N. borealis
that appear in the autumn. It is, however, rare in Labrador. It is known
by the very suggestive name of ‘‘ Sickle-bill."

Numenios (Puarorvs) Hupsonicus Lath.—Hudsonian Curlew. ‘‘ Jack Curlew.”’

Numenius Hudsonicus, Aud., Birds Amer., v. 42, pl. 356. Cassin, Gen. Rep.
744.

Of the Hudsonian Curlew I saw but few individuals, and these were so shy
that it was with difficulty that they were procured. They were most nume-
rous at the time that the N. borealis were about taking their departure ; and
in their general manners, food, &c., appeared to be very similar to the latter.
Their voice, however, is much louder and rougher. They are known to the
natives as ‘‘ Jack Curlews."' a

1861.]

236 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

NomeEnius (PHAEOPUS) BOREALIS (Forst.) Lath.—Esquimaux Curlew. ‘‘The
C’lew.”’

Numenius borealis, Aud. Birds Amer., vi. 45, pl. 357. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 744.

From the time of my first arrival in the country until the second week in
August, the stereotyped reply of the inhabitants to my inquiries concerning
game was, ‘‘There is nothing to shoot yet, sir; the C’lews have not yet ar-
rived; but when they come you will have fine sport." All were agreed as to
the abundance of the birds, the facility with which they could be obtained,
the sport of killing them, and their delicacy on the table. Naturally enough,
when disappointed in procuring other birds, our thoughts turned to the Cur-
lews, and we endeavored to console ourselves by shooting them in anticipa-
tion. It was not, however, until the 16th of August, when in the romantic
harbor of ‘‘ Indian Tickle,” that we obtained the first glimpse of the Curlews.
Five days later, at Henley Harbor, our sport commenced ; the Curlews were
there in immense numbers, and for nearly two weeks we all enjoyed such
sport as almost made us forget our disappointments and hardships on the
dreary Labrador coast. The Curlews then disappeared as suddenly as they
had arrived; not, however, until I had had ample opportunities of studying
their habits, and had procured a sufficient number of specimens.

The Esquimaux Curlew arrived on the Labrador coast from its more northern
breeding grounds in immense numbers, flying very swiftly in flocks of great ex-
tent. These immediately broke up into smaller companies, and proceeded at
once in search of food. They remained but a very short time. As Audubon most
correctly says, ‘‘I was not long ir discovering that their stay on this coast
was occasioned solely by the density of the mists, and the heavy gales that
already gave intimation of the approaching close of the summer ; for whenever
the weather cleared up a little, thousands of them set off and steered ina
straight course across the broad Gulf of St. Lawrence. On the contrary, when
the wind was high and the fogs thick, they flew swiftly and low over the rocky
surface of the country, as if bewildered. Wherever there was a spot that
seemed likely to afford a supply of food, there the Curlews abounded and were
easily approached." His observations, however, differ much from mine, in
reference to the time of the arrival and departure of the birds. He states that
they made their first appearance on the 29th of July, and had all left by the
12th of August; whereas, I saw none until about that latter date, and none
were to be seen on the first of September. For two or three days before their
final departure, we had noticed them all moving directly south ward, flying
very high in the air in loose straggling flocks, with a broad extended front.

The Curlews associate in flocks of every size, from three to as many thou-
sands, but they generally fly in so loose and straggling a manner, that it is
rare to kill more than half a dozen at a shot. When they wheel, however, in
any of their many beautiful evolutions, they close together in a more compact
body, and offer a more favorable opportunity for the gunner. Their flight is
firm, direct, very swift, when necessary much protracted, and is performed
with rapid regular beats. They never sail except when about to alight; then
the wings are much incurved downwards, in the manner of most Waders. As
their feet touch the ground their long, pointed wings are raised over the back
until the tips almost touch, and then deliberately folded, much in the manner
of the Solitary Sandpiper, Rhyacophilus solitarius. Their note is an oft-re-
peated, soft, mellow, though clear whistle, which may be easily imitated. By
this means they can readily be decoyed within shot, if the imitation is good
and the gunner is careful to keep concealed. The smaller the flock, the more
easily are they allured, and a single individual rarely fails to turn his course
toward the spot from whence the sound proceeds. When in very extensive
flocks they have a note which, when uttered by the whole number, I can
compare to nothing but the chattering of a flock of blackbirds. When
wounded and taken in hand, they emit a very loud harsh scream, like that

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 287

of a common hen under similar circumstances, which cry they also utter when
ursued.

, Their food consists almost entirely of the Crow-berry, Empetrum nigrum,*
which grows on all the hill-sides in astonishing profusion. Itis also called the
* Bear-berry " and ‘‘Curlew-berry.’”’ It is a small berry, of a deep purple
color, almost black, growing upon a procumbent, running kind of heath, the
foliage of which has a peculiar moss-like appearance. This is their principal
and favorite food ; and the whole intestine, the vent, legs, bill, throat, and
even the plumage are more or less stained with the deep purple juice. They
are also very fond of a species of small snail, that adheres to the rocks in im-
mense quantities, to procure which they frequent the land-washes at low tide.
Food being so abundant, and so easily obtained, they become excessively fat.
In this condition they are most delicious eating, being tender, juicy, and
finely flavored ; but as might be expected, they prove a very difficult job for
the taxidermist.

Although the Curlews were in such vast numbers, I did not find them so tame
as might be expected, and as I had been led to suppose by previous represent-
ations. I was never able to walk openly within shooting distance of a flock,
though I was told it was often done. The most successful method of obtaining
them is to take such a position as they will probably fly over in passing from
one feeding ground to another; they may then be shot with ease, as they
rarely fly high at such times. The pertinacity with which they cling to cer-
tain feeding grounds, even when much molested, I saw strikingly illustrated
on one oceasion. The tide was rising and about to flood a muddy flat of per-
haps an acre in extent, where their favorite snails were in great quantities.
Although six or eight gunners were stationed on the spot, and kept up a con-
tinual round of firing upon the poor birds, they continued to fly distractedly
about over our heads, notwithstanding the numbers that every moment fell.
They seemed in terror lest they should lose their accustomed fare of snails that
day. On another occasion, when the birds had been so harassed for several
hours as to deprive them of all opportunity of feeding, great numbers of them
retired to a very small island, or rather a large pile of rocks, a few hundred
yards from the shore, covered with sea weed, and, of course, with snails.
Flock after flock alighted on it, till it was completely covered with the birds,
which there, in perfect safety, obtained their morning meal.

I was told that the Curlews were never seen in Labrador, except for the
short period in the autumn. Such, however, I do not think to be the case,
particulary as Audubon, upon good authority, asserts to the contrary. It is
probable that the celerity and silence with which it passes northward during
the spring migration, causes it to be partially overlooked. Its migrations are
very extensive, but performed so quickly and silently that it is rarely seen south
of the New England States. It is found in Texas; though as far as my know-
ledge extends, it does not breed much south of Hudson's Bay. In Labrador
it is known by its proper name, which, however, is invariably shortened into
“Clew.” Further south it is called the ‘‘ Dough-bird ;" but this name is
also applied to other birds. In a great number of specimens I found consider-
able differences in size, in the color of the under parts, which varies from
creamy white to deep buff, and in the purity and extent of the white patch on
the throat. These differences, however, were not indicative of sex, nor even of
age, so far as I could ascertain.

*« EMPETRUM, Tourn. Flowers polygamous, scattered and solitary in the axils of the
leaves, (inconspicuous) scaly-bracted. Calyx of 3 spreading and somewhat petal-like
sepals. Stamens,8. Style very short; stigma 6-9 rayed. Fruit, a berry like drupe.
with 6-9 seed-like nutlets, each containing an erect anatropous seed. ŒE. nigrum, L.
Procumbent and trailing ; leaves linear oblong, scattered ; fruit black."—(Gray's Manual
of Botany, College Ed. p. 393.)

1861.]

238 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

BznNi1cLA CANADENSIS (L.) Boie.—Canada Goose.

Anser Canadensis, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 178, pl. 376.
Bernicla Canadensis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 764.

No Wild Geese were observed until the second week in August, when for
several days we saw them fly southward in small flocks, keeping at a great
height in the air, and always preserving a wedge-shape form. No specimens
were procured.

Anas Boscnas Linn.—Mallard.

Anas Boschas, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 236, pl. 385.
Baird, Gen. Rep. 774.

Audubon, in his account of this Duck, says ‘‘On the western coast of Lab-
rador, none of the inhabitants we conversed with had ever seen the Mallard,
and in Newfoundland the people were equally unacquainted with it, the spe-
cies being in those countries replaced by the Black Duck, Anas fusca.”’
Although it is a rare species in Labrador, I ascertained its existence there
from a very fine pair offered for sale by one of the natives. In the interior of
the continent it goes as far north at least as Great Slave Lake, where it breeds
in considerable numbers.

Anas opscura Gm.—Dusky Duck. ‘‘ Black Duck."

Anas obscura, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 244, pl. 386.
Baird, Gen. Rep. 775.

The Dusky Duck is by far the most abundant of the Anatine along the
coast of Labrador, where it breeds very plentifully. Though some times seen
along the rocky and barren islands that skirt the coast, it at all times shows
a decided preference for the ponds and streams of the interior. When the
females are incubating, and engaged in rearing their young, the males desert
them, and retire to secluded situations to renew their feathers. Some which
I shot on the 23d of July were at that time in deep moult, and entirely un-
able fto fly, though they made their way over the water with astonishing
celerity. I saw young nearly half grown on the 1st of August; they were at
that time still led about by the parent, and were unable to fly. It is a re-
markably shy and watchful bird, so much so that it is only with great diffi-
culty it can be procured. It is much esteemed as an article of food, and is
known to the inhabitants as the ‘‘ Black Duck."'

NrrT10N CAROLINENSIS (Gm.) Baird.—Green-winged Teal.
Anas Carolinensis, Aud., Birds Amer, vi. 281, pl. 392.
Nettion Carolinensis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 777.

Though the Green-winged Teal is a rare bird along the coast of Labrador,
yet Audubon is incorrect in saying that it is never found there. A specimen
which I saw in a collection of birds at Rigolet, proves its existence in that
country. It is abundant in the interior, breeding in the region around Great
Slave Lake.

Nerrion CRECCA (L.) Kaup.—English Teal.
Nettion crecca, Baird, Gen. Rep. 778.

I was so fortunate as to procure a well characterized specimen of this Teal,
which, though a common bird in Europe, is only known in North America as
a rare straggler from that country. It is closely allied to the Green-winged
Teal, but is nevertheless perfectly distinct, the differences being readily appre-
ciable even without comparison. These consist in the entire absence of the
white crescent before the wing; the more conspicuously colored elongated
scapulars, which are deep black and pure creamy white; and the remarkable
distinctness of the white lines on the head. I learned nothing of its habits.

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 239

CAMPTOLÆMUS Lasraportus (Gm.) Gray.—Labrador Duck. ‘‘Fool-bird.”’

Fuligula Labradora, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 329, pl. 400.
Camptolemus Labradorius, Baird, Gen. Rep. 803.

I did not succeed in procuring or even meeting with this rare and very re-
markable Duck. I was informed that, though it was very rarely seen in the
summer, it is not an uncommon bird in Labrador during the fall; it is known
by the peculiar appellation of ‘‘ Fool-bird," a name given on account of its
remarkably unsuspicious nature, which renders it easy to approach. The
name, however, can scarcely be a generalone. Further than this I learned
nothing respecting it.

PELIONETTA PERSPICILLATA (L.) Kaup.—Surf Duck. ‘‘ Bottle-nosed Coot.”

Fuligula perspicillata, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 337, pl. 402.
Pelionetta perspicillata, Baird, Gen. Rep. 806.

The Surf Duck is an abundant bird along the coast of Labrador, where a
good many breed, though perhaps a greater number go still further north.
They are seen in flocks of considerable extent, especially during the renewal
of their feathers, at which time they collect in great numbers along the shores
of the bays and inlets. On the 3d of August, while sailing up Esquimaux Bay,
the shore for nearly a mile was lined with these Ducks, and the succeeding
species. They were all in deep moult, and most of them unable to fly, and
yet were so wary and vigilant, that few were obtained, for they dived at the
flash of the gun with such celerity as to escape the shot. They are tough
birds, and remarkably tenacious of life, and require a heavy charge to kill
them. Those procured were excessively fat, but their flesh was rank and
oily. They are known as *' Bottle-nosed Coots,” a name given in alluslon to
the very peculiar shape and color of the bill.

MELANETTA VELVETINA Baird.— Velvet Duck. ** White-winged Coot ;’? ‘‘ Brass-
winged Diver."

Fuligulu fusca, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 332, pl. 401.

Melanetta velvetina, Baird, Gen. Rep. 805.

This species is nearly if not quite as abundant as the preceding, with which
it is often found associating. It appears to possess much the same habits. It
is a very shy and vigilant species, and possesses powers of diving surpassed
by few birds. It is known by the names of the ‘‘ White-winged Coot” and
** Brass-winged Diver," the former being the most usual appellation.

Though I did not meet with the American Scoter, Oidemia Americana, I was
assured that it breeds in the neighborhood of Esquimaux Bay. It is known as
the ‘‘ Black Coot’’ and ''Butter-billed Coot." The three species of Oidemiec
are all called ‘‘ Coots ;’’? a nomenclature that puzzled me not a little, until I
ascertained to what birds the names referred.

SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA (Linn.) Leach.—Eider Duck. ‘‘ Sea-duck.’’
Fuligula mollissima, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 349. pl. 405.
Somateria mollissima, Baird, Gen. Rep. 809.

The Eider Duck, so widely and justly celebrated for the valuable down
which it furnishes in such quantity as to make it a profitable article of com-
merce, is the most abundant Duck throughout the extent of Labrador, which
is with it a favorite breeding place. For although many breed in very high
latitudes on both sides of the Atlantic, yet Labrador, from the peculiar nature
of its coast, seems a country specially adapted to its wants. It also finds
there a safer place of retreat while engaged in the duties of incubation, since,
at least as far as I can ascertain, its down is not so regularly sought for as it is
in some other countries. Wherever found at allit is an abundant species ; but
on the American coast it is seldom or never seen south of Long Island or the
New Jersey Capes.

1861.]

240 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

The Eiders choose for their breeding places the low, rocky, barren islands
that stud the Labrador coast, generally giving the preference to those which
are more or less covered with grass and low scrubby juniper. The nests are
always placed on the ground; often a tuft of grass is selected, or the nest is
hidden beneath the spreading boughs of juniper. The grassy crevices between
flat strata, and the soft beds of moss at the foot of over-shadowing rocks are
also favorite situations. The nest is of rather bulky construction, formed of
moss, lichens, and dried grasses and seaweed, loosely matted together, and
the whole fabric sunk as deeply as possible into the ground. The downis sel-
dom, I think, added until the full complement of eggs is made up. These
rarely exceed flve or six in number, and occasionally are but four. They
vary much in size and shape, and also considerably in color. They average
about three inches in length by two in breadth, and the shape varies from an
almost perfect ellipse to a regular ovoid or ovate. The ground color is a dull
olive green, frequently with a bluish, and sometimes with a creamy tinge ;
and is often discolored with darker patches, like stains. The shell is smooth
and polished. The eggs are excellent eating, asI know to my cost; for hav-
ing on one occasion collected a large basketful, all those that were fresh and
could be neatly blown, were appropriated by the sailors during a temporary
absence.

While the female is incubating she permits a very near approach before she
forsakes her nest; it is not uncommon to walk up to within a few feet of the
sitting bird ; she then flaps off in a hurried frightened manner, but always
in silence, and makes directly for the nearest water. If a gun be fired on a
small island, where many birds are sitting, all immediately leave their nests
and collect in a body at some distance on the water. There they wash and
plume themselves until the intruder withdraws, when they soon resume their
duties.

There seems to be considerable difference in the time of laying theeggs. On
the 4th of July, when I made most of my observations on these birds, I found
nests in which the full complement had not yet been laid ; eggs with chicks in
all stages of developement; and broods of young were seen, led about on the
water by the parent. As soon as the ducklings are hatched, they are led
directly to the water, where they swim with perfect ease and dive with facility.
The mother keeps them close about her, anxiously watching for every appear-
ance of danger that might befal them, and ready at any moment to give
battle to any hungry gull that might attack them. Under these circumstances
only did we ever succeed in openly rowing within shot of an Eider, when
anxiety for the safety of her brood made her forget her own danger. On such
occasions, the mother, keeping them close together, would urge them forward
until the danger became too imminent, when at a single note, the young
would scatter and dive with astonishing celerity, and the mother dive or fly
off as necessity required. The ducklings at this time are covered with long
hair-like down, very fine, of a dusky brown above and light silvery grey
below.

As soon as the females begin to deposit their eggs, they are deserted by the
males, and from this time the whole care of incubation and rearing the young
devolves upon the former. The males, at this season, assemble in large tlocks,
and retire to the outer and most secluded islaads during the time of the re-
newal of their feathers, Tbey are excessively shy and difficult to approach.
The females, even those which are sterile, never, I believe, associate with the
males, but keep in flocks by themselves.

There is a great difference in the colors of the plumage of the females at dif-
ferent ages, varying from very light ochreous toa uniform dark chestnut brown,
much as represented in Audubon's plate. They are universally known as
“ Sea-ducks," the males being always distinguished as * Sea-drakes." Isel-
dom or never heard the name of Eider applied to either sex by the natives.

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 241

I saw no individuals of the King Hider, Somateria spectabilis, during my stay }
but was informed that in the fall they are not unfrequently met with.

MERGUS sERRATOR Linn.—Red-breasted Mergauser. ** Shell-drake."

Mergus serrator, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 395; pl. 412. Baird, Gen. Rep. 814.

The Red-breasted Mergauser breeds very abundantly along the Labrador
coast, while the Buff-breasted, M. Americanus, is seldom or never seen. The
females place their nests on much the same islands as the Eiders choose, but
conceal them more carefully in the tall grass, or among thick scrubby juniper.
The nest is rather neatly and compactly formed of mosses, lichens, and dried
sea weeds, and warmly lined with down plucked from the breast of the mother,
with which the eggs are nearly covered. The full number of these is nine or
ten; incubation does not take place until late in the season, as I have found
them nearly fresh on the 4th of July. They are regularly oval or ellipsoidal in
form, and of a uniform light buff color. When the bird is surprised on the
nest, she steals off as quietly as possible, and retires to a considerable distance.
` While the females are engaged in incubation, and in rearing their young, the
males collect in small flocks and keep entirely by themselves, and are exces-
sively shy and vigilant. I found young birds, apparently about a week old, on
the lst of August. Although so young, they were perfectly at home on the
water, swimming with ease and grace, and diving with such celerity that it
was with difficulty that three or four were procured.

GRacuLUs DILOPHUS (Sw.) Gray. Double-crested Cormorant, ‘ Shag.”

Phalacrocorax dilophus, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 423: pl. 416.
Graculus dilophus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 877.

As I had no opportunity of visiting any of the colonies of Cormorants, either
in Labrador or Newfoundland, I can say nothing concerning their habits. I
was informed that there was a “Shag settlement " (either of this species or the.
G. carbo,) near Sloop Harbor, a short distance south of Little Mecattina. A
fine specimen of this species was presented to me by Capt. Dodge. Both this.
and the G. carbo are universally known as ** Shags."

SULA BASSANA (L.) Briss.—Gannet.

Sula bassana, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 44; pl. 425. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 871.

On the first of July our proximity to the celebrated Gannet Rocks was clearly
indicated by the numbers of these birds seen flying in every direction, engaged
in seeking for food, which consists principally or wholly of fish. When sati-
ated with food they are unable to fly for some time. We passed by one in this
condition; it flapped heavily along on the surface of the water, trying in vain
to rise, yet managing, with aid of wings and feet to proceed with considerable
speed. Again, on the 11th of September, on our return we saw many Gannets ;
but though ou both these occasions we passed within fifty miles or less of the
rocks, I was denied the pleasure of observing the birds at their great breeding
place, and can only speak of their flight and mode of fishing. They fly with
firm, powerful beats, alternately sailing and flapping for about equal distances,
and their flight is strong and capable of being greatly protracted. When
searching for food, they fly slowly along at the height of a few yards above the
surface, reconnoitering the water beneath. When a fish is espied, the bird
poises an instant in the air and then darts suddenly down, the weight of its
ponderous body giving it an impetus which sends it far under water, and raises
the spray in a cloud around it. Taking advantage of this habit, Gannets are
sometimes captured by fastening a fish to a soft plank, and sinking it just be-
low the surface. The velocity with which the bird descends forces its bill
through the wood, and it is thus made a prisoner.

1861.] 17

242 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

PROCELLAIRA (FULMARUS) GLACIALIS Linn.—Fulmar Petrel.

Procellaria glacialis, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 204; pl. 455. Lawrence, Gen. Rep.
825.

On the 19th of August, while at sea off Belle-Isle, many Fulmars were seen,
mostly resting on the water in companies of about a dozen. . They generally
remained quiet until we approached within sixty or seventy yards, when they
would all take flight, In rising from the water the wings are lifted high over
the back, the feet drawn under the belly, and with one vigorous spring and a
flap at the same instant, the bird launches itself into the air. Its flight is
extremely firm, vigorous and protracted, performed with slow measured beats.
One individual was overtaken by our vessel, so loaded with food as to be un-
able to fly; it passed close by the side swimming as fast as possible, near
enough to enable me to clearly discern the peculiar character of the nostrils
which distinguishes this family of birds.

THALASSIDROMA (OCEANITES) WiLSonI Bon.—Wilson’s Stormy Petrel. ‘ Mother
Carey’s Chickens.”

Thalassidroma Wilsoni, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 223; pl. 460. Lawrence, Gen.
Rep. 831.

Many of these little oceanic wanderers, and probably also the Thal. Leacht,
and pelagica, were seen every day during our voyage, until we entered the Gulf
of St. Lawrence. After that few were observed, and none at all seen off the
coast of Labrador. They probably breed along the coast of Nova Scotia. They
are very familiar unsuspicious little birds, fluttering hither and thither close
around a vessel to pick up the bits of floating garbage which forms their favor-
ite food, and never showing the slightest fear. When about to pick up any
floating substance, they raise the wings high over the back, flapping them
lightly, and stretch the feet downwards to their fullest extent; the moment
they touch the water, the morsel is secured, and the bird is off again in an in-
stant. This attitude is represented to the life in Audubon's beautiful plate of
the Least Petrel. Their flight is light, graceful and buoyant in the extreme,
and their power of remaining long at a time on the wing is unsurpassed.
Three or four are generally seen at a time, though when pressed by hunger
they sometimes collect in great numbers about a vessel, eagerly searching for
food. On one occasion, about dusk in the evening, we came upon a company
of about thirty of them, collected together in a compact flock, sporting high in
the air with most graceful movements, like so many swallows over a pond.
What had attracted them I could not ascertain. These birds may be caught by
means of a hook baited with a morsel of pork; but such is the antipathy of
sailors to destroying them, that they are seldom molested. I am informed by
my friend, Dr. H. Bryant, of Boston, that he has caught them by allowing a
long filament of silk to float in the air behind a sailing vessel, with which the
wings of the birds become entangled as they flutter against it. All three spe-
cies of Petrels are universally known as ‘‘ Mother Carey’s Chickens.”

PurrINUS (ARDENNA) MAJOR (Faber) Bon.—Greater Shearwater. * Hagden,"

Puffinus cinereus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 212, pl. 456.
Puffinus (Ardema) major, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 833.

Many Shearwaters were seen at different times during the voyage, generally
singly, and always at a distance from land. They appeared to be shy and un-
familiar birds, none approaching near enough to enable me positively to deter-
mine the species, whether P. major or anglorum, though from their size I should
suppose the former, On the 19th of August many were seen resting on the
water in companies, in the manner of the Fulmars, Procellaria glacialis, to which
they are nearly allied, both in form and general manners. Both species are
known to sailors and fishermen as '' Hagdens."

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 248

Porrinus (NECTRIS) FULIGINOSUS Strickl.—Sooty Shearwater. “ Black Hagden.”

Pufinis (Nectris) fuliginosus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 834.

On the 19th of August a few individuals of this easily recognizable species
were seen in company with the P. major, to which in their habits they are
probably very similar. They are known to the sailors as * Black Hagdens.”

STERCORARIUS POMARINUS Temm.—Pomarine Jager. ‘‘ Boatswain.”

Lestris pomarinus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 186, pl. 451.
Stercorarius pomarinus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 838.

But very few individuals of this species were observed. I shot one which
was hovering over the stern of the vessel, attracted by some floating garbage.
I was surprised to see that it picked up floating substances more in the manner
of a Petrel than of a Gull—descending slowly with the feet stretched down-
wards, and wings elevated, and scarcely touching the water. This Jager is
known to sailors and fishermen as the “ Boatswain,” a name which is also ap-
' plied to the S. parasiticus.

STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS Temm.— Arctic Jager. “ Boatswain.”

Lestris Richardsonii, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 190, pl. 452.
Stercorarius parasiticus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 839.

I saw but a single individual of this species that I could identify with any
certainty. It may be recognized in flight by the peculiar shape of its tail, in-
termediate between that of S. pomarinus and cepphus in the length of the middle
tail feathers, which project some three inches beyond the others. The name of
‘t Boatswain ” is applied to this species as well as to the preceding. All the
Jagers have received from the fishermen two very appropriate epithets, in allu-
sion to the peculiar nature of their food, which, as is well known, consists
principally of the partially digested fish which they force the Gulls to disgorge.

STERCORARIUS cEPPHUS (Briinn.)—Buffon’s Skua. “ Marlingspike."

Lesiris parasitica, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 192, pl. 453.
Stercorarius cepphus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 840.

Of this most beautiful and graceful of the Jagers I saw but very few indi-
viduals, and those only while at sea. It is easily recognized by the long slen-
der feathers, which project six or eight inches beyond the others. From this
peculiarity it has received the name of * Marlingspike " from the sailors. Its
flight is extremely powerful, firm, even, and performed with regular beats,
which propel it with great velocity. It never, I believe, sails. I had not the
pleasure of witnessing its attacks upon the Gulls, in which it is said to display
courage and intrepidity beyond all other species of the genus.

Larus eraucus Briinn.—Glaucous Gull. “ Ice-gull."

Larus glaucus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 170, pl. 449. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 842.

I saw but very few “ Burgomasters " that I could positively identify, on the
coast of Labrador, where they appear to be rather rare. They are probably
more abundant in higher latitudes. I was informed by an irtelligent hunter,
who seemed to be acquainted with all the large birds, that there was a “ colony ”
of the “ Ice-gulls," as they are called, on some small islands known as the
Herrings, about twenty-five miles off the coast, just opposite the entrance of
Esquimaux Bay. Unfortunately, however, I had no opportunity of verifying the
statement, or of observing the habits of this magnificent Gull during the breed-
ing season.

1861.]

244 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

LARUS MARINUS Linn.—Great Black-backed Gull. ‘*Saddle-backed Gull.”
‘¢ Saddler.”

Larus marinus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 172, pl. 450. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 844.

The Great Black-backed Gull, which, with the single exception of the Glau-
cous Gull, is the most powerful of its tribe, is a very abundant bird during the
summer months along the whole coast of Labrador. Indeed, this is almost the
only locality on this side of the Atlantic where its habits during the breeding
season can be successfully studied ; the peculiar character of the coast renders
it well adapted to the wants of the birds, and it is therefore their favorite
breeding place. I was informed that it arrives there about the latter part of
May, but with reference to its time of departure, I cannot reconcile my observa-
tions with those of Audubon. He states that “by the 12th of that month
(August) they had all left Labrador ;” whereas, I found them still numerous
on the first of September, and I think I never saw so many of both old and
young as I did at Henley Harbor on the 30th of August. At what time they
really do depart, or whether any remain al] winter, I am unable to say. I can
account for this and many other discrepancies between our observations with
respect to date, only by supposing the season in which Audubon visited the
country was a very early one, or that last summer was remarkably delayed.

This species generally chooses for the situation of its nest one of the many
small islands, some of them mere rocks jutting out of the water, which every-
where stud the Labrador coast; and contrary to the usual habit of Gulls, it
does not congregate in large numbers upon a single island, not more than two
or three nests being commonly placed together. It sometimes, however, mixes
with the Herring Gulls, for among several hundred of the latter, which circled
high over our heads when we invaded their territories, I never failed to detect
a few of the Black-backed. Iwas surprised to find it breeding on some inland
ponds, (there also in company with the Herring Gulls,) the nests being placed
on small rocks jutting out of the water. In these situations I have thought
them less shy than when breeding on islands open to the sea. The nest is large
and bulky, composed of moss and lichens scraped into a heap, the cavity ap-
parently formed by the weight of the bird. They are rather shallow for the
width, which is nearly or quite two feet externally. The eggs are three, as is
usual ‘among the Gulls and Terns, and differ much in size, shape and color, even
in those taken from the same nest, some being smaller than the average of
Herring Gulls, though they are usually proportionately larger.

On the 4th of July three young birds of this species, apparently but a few
days old, were procured and placed in a basket together with a number of
Herring Gulls of about the same age. Even thus early they evinced their su-
periority in size and strength over the other species, for, on looking at them
next morning, I found that, their quarters being rather crowded, they had
trampled to death every one of the others, and were standing triumphantly
over the mass of dead bodies, calling loudly for food. When fed they exhibited
the greatest voracity and gluttony, each devouring at a meal three or four cap-
elin some six inches long, which they could swallow whole, and they quarrelled
and fought continually for choice morsels. Two of these birds were left in
charge of a fisherman at Henley Harbor, and on our return, about seven weeks
afterwards, they had grown to fully the size of the adults, and were magnificent
birds and great favorites. They kept their plumage perfectly clean and in good
order, and were very tame. They were then mottled all over with spots of
dusky, most of the primaries, and a subterminal band on the tail, black; bill
entirely black, legs and feet light flesh color. This is the plumage in which
these Gulls remain the greater part of the first year. One of the birds was
much larger and stronger tban the other, which it tyrannized over continually
and kept in perfect subjection. Both uttered frequently a whining noise, espe-
cially when hungry; which state, however, seems to be the normal condition of
all Gulls, both young and old.

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 245

The Black-backed Gulls surpass all birds with which I am acquainted in
their shyness and wariness, which are so excessive that it is only by stratagem
that they can be procured. But two were shot by any of the party, both being
killed with guns exceeding in their range those to which the birds were accus-
tomed. They always fly at a great height over the water, and uever alight
except in open situations which they have previously cautiously examined.
Their flight is firm, extremely powerful, performed with measured beats, and is
capable of being greatly protracted. They can force their way against the
strongest gales. Their food is principally fish of various kinds, though they
do not refuse offal of any description. To procure fish they hover at a height
of a few yards over the surface, and when one is espied drop heavily upon it,
not, however, closing the wings, which are elevated and flapped rapidly to sup-
port them. They seldom or never dive, but on such occasions are frequently
partially immersed.

During the breeding season the birds are very noisy and clamorous, continu-
ally uttering their loud, harsh, rough cries. These are of three distinct kinds ;
the first, their usual call, is a loud, rough, sonorous “ kaw-awk," aptly desig-
nated by Audubon as a “ furious laugh." They have also a short kind of bark,
resembling the syllables ** hac-hac-hac ;" and in addition to these a loud harsh
scream, uttered when their territories are invaded. On the 31st of July I saw
a large number of these Gulls collected on the water some ten miles up Esqui-
maux Bay, where they filled the air with their loud continued cries, which
could be distinctly heard at a distance of nearly a mile.

This Gull is universally known to the natives, as well as to sailors and fish-
ermen, as the “ Saddle-backed Gull,” or, quite as frequently, simply ‘‘ Saddler.”
I have never heard applied to it the name of ‘ Coffee-carrier,” said to be the
title by which it is designated along the coast of New England.

Larus ARGENTATUuS Briinn.—Herring Gull. * Blue Gull.”
Larus argentatus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 163, pl. 448. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 844.

The Herring or Silvery Gull is by far the most abundant of the Gulls along
the Labrador coast, where it breeds in great numbers, speuding the summer
months there, and not retiring at least until the second week in September.
They were as abundant as ever on the first of that month, when I noticed great
numbers of both old and young. I cannot, therefore, comprehend the state-
ment of Audubon, where, in his account of Larus marinus, he says: “No indi-
viduals of Larus argentatus were, to my knowledge, seen on that coast (Labra-
dor) during the three months that I passed there, and the fishermen told us
that the * Saddle-backs were the only large Gulls that breed there." On many
of the innumerable small islands whieh form a belt six or eight miles deep
along the coast in the neighborhood of Little Mecattina, and southward, im-
mense companies of these Gulls had assembled to breed ; and at Esquimaux
Bay I found them breeding on the small ponds of the interior. They are every
where known to the natives as “ Blue Gulls.”

On the 4th of July, at Sloop Harbor, I had an opportunity of visiting many
islands where these Gulls were breeding in great numbers. On approaching
one of the islands, where the birds were sitting quietly on their nests, or walk-
ing leisurely about, when we were still several hundred yards distant, they all
left their nests, and with loud discordant screams, indicative of their anger at
being disturbed, circled high over our heads far beyond the range of our guns.
Ifound the nests placed on the ground in the most irregular manner, appa-
rently without the slightest choice as to situation, except that they seemed to
prefer the moss-covered rocks and dry bare spots, the grassy patches being
appropriated by the few Eiders that bred on the same island. And here let
me remark, that on those low grassy islands where the Eiders were most nu-
merous, but few Gulls built their nests; and vice versá, on those bare islands
where the Gulls had collected in great numbers, we found but few nests of the

1861.]

216 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Eiders, though the two birds mix to some extent. The nests were large and
bulky, composed of dried grass, moss and lichens scraped into a heap, the
cavity formed apparently by the weight of the bird. The eggs, in every in-
stance that came under my observation, were three, but varied surprisingly in
size, color and markings, and also considerably in shape. They average rather
more than two inches and three-quarters in length, by nearly two in greatest
diameter, being thus rounded and obtuse. The ground color varies from a
light bluish or greenish white to deep brownish olive; and the spots are of
every size and shape, very irregularly disposed. I found eggs at that date in
every stage of development, some being quite fresh, but in the majority the
embryos were nearly fully formed. On the same day many young were pro-
cured, being caught as they skulked and hid beneath stones, or scrambled off
over the luxuriant moss. In no instance did I observe any on the nests. At
this period they presented a very curious appearance ; they were ugly and mis-
shapen, covered with thick whitish down, every where mottled wiih angular
spots of dusky, and, on the whole, looked more like lumps of dirty carded wool
than any thing else. When taken in hand they bit and scratched with all their
strength, at the same time squealing loudly. Although these cries brought the
parents a little nearer, none ventured within shot. On being placed on the
water they swam with ease, and appeared to be perfectly at home. Soon after
being caught they fed freely on fish and scraps of pork, and uttered constantly
a whining uoise. The first night, however, they were all trampled to death by
some Black-backed Gulls placed in the same basket.

At Henley Harbor, during the latter part of August, many birds of the year were
seen. They were at this time readily distinguishable from the adults, for besides
being smaller, they were entirely of a deep dusky color, darkest below, and with
the bills nearly black. One of these, slightly wing-tipped, showed cousidera-
ble spirit, biting the finger placed incautiously within its reach, and ejecting
the contents of its stomach— principally lance—with remarkably accurate and
vindictive aim. The lance seems to be the favorite and principal food with
this and other Gulls, and many were always to be seen fishing for them at the
mouth of the harbor. To procure them they hover at a height of a few yards
over the surface and drop suddenly down when a fish is discovered; never, I
believe, diving, though they are often partially immersed. They rise again
immediately, and the operation is repeated indefinitely, their hunger never
seeming to be appeased. I have seen more than a hundred of these Gulls and
the great Black-backed and the Ring-billed fishing together, but never noticed
the slightest sign of any quarrelling or difficulty between them.

The Herring Gull requires three years to arrive at full maturity. During the
greater part of the first year they are much as described above. The dusky
gradually grows lighter, and by the second year the bird is white, mottled with
dusky about the head and neck; the tail mostly black, the primaries black, as
yet without spots, and the “gull-blue” replacing the grey mottling of the
wings and back in irregular patches; the bill light flesh color, with a broad
black band near the end. By the next winter the bird is perfect, except some
slight mottling about the head and neck, and the following spring is in full
plumage. I am enabled to give the above descriptions from specimens sent me
from near Hampton, N. H., by Mr. Charles Perkins, shot about the first of De-
cember. They must moult very late, as some of these specimens had the quills
only partially grown out. Iam unable to say whether any breed in the imma-
ture plumage.

The abundance of this gull every where during its extensive migrations,
cause its voice, flight and general manners to be so well known, that a detailed
account of them is rendered unnecessary:

Larus DEgLAwAnENSIS Ord.—Ring-billed Gull.

Larus zonorhynchus, Aud., Birds Amer, vii. 152; pl. 446.
Larus Delawarensis, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 846.
Three specimens of this small Gull were obtained at Henley Harbor on the

[Aug,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 241

21st of August. They were all birds of the year, being every where mottled
with dull greyish; the primaries and a broad terminal band on the tail black,
as is also the terminal third of the bill, the rest being light flesh color. They
were shot while busily engaged in fishing for lance, which seemed to form their
favorite food. On skinning them, I found the gullet and stomach filled with
the fish. They were not at all shy ; they permitted a near approach witbout
desisting from their occupation, and the three were shot in rapid succession
before the rest became alarmed and flew off. Indeed, I have often thought
that the wariness of Gulls is in exact proportion to their size. Thus the little
Hooded Gulls, and the Kittiwakes, are so familiar as to hover and sport near
the stern of a vessel ; the Ring-bills come next, and though not so unsuspicious
as the last, are by no means shy ; the Herring Gulls, the next in size, are much
more watchful and difficult to procure, while the Black-backed and Glaucous
Gulls evince such excessive wariness and caution that it is only by stratagem
they can be procured. Though the theory may not hold good in all cases, I
certainly saw no exceptions to it during my stay in Labrador.

CHROICOCEPHALUS PHILADELPHIA (Ord.) Lawr.—Bonaparte’s Gull.

Larus Bonaparte, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 131; pl. 442.
Chroicocephalus Philadelphia, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 852.

Many of these beautiful little Gulls were seen at different times during the
voyage, though they were perhaps more abundant than elsewhere in the south-
ern portions of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is not a little singular that the
breeding places of a Gull so common, well known, and widely diffused as the
present, should be still unascertained with certainty, and the egg almost un-
known to science; yet such is the case. Though my opportunities of observing
this species were limited, I could not but be struck with the remarkable fami-
liarity and want of suspicion exhibited by it on all occasions. Numbers would
often hover and sport around the stern of the vessel, so close that I could plainly
see the dark spot behind the eye which characterizes the immature bird of
this species, "Their flight on such occasions, and indeed at all times, is ex-
tremely buoyant and graceful, in these respects resembling that of a Tern
rather than of a Gull. I noticed that, while flying, individuals would scratch
the head and neck with their claws, which operation, however, did not seem to
impede their flight in the least. At that season (September) none were seen
with the head enveloped in the hood which adorns both sexes during the
breeding season. Those which I took to be birds of the year, had all a broad
subterminal band of black on the tail, aud in many the black of the primaries
extended unbroken over the shoulder quite to the body.

RISSA TRYDACTILA (L.) Bon.—Kittiwake Gull.

Larus tridactylas, Aud., Birds Amer, vii. 146; pl. 444.
Rissa tridactyla, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 854.

I met with this interesting Gull on but one occasion, which was on the 3d of
August, while sailing up Esquimaux Bay several miles from its mouth. A small
company hovered and circled over the boat, and aspecimen was secured. Being
only wing-tipped, it fluttered to some distance on the water, constantly utter-
ing its piercing screams, which caused its comrades to hover over it for some
time, showing their sympathy by loud cries.

Sterna WirsoNr Bon.—Wilson’s Tern. ‘‘ Mackerel Gull.”
Sterna Wilsoni, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 97; pl. 433. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 861.

During my short stay at Rigolet, Isaw a good many of these Terns, but found
none in any other locality. They possess iu the extreme the buoyancy, grace-
fulness and ease of flight for which the whole family is so celebrated, perform-
ing the most beautiful evolutions without the least apparent effort. To obtain

1861.]

248 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

their food, which, as far as I could ascertain, consisted chiefly of small fish,
they hover lightly and slowly over the water at a height of a few feet. When
a fish is espied, they nearly or quite close the wings and dart down with great
rapidity, and usually go quite under water. With a slight shiver the beautiful
birds shake the water off their plumage, swallow the fish as they reascend, and
again hover eagerly watching for more. They were notatallshy. They are
known to the natives by quite a variety of names. I have heard them called
“& Rapes,” “ Steerines," * Pathricks," and “ Mackerel Gulls,” the last being the
name by which they and other Terns are known to the fishermen, given in re-
ference to their forked tail.

CoLYMBUS TORQUATUS Briinn.—Great Northern Diver. “ Loon,” “ Loo."

Colymbus glacialis, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 282; pl. 476.
Colymbus torquatus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 888.

This large, powerful and hardy bird is abundant throughout Labrador. It
frequents chiefly the numerous ponds formed by the depressions of the rugged
surface of the country, near the borders of which the nest is usually placed.
Though numbers were seen, yet so shy, wary and vigilant is it, and so expert in
eluding pursuit on the water by its extraordinary powers of diving, that not a
single one was obtained by any of the party. The most successful method of
procuring it is to lie perfectly concealed near the edge of the pond whereit may
be swimming, and to decoy it within shot by imitating its notes. The imita-
tion, however, must be skilfully executed, or the wary bird will perceive the
deception. The notes of the Loon, of all the birds with which I am acquainted,
are the most wild, free and iudependent, seemingly uttered in full knowledge
of the security which its wariness and vigor afford. It is from its cry that it
derives its name of “ Loon," or ** Loo,” as it is perhaps oftener pronounced by
the natives. Ou the first of August, I came upon a pair of these birds on an
inland pond, about three long gunshots wide; they had with them two young
birds, apparently but a few days old. Perfectly aware of the safety of their
position, they remained close together exactly in the centre of the pond, keep-
ing the young between them, and at intervals sending forth their loud defiant
screams. On being fired at, they simply ducked for a moment beneath the
surface, and immediately rose again, and I was obliged to leave them to their
occupations.

? CoLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS Linn.—Red-throated Diver.

Colymbus septentrionalis, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 299; pl. 478. Lawrence, Gen.
Rep. 890.

I obtained two eggs, supposed to be of this species, at Sloop Harbor, on the
4th of July; they were at that date quite fresh. The parent was seen but at a
distance too great for positive identification. The nest was placed on the edge
of a small pool of water, on a small barren island, and was very rudely con-
structed of dried rushes matted loosely together, on which the eggs were depo-
sited without the slightest attempt at concealment. They measured two inches
and nine-sixteenths in length, by one and eleven-sixteenths in breadth, and
were of a uniform dark olive brown, with rather small spots of a very dark
brownish black, and a few others of a lighter tint. They were much shorter
and more rounded than undoubted eggs of C. septentrionalis, their form being
regularly ovate, while that of the latter is nearly elliptical. The color was
lighter. Very possibly they belonged to C. Arcticus.

ALCA tMPENNIS Linneus.—Great Auk. “ Penguin.”

-Alca impennis, Aud., Birds Amer. vii.; pl. 465. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 900.

Concerning this most extraordinary bird, remarkable in consequence of its
not possessing the power of flight, and as being the sole representative in the

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 249

northern hemisphere of the numerous Penguins, (Aptenodytes) of the southern,
I made diligent inquiry of every one who might be expected to have any know-
ledge of it. > I was the more anxious to obtaia some account of it from the fact
of its being supposed to be nearly if not quite extinct; its introduction into
the fauna of North America resting on very insufficient data. Though none of
the natives of Labrador whom I interrogated had any knowledge of it, the
fishermen knew immediate!y to what I referred when I spoke of * Penguins "—
as they are called—and all with singular unanimity agreed in designating the
Funks, an island off the south-east coast of Newfoundland as the only place
where the birds were to be found. Yet I could never find a person who had
actually seen one of the birds; they had only heard of them as Penguins. But
the fact of their all agreeing as to the precise locality where the birds were to
be found, seemed to me worthy of attention.

UTAMANIA Leach.

Gen. Ch.—Size moderate. General form stout, heavy, strong, compact; head
moderate, neck short and thick, body heavy. Wings moderate; tail short; feet
short and strong. Bill lengthened, about equal to the head, densely feathered
for half its length, the feathers on the upper mandible extending much be-
yond the middle of the commissure, and nearly as far as those on the lower ; very
strong, much compressed, with several transverse grooves which are curved in
the upper mandible. Upper mandible much deeper than the lower, with a
moderately prominent basal ridge at base of the horny portion ; the culmen re-
gularly arched, tip considerably hooked and bent over the lower. Commissure
very long, quite straight to near the tip where it is suddenly decurved. Gonys
about straight. Nostrils linear, not pervious, moderately long, very narrow,
situated just above the commissure on the feathered portion of the bill, immedi-
ately posterior to the lower corner of the basal ridge. Wings fully developed,
admi'ting of flight, reaching beyond the base of the tail; primaries stiff, strong,
somewhat fulcate, first longest. Tail short, pointed, rather stiffened, the
feathers acumiaate, central pair tapering and elongated. Legs short, stout and
strong; tibia bare for a short space above the joint; tarsus shorter than the
middle toe. Toes three, anterior, entirely united by à membrane. Claws all
Short, stout, blunt.

Colors.—Neck and upper parts brownish black; beneath white. A conspic-
uous white line from the eye to the summit of the basal ridge.

The essential characters of this genus lie in the wings, which are fully de-
veloped ani admit of flight. By this alone it would be entitled to full generic
rank, distinct from Alca with the type A. impennis L., were there no other char-
acters involved. But one species, the U. torda Leach, is known, which is
found abundantly in the more northern portions of both hemispheres, and is
the most characteristic bird of those regions.

UTAMANIA TORDA Leach.—Razor-billed Auk. “ Tinker."

Alca torda, Aud., Birds Amer. vii, 247; pl. 466.
Alca ( Utamania) torda, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 901.

This, the most characteristic bird of marine arctic fauna, is remarkably abun-
dant throughout the extent of Labrador. While in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
before reaching that country, numbers were every day seen flying rather low
over the water, generally in single file, and sometimes passing very close
around the vessel. At Esquimaux Bay, the most northern point visited, they
were perhaps more numerous than elsewhere, breeding plentifully among the
many thousands of Puffins there collected. I was credibly informed that they
formerly bred in so great numbers on Backelew Island, off the coast of New-
foundland, that they received the name of “ Backelew Birds ;" an appellation I
occasionally still heard applied to them, though they have entirely deserted the

1861.]

250 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

island. Another small island on the east side of Esquimaux Bay, has in a like
manner been deserted, the birds apparently having retired to the Puffin islands
on the opposite side of the Bay. From these facts, I could not but conclude
that the birds are slowly but surely retiring before the persecutions of man to
more northern and inaccessible regions, though thousands still breed as far and
farther south than Little Mecattina and the Murre Rocks.

It was at Sloop Harbor, on the third of July, that I first formed acquaintance
with the Razor-billed Auks. As we dropped anchor in that sheltered cove, a
large company of them were sitting at a little distance on a flat rock, crowded
closely together, and all facing towards the sun, then low in the skies. They
rested perfectly upright on their rumps, occasionally twisting their bodies in a
curious jerking manner. No sooner, however, had our boat touched therocky
shore than they all instantly took flight and dispersed either singly or in small
flocks. Although so watchful, they seemed to be not at all aware of the nature
of the danger that threatened them, for they flew directly towards or past us
as often as in any other direction, and numbers were easily shot, On the fol-
lowing day, the fourth of July, while searching for the eges of the Eiders and
Herring Gulls, I had abundant opportunity for observing their flight and
general manners, for they bred in considerable numbers in the crevices of all
the rocky islands in the vicinity.

Although the Razor- bills cannot be approached while sitting on the rocks, yet
while flying they evince such a want of caution, or rather so much stupidity, as
to fly continually directly over and past a boat at such short distances that they
are easily shot down. But they are strong and tough birds and carry a great
deal of shot, requiring a heavy charge to kill them. I have occasionally seen
one fly off, apparently as strong as ever, leaving a cloud of white feathers
floating in the air. When only one wing is broken they dive with great ease and
celerity, and are then difficult to secure. When shot atand not touched, they
open and shut the tail, swerve from their course and quicken their flight.

Though they are, I believe, entirely mute while flying, on being wounded
and taken in hand they utter a loud, rough, hoarse cry, at the samet ime throwing
themselves on their backs, fighting and scratching most fariously, They bite
with great force, their strong hooked bills enabling them to inflict a severe
wound, and they will suffer themselves to be held up by their bite before
they will relax their hold. The name of Zazor-bill is certainly a most appro-
priate one.

The flight of this bird is firm, well-sustained, very swift, and, considering
the heavy body and short wings, very powerful. Itis performed with short,
quick, vigorous flappings: They never sail; but on one occasion I saw an in-
dividual endeavor to flap its wings with a slow, measured stroke. It was but
a few yards, however, and it at once found that mode of flight impracticable.
On the water they swim lightly and elegantly with the head and tail elevated,
exactly as represented in the right hand figure of Audubon's life-like plate.
When well stewed, their flesh is by no means poor, being, though rather
tough, well flavored, and not possessing the slightest rank or fishy taste. We
all ate them whenever they coüld be procured.

The situations chosen by the Auks for their breeding places are generally
the rocky, precipitous islands where there are many caverns and fissures, in
which the eggs are deposited, often together with those of the Black Guillemot,
Uria grylle. I have never found more than a single egg, though in the face of
such authority as Audubon to the contrary, I should not like to assert that
two are never laid. I have great pleasure in being able to corroborate the
statement made by this distinguished ornithologist with regard to the sagacity
displayed by the birds in protecting their eggs from the wet. When deposited
in damp fissures, through which the water is continually percolating, a layer
of small pebbles is placed beneath the egg, to keep it from the moisture, but
in sufficiently dry situations, where the caution is no longer necessary, the
birds never undertake the additional labor.

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELP HIA. 251

The eggs, though differing considerably in their markings, are comparatively
uniform in size and shape, being usually about three inches in length by a very
little less than two in breadth. The ground color is either pure white or with
a creamy or light bluish tinge. The spots are of different shades of umber
brown, very often attracted into a ring around the larger end, but sometimes
pretty uniformly distributed. They vary in size from mere points to large
blotches. The eggs, though thus differing among themselves, still always
preserve a certain character distinct from that of the Murre, through all the
endless variations of the latter. They are smaller, their shape is less elon-
gated, they are never of a green ground color, and are never fantastically
streaked and lined—the more usual pattern among those of the Murre.

I was not a little surprised, when I visited the Puffin Islands, to find there
the Auks also, breeding in considerable numbers. I estimated that a fourth or
fifth part of the many thousand birds breeding there were of this species. On
the north side the island is rocky and precipitous, and there the birds princi-
pally collected ; yet on all other sides they were mixing indiscriminately with
. the Puffins, and laying their single egg in the deserted holes of the latter. In
these holes, where the earth was comparatively dry and warm, not a vestige of
a nest of any kind was found, the egg being deposited on the bare ground.
Associated so intimately, I never saw the slightest semblance of any difficulty
between the two species, although in some instances they were incubating in
contiguous holes. At that date (July 25th) some of the eggs were quite fresh,
and I found young birds, from which is to be inferred that the species is not
very exact as to the time of laying its eggs.

I noticed another fact that I do not recollect of having seen recorded; it is,
that the Auks associate in considerable numbers with the Murres. While
passing the well-known rocks where the latter were breeding in tens of thou-
sands, among the countless flocks flying constantly around us, we never failed
to detect some of the Auks, either in flocks by themselves or mixing indiscrimi-
nately with the Murres. Although the two birds are identical in size and
colors, they could always be distinguished, even at the distance of a long gun
shot, by their bills ; the long, slender and pointed ones of the Murres contrast-
ing distinctly with the short, thick, seemingly truncate bills of the Auks. As
a natural consequence of this intermingling, the eggs must of nevessity be con-
founded; yet I do not think it would be difficult to distinguish with tolerable
certainty the two kinds, by the differences already pointed out.

It would seem the Razor-billed Auk is capable of conforming its habits in a
remarkable degree to suit varying circumstances, while carrying out the great
law of reproduction. Its eggs are deposited in fissures and caverns with the
Black Guillemot, on the bare rock with the Murre, and in holes in the ground
with the Puffin. The time of depositing its eggs, and their number, (?) also
vary. The fact of its associating in perfect harmony with other species to the
extent which it does, indicates the possession of a remarkably peaceful dispo-
sition. It is known universally to all fishermen and eggers, as well as to the
natives, by the singular name of “ Tinker.” Its proper name I never heard
applied to it.

Mormon arcticus ?* Illiger.—Arctic Puffin. “ Parrakeet.”

Mormon arcticus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 238, pl. 464, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 903.
The habit of collecting in immense numbers at particular localities during

* A series of Puffins recently received from Europe by the Smithsonian Institution, has
raised a doubt with regard to the specific identity of the American bird with the true
M. arcticus of Europe. I have therefore thought it proper to give the name arcticus with
a query. It is also believed that there is on the Labrador coast an undescribed species
of Mormon, in addition to the present. Prof. Baird is at present investigating the subject,
the results of which will soon be published in a monograph.

1861.]

252 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the breeding season, so characteristic of the whole family of A/cide, is a trait
exhibited in the highest degree by the species now under consideration. With
scarcely the exception of the Common Murre, no bird of the family shows so
pre-eminently gregarious a disposition as does the Arctic Puffin. Collecting, as
it does in thousands, on particular islands of small extent, it becomes a matter
of astonishment that food can be procured in sufficient quantity to sustain
them, or that each pair can find a place to deposit its egg. The pertinacity,
too, with which they cling to the immediate vicinity of their breeding place is
remarkable. But a very short distance from an island where there are thou-
sands, it is a comparatively uncommon thing to see a Puffin. The most ex-
tensive of these breeding places appears to be an island near the harbor of
Bras-D'or, visited by Audubon in 1833, of which he has written so graphic and
instructive an account. The one, however, that I had an opportunity of visit-
ing cannot be much behind it in point of the numbers of the birds breeding on
it; and during a stay of three days I had ample opportunity of examining the
island and noting the manners of its curious population. My visit was on the
25th, 26th and 27th of July. Let a short extract from my journal describe our
approach to the island.

* We were now within less than a mile from the island, towards which all
eyes were anxiously turned, and still not a bird met our gaze. But a few
minutes more, however, and they commenced to appear, flying round the boat
or resting on the water; all were 'Parrakeets' and ‘Tinkers, except now and
then a solitary «Turre. They were tamer than I ever saw birds before, al-
most flying between the masts of our little whale-boat; it was hard to restrain
from firing. As we rounded the island close to the shore, they came tumbling
out of their holes by hundreds, and with the thousands we disturbed from the
surface of the water, soon made a perfect cloud above and around us, no
longer flying in flocks, but forming one dense continuous mass. And yet not
a gun had been fired."

The Parrakeet Islands are three in number, lying along the western shore of
Esquimaux Bay, just atits mouth. The one I visited is the innermost as well
as the largest, though the others are equally crammed with the birds. It is
about a mile in circumference; in shape almost a perfect semicircle, with two
points stretching out and enclosing a snug cove, where only can a landing be
effected with safety. It is abrupt and precipitous on the three sides, the fourth
sloping gradually down to the cove. The top is nearly flat, and covered with
a rather luxuriant growth of grass, the soil being enriched by the innumerable
droppings of the birds. The three sides in which the holes are dug are so
steep and precipitous that it required considerable agility to scramble along
them, the danger of falling into the water below being increased by the slip-
periness of the soil, worn smooth by innumerable feet, and continually moist-
ened with ordure. The sides are composed of soft loamy earth, with rocks of
every size and shape jutting out in all directions, and afford the most favor-
able possible conditions for the excavation of the burrows. The fourth side
between the two points is composed mostly of masses of rock, in the crevices
of which the Auks chiefly deposit their eggs, though they very orten appro-
priate the deserted holes of the Puffins.

The holes in the ground in which the Puffins deposit their eggs,—a habit,
as far as I am aware, entirely peculiar to the genus in this family of birds—
are excavated by the birds themselves, an operation for which their powerful
beaks and long strong and sharp claws admirably adapt them. They extend
nearly or quite in a horizontal direction, and are subcircular in shape, with the
diameter scarcely larger than is necessary for the free passage of a single bird.
They vary much in length, but the majority are not so deep but that the egg
may be reached by thrusting in the arm to its fullest extent. Their course is
seldom in a straight direction ; they curve and wind in a most tortuous man-
ner, many burrows being connected together by winding passages. The en-

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 258

trances to the holes are worn flat and smooth by continual paddling from the
feet of the birds, and, as well as the whole sides of the island, are moist and
slippery with the ordure. The sides of the island from just above high water
mark to the very top, are perforated with innumerable holes, but on the top it-
self not a single burrow is to be seen. At the further extremity of the hole,
which is usually a little enlarged, the single egg is deposited, always a slight
bed of dried grasses being first arranged to keep it from the moist earth. I
have indeed found eggs lying on the bare ground near the entrance of the
burrows, whither they had apparently beendragged by the bird asit hurriedly
made its exit; butin no instance did I find one in its usual position at the
further extremity, that was not upon a layer of grass. I noticed this fact the
more particularly, since Audubon expressly states that no nest whatever is
formed for the reception of the egg. Without fora moment doubting the acou-
racy of that great naturalist's observations, the present case is only additional
proof of the extent to which the habits of birds are influenced by circum-
stances ; the position of nests, the number of eggs, &c., varying much, and the
food changing in a measure with every change of locality. The eggs measure
two and a half inches in length, by one and three-fourths in greatest diameter,
varying very little from this standard; in shape, which is a rather rounded
ovate, they differ in being more or less obtuse at the smaller end. The great-
est diameter is nearly opposite the middle. The shell is usually more or less
granulated, but differs muchinthe extent ofthe granulation. The color is white
or whitish, varying from nearly pure to a brownish hue, the latter color being
in the shell, and not caused by soiling or discoloration. They are marked
with obsolete, sometimes almost imperceptible dots, spots, and lines of light
purplish, mostly attracted into a ring around the large end. There are some-
times a few irregular splashes of very light yellowish brown. Audubon is
clearly in error when he states that they are simply “ pure white.” At that
c: (July 25th) they all with few exceptions contained young about to be
atched.

Another extract from my journal will portray, perhaps more graphically
than could be done in any other style, the manners of the birds on being in-
vaded. ‘Hardly had our boat touched the shore than we leaped out, guns in
hand, and at once scattered over the island. As weadvanced along the sides,
the affrighted birds darted past us like arrows, issuing from their burrows
beneath our feet and around us, and all making directly for the water. Those
already disturbed flew in every direction above us, while thousands rested on
the water in a dense mass at a little distance. Itook mystand on a flat rock,
and in less than an hour a pile of Puffins, more than I could carry, lay at my
feet. Shortly after I commenced firing the birds formed themselves into an
immense circle, of a diameter of perhaps a third of a mile, one point of which
justgrazed the island. It was astonishing to see with what precision this circle
was preserved, each bird flying directly in the wake of the one that preceded.
I had merely to stand facing the advancing birds, and no better opportunity
for continual slaughter could be desired, Inow realized what I had been told,
but had found hard to believe, that a wagon might be filled with the birds by
& tolerably expert marksman, shooting them at just such a moment that they
should fall into it. The poor things seemed not at all aware of the nature of
the danger that threatened them; flying so close past me that I could almost
strike them with my gun. During the continual firing the birds would emerge
from their holes every minute or two ; and after shooting for half an hour on
one spot I was nota little surprised to see two or three start out almost from be-
tween my feet, and in great fright make the best oftheir way down to the water.
On emerging from the holes the birds generally looked around for a moment to
see what was the matter, and then in great haste fluttered and tumbled down to
the water below, in whichthey immediately dived, and swimming swiftly under
water reappeared at some distance. From the countless thousands flying

1861.]

254 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

around me I did not hear the slightest note of any kind; they flew in per-
fect silence. When wounded, if they fell on the land, they immediately ran
and threw themselves into the nearest hole, if in the water, they dived and swam
as far under the surface as their strength allowed. I observed not the slight-
est indication of any sympathy for those wounded or killed on the part of the
other birds, as stated by Audubon. The survivors did not notice them in the
least, though they lay exposed everywhere on the rocks, and floated about on
the water."

The flight of the Puffin when once on wing is firm, well sustained, very
swift and performed with short, quick, vigorous beats. When it takes flight
from a rock whence it can project itself into the air, it at once supports itself
without difficulty ; but when on the water it is obliged to flap over the surface
for several yards before it can rise on wing. When getting under weigh, the
feet are extended backwards and outwards on each side of the tail, which is
spread, but they are soon drawn up, and the tail closed. When shot at and
not touched, like the Auks they swerve from their course, open and shut the `
tail, and extend the feet. When standing on a rock or at the entrance of their
burrows, where they alight without the slightest difficulty, they present a
peculiarly grotesque appearance, such as isafforded by no other bird. Their
short thickset bodies, big heads, enormous brightly colored bills and red legs,
give them a comical appearance, which is enhanced by their upright position
and the odd nature of their movements, as they twist the head and jerk the
body in various directions. Though on a three days acquaintance we were
somewhat familiarized with their movements, we could never quite restrain a
laugh when we saw one thus ‘‘ attitudinizing" on the edge of a rock.

When taken in hand the Puffin utters a Joud, hoarse, croaking scream, at the
same time fighting most furiously. They are capable of inflicting a very severe
wound with their powerful bills, easily drawing the blood. Their long and
strong inner claw is also an effective weapon, so that by dint of scratching,
biting, and struggling, they proved difficult customers to manage. The most
courageous of our party seldom held one more than a few moments before he
was glad to set it at liberty. Indeed, their rage at being caught is so ungovern-
able, that two held together attacked each other with fury, and a single one
held up by the wings, bit its own wing and scratched its own face most en-
ergetically.

I could not but admire the beautiful provision of nature with regard to fur-
nishing this bird with the means of excavating its burrow with facility. The
inner claw of each foot is very long, much curved and excessively sharp. To
preserve it so, when not in use, it always lies perfectly flat, so that the point
does not rest on the ground. In digging and fighting, however, it is held up-
right, and then becomes a very effective weapon. The bill, always so remark-
ble in form and color, varies much with age in size and shape, and also in
the extent of the ridges and furrows. The color, however, is always pretty
constant; and a description of its tints, with those of the eyes, feet, &c., taken
from a very perfect fresh bird, may not be uninteresting, as the color fades
much in dried specimens. Base of the bill and first ridge dull yellowish
white, between the two dark bluish ash; rest of bill bright vermillion red, the
tip of the lower mandible and the two last furrows being yellowish white.
Inside of mouth and warty rugose excrescences at the base of the commissure
bright chrome. Iris hazel, eyelids vermillion, the short processes above and
below the eye bluish ash. Legs and feet bright orange red, claws black.

I was much surprised while at Rigolet, to see a great number of Puffins fly-
ing over the surface of the Bay in large compact flocks. Whether they had
come from the island described, or whether there was another island in the
immediate vicinity, I am unable to say, though I think the latter most prob-
ably the case. These birds proved rather shy, avoiding our boats with
some care. The fact of their being found so far inland is worth recording.

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 255

The flesh of the Puffin, though not ill-flavored, is so excessively tough as to
be eatable only in cases of necessity. It is most commonly known as the
* Parrakeet," (Paroquet) as it is pronounced; they are also called “ Sea-
parrots,” and are sometimes designated by their proper name of Puffin.

Uria (Uria) envrug Latham.— Black Guillemot.—* Sea-pigeon.”

Uria grylle, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 272, pl. 474.
Uria ( Uria) grylle, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 911.

The history of the Black Guillemot is an interesting one. In the extraordi-
nary changes of plumage it undergoes, in its extensive breeding range, and the
many entirely peculiar habits it possesses, it differs widely from all birds of the
family on the eastern coastof America. The most remarkable fact connected
with it is, that it breeds abundantly in the interior of the continent, being
fouud in great numbers on the southern shores of Hudson's Bay, while the other
species of Alcide are probably without an exception exclusively marine. It is
very plentiful throughout the extent of Labrador, where many remain during
the whole winter; in fact, with the exception of the Auks, Murres, and Puffins,
which congregate in such immense numbers at certain places, it is the most
common and generally distributed bird, breeding along the whole coast. I
obtained eggs at Sloop Harbor, the first locality visited, and at Groswater
Bay they were still more abundant. Audubon speaks of finding them at the
Magdaline Islands, and I have seen specimens from Greenland, which, with
the fact of its breeding plentifully on Hudson's Bay, prove for it a breeding
range remarkable among the Alcide. It is a hardy bird, remaining through-
out the year in Labrador. The changes of plumage which it undergoes are
very great. About the middle of August, or as soon as the duties of rearing
the young are concluded, the change commences, with the moult. In a very
short time they have become most curiously mottled with pure white, and the
change goes on till the body becomes almost entirely white—the wings and
tail mostly remaining black. In this state of plumage, which is shared also
by the young for the first year, they continue during the winter, and until the
breeding dress is again assuured the foilowing spring. While undergoing the
change, they are entirely unable to fly, from the loss of the primary quills.

The Black Guillemot chooses for its breeding place the most rocky, broken,
and precipitous islands along the coast, in the numerous fissures and caverns of
the eggs are deposited. Wherever there are rough jagged rocks sloping
down in huge masses to the water, there the Black Guillemot will always be
found breeding in greater or less abundance. Though they never congregate
at one spot in such immense numbers as the Puffins and Murres are wont to do,
yet there are some islands which, from their peculiar adaptation to their
wants, are taken complete possession of by the birds. These islands, wher-
ever found, are known to the natives as “ Sea-pigeon Islands." Here they
breed in great numbers, every fissure and cavern being occupied by one or
more pair. They show marked preference for the most tortuous and deepest
crevices, at the extremity of which the eggs are deposited. They are most
usually two in number; never more, so far as my own observations extend ;
but as Audubon, on the best of authority, personal observation, expressly
states that the number is sometimes three, the fact must be considered as es-
tablished. They measure nearly or quite two inches and three-eighths inlength
by one and five-eighths in greatest diameter, and are, in size and shape—which
latter is nearly elliptical—pretty constant, much more so than is usual in the
family. The shellis rough; its ground color a very light greenish or earthy
white ; it is irregularly spotted and blotched with two shades of brown, one very
dark, and with light purplish. The markings are mostly attracted into a ring
about the larger end, though they vary much in their disposition, sometimes
being very regularly distributed over the whole surface. The egg is never, I

1861.]

256 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

believe, streaked in any manner. Towards the latter part of June or 1st of July
the eggs are laid, and the young appear the second or third week of that month ;
but the precise period of incubation I am unable to state. When surprised on the
nest, the parent, if she be not already there, creeps to the furthermost ex-
tremity of the fissure, and, as if aware of the safety of her retreat, cannot be
induced to come out. But if it becomes aware of an approach before the en-
trance be obstructed, it invariably takes flight, making directly for the water.
Should the fissure be so shallow that the bird may be reached by the hand, it
sits quite still, even allowing a noose to be put over its head without strug-
gling, and on being taken in hand shows a gentleness of disposition quite the
opposite of the Puffins. It merely pecks at the hand once or twice feebly, and
yields itself in silence and without struggling. The young at first are entirely
of a dull sooty black, and have not the beautiful vermillion legs of the adult,
these being of à dusky hue. They constantly utter a low, plaintive “peep,”
when requiring attention from the parent. On a warm, sunny day, all the
birds will sometimes leave their eggs and young, and collect in large flocks
on the water at a little distance from the shore, where they wash and plume
themselves. So completely are the nests deserted on these occasions, that on
an island nearly a mile in circumference, I have found but a single bird on
its nest, though hundreds rested on the water at a little distance.

The flight of the Black Guillemot is firm, even, and direct, though not pow-
erful; performed by quick flappings, when the white of the upper and under
surfaces of the wings shows as one continuous spot. They invariably, except
when going to and from their eggs, fly very low over the water; I never saw
one more than a few feet over the surface, and they usually just clear the tops
ofthe waves. They are rather timid and wary, seldom allowing an open ap-
proach within shooting distance, and always when flying, wheeling and
changing their direction just at the right moment. The best way to procure
them is to sail or row directly down wind upon them, since, being unable to
rise from the water except against the wind, they are forced to fly in such a
direction as to afford a good shot. They often dive on being approached,
when by noting their direction and pursuing in haste, they may be shot the
instant they rise, or as they fly off. They are most expert divers, easily
eluding, when on the watch, the shot intended for their destruction. When
shot at in flight and not touched, they generally plunge at once into the water,
as if killed, which idea however is quickly dispelled by seeing them reappear
at a little distance and take flight. Except near large breeding places they are
seldom seen in companies of more than a dozen, and far oftener they are to be
found singly, or two or three together, They are universally known to the
natives and fishermen as ‘‘Sea-pigeons,” the only name I ever heard applied
to them.

Ura (CaATARACTES) Lomvia, Briinn.—Foolish Guillemot. Murre. * Turre."

Uria (Cataractes) lomvia, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 913.

On the sixth of July we passed a celebrated breeding place of these birds,
known as the ‘*Murre Rocks," situated a few miles north of the harbor of
Little Mecattina. They are two small, rocky and very precipitous islands, al-
most entirely destitute of vegetation; the sides, which rise abruptly from the
sea, are composed of successive tiers or ledges of shelving rock, on which the
eggs are deposited. The birds at this date were breeding on the islands by tens
of thousands; their number was truly incredible, and yet I was informed that
these were rather fewer than usual. As we drew near the island, the air
seemed darkened with the masses that wheeled and circled overhead ; while
on every flat rock and ledge the birds were densely packed in rows and tiers,
each sitting, or rather standing (for they seemed to rest perfectly upright on
their rumps) sentinel over its solitary egg. The birds all seemed to be facing
in the same direction, and it was with great pleasure that I noticed the curious

[Aug.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 257

effect mentioned by Audubon in his interesting account. The white breasts of
the birds appeared in marked contrast to the dull grey of the rocks, with which
the color of the head and neck so well harmonized as to cause the birds to
appear deprived of those very indispensable portions. To my great disap-
pointment, I was not permitted to land and examine the islands and their
inhabitants; our captain, as on other occasions, paying no regard to the wishes
of the passengers. Again, on our return, though we passed between the
islands, not for an hour, even, would he delay, to enable me to notice the birds
or to obtain specimens. I am therefore unable to give any account of the man-
ners of these most interesting birds. A barrel of eggs was procured, and
placed at my disposal.

The egg of the Foolish Guillemot is notorious among that of all other birds,
for the variations it presents in size, shape, color and markings, but more es-
pecially the latter. From a large number of specimens, I found the average
size to be a very little over three inches and one-fourth in length, by two in
greatest diameter, while the greatest difference in length was five-eighths of an
. inch. The diameter was much more constant, differing but one-fourth, thus
causing the variations in shape to be exceedingly great. The ground color of
the egg varies from a bright cream color to pure white, and then passing
through earthy, greyish, bluish and greenish-white to light green, is found of
every shade of the green to the very darkest. The more usual color is some
shade of green. The markings of the cream colored and white specimens are
usually spots and blotches of different shades of brown, pretty uniformly disposed
over the whole surface. Eggs of thistype bear the closest resemblance to
those of Utamania torda, but may usually be easily distinguished by their larger
size and more pyriform shape. The prevailing pattern of coloration among the
light earthy and bluish- white eges is a ring of spots around the larger end;
these very closely resemble those of Uria grylle, as far as color is concerned.
The green eggs present an infinite variety of patterns, which it would be use-
less to attempt to define; they are oftener streaked than blotched, the lines
being angular and sharply defined, crossed and recrossed in the most fantastic
manner. Occasionally a pure white egg is met with, and I have seen some
that had much the peculiar pattern and appearance of those of Meleagris galli-

avo.

| The “ egging,” or traffic in the eggs of the Murre as at present carried on, is
on systematic principles, and furnishes constant employment during the sum-
mer to men who make it their profession. The method pursued to procure the
eggs fresh is singularly unique, but entirely successful. They land on one of
the islands and break every egg that they can find upon it; the next day, re-
pairing to the spot, all those eggs found cannot but be fresh. By collecting
these, of course the birds are prevented from sitting, and thus any quantity of
eggs may be procured. Notwithstanding the wholesale system of destruction
thus carried on against the birds, they are still to be found in prodigious mul-
titudes; yet it is remarked by all those who have visited the coast for a num-
ber of years, that their numbers are slowly but surely decreasing under this
incessant persecution, which not even their myriads enable them to withstand.
I was informed that there is a law which forbids the collecting of the eggs,
but if so, it has very little practical effect.

The present species, as well as the U. ringvia and U. arra, is known to the
natives and fishermen as either the * Murre” or “ Turre," the latter being per-
haps the more usual appellation. This name is also applied to the Merguius
alle, which is known as the “Little Turre," or sometimes as the “Little
Noddie." On the coast of Maine it is also called “ Ice-bird,”

A letter was read from Dr. Jas. C. Fisher, resigning his office as
Librarian of the Academy, on account of absence from the city in
military service for the suppression of rebellion.

On motion the resignation was accepted.

1861.] 18

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 225

cous; a large black discal spot on each wing : two or three obsolete spots near
anal angle, the second from the angle with a faint yellow lunule; fringe brown-
ish white.

Under side greyish white, bluish next base; primaries have a fuscous spot
near base, a discal bar and a transverse sinuous row of elongated fuscous spots,
each edged with whitish ; along the margin obsolete spots surmounted by faint
lunules.

Secondaries have three fuscous points near base; a discal bar and a trans-
verse sinuous row of fuscous spots; whole hind margin bordered by small me-
tallic blue spots, each surmounted by a blackish lunule.

Female. Upper side clear brown; the obsolete spots next anal angle sur-
mounted by a narrow crenated yellow band; under side asin male, but the
five spots next anal angle are surmounted by ochrey yellow lunules edged
above with black; fringe long and fuscous at the extremities of the nervures.

California, from Dr. H. Behr.

Lvcuxxa ScupprEru, Edw.

Female. The more common form differs somewhat from that heretofore de-
scribed, which appears to have been a variety, in that the base of both wings
is violet blue, and the black marginal spots of secondaries distinct, the two or
three next anal angle surmounted with fulvous; under side as in the male.

This species is found abundantly near London, Canada West, as I am in-
formed by Mr. W. Saunders. I have also received it from Fort Simpson.

Parnassius SwiNTHEUS, Doubleday: figured in Genera of Diurnal Lepidop-
tera, but not described.

Expands 2} inches. Size and form of Clarius.

Male. Both wings pure white, semi-transparent at apex of primaries; hind
margin of primaries sprinkled with black scales which take the form of in-
distinct lunules ; a second similar series anterior to these; a black bar on the
arc, and, within the cell, a transverse, elongated black spot that terminates a
little short of the median nervure ; on the costa beyond the cell, a crimson spot
in a black ring, and below this “a black spot with crimson centre; a small
black spot within the inner margin; base of wing and edge of costa thickly
sprinkled with black scales; fringe white, cut with black at the ends of the
nervures.

Secondaries black at the base and along the abdominal margin, from which
black scales extend to the cell and around the arc; a submarginal row of ob-
solete black spots; a small crimson spot on costal margin and a larger and
brighter one in the disc, both in black rings.

Under side with all the markings of the upper, but less vivid in color; sec-
ondaries have an additional small crimson spot within the abdominal margin
near the anal angle, and at the base four crimson spots ina curved band,
each more or less edged with black: the spot in the disc with white
centre.

Female. A little larger than the male; the whole hind margin of primaries
Semi-transparent, enclosing a transverse row of white lunules, but without
other spots ; the red spots larger and paler, the one on disc of secondaries with
white centre; on the under side of secondaries the costal spot also has a
white centre, and near the anal angle are two red spots.

California.

LiwENITIS EULULIA, Doubleday: figured in Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera,
but not described. i

Expands 23 inches.

Male, Upper side of both wings olive brown, with a blackish tinge upon
the outer limb ; hind margin bordered by a broad crenated band of lighter color,
through which runs a black line; a large golden yellow apical spot fills the
space between the marginal band and narrow costal border of primaries; across

1862.]

2 PROCEEDINGS OF fost ad OF

the middle of the wings a common white band, commencing on the costa of
primaries, with a large spot cut into three by the nervures, followed by a sec-
ond, oval, separated from the first by a wide space, and out of the line in the di-
rection of the inner angle; after this the band is uninterrupted except by the
nervures, and diminishes to a point a little; within the abdominal margin,
on the arc of primaries a narrow, transverse, ferruginous band, and another
in the cell, each edged on either side by a black wavy line; a similar line
mid-way between these bands; the cell and costa next base have a dull
green tinge; at anal angle a.black spot within a fulvous lunule; fringe brown,
white in the emarginations.

Under side pale brown, with a bronze lustre on secondaries; primaries have
a broad hind margin, crenatednext the inner angle, with a faint, pale blue line
running through it and edged anteriorly by a narrow, pale blue band ; the yel-
low spot as above, but paler; below this and between the marginal and white
hands, smoky black; the white band as above but a little enlarged; the bars
in the cell larger and fulvous; inner margin next base greyish ; hind margin
of secondaries narrower than that of primaries, wholly crenated, with a pale
blue line runring through it and bordered anteriorly by a broad, pale blue band;
the white band is edged without, and near its point suffused with light pur-
ple; inside the band to the base, are alternate, irregular, transverse bands of
purple and lustrous yellow brown; abdominal margin pale blue; the nervures
much bordered by purple or blue scales; body above olive brown; beneath,
bluish white; antenna and club dark brown.

Female scarcely differs from the male.

California, from Dr. H. Behr.

/'))

-// Synopsis of the North American Forms of the COLYMBIDJE and
PODICIPIDZ,

" Nos BY ELLIOTT COUES.*

Family COLYMBID &.

Char. Feathers of forehead reaching to the nostrils. Nostrils narrow and
linear; their upper edge with a dependent lobe. Lores densely feathered.
Tertials short and stiff. Tail fully developed. Tarsus and toes covered with
small, regular, polygonal, reticulated plates. Tibiæ feathered on the joint.
Toes ‘fully webbed. Claws strong, narrow, oblong, very convex superiorly.
Posterior edge of tarsus smooth, formed by a single row of very convex over-
lapping scales. Lobe of hind toe moderate. Size large; general form stout
and strong; body robust; neck short and thick, without crests or ruffs ; the
back spotted.

Genus Cotymeus Linneus,
Colymbus, Linn. 1735, et auct. nec Ill. 1811; nec Pallas, 1811; nec Briss. 1764.
? Cepphus, Moehring, 1752, secundum G. R. Gray.
Cepphus, Pallas, 1811, partim.
Mergus, Brisson, 1764, fide G. R. Gray ; nec auct.

* The great accession of new material in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution
has furnished the means of making some additions and corrections to the last account of
the Loons and Grebes of North America—that by Mr. Lawrence in the General Report.
‘The writer having lately been occupied, in connection with Dr. Geo. Suckley, U.S. A.,
in the preparation of a Government Report, took the opportunity to institute a thorough
revision of the two families. ‘The results of that investigation will be found in full in
the Report alluded to; but as it may be some time before its publication, it has been
thought advisable to issue in advance this brief synopsis, Particular attention has been
paid to the characters of the families and subfamilies, and to the arrangement of the
species under their appropriate genera, [A "

po»,

bo
bo
=~]

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.

Urinator, Cuvier, 1799-1800, fide G. R. Gray.
Eudytes, Illiger, 1811; (Eudites, Kaup, 1829.)

1. ConvMwBus roRQvATUS Brünnich.
C. torquatus, Brünn. 1764; C. glacialis, Linn. 1766, auctor. pleriq ; ad.—
C. immer, Brünn. 1764; Linn. 1766; Gmel. 1788; Lath. 1790 ; juv.—
Cepphus torquatus, Pall. 1811, ad. ; C. imber, Pall. 1811, juv. ; Kudytes
glacialis, Illiger, 1811; Eudites glac. Kaup. 1829.

2. Cornvwsus Apawsm G. R. Gray.
Colymbus Adamsii, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1859, 167.

Sp. Ch. Form and general appearance that of C. torquatus, but larger, with
the bill disproportionately larger, and differently shaped.

Bill very large and strong, about equal in length to the head, longer than
the tarsus, greatly compressed, the tip very acute, not decurved. Culmen
very slightly, scarcely appreciably, convex. Commissure perfectly straight.
Gonys straight, or very nearly so, to the angle, which is prominent, well
defined; and straight, or even a little concave, to the tip. Feathers of fore-
head extending beyond the middle of the nostrils. Groove along the sym-
physis of the lower jaw extending but little beyond the angle.

Adult.—Billlight yellowish, growing dusky at the base. Head and neck
all round deep steel blue, with purplish and violet reflections, and glossed on
the back of the neck with deep green. Gular patch of white streaks very
small, less than in torquatus, but the individual streaks larger, as are also
those on the side of the neck. Upper parts generally as in torquatus, but the
Spots considerably larger, and on the scapulars and tertials rectangular, instead
of nearly square, being much longer than broad. Otherwise like torquatus.

Plumage of the young unknown.

Bill above 3°70; along gape 5:25; height of nostril anteriorly 1:10 ; width,
*50; tarsus 3:50; outer toe 4-65 inches. ‘‘Irides light reddish-brown, legs
and feet olivaceous."?

Habitat. Russian America (Gray). Arctic America (Ross, Kennicott).

‘able of Distinctive Characters.

C. torquatus. Bill 2°75 inches, not longer than the tarsus; moderately
compressed ; black: the tip only sometimes yellowish. Culmen very convex.
Commissure decurved. Gonys regularly convex throughout its whole length,
the angle scarcely appreciable; the groove along symphysis extending nearly
to tip. Feathers of the forehead falling short of the middle of the nostrils.
Head and neck mostly deep glossy green. White spots of back moderate,
scarcely longer than broad.

C. Adamsii. Bill 3-75; longer than the tarsus ; exceedingly compressed ;
light yellow, except at base. Culmen very slightly convex. Commissure
straight. Gonys straight, or nearly so, to the angle, straight, or even a little
concave to the tip, the angle prominent, well defined. Groove along sym-
physis very short. Feathers of forehead extending beyond the middle of the
nostrils. Head and neck mostly deep steel blue. White spots of back large,
much longer than broad.

There cannot be, I think, the slightest doubt of the specific distinction of
the present species and the C. torquatus.* The difference in the size, shape,
and color of the bill alone would separate the two, were there no other char-
acters involved. It is every way a much larger bird. The species is, so far
as we are aware, now for the first time presented in an American work. The
original description, by Gray (as above), is very brief, but the distinctive
characters of the species are so concisely stated that we have no difficulty in
identifying the large series before us with the description. The Loon men-
tioned by Audubon, as having ‘‘the point of the bill recurved, and of a fine
yellow tint," was very possibly an individual of this species. The type of

1862.

228 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the species is from Russian America. The large series which the Smithsonian
possesses, were collected in the vicinity of Great Slave Lake and McKenzie’s

River, by R. Kennicott and B. R. Ross, Esqrs. It has not been obtained from
the Atlantic coast.

3. COLYMBUS ARCTICUS Linnzus.

C. arcticus, Linn. 1735, et auct. Cepphus arct. Pall. 1811. — Eudytes arct.
Illig. 1811.

4. COLYMBUS PACIFICUS Lawrence.
C. pacificus, Lawr. Gen. Rep. Birds, 1858, 889.

Sp. Ch. Generally similar to C. arcticus, but every way smaller; the wing
from an inch to two inches shorter, the legs and feet proportionately shorter,
and the bill smaller, shorter, weaker, usually with a less decurved culmen,
and more acute tip. Colors precisely as in C. arcticus. *'Length 25 inches ;
wing 111; bill 2:12; tarsus 2°75.”

Habitat. Northern North America. Pacific coast.

The types of Mr. Lawrence’s C. pacificus are young birds, and their relation-
ship can only be determined by their size and form. A comparison of these
types with an extensive series of skins of the adult bird, from the interior
of Northern North America, has shown them to be beyond a doubt identical.
The entire series differs from a fine adult European bird furnished for examina-
tion by the Copenhagen Museum, in those points which are given in the diag-
nosis. The difference is very marked indeed, and while all the birds in the
North American series agree perfectly with each other, there is, at the same
time, not the slightest graduation between them and the European bird. This
would seem to indicate that the North American bird is distinct from the
European ; or, in other words, that **Colymbus pacificus Lawr.” is the ** Colym-
bus arcticus ex America." Upon this supposition it would be necessary to

, exclude the C. arcticus from our avi-fauna. ‘There is in the collection, how-
ever, a specimen (from Puget Sound) which is fully as large as the European
bird, with which it agrees in the minutest particulars, and is much larger and
stouter every way than the rest of the series. I have, therefore, at present
no other alternative than to admit the C. pacificus as distinct from the arcti-
cus, in view of the differences constantly observable, and at the same time to
retain the latter as an inhabitant of North America. I think it probable,
however, that if the true arcticus is really found in North America, it is rather
as an infrequent visiter than as a permanent resident. I do not regard the
question as yet definitely settled, especially as the single European skin
examined may have been an unusually large specimen. Further investigation
will be necessary to definitely settle the point.

Should the pacificus prove to be really distinct from the arcticus, it would
be another example of a peculiar law which prevails extensively throughout
the Colymbide and Podicipide. This is, that nearly all the species have, so
to speak, their analogues, agreeing in colors and general appearance, but dif-
fering in size, and in the size, shape, and stoutness of the bill. Instances are
seen in the cases of Colymbus Adamsii and torquatus ; Podiceps grisiegena and
Holbélli; P. cornutus and ?arcticus; Aichmophorus occidentalis and Clarkii; Podi-
lymbus podiceps and brevirostris, etc. This law seems capable of very extensive
application.

5. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS Linnaeus.
Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn. 1766, et auct. C. lumme, Brünn. 1764, ad.
C. stellatus, Brünn. 1764; Gmel. 1788; Lath. 1790; juv. C. striatus,
Gmel. 1788; Lath. 1790; jav. C. borealis, Brünn. 1764; Gmel. 1788;
Lath. 1790. Cepphus septentrionalis, Pall. 1811. Cepphus stellatus,
Pall. 1811.

[ April,

NATURAL SOIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 229

Family PODICIPIDZ.

Char. Feathers of forehead not reaching to the nostrils. Nostrils linear,
oblong, sometimes quite broadly oval, without dependent lobe, Lores naked.
Tertials long, reaehing to the tip of the primaries in the closed wings. Tail
rudimentary. Tarsus and toes covered with regular, long, narrow, transverse
scutellæ. Toes lobed, connected at base by a membrane. Tibiz feathered to
the joint. Claws weak, broad, short, flat. Posterior edge of tarsus serrated,
formed by a double row of small, pointed scales. Lobe of hind toe large. Size
moderate, or very small; general form rather slender; body depressed ; neck
long; crests or ruffs usually present; the back never spotted.

The preceding diagnosis expresses very briefly the more prominent charac-
ters of a group of birds composing the subfamily Podicipine of modern authors.
It corresponds with the Colymbi pedibus palmatis and pedibus lobatis of Gmelin,
nearly with the Cepphi and Colymbi of Pallas, and with the genera Colymbus
and Podiceps of Latham. Although related to the Colymbide in most points
of structure and habits, they nevertheless differ in so many and so essential
characters, that a single family cannot, without great latitude of definition,
contain the two groups. We have, therefore, restricted the Colymbide to the
Colymbine of authors, and raised the Podicipine to the rank of a distinct
family.

Two subfamilies are represented in North America.

Subfamily PODICIPIN A.

Char. Bill moderately stout, or very slender. Commissure not abruptly
decurved at the end. Nostrils linear. Bare loral space narrow and linear.
Feathers of the head with their shafts normal. Tarsus at least three-fourths
the middle toe; generally but litile, if any, shorter. Toes connected at base
for a moderate distance, the lobe of the hind toe broad. Usually (always ?)
with more or less conspicuous crests and ruffs.

Genus I. ZEcuwoprHogus Coues. N. G.

Gen. Char. Bill very long, exceeding the head, straight or very slightly
recurved, slender, attenuated towards the tip, which is very acute. Culmen
straight or slightly concave. Commissure about straight. Gonys convex
throughout its whole length, the angle scarcely appreciable. Nasal groove
long, shallow, and narrow. Bare loral space very narrow. Wings rather
long, pointed, the outer primaries much attenuated. Legs very long. Tarsus
as long as the middle toe and claw, exceeding the bill, excessively com-
pressed. Outer lateral toe much longer than the middle. Lobes united at
base for a very short distance. Size large; body slender; neck very long.
Head with moderate crests, but without decided ruffs ?

Type. Podiceps occidentalis, Lawr.

1. AcHMOPHORUS OCCIDENTALIS (Lawr.)
Podiceps occidentalis, Lawr. 1858.

Char. Length about 29 inches ; wing 8:25 ; bill or tarsus 3:00. Bill equal
to tarsus, straight, dark colored, except terminally and along the cutting
edges. Gonys straight from base to angle, and nearly so from angle to tip.
Feathers between eye and nostril grayish ash.

Habitat. Pacific coast of North America.

2. AicumopHorvs CLARKII (Lawr).
Podiceps Clarkii, Lawr. 1858.

Char. Much smaller than A. occidentalis. Length 22 inches; wing 7;
bil 2-25; tarsus 2°75; bill rather shorter than tarsus, exceedingly acute,
slightly recurved; the gonys regularly much curved from base to tip, the
angle scarcely apparent. Feathers between eye and nostril white.

Habitat. Pacific coast of North America.

1862.]

230 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Genus II. Popicers Latham.

Colymbus, Briss. 1760, nec. Linn. et auct. Ill. 1811 ; Pall. 1811.
Podiceps, Lath. 1790; (typus Col. cristatus, Linn.) nec Kaup. 1829.
Pedetaithya, Kaup. 1829 ; typus Col. griseigena, Budd. 1783.)
Lopharthyia, Kaup.1829; (typus Col. cristatus, Linn. Podiceps, Lath. 1790.)
Dytes, Kaup. 1829; (typus Col. cornutus, Gmel.)

Proctopus, Kaup. 1829 ; (typus Col. auritus.)

Otodytes, Reichenbach, 1853 ; (typus idem.)

Gen. Char. Bill moderately stout; usually more or less compressed; as
long as, or rather shorter than, the head; not equalling the tarsus. Culmen
convex, occasionally nearly or quite straight. Commissure about straight,
Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw. Outer lateral but little, if any,
longer than the middle toe. Body depressed, moderately full; head always
with more or less conspicuous crests and ruffs.

Although the characters of the genus are drawn so as to exclude both the
foregoing and succeeding genus, the North American species comprised in it,
are sufficiently dissimilar in form to have caused the instituting of several
subgenera. These may be characterized and arranged as follows :—

A. Tarsus equal to the middle toe without the claw.
I. Bill equal to the head, four-fifths the tarsus. Bill
much compressed, lateral outlines a little con-
cave. Crests and ruffs very long and conspicu-
vut Metus PrcMale ud Du cee sd Rope dos Podiceps, Lath.
II. Bill much shorter than the head, but little more
than half the tarsus.
1. Bill compressed, higher than broad at the nos-
trils; crests and ruffs, especially the latter, very

Tong and full. escono Mr p M Dytes, Kaup.
2. Bill depressed, broader than high at the nostrils ;
crests and ruffs more moderate.................«. ^ Proctopus, Kaup.

B. Tarsus about four-fifths the middle toe and claw.
II. Bill variable in length, always quite stout; outer
lateral but little longer than the middle toe;
crests and ruffs rather short......... ........ eee Pedetaithya, Kaup.

1. PODICEPS CRISTATUS Latham.
Colymbus cristatus, Linn. 1766; Pall. 1811; IIl. 1811. C. urinator, Linn.
1766, juv. Podiceps crist. Lath. 1790, et auct.
Habitat. Europa; Amer. Sept.

2. PopicEPs CooPERI Lawrence.

Sp. Char. Billlarge and strong, as long as the head, very stout at the
base, the tip very acute and considerably decurved. Upper mandible with
the culmen very slightly concave on the basal half, the terminal portion re-
gularly convex. Commissure irregularly sinuate to the nostrils, then regu-
larly decurved, the radius of curvature decreasing towards the tip. Lower
mandible without a groove along the symphysis of the rami beyond the
angle, the tip decurved and very acute. Lower outline concave, both ante-
rior and posterior to the angle, which is prominent and marked; the con-
cavity is very decided in the former. First and second primaries longest,
third but little shorter. Tarsi and toes as in P. cristatus.

Young. Upper mandible dusky, except the tip and extreme base, which
are yellowish, as is also the lower mandible, except a central dusky greenish
space. No white space between eye and nostril. Slight indications of+a
crest, but none at all of a ruff. Crown, and median dorsal line of neck, deep
blackish brown, darkest on the former. Upper parts brownish black, darkest
on the scapulars and lower part of the back, all the feathers, especially an-

[April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 281

teriorly, edged with grayish. Primaries rather light chocolate brown, their
shafts and tips black. Secondaries white, their inner vanes brown towards
their extreme tips. Wing coverts wholly chocolate brown.

Dimensions. Bill above 2:40, along gape 3'10, height at nostril :55, from
angle of gonys to tip 1 inch; wing 8-80; tarsus 2°40; middle toe, 3:10.

Habitat. Shoalwater Bay, W. T.

A species admitted with some doubt, but probably distinct from the pre-
ceding. It must be obtained in full plumage before the question of its rela-
tionship can be definitely settled. We do not consider it by any means cer-
tain that it will possess the conspicuous ruffs of P. cristatus. In that event, it
would more probably fall in some other subgenus.

3. Popicers (Dyres) cornutus (Gmelin. )

Colymbus cornutus, Gmel., 1788; Pall, 1811; ad. C. obscurus, Gmel.,
1788, et C. caspicus, Gmel, 1788; juv. C. nigricans, Scopoli, fide
Lawr. Podiceps cornutus, Lath., 1790, et auct. ? P. arcticus, Boie.

Habitat. Europ. Amer. Sept.

4, Popicers (Procropus) CanrrogNicus Heermann.
Podiceps auritus ex Americá ; e. g. Aud. B. Am., 1844, vii. 322. Lawr.
Gen. Rep. 1858, synon. excl. Nec Colymbus aur. Linn. ; nec script.
Europ. F. Californicus, Heermann, 1854; Lawr., 1858.

Char. Generally similar-to P. auritus of Europe; all the primaries choco-
late brown throughout their whole extent, with a more or less notable amount
of dull reddish externally. Secondaries white, the two outer ones dusky
along their centres for their whole length, and the bases and shafts of allof
the same color.

Habitat. Western and Northern North America; California; Great Slave
Lake.

In 1854, a Podiceps californicus was characterized, as above, based upon an
immature or winter specimen. Examination of the type, and quite a series
of additional specimens, has shown that it is merely the American form of P.
auritus. The name would, therefore, become a synonym were it not for the
fact that, in all probability, the American and European birds are specifically
distinct. The differences are those given in the diagnosis. In the American
Eared Grebe, all the primaries are throughout their whole extent dark choco-
late brown, with a more or less notable amount of dull reddish in the adult.
The two first secondaries are of the color of its primaries, and bordered with
white; and the basal portions and shafts of all, for the greater part of their
length, are of the same chocolate brown. In all the specimens of the European
type examined, the characters of the wing are very different. The four inner
primaries are wholly pure white; the next is white with a sprinkling of
brown on the outer web; the next is white, its outer vane brown; and all
the others have more or less white at their bases and on the inner webs. All
the secondaries, except the three innermost are entirely pure white, and their
shafts are white to the very base. The three innermost have a dusky spot
near the end of the outer web. These differences, so far as we can discover,
are constant; and if so, quite sufficient to separate the two.

Although “californicus” was not so characterized as to show any tangible
distinctive features from the auritus, we prefer to adopt it, as the necessity
for a new name will thereby be obviated.

5. Popicrers (PEDETArTHYA) Horsórnrnr Reinhardt.
Pod. rubricollis, Audub. et al. script. Amer. ; nec Lath., 1790, et auct.
Europ. P. griseigena, Lawr., 1858, excl. synon. Nec Colymbus grisei-
gena, Bodd. P. Holbólli, Reinhardt, 1853.
Sp. Char. Generally similar to P. griseigena, but larger, with the bill dis-
proportionately longer, stouter, and differently colored. Bill about equal to

1862.]

282 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the head, shorter than the tarsus. Length about 19 inches, wing 7°60. Bill
above 1:90, along gape 2:40, height at nostril*55. Tarsus 2:10; middle toe
and claw 2:65.

Habitat. North America, generally.

The present species has by most authors been considered identical with the
P. griseigena Bodd. (rubricollis of Latham,) of Europe. The differences, how-
ever, as pointed out by Reinhardt, are quite tangible, and so constant as to
render it very probable that they are of specific value. In the European bird
the bill measures 1:50 along the culmen, 2:00 along the gape, and °50 in
height at the nostrils ; the wing less than 7 inches. (See diagnosis for compari-
son). In color, too, the bills differ. In P. griseigena the extreme base of the
under mandible only is yellow, the color extending a little on the cutting edge
of the upper mandible at base. In Holbélli nearly the whole of the under
mandible, and the cutting edge of the upper, are yellow.

Genus III. SYLBEOoCYCLUS Bon.

Podiceps, Kaup, 1829, nec Lath.
Sylbeocyclus, Bonaparte, 1832. (Typus Pod. minor, fide G. R. Gray.)
Tachybaptes, Reichenbach, 1851. (Typus idem.)

Gen. Char. Bill very short, much less than the head, scarcely more than
half the tarsus ; very stout, little compressed, the tip obtuse; lateral outlines
about straight; culmen a little concave at the nostrils, convex throughout
the rest of its length ; gonys straight to the angle, and from angle to tip ; the
former well defined. Wings short; attenuation of primaries considerable;
abrupt on the inner web. Tarsus stout for this family, much abbreviated,
scarcely more than three-fourths the middle toe and claw. Outer lateral toe
abou tequal to the middle. Size smali; body full; neck short; without de-
cided crests or ruffs.

1. SYLBEOCYCLUS DOMINICUS (Linn.)
Podiceps dominicus, Linn., 1766. Sylbeocyclus dominicus, —?

Sp. Char. Adult,—Without decided crests, but indications of them in the
length and fulness of the feathers of the parts. Crown and occiput deep
glossy steel blue. Sides of head, and neck all round dark ashy gray, deepest
behind, where it is tinged with bluish. Chin variegated with ashy and white.
Upper parts generally brownish black, with glossy greenish reflections. Pri-
maries chocolate brown, the greater portions of the inner vanes of all, the
whole of the four or five inner, except just at tip, together with the second-
aries, pure white. Under parts silky white, thickly mottled with brownish
dusky ; the abdomen uniform dusky gray. Upper mandible dusky, the lower
mostly yellowish.

Dimensions. Length 9:50; wing 3°60; bill above -70; along gape 1:00;
tarsus 1:25 ; middle toe 1°75.

Habitat. Central America; Mexico; Antillean Is. ; Gulf of California (Gam-
bel); Rio Grande (eggs in Smiths. Coll.).

[Nore.—Sylbeocyclus minor, the type of the genus, is given by Nuttall as an
inhabitant of North America ; but its existence in this country is very doubt-
ful.

Subfamily PODILYMBIN A.

Char. Bill exceedingly stout. Commissure abruptly decurved at the end.
Nostrils broadly oval. Bare loral space broad. Feathers of the forehead with
their shafts prolonged into stiff bristles. Tarsus not three-fourths the middle
toe. Toes connected at base for a considerable distance; the lobe of the hind
toe moderate. Without decided crests or ruffs.

Genus IV. Popitymsus Lesson.

Podilymbus, Lesson, 1831. (Typus Colymbus podiceps, Linn.)

Hydroka, Nuttall, 1834.

Dasyptilus, Swainson, 1837, fide G. R. Gray. j
[April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 2090

Gen. Char. Bill shorter than the head, compressed, exceedingly stout,
obtuse at the end; culmen straight to the nostrils, then very convex to the
decurved and acute tip of the upper mandible. Commissure slightly sinuate
at the base, straight to near the tip, where it is suddenly deflected. Gonys
regularly convex, the angle scarcely appreciable. Upper mandible covered with
soft skin from the base to the nostrils, between which are two fosse, the an-
terior shallow and oblong, the posterior triangular and deep, opening into the
bare loral space; the two separated by an oblique ridge. Nostrils situated
near the extremity of the anterior fossa. Outer three or four primaries ab-
ruptly attenuated near the end. Tarsus much abreviated, comparatively
stout, about three fourths the middle toe and claw. Middle and outer toe
nearly equal. Lobes of toes broad, connected at base for a greater distance
than in other genera.

l. PopnruyuBus popicers (Linn.)

Colymbus podiceps, Linn., 1766. Podilymbus pod. Lawr., 1858. Podil.
lineatus, Heerm., 1854. Colymbus ludovicianus, Gmel., 1788. Podiceps
ludov. Lath., 1790. Pod. carolinensis, Lath., 1790. Sylbeocyclus carol.,
Bon., 1838.

Habitat. Continent of North America.

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 403

female(?) and unusually light colored, we have had our drawing made, on
account of its having been procured in the American territory," while his
description is taken **from a handsome male specimen from Arctic America."

The genus Pediocaetes therefore is composed of the two following species,
with this diagnosis :
General color white and brownish yellow with irregu-

lar black-markings. Beneath pure white, the feath-

ers on the breast and flanks with brown U-shaped

markings. Throat buff...... ARE UE. ccr ETUR Pediocaetes Columbianus.
General color white and black, with irregular dark

brown markings. Beneath pure white, with V- shaped

black marks on the breast and sides, broader and

closer than those of its relative. Throat white in-

terspersed with small black marks...................... Pedioeaetes phasianellus.

The species may be more fully deseribed thus :

PEDIOCAETES CoLUMBIANUS (Ord.) Elliot.
"Pothto phasianellus ? Ord. Guthrie's Geog., 21 Am. ed., 1815, p. 317.

Phasianus Columbianus, do. do.
T'etrao phasianellus, Bon. Syn., 1828, p. 127.
Do. Sec Am. Ornith., vol. iii. 1828, p. 37, pl. xix.
Do. Nuttall, Man. vol. i. 1832 2, p. 669.
Do. Audub. Ornith. Biog., vol. iv. 1838, p. 569, pl. 382.
Do. i^ Syn. 1838, p.205,
Do. ‘¢ — Birds of Amer., vol. v. 1842, p. 110, pl.298.
Do. Newberry, Cal. & »» Ronte. Rep. P. R. R. Surv., vol.
viiv. 1857, p
Tetrao ( Centrocercus) phasianellus. quem "Faun. Bor. Am., vol. ii. 1831, p.361.
Do. Bonp. Comptes Rendus, xlv. 1857, p. 428.

Tetrao urophasianellus, Doug. Trans. Linn. Societ., vol. xvi. 1829, p. 136.
Pediocaetes phasianellus, Baird, vol. ix. P. R. R. R., p. 626.

Head and throat brownish ’ yellow, the front, crown, occiput and cheeks
irregularly marked with black or very dark brown ; superciliary band whitish ;
back ferruginous brown, variously spotted with black or brownish yellow ;
wings brownish grey, with large spots cf white on all the coverts; transverse
bars on the secondaries, and the outer webs of the primaries which are dark
brown, spotted with the same; the tail feathers have the inner web white,
outer brownish gray, dotted with darker brown; the central feathers are elon-
gated and same color as the back— under parts are pure white, the feathers on
the breast and flanks having a brown U-shaped mark. Bill black ; feet brown.

Hab.—Northern prairies from Wisconsin to Oregon and Washington territories.

PEDIOCAETES PHASIANELLUS, (Linn.) Elliott.
T'etrao phasianellus, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. 10 ed., 1758, p. 160.

Do. Forst. Philos. Trans. 2, xis 1772, p. 394 and 495.
Do. Gmelin Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 747.
Do. Lath. Ind. Ornith. . Vol. ii. p. 635.

Tetrao urogallus, var. B., Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i..ed. 12th, p. 273.

Tetrao phasianellus, Bon. Amer. Ornith., vol. iii. 1828, text E Sharp-tailed
Grouse. Pennant.

Pediocaetes Kennicotti, Suckley, Proc. A. Nat. Sc., 1861.

General color black. Top of head black, a few faint marks of rusty towards
the occiput, sides of head black, the feathers tipped with white; those on the
side and back of neck tipped with rusty; throat white, spotted with black.
The back is also black, the feathers margined with rufous brown; the rump
is lighter, caused by the feathers being tipped broadly with grayish; the
elongated central feathers of the tail are (in the specimen before me) jet
black, irregularly crossed with yellowish white and gray. Wings blackish
brown, with large white spots on all the coverts, in addition to the rusty

1862.]

404 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

margins of the feathers; primaries blackish with white marks on their outer
webs. Tailsometimes grayish at the base with white tips, or pure white.
Under parts pure white, with a black V-shaped mark near the centre of the
feathers on the breast and flanks, gradually growing smaller and fainter, as
they approach the abdomen and vent. The white feathers of the legs are
reve and extend over the toes quite to the nails. Bill black; feet dark

rown.

Habitat.—Arctic America, plentiful around Hudson's Bay, but never found
within the limits of the United States.

Supplementary note toa ‘‘ Synopsis of the North American Forms of the
COLYMBIDZE and PODICEPIDZE."

BY ELLIOTT COUES.

Since the publication of my paper on the Loons and Grebes of North Amer-
ica, the Smithsonian Institution has received, from J. Hepburn, Esq., of San
Francisco, California, what has long been a great desideratum in its collec-
tions, a specimen of Z;Echmophorus Clarkii in full plumage. The interest
attaching to the elucidation of this hitherto undetermined question in Amer-
ican ornithology induces me to offer the following brief notice of the points in
which the nuptial dress differs from the ordinary well known winter plumage.
The specimen alluded to, Mr. Hepburn states, was shot in the latter part of
April, and is a female.

JEcHwoPHonus CLARKII, Coues.—(Adult female, breeding plumage.)—The
chrome yellow of the under mandible, and of the tip and cutting edges of the
upper, is very bright, and in marked contrast with the quite pure black of
the culmen. The bare loral space is leaden blue. The crown, occiput, and
neck behind are very deep grayish black, almost pure black on the occiput,
and fading gradually along the neck, into the blackish gray of the back and
upper parts generally, which color is scarcely, if at all, deeper than in the
average of winter specimens. The white space between the eye and bill is
very broad, and remarkably pure. The throat, neck before, and whole under
parts are of a beautiful silky white, the line of demarcation of the black and
white on the sides of the head and neck being remarkably distinct. There is
a decided occipital crest; the feathers of that region are about one inch in
length, and have the peculiar filiform character common to the crests of birds
of this family. This crest, however, on the dried skin lies quite smoothly,
and is not very conspicuous except on raising the feathers. There are no
decided colored ruffs; but the white feathers of the sides of the head posteriorly,
and across the throat, are longer and fuller than elsewhere, particularly the
former. Although this elongation is hardly noticeable in the dried skin, it is
doubtless sufficient to give to the bird when in life something of the appear-
ance presented by most of the species of this family. In other respects the
specimen before me does not differ materially from the winter series.

I have always been of opinion that the two birds which I have recently
separated generically from Podiceps would not possess the conspicuous colored
ruffs for which the type of the genus (P. cristatus) is so noted. The suppo-
sition to that effect, doubtfully set forth in my last paper, is now verified in
the case of one of the species of the genus, and I have no doubt that the nup-
tial plumage of zEchmophorus occidentalis will be perfectly analogous to that
exhibited by the species under consideration.

A specimen of Podiceps (Proctopus) californicus, in full summer plumage,
has also been received from Mr. Hepburn. It presents the same marked dif-
ferences from the European P. auritus as do all the otherspecimens from North
America which have fallen under my observation; and is additional confirma-
tion of the position assumed with regard to the specific distinction of the
American and European birds. They are quite distinct species and recogni-
zable in either adult or young plumage.

[Sept.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 585

ences for the use of students who have paid less attention than myself to the
subject.*

In concluding, I desire to express my thanks to several members of the
Academy of Natural Sciences who have assisted and encouraged me, and es-
pecially to Dr. Jos. Leidy.

1G

[

A Review of the TERNS of North America. x
BY ELLIOTT COUES.

Considerable difference has prevailed among ornithological writers with re-
gard to the relationships of many of the North American JSterninz with the
representative species of Europe. Having at command a very extensive series
of specimens from both continents, I have instituted a careful comparison of
the more or less intimately related species, believing that the results of
such an investigation would not prove unacceptable to ornithologists. While
' this has been the principal aim of the present paper, I have endeavored to pre-
sent fairly the data tending to determine some other points of synonymy and
relationship which even at this late day remain open to discussion; and to
give such stages of plumage as are not already too well known to require no-
tice. The paper is not to be considered in any sense as a monograph; I have
endeavored to express its character in its title.

I am under particular obligations to Mr. G. N. Lawrence and Mr. D. G. El-
liot, for the opportunity of examining several unique and typical specimens,
and unusual stages of plumage, of which the museum of the Smithsonian In-
stitution does not contain examples.

Family LARID Æ.
Subfamily STERNIN Æ.
Section STERNEÆ.
Genus GELOCHELIDON Brehm.

Gelochelidon, Brehm, Vig. Deutsch. 1830. Type S. anglica, Mont. `
Laropis, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1225. Same type.

Cnan.—Bill shorter than the head, extremely robust, not very acute; its
height at base nearly a third of its total length along culmen ; prominence at
symphysis well marked, but not very acute, situated so far back as to make
the gonys equal in length to the rami, reckoning from the termination of the
feathers on the side of the mandible. Culmen very convex; gonys straight;
commissure gently curved. Wings exceedingly long, and acute; each feather
a full inch longer than the next. Tail rather short, contained 24 times in the
wing; in form deeply emarginate, but its lateral feathers without the elonga-
tion of Sterna. Feet long and stout; tarsus a little shorter than the bill, ex-
ceeding the middle toe and claw. Hind toe well developed; inner shorter

* Several authors not mentioned in our former work may here be briefly cited.

Borellus, De Motu Animalium.

Camper, Beobachtungen der Berlinischen Gesellschaft, vol. i. 1787.

Von dem Fluge der Voegel, Schriften der Berlinischen Gesellschaft, vol. ii. 1781, p. 214.

Mayer, Das aufrecht Stehen. Mueller’s Archiv, vol. xx. 1853, p.9.

Fick, Ueber die Gestaltung der Gelenkfiaechen. Mueller’s Archiv, 1853, vol. xx. p. 657.

Schuebler, Bedeutung der Mathematik fuer die Naturgeschichte. Jahreshette des Vereins fuer
Vaterlandskunde, Stuttgart, 1849.

Dr. J. Aiken Meigs, Relation of Atomic Heat to Crystalline Form, vol. iii. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc .
Philadelphia, 1855-58, p. 105.

Prof. Popoff, Description de la Courbe fruiforme. Bulletin de la Société des Naturalistes de
Moscou, 1859, part i. p. 283.

Zeising, Ueber die Metamorphosen in den Verhaeltnissen der menschlichen Gestalt. Acta
Academic Cesareze Leopoldino-Carolinz, vol. xxvii. part ii.

1862.]

536 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

than outer; interdigital membranes deeply incised, especially the inner. Tail
and rump concolor with the back. Size moderate.

Gelochelidon is a well-marked generic form of the Sterninz, embracing several
species agreeing in their short, very robust bills, exceedingly long wings, length-
ened tarsi, and short tail,—which latter never attains the deeply-forked shape
of typical Sterne. It differs in coloration above from most of the other genera
of Terns, in having the pearl blue mantle continued over the rump and tail.

The name Gelochelidon was proposed by Brehm two years before Wagler
instituted his genus Laropis. Both are founded upon the same type,—S. an-
glica, Mont.

GELOCHELIDON ANGLICA Bp. ex Mont.

Sterna anglica, Montagu, and of authors.

Thalasseus anglicus, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563.

Laropis anglica, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1225.

Gelochelidon anglica, Bp. Comp. List, 1838, p. 61.

Gelochelidon palustris, Macgill., Man. Orn., 1842, ii. p. 237.

Sterna aranea, Wilson, Am. Orn. Lawrence, Gen. Rep., 1858, p. 859.
Gelochelidon aranea, Bonap., Comp. List, 1838, p. 61.

Diac.—Sterna rostro breve, robustissimo, nigro; dorso czrulescente-perlaceo,
uropygio caudaque concoloribus; remigibus primariis argentato-griseis, vix
albo intus marginatis, nisi basin versus; corpore subtus albo, pedibus nigris.

Habitat.— Atlantic Coast of America, from Massachusetts southward. Europe.

This species differs from all the other Terns of North America, except Sterna
antillarum, in having the rump and tail of the same color with the back. Its
primaries differ from other species—though approaching nearest to Thalasseus
caspius—in having the inner webs white for a comparatively short space; and
the white is not pure, nor is there a very trenchant line of division between it
and the dark portions of the feathers.

I have not a sufficient number of skins before me for a perfectly satisfactory
comparison of the birds of the two continents, but, so far as I can judge, I am
decidedly inclined to agree with Audubon in opinion, that no difference exists.
I have minutely compared the specimens before me, and found them absolutely
identical in every particular of size, form and color.

The American bird was first described by Wilson, under the name of Sterna
aranea, that author, perhaps, considering it distinct from, but much more pro-
bably being unaware of the existence of, the European bird. It was very
properly referred by subsequent American writers,—Nuttall, Audubon, and Bona-
parte up to 1838,—to the latter. At that date, in his Comparative List, Bonaparte
distinguishes it from the European bird under the name of Gelochelidon aranea,
and his example has been generally followed by writers since that time.

Genus THALASSEUS Boie.

Thalasseus, Boie, Isis, 1822, 563. Type S. caspia, Pall.

Hydroprogne, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw., 1829, 71. Same type.

Sylochelidon, Brehm, Vóg. Deutsch. 1830. Same type.

Helopus, Wagler, Isis, 1832, 1224. Same type.

Actochelidon, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw., 1829, 31. Type S. cantiaca, Gm.
Cu.—Size very large, large, or moderate; general form more or less robust;

a decided occipital crest. Bill as long as, or longer than, the head, robust,

height at base a third to a fourth the length of culmen. Culmen variable in

amount of curvature; position of the angle at symphysis variable. Wings

moderately long (for this subfamily); pointed and acute; but the first primary

not surpassing the second by as much as the latter surpasses the third. Tail

moderate or short; in the type of the genus very short, being contained three

times in the wing, and but moderately emarginate; in other species more

[ Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 587

elongated and more deeply forked, and contained only about twice in the wing.
Feet short and stout, black; tarsi about two-thirds the bill, or rather less; as
long as, or slightly longer than, the middle toe and claw. Webs moderately
incised, the inner the most so. Hind toe very short.

This genus, as at present constituted, is chiefly distinguished from Sterna by
its large size and general robust form, stout bill and feet, and (in typical spe-
cies) much shorter and less forked tail. In the preceding diagnosis I have
been obliged to define the genus with considerable latitude from the somewhat
dissimilar types at present retained in it. Thus,if we take the Th. caspius,
and Th. cantiacus, which may be considered as representing the two extremes of
form, we shall find great discrepancies in such important features as shape and
robustness of bill, amount of emargination of tail, &c. ; and regarding these
extremes alone, might well be inclined to separate them. Examination, how-
ever, of intermediate species, such as Z. regius and elegans, of North America,
T. veloz, of Europe, &c., will show so gradual a transition in nearly every
feature, from one extreme to the other, that it becomes exceedingly difficult to
draw a line which shall naturally divide the group into two or more genera.
In view of the above facts, I prefer, for the present at least, to retain the several
species under a single genus, as they certainly do differ, markedly, from Sterna
in important characteristics, although presenting the above discrepancies among
themselves.

It is not impossible, however, that 7. caspius, with one or two other very
closely allied species from various parts of the world, may be, without impro-
priety, separated generically from the others. This species is typical of a
group, all intimately allied, which are pre-eminently distinguished by their ex-
ceedingly large, high, robust bills, very stout feet, remarkably short tails,—the
lateral feathers of which are scarcely at all elongated, and are not tapering nor
acuminate,—and general large powerful form. The genus might, by the exclu-
sion of this form, be greatly restricted, and much more rigidly defined.

Of the five synonyms given at the head of this article, all, with the exception
of Actochelidon, (the type of which is S. cantiaca, Gm.) are based upon S. cas-
pius, Pallas. Of these Thalasseus, of Boie, has priority in point of date, and
is the name to be adopted for the genus. Boie's genus, however, is considered
to be based upon S. caspius, merely from the fact of that species being the first
mentioned, no particular type being indicated. In the event of the separation
of S. caspius and its intimate allies, above suggested, it might be well to apply
the name Hydroprogne to the restricted’ group, Thalasseus being used to desig-
nate the remaining species. In view of the very slight reasons for considering
Thalasseus as having special reference to S. caspius, such a procedure would be
hardly, if at all, an infringement on the rules of nomenclature, and would ob-
viate the necessity of presenting regia, elegans and their congeners under a
generic designation not before employed,—viz.: Actochelidon.

THALASSEUS CASPIUS Boie ex Pall.

Sterna tschegrava, Lepechin, Noy. Com. Pet. xiv. p. 500.

Sterna caspia, Pallas, Nov. Com. Pet. xiv. p. 582. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. Birds,
1838, p. 859, and of most authors.

Thalasseus caspius, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563.

Hydroprogne caspia, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw., 1829, p. 91.

Helopus caspius, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1224.

Sylochelidon caspia, Brehm, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838. Lawrence, Proc. N.
Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist: 1850, v. 37.

Sterna megarhynchos, Meyer, Taschenb. Deuts., ii. p. 457.

Diac.—T. rostro maximo, robustissimo, rubro; palpebris inferioribus albis;
remigibus griseo-fuscis, suprà argentatis, nec intus albis; caudá breviore,
emarginata; pedibus validissimis, nigris, digito medio cum ungue tarso
breviore.

1862.

538 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Habitat.—In America, the interior of the Fur Countries; Hudson's Bay;

Deis d in winter ranging southward along the Atlantic Coast as far as New
ersey.

This species in allits stages of plumage is too well known to require any
further description.

Quite a large series of American skins, of all ages, compared with two fully
adult birds from Europe, constantly differ in size and proportion, as shown by
the following measurements:

Comparative measurements of American and European Birds.

American. European.
Length, of bill along. culmen... iaar sentni 2:75% 2:40
s u AEE A sepe e esa E See osse eeccececce 4°00 3°55
REVO Gy oy f NAL AS edipa oda Rs avRasMeae oy est chine 0:90 0-15
Width * — opposite nostrils........ TERES 0:50 0:50
Length of wing. trom, flexure. «449 «exu d ranis [me n . 16:50 15:00
K I a E E OX BEONE ES Tab 1:65
A middle toe and claw................. rece P AEN EE 1:55
e SIET A T E E N E: Saias ar DATO 5:25

The above measurements indicate the average of the specimens from both
countries before me, from which it will be seen that the American bird is de-
cidedly the larger. While the bill is nearly a third of an inch longer, it is also
especially remarkable for its great comparative height at the base, and its width
at base being no greater than in the European bird, gives it quite a different
shape. The next most patent difference lies in the length of wing from the
flexure, in which the American bird surpasses the European by fully 14 inches.
Specimens of both, of course, differ among themselves to a degree; but the
greatest variation in adult American skins is hardly half an inch. The wing
of the adult European bird, indeed, hard!y equals that of a young bird of the
year from America; andit is well known how much smaller are the young of
all Terns than the adults. The tarsi and toes of the two, as well as the tail,
differ in a considerable degree, but not so markedly as do the bill and wings.
I find no differences whatever in the color of the two birds.

With but two specimens of the European bird before me, I do not venture to
formally separate from it its North American representative. But should these
examples prove to represent fairly the characters of the European bird, and the
discrepancies in size and proportion above pointed out prove constant, I should
not hesitate to do so. In that event I would propose for our bird—iu the ab-
sence of any very peculiar characters on which to base a name, and in view of
the fact that it is the largest and most magnificent Tern of our continent—the
name of THALASSEUS IMPERATOR.

The following would be its diagnosis :

Th. Thalasseo caspio coloribus similis; sed omnino major, rostro etiam vali-
diore, lorgiore, altiore nec latiore. Rostr. long. 2:75 poll.; alæ 16:50.

The proper specific appellation of the Caspian Tern is not “caspia Pallas,”
but ‘‘tschegrava Lepechin," which latter name is proposed in the same work in
which Pallas calls the bird “caspia,” but has priority by several pages. As,
however, the word is not only barbarous, but also exceedingly cacophonous,
and especially as caspia has become so well established by common consent, I
do not think it would be expedient to supersede Pallas' name, in view of the
very slight priority of that of Lepechin.

THALASSEUS REGIUS Gambel.

Sterna cayana, Bon., 1828; Nutt., 1834; Aud., 1839 and 1844; but not of
Latham.

* Inches and hundredths.

[ Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 539

Sterna regia, Gambel, Pr. A. N. S. Ph. iv. 1848, 128.
T'halasseus regius, Id, J. A. N. S. Ph. i. 2d ser. 1849, 228.

Draa.— hal. rostro magno, robusto, nec peracuto, aurantio-rubro; remige
prima intern? alb& nec ad apicem extensá marginatá; pedibus nigris, medio
digito cum ungue non tarso breviore. Long. rost. 2:60 poll.; ale 14-50; tarsi
1:30.

Habitat.—Soutb Atlantic Coast of America; Antilles in winter. California.

A good series of this bird, collected in Jamaica, enables me to give its winter
plumage, as well as that of the young of the year.

Winter Plumage.—Bill less brightly colored than in summer, its tip and cut-
ting edges dull yellowish. Front white, crown variegated with black and white,
the former color increasing on the occiput and nuchal crest, which latter,
though shorter than in summer, is almost or quite unmixed with white. This
black extends forwards on the sides of the head to the eye, which it includes.
The tail is not pure white, as in summer, but is glossed over with the bluish of
the mantle, which deepens towards the tips of the feathers into dusky plum-
beous. Otherwise as in summer.

Young of the Year in August.—Bill considerably smaller and shorter than in
the adult; its tip less acute, and its angles and ridges less sharply defined;
mostly reddish-yellow, but light yellowish at tip. Crown much as in the adults
in winter; but the occipital crest scarcely recognizable as such. Upper parts
mostly white; but the pearl-gray of the adults appearing in irregular patches,
and the whole back marked with small, irregularly-shaped, but well-defined
spots of brown. On the tertials the brown occupies nearly the whole of each
. feather, a narrow edge oniy remaining white. Lesser wing coverts dusky
plumbeous. Primaries much as in the adults, but the line of demarcation of
the black and white wanting sharpness of definition. Tail basally white, but
soon becoming plumbeous, then decidedly brownish, the extreme tips of the
feathers again markedly white. Otherwise as in the adults.

The species is so distinct from any other of North America, that it hardly
requires comparison. Cuspius is most closely allied (except elegans) and has
been confounded with it. But the differences between the two are very great.
Regius is a much smaller bird, its wing two inches or more shorter. The bill
is uearly or quite as long, but it is much slenderer and every way weaker. The
tail is very decidedly longer and more forked, almost equalling in this respect
elegans or acuflavidus. The feet, with the same relative proportions of tarsus
and toes, are proportionally shorter. In color the two are quite similar, except
in the primaries where a very marked difference is observable. The inner webs
of caspius are wholly dull hoary plumbeous ash; while the inner web of
regius has a very sharply defined white margin, as in elegans or acuflavidus, and
Sterne generally.

But while there is thus no difficulty in separating it from its North American
allies, the case is quite different from the Central and South American species,
with which it is more or less intimately related. It was, up to 1848, confounded
with S. cayana, Lath. (S. cayanensis, Gm.) This error was first corrected by
Gambel (I. c.), and a distinct name imposed. It is difficult, perhaps impossi-
ble, to determine to what species Latham’s name is to be referred, His brief
diagnosis is “ St. griseà, pennis rufo-marginatis, occipite nigro, corpore subtus
albo. Habitatin Cayana. 16 pollices longa." This description is evidently
that of a young bird. Gambel is inclined to consider it as “the immature
plumage of one of the yellow-billed species of the Brazilian coast, figured
by Lichtenstein, probably S. magnirostris.” He further remarks that * young
birds of our species would agree pretty well with the erythrorhyncha, of De
Weid, as they are somewhat smaller and less proportioned.”

There is a specimen in the Smithsonian collection, presented by Mr. Sclater,
from Jamaica. It was killed March 23d, and is in moult; probably, a young
bird putting on its first spring livery, though still retaining its winter marks of

1862.]

549 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

white front, etc. At first sight it was referred to 7. regius, but on closer exami-
nation several important discrepancies were observed. The bill, though just
about as long as in regius, was very decidedly smaller, weaker, with the angle
at symphysis less developed; it was of a clear straw-yellow, and in size and
shape about intermediate between regius and elegans. The lateral tail feathers
appear broader and rounded at their tip, instead of tapering and attenuated.
An important difference is seen in the feet, the middle toe and claw being de-
cidedly longer than the tarsus, instead of equal to it. Mr. Sclater did not label
this bird, and I am equally uncertain what name to apply. It seems to be not
at all improbable that it may be the S. cayana, of Latham, and, if so, would
substantiate Gambel's position, for it is certainly not the bird he named regia.

THALASSEUS ELEGANS Gamb.

Sterna elegans, Gambel, Pr. A. N. S. Ph. iv. 1848, 129. Lawrence, Gen. Rep.
Birds, 1858, 860. Atlas, pl. xciv.
Thalasseus elegans, Gambel, J. A. N. S. Ph. 2d ser. i. 1849, 228.

Diac.—TÀ. Thalasseo regio similis; sed multo minor, rostro graciliore, digito
medio cum ungue tarso breviore; corpore subtus rosaceo-albo.

Habitat.—Coast of California.

The most striking morphological character of this species, as compared with
its nearest ally, 7. regia, is the comparative length of the tarsus and toes. In
regia the middle toe is, with the claw, just as long as the tarsus; while the
same parts in elegans are very considerably shorter.

This beautiful species has been so accurately described by its discoverer, and
its affinities so correctly indicated, that; any further remarks upon these points
would be de trop. it is as yet almost unknown in cabinets. A very fine speci-
men, in winter plumage, has been deposited in the Smithsonian by J. Hepburn,
Esq., and is the original of the plate above cited. It agrees minutely with
Gambel’s description.

THALASSEUS ACUFLAVIDUS (Cabot).

Sterna Boysii, Nuttall, Man. Orn, ii. 1834, 276. Sed non Lath., 1790.

Sterna can'iaca, Audubon, Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 531. Id. B. A. vii. 1844, 87.
Sed non Gmel., 1788.

Sterna acuflavida, Cabot, Proc. Bust. Soc. N. H., 1837, ii. 257. Lawr. Gen. Rep.
1858, 860.

Thalasseus acuflavidus,

Draa.—T. Thalasseo cantiaco statur&, forma, coloribusque omnino similis ; sed
margine alba pogonii interni remigis prime angustiore, nec in apicem penne
porrecta.

Habitat.— Atlantic Coast of North America, ranging into the Antilles in winter.

The young of the year is considerably smaller than the adult (wing 3 inch
shorter) as is usual in this subfamily. The bill is shorter and weaker, and is
without any very distinct definition of angles and ridges. It is brownish black,
the extreme point only yellowish. The crown, front and nape are brownish
black, variegated with white, the white touches very small on the front. The
upper parts are as in the adults; but everywhere marked with irregularly-shaped,
but well-defined spots and transverse bars of decided brownish black. There is
no well formed occipital crest, until after the first moult. The primaries are like
those of the adults. The tail, however, is very different. The feathers for
three-fourths their length are of the color of the back; this color gradually
deepens, until towards the tips it becomes brownish black,—each feather having
a terminal irregular edge left whitish. The tail, in shape, is simply deeply
emarginate, the outer feathers being but slightly longer than the second.

In winter the yellow tip of the bill of the adults decreases in extent and in-
tensity of color; the front is white, either pure or speckled with black; the
crown variegated with black and white; but the long occipital crest, which does

[ Dec.

?

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 541

not disappear at this season, remains of an unmixed brownish black. The
lateral tail feathers are shorter. The bird otherwise as in summer.

At all seasons the yellow tip of the bill varies in extent, and it also presents
a varying regularity and sharpness of division from the black. I am inclined
to think that the extent of the yellow depends upon the age of the bird: its
intensity upon the season. The longest yellow tip before me measures three-
fourths of an inch, the shortest one-fourth. In a large series of specimens the
tarsi and toes scarcely differ appreciably. The markings of the primaries, in
their extent and disposition, are also remarkably constant. The variation in
length of wing from flexure in adult summer birds is about half an inch. The
tail varies somewhat in depth of fork, but is always less than in the species of
Sterna proper.

A series of winter skins from Jamaica in, probably, their first moult, differ
from adult examples from various points on the Atlantic Coast in being every
way considerably smaller. The bills are about a third of an inch shorter than
the average; and other parts differ proportionally.

The American Sandwich Tern was first separated from the European by
Cabot, (1. c.) in 1847. Most of the points of difference, however, assigned by
that writer, disappear when large series from both continents are compared.
The difference in the measurements given exists equally in individuals of both
species; for, as will be seen from the above remarks, specimens vary greatly in
these respects. After an attentive examination of a large number of skins, I
can appreciate no differences whatever in these respects; and in size and pro-
portions, of bill as well as of the whole body, the two appear identical. Neither
can distinctive characters be drawn from the yellow tip of the bill. In both
species the line of union of the yellow and black is equally irregular, depend-
ing for its exact character on the age of the bird. In both, the yellow runs
along the gonys, nearly or quite to the angle at the symphysis. It also extends,
but in a less degree, along the ridge of the upper mandible, and even for a little
way on the cutting edges of both mandibles. The outline of the yellow on
the sides of the bill is also more usually concavo-convex than perfectly straight
and perpendicular. The trenchant line of union, which existed in the speci-
men described by Cabot, must have been rather exceptional. I cannot appre-
ciate any difference in the width of the bills of the two in the series before me.
A discrepancy in the claws of the two does not exist as constant.

We are reduced, therefore, in separating the two birds, to the single remaining
character given by Cabot,—that of the primaries. These parts in the
American bird are not darker than those of the European, since their color de-
pends on their age; but & decided difference in the white margins of the inner
webs exists uniformly in all the specimens from either country that I have ever
examined. In the European bird the white of the inner web of the first pri-
mary occupies at the base nearly the whole of the web, the dark portion being
merely a narrow line along the shaft. This black portion widens but little as
it runs along the feather, so that the white border extends quite broadly to the
very tip of the feather, which it entirely occupies. In the American, on the
contrary, the black portion is in its whole length wider, and, about one and a
half inches from the tip becomes quite suddenly very decidedly broader, so
much so as nearly to cut off the white, which latter continues forward a little
further, but only as a very narrow bordering line, and finally disappears before
it reaches the tip. The same holds good, though somewhat less markedly, of
the second, third and fourth primaries. The following would therefore con-
stitute the

Differential diagnoses of the American and European Bird.

Th. cantiacus.—White margins of inner web of outer three or four prima-
ries wide, extending quite to tip, which it wholly occupies. Breadth of white
portion 1j inches from tip of first primary, :25 of inch.

1862.]

542 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Th. acuflavidus.—White margins of inner web of three or four outer prima-
ries narrow, falling short of tip, which is wholly occupied by the black portion.
Breadth of white margin 14 inches from tip of first primary, :10 of an inch.

Genus STERNA Linnzus.

Sterna, Linn., Syst. Nat. 1748. Type, S. hirundo, Linn.

Thalassea, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Theirw. 1829, p. 97. Type, S. paradisea, Brin.
Hydrocecropis, Boie, Isis, 1844, p. 178. Type, ? (includes S. paradisea.)
Sternula, Boie, Isis, 1822, 563. Type, S. minuta, Linn.

Cu.—Head without a decided occipital crest, but the feathers of the parts
somewhat elongated; size moderate, or very small; general form slender and
graceful. Bill about as long as, or slightly shorter than, the head, greatly ex-
ceeding the tarsus; of varying stoutness, but usually quite slender, very acute,
the culmen gently curved, being slightly declinato- convex. Commissure gently
curved; outline of rami a little concave, of gonys quite straight, the angle at
symphysis well marked and acute, but not very prominent. Wings long and
pointed. Tail of variable length and amount of forfication, but always de-
cidedly greatly forked ; the lateral feathers elongated, slender and tapering,
greatly surpassing the others. Tail contained in the wing of the type of the
genus about 12 times; in arctica 1} times; while the tail of paradisea is but
little less than the wing. Tarsus slender, slightly shorter than the middle
toe and claw, slightly longer than the middle toe alone; much shorter than
the bill, about equal to the distance between the projection at symphysis and the
tip of the inferior mandible.

The genus Sterna, in the restricted acceptation in which it is employed by
most modern authors, embraces quite numerous species, all more or less inti-
mately related to S. hirundo. The group is one well defined, its species agree-
ing very closely in size, general form, pattern of coloration, and seasonal
changes of plumage. Specific characters are generally found i in the varying
length and stoutness of bills and tarsi, amount of forking of the tail, markings
of the primaries, and other less decided features of coloration.

Sterna proper has comparatively few synonyms, the principal of which are
those given at the head of this article. Thalassea, Kaup, and Hydrocecropis,
Boie, are strictly synonymous, while Sternula, Boie, is based upon a species
differing but very slightly from the type, S. Airundo.

"SmyERNA TRUDEAUI Aud.”

Sterna Trudeaui, Audubon, Orn. Biog. v. 1839, 125. Lawr. Gen. Rep. Birds,
1858, 861.

I have before me a typical specimen of Sterna Trudeaui, belonging to J. P.
Giraud, Jr., the one from which was drawn up the description in the General
Report, and supposed to be also the original of Audubon's plate and descrip-
tion. Asthese are the chief descriptions of the bird which have ever appeared,
and as, I believe, the specimen is the only one known to exist, it may fairly be
considered to embody allthat is at present known of the species. From the
peculiar characters presented by it, as well as by the species which succeeds,
—to both of which attach, for various obvious reasons, doubts as to validity,
—it may be of advantage to examine somewhat closely into its charac-
ters, to determine if possible whether they be distinct from each other; and in
that case in what they differ from S. Forsteri.

The billis quite stout at the base, both as regards height and width, and
tapers regularly to an acute point, the culmen being but slightly arcuate. Itis
precisely the length of that of an adult Forsteri, and also of a supposed Havelli.*

* The specimens of ** Havelli " referred to, are those furnished by Mr. Lawrence, and 80 labelled

py bim.
[ Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 543

It is bright yellow at the tip for exactly the same distance as is the bill of
* Havelli ;” but the base, for nearly a third of the length of the bill, appears to
have been in life bright orange yellow, so that only the middle of the bill is
left black.; whereas, in '* Zavelli," the bill is black from its yellow tip quite to
the base of the upper mandible, and only a small space on the under mandible
is left yellow. The front and crown are white, passing into light pearl blue on
the nape, exactly as in * Zavelli ;" the cireumocular fascia also exists, but it
is somewhat narrower than in that species. The other upper parts are of
exactly the shade of Forsteri or “ Havelli ;" but this color extends around the
sides of the neck quite to the throat, and occupies the whole under parts of
the bird, not even excepting the under tail-coverts, whereas in ** Havelli” and
Forsteri, the color of the same parts is nearly or quite pure white. The rump
is white, as in both those species. The tailis elongated ;—exactly intermedi-
ate between a full plumaged summer Forstert and “ Havelli;" it has precisely
the color of the latter, the inner web of the lateral feather being somewhat
lighter than in the former. The wings, intheir markings and length, are iden-
tical with those of either Forster? or “ Havelli ;" the tarsi and toes are fraction-
' ally of the same length, and appear of about the same color in the dried skin.

The differences therefore between ** Zavelli" and “ Trudeaui," lie entirely in
the following features: lst. The bases of both mandibles are orange yellow for
nearly half their length in **Trudeaui," while in **Havelli? a very small portion of
the under mandible only is light colored. 2d. The color of the back extends
undiluted over the whole under parts of ‘‘ Trudeaui," while the same parts in
* Harelli " are white.

The greater slenderness of the bill, and the shorter tarsi, given by Audubon
as characteristic of “ Zrudeaui,"in comparison with “ 7Zavelli," do not exist,
provided the specimens before me exhibit the characters of the latter. Indeed,
a comparison of fourteen specimens of Forstert, three of “ Havelli? and the
single * Trudeaui,” shows the three to be surprisingly similar in every detail
of size and proportions; the bills and tarsi particularly, hardly differing as
much in length as do these parts in different individuals of hirundo or macroura.

Should the color of the bill and of the under parts of ** Zrudeaui,"—more par-
ticularly the latter—prove constant, they would be abundantly sufficient to
separate it from any other species. The only question is, whether the speci-
men under consideration is not in an entirely accidental and abnormal state of
plumage, to be placed in the same category with albinism, melanism, &c.
Although Audubon states that he saw other individuals like the present speci-
men, it appears to be the only one ever actually examined. The question is
one of great interest, but one of which, unfortunately, we are no nearer the
positive solution than we were twenty years ago; and I am therefore obliged
rem in medio relinquere.

“Srerna Havent Aud."

Sterna Havelli, Audubon, Orn. Biog. v. 1839, 122. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. Birds,
1858, 861.

So accurate a description of the winter plumage—the only one known—of
this supposed species has been given by its discoverer, that it is unnecessary
here to repeat it. A discussion of the essential characters assigned to it, to dis-
cover exactly what are its claims to specific distinction, may be given.

Itis not a little singular that, of a species recognized for more than twenty
years, the nuptial plumage should be still quite unknown. I am not aware
that a specimen which could be referred to this species has ever been taken in
spring or summer. There can be no doubt, however, that at that season it
obtains the black pileum common to all the species of the genus,—with, proba-
bly, not even the exception of ** Zrudeaui.? A specimen before me, which agrees
more closely than any other with Audubon’s plate and description, has the
crown and occiput very noticeably variegated with black; this color, indeed,

1862.]

544 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

being almost unmixed with white on the extreme nape. The front alone is
white. The character, therefore, of a black ocular fascia, and white crown,
cannot be considered as diagnostic of the adult full-plumaged bird.

The chief, and, indeed, the only point to be examined, is the relationship
of this species with the S. Forsterii—winter specimens of which agree very
closely with it. In discussing this question, it must be borne in mind that
Audubon was entirely unacquainted with S. Forsteri, or at least did not recog-
nize its claims to specific validity, as distinct from S. hirundo. Indeed, if we
compare Audubon’s description of his “ Zavelli" with a winter specimen of S.
Forsteri it will be found that they correspond minutely in every particular of
size, form and colors; and the characters given apply as well to the one
as to the other. For, though summer specimens of Yorsteri are quite different
in the elongation of the tail, color of bill, black pileum, &c., yet in winter these
features are quite changed, the tail becoming shortened, the bill blackened,
and the pileum restricted to a circumocular fascia. Basing an argument,
therefore, upon these data, “S. Havelli, Aud.,” might, without the slightest
impropriety, be reckoned as a synonym of S. Forsteri.

Three Terns, obligingly furnished for examination by Mr. Lawrence, and la-
belled by him “ Haveli,” differ in some respect from any wirter skins of Fors-
teri which have as yet fallen under my observation. Their size and proportions,
length of tarsi, elongation of tail, &c., are quite identical. The most perfect of
these,—evidently an adult bird in full winter plumage,—has a stout bill, almost
black, its tip for more than a fourth of an inch bright yellow. The bill in fact
looks something like that of Thalasseus cantiacus or acuflavidus. There is a well-
defined lateral stripe on the head; the whole crown is pure white, and even on
the nape there are no traces of black, that part being light pearl color, much as
the back. But the most distinctive feature of this specimen is that the tail is
entirely very light pearl, the inner web of the lateral feather being scarcely, if at
all, darker than the outer. A second specimen, a younger bird apparently, and
evidently, from the ragged dull brown condition of its primaries, in moult, has
the same decided character of tail as has the first one. The billis even stouter
at the base, and the extreme point only is slightly yellowish. The whole crown
is variegated with black and white, the former being left nearly pure on the
nape. The third specimen is quite like the last, but the inner web of the lateral
feather is quite decidedly dusky, showing an approach to S. Forsteri. It will
be noticed that where these three specimens are quite identical with each other,
in size and proportions, they differ among themselves in colors, both of bill and
feathers, and show quite a gradation towards S. Forsteri.

From the above remarks it will be seen that the question really hinges upon
the following point, as yet not positively determined: Does the S. Forstert in
winter, when fully adult, ever acquire a very broad bright yellow tip to its
otherwise wholly black bill, and lose entirely the dark character of the inner
web of its exterior tail feather ?

Now it is well known, that the younger a Forster's Tern is, the darker is the
inner web of the lateral feather; and the naturalinference from this fact is, that
with increasing age the inner web may become nearly or even quite as light as
the outer. With regard to the broad yellow tip cf the bill, it will be noticed,
that of the three specimens purporting to be “ S. Havelli, each one varies: in
this particular; so that it would be quite impossible to consider it as diagnos-
tic. Therefore, though unable to prove the point incontrovertably, I am de-
cidedly of opinion that Sterna “ Havelli,” is merely the adult winter plumage of
S. Forsteri, and not a distinct species.

Sterna FonsTERI Nuttall.
Sterna hirundo, Sw. et Rich., F. B. A., 1831, ii. 412, nec Linn.

Sterna Forsteri, Nuttall, Man. Orn., 1834, ii. p. 274 (in note to S. hirundo), and
of authors.
[Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 545

Diag.—S. Sterne hirundini similis: sed rostro longiore, valdé robustiore, tarsis
longioribus, validioribus; caudá magis productá, perlaceà, rectrice laterali
pogonio interno fusco-griseo, externo albo.

Habitat.—Very extensively distributed over North America. Atlantic Coast
and Gulf of Mexico. Fur countries. Great Lakes and Rivers. Texas. Utah.
California.

In view of the considerations presented in the two preceding articles, it may
be well to look somewhat carefully into the characters of the present species.

Adult, spring plumage.—Bill orange-yellow, black for nearly its terminal half,
the extreme points of both mandibles yellowish; robust, deep at the base;
culmen markedly declinato-convex, eminence at symphysis well developed; in
total length from one to two-tenths of an inch longer than in S. hirundo. The
black pileum does not extend so far down on the sides of the head as it does in
hirundo, barely embracing the eye (the lower lid of which is white), and leav-
ing a considerably wider white space between the eye and commissural edge
of superior maxilla than in Airundo. The color of the back hardly differs ap-
preciably from that species; it is perhaps a shade lighter. The wings are com-

‘paratively considerably shorter than in Airundo, being absolutely a little less,
though Forsteriis a larger bird. They are very light colored, being strongly
silvered with the peculiar hoariness common to most of the species of the
genus; this lighter color is very observable even on the coverts. The outer
web of the first primary is not black, but silvery like the others; all the prima-
ries want the very decided white space on the inner webs which exists in Airundo |
and macroura; there are indications of it, indeed, on the three or four outer
primaries, but the others are & nearly uniform dusky-gray, moderately hoary.
The entire under parts are white, with scarcely a trace of the plumbeous
which is so evident in Airundo, and amounts to so decided a color in macroura.
The tail is a slightly lighter shade of the color of the mantle, separated from
the latter for a short space by the decidedly white rump. The lateral feathers
are much more lengthened than in Airundo, the elongation generally quite
equalling that of macroura, and sometimes even exceeding it. These two:
lateral feathers are white on the outer web, dusky-gray on the inner. This
being exactly the reverse of hirundo, and a very noticeable feature, was the first
to draw attention to the bird, and this character being so tangible and conve-
nient, writers have perhaps laid too much stress upon it, to the exclusion of
others, quite as evident and more important. The feet are bright orange,
tinged with vermillion; the tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw; the
feet longer and stouter, by over :10 of an inch, than the sames parts in hirundo.

When the primaries become old, i e., at the approach of the spring or autumn
moult, before the species begins to put on its complete summer or winter livery,
the primaries lose their beautiful silvering, and become plain brown, their
shafts inclining to decided yellow. They have then also distinct white spaces on
their inner webs, nearly as well marked as in Airundo or macroura.

Adult, winter plumage.—The bill loses the bright orange-yellow which exists
in summer, the black encroaching upon it, so that it becomes almost wholly
dusky. The base of the under mandible in dried skins appears as if it might
have been flesh-colored in life. The feet also lose their bright color, and in-
cline to a dusky-yellowish. The black pileum is more or less mixed with
white, the white predominating on the forehead so as to leave it nearly pure;
there is always considerable black left on the nape, and also a broad band on
the side of. the head, embracing the eye, and reaching to the nape behind, ex-
actly as represented in Audubon's plate of S. Havelli. The long lateral tail
feathers become greatly shortened, so as to be but scarcely, if at all, longer
than those of hirundo during the breeding season. The color of the inner webs
becomes darker, though it does not extend so far towards the base of the feather;
sometimes it invades the outer web also, towards the tip.

Young of the year, before the first moult.—Bill every way considerably smaller,

1862.) 38

546 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

shorter and weaker than that of the adult, and wanting its very acute tip, and
sharply-defined ridges and angles; brownish-black, fading into dull flesh-color
at the base of the under mandible. Front white, but the crown and nape show
considerable traces of the black that is to appear, which is now mixed with a
good deal of light-brown. The pearl-blue of the back and wing coverts is
everywhere interrupted by irregular patches of light grayish-brown, showing a
tendency to become transverse bars; this grayish-brown on the tertials deepens
into brownish-black, and occupies nearly the whole extent of each feather.
The primaries differ from those of the adult in having less of the silvery gloss,
and the inner white spaces are more marked, being in fact much like those of
the adult kirundo. The rump and under parts are pure white. The tail inten-
sifies, so to speak, its adult characters as regards color; and, independently of
any other feature, will always serve to identify the species. It is deeply emar-
ginate, but the lateral feather is not greatly produced, surpassing the second
by scarcely more than the latter surpasses the third. Its inner web for an inch
or so from the tip, and both webs of the other feathers, are quite decidedly
grayish-black; the intensity of this color, and also its extent, decreasing suc-
cessively on each feather from without inwards, so that the central pair scarcely
deepen their color at the tips. The outer web of the lateral feather generally
stays pretty uninterruptedly white, but sometimes is just at the tip invaded by
the darker color of its inner web.

The preceding descriptions embrace all the well characterized stages of
plumage of this species which are known to me, though there are, of course,
intermediates in great variety between those given. It is indeed a little
remarkable, the number of specimens in immature or winter plumage which
find their way into collections. Of the numerous examples before me, just one-
half are in this state, all showing white fronts, and the usual deep black band
through the eye. There would seem to be something peculiar in the habitat
of this species, to cause it to differ £o remarkably from its allies hirundo and
macroura in this respect. I have purposely gone considerably into detail re-
garding these immature stages, because of the great similarity which exists be-
tween the species, and the same ages of “S. Havelli,” if, indeed, the latter be
really distinct from it. The question of the relationship of the two has been fally
discussed under the head of * S. Haveili.”

Sterna Forsteri affords a good illustration of a species, bearing so intimate a
general resemblance to another, as to be confounded with it at first glance, and
yet when carefully examined proving to be totally distinct. It is perfectly easy
to separate it from the hirundo by its characters of bill, wings, tail or feet,
either of which taken alone would identify it. The following table will exhi-
bit at a glance the distinctive features of our three most intimately allied spe-
cies, between which, it will be observed, there is a complete and gradual
transition in almost every respect.

Differential Diagnoses of S. Forsteri, hirundo and macroura.

S. Forsteri.—Bill (average) 1-60 along culmen; depth at base :40; robust.
Bill orange-yellow, nearly its terminal half black. White space between eye
and cutting edge of upper mandible broad. Under parts white. Outer web
of first primary silvery; the inner webs also of the others strongly hoary, with-
out well-defined white spaces. Tail bluish-pearl, like the back, its lateral
feather greatly produced (average nearly 7 inches in length); its outer web
white, inner the color of the rest of the tail. Legs long and stout; length of
tarsus (average) rather over :90 of an inch; orange-yellow,.tinged with yer-
milion. Length of tarsus, middle toe and claw 2 inches.

S. hirundo.—Bill (average) 1:45 along culmen; depth at base :33; moderate.

Bill vermilion-red; its terminal third black. | White space between eye and

cutting edge of upper mandible narrower than in Forster. Under parts lightly
washed with plumbeous, fading into white on the throat and abdomen. Outer

[ Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 547

web of first primary black; inner webs of the others somewhat hoary, with
well defined white spaces. Tail white, different from the back, its lateral
feather moderately produced (average 6 inches in length) ; its outer web gray-
ish-dusky, inner white. Legs moderate; length of tarsus about :80 of an
inch; light vermilion-red. Length of tarsus, middle toe and claw 1-75 inches.
S. macroura.—Bill (average) 1:30 along culmen; depth at base -30; slender.
Bill wholly deep carmine-red. White space between eye and cutting edge of
upper mandible narrower than in jirwndo. Under parts decidedly plumbeous,
extending from vent to throat, botb of which become abruptly white. Prima-
ries as in hirundo. Tail with the elongation of Forsteri, or rather exceeding it
(average 7°50 inches), and the color of hirundo. Legs very short and slender;
length of tarsus (average) :65 of an inch; deep vermilion, almost lake.
Length of tarsus, middle toe and claw, about 1:50 inches. ;
Comparison of the young of the year of S. Forsteri and hirundo.—The bill and
feet constantly present differences proportional to those which exist in the
adults, as regards length and stoutness. The bill of Airundo is more decidedly
_yellowish at the base of the lower mandible than in that of Forster; and the
feet are clear yellow instead of being tinged with dusky. The mottled and
variegated crown and upper parts are much the same in bo'h ; and the markings
of the quills quite identical. The tail, however, differs remarkably. In
hirundo the outer webs of all the feathers are dusky-gray. In Forster the re-
verse is the case. The difference is even more marked than in the adults.
There is little to be said with regard to the bibliography of this species.
In 1831 Swainson and Richardson describe it, calling it S. hirundo, but noticing
the diserepancies which exist in the tail and feet. In 1834, Nuttall seizes upon
these differences in a note under S. hirundo, and suggests for the species the
name of S. Forsteri, in the event of its proving distinct. The citation '' jS.
hirundo, Rich., nec Linn.," is, I believe, the only synonym of this well-marked
species, unless, indeed, it be necessary to refer to it the two preceding species.
I append the detailed measurements of several specimens of this species,
which will serve to show within ‘what limits it varies in size and proportions.

A - z Middle

Cat. No. Locality. Sex.| Wing. oni Pep" eed Heer Tarsus. adiens
| | é

24274 | New Jersey. | G' | 10°00} 6:90} 4:00] 1:65) 0-40) 0°94) 1:15
12692, ‘ 4 x 9:50| T70 | 5:00} 1:58| 0:40} 0-91] 1:10
11624) * ky |< {10-10} 6:75 | 3:60| 1:64) 0-40) 0-90) 1:15
4928 Florida. O }.10-30 |. 5:00 | ,2:30.| . 1:50.) 0:35.) 0:95.|. 1:14
ESOS E x 9-75 | 7-00) 4:10] 1:60| 0°40) 0:95| 1:05
9973 | Sac Valley. | gj? | 9-70, 6:90| 4:00} 1:56| 0:40| 0:90| 1-10
13473 Utah. d'| 970| 7:70) 4°70] 1:56) 0:40] 0°93] 1:08
saauaaa- .| California. | x: | 10-30} 7:20| 2:70]. 1:55, 0:38) |099] 1:15
4317 | Louisiana. | x | 10:20] 6:60; 3°55} 1:54| 0°35} 090] 1:08

STERNA HIRUNDO Linn.

Hirundo marina, Ray, Syn., p. 131.

Stérna major, Brisson, Ornithologie, p. 113.

Sterna hirundo, Linneus, Syst. Nat., i. 1766, 227; et auct. Fab. Fabric. et Rich.
exceptis.

Hydrocecropis hirundo, Boie, Isis, 1844, p. 179.

2Sterna fluviatilis, Naumann, Isis, 1820, fide Temm.

Sterna marina, Eyton, Cat. Brit. Birds, 1836, p. 55.

Sterna Wilsoni, Bonaparte. Comp. List., 1838, p. 61, et auct. Amer. recent. — S.
hirundo ex America.

“Great or Common Tern,” Latham and English authors. ‘ Hirondelle-de-

1862.]

518 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

mere pierre-garin," Buffon and French authors. ‘‘Gemeine, oder Rothfüssiger
Meerschwalbe,” Bechstein, Meyer and German authors. '*' Wilson's Tern,”
Bonaparte, and most later American authors.

Habitat.—Sea Coasts of Europe, part of Asia and America, ascending rivers
and bays to a considerable distance.

This species has been so long known that any description of its characters,
or changes of plumage are unnecessary. Temminck says that the adults in
winter do not lose the black of the crown, “elle est seulement plus terne." If
this be so, the species forms an exception to the general rule among Terns,
that at this season the front becomes nearly white, the crown variegated with
black and white, or the black still further reduced to a cireumocular fascia.

Comparisons of this species with S. Forster? and macroura, its most intimate
allies, will be found under the head of the former.

The common Terns of Europe and America were considered identical by all
writers up to the year 1838. At that date they were separated by Bonaparte;
and American authors, with the exception of Audubon, have generally followed
his example. Iam little pleased to be obliged to refer to a European species,
an American bird which has been judged distinct by bigh authority, but such
a procedure seems unavoidable in the present instance. I am not aware that
any distinctive characters have ever been assigned to our bird. Bonaparte, in
instituting the species, gives no description, as, indeed, is the case with several
other species founded in the same work, with regard to which he appears to
have relied, for means of separating them from their European allies, rather
upon some theory of geographical distribution, than upon any discrepancies
presented by the birds themselves. I have very carefully compared a series of
skins from both continents, and neither in size, form or color, have I been able
to detect the slightest differences; and consequently, until some one is more
fortunate than myself in detecting valid specific characters, I must refer the
American bird to the old Linnzan S. hirundo.

Below are offered the detailed measurements of five American and European
birds, taken at random from a large series. It will be observed that in no re-
Spect do the dimensions of the birds from the two continents present greater
differences than are found in the various examples from either.

A A.—S. hirundo ex Europá.
Tail. Bill. Middle
Cat. No. | Rex. Locality. Wing. | Outer | Depth Lencth,| Height | Tarsus. | toe and
feather. | of fork. EU lat base, claw.

9559| Q | Europe. 10-30*| 5-70 | 2°65 | 138 | 0:33 | 0:81 | 0:91
24280| gp Holland. 9-80 | 5:60 | 2:60| 1:51 | 1:31 | 0:78 | 0:90

21680| cf | Hungary. |10-80 | 6:20 | 2:70 | 1:45 | 0:36 | 0°80 | 090
23444| Q « 10-60 | 5:90 | 2:70 1:45 | 0:32 | 0°84 | 0:96
23445| ef « 10:80| 6:50 | 3:00 | 1:35 | 0°31} 0:80 | 0:90
B.—S. hirundo ex Americá.
Cat. N S Localit wW (0) Ed th E ight | T iig
Jat. No. : ity. ing. uter e ei t
4 i Rn re ilg feather.| of fork. Length. at base: iio aw.
18224 Labrador. 11:00} 6:50 | 3:10 | 1:50 | 0:32 | 0:84 | 0:98
22287 Massachug’tts} 10°40] 5:90 | 3°02 | 1:41 | 0:31 | 0-78 | 0-93
1149| 9 |CapeMay,N.J.| 10:60| 6:40 | 2:85 | 1:36 | 0:31 | 0:78 | 0-93
20811] c? |Hudson s Bay| 10:40| 5:90 | 2°85 | 1:50 | 0:32 | 0-78 | 0-95
12474| ef! |Utah. 10:50| 6:00 | 2:50| 1:51 | 0:35 | 0-80] 0:95

* Inches and hundredths.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 549

For a species so long known, the present has remarkably few synonyms. That
of S. Wilsoni is the one which has been most firmly established. I quote S.
flaviatilis with a query on the authority of Temminck. This author, and also
Degland, unhesitatingly refer it to the present species, while by some very re-
cent authors* it is regarded as distinct. Eyton, in calling the bird S. marina,
derives his authority for the specific name from the Hirundo marina, of Ray’s
Synopsis, p. 131. Brisson's Sterna major probably also refers to this species,
but though both these latter names have priority over Linnzus’ appellation,
they are to be disregarded, as neither of their authors were binomalists.

STERNA MACROURA Naumann.

Sterna hirundo, Faber, Prod. 1822, p. 88. Fabricius, Faun. Greenl. 1780, p.
105, Nec Linn. nec Richards.

Sterna macroura, Naum., Isis, 1819, p. 1847. Degland, Ornith. Europ. 1849,
p. 344. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. Birds, 1858, p. 862.

Sterna arctica, Temm., Man. Orn. 1820, ii., 742, et auct. pleriq.

Sterna nitzschii, Kaup, Isis, 1824, p. 153, secundum Gray.

? Sterna brachytarsa, Graba, fide Gray.

Diag.—St. rostro gracile, rubro; pedibus brevissimis, rubris; corpore toto
cerulescente-plumbeo, subtus dilutiore; caud&, uropygio, tectricibusque
caudalibus inferioribus albis; rectrice laterali valdé elongatà, pogonio ex-
terno griseo-fusco.

Habitat.—Europe. Atlantic Coast of North America from Massachusetts
northward. Interior of Arctic America, (Hudson's Bay, Great Slave Lake.) Semi-
avine Straits.

Examination of a very large series of this species shows it to be subject to
great variations in some respects. These are especially noticeable in the bill
and tail. The largest bill in the series measures 1:40 inches along the culmen ;
the smallest (from Nova Scotia) only 1:08,—the difference being over :30 of
an inch. The average length of bill is about 1:30. The tail varies in length
quite as remarkably, the difference between two equally adult individuals being
more than 13 inches. The color of the bill is pretty constant,—a uniform deep
lake. Sometimes, however, it acquires a dusky tip, but never the decided black
space which exists in S. hirundo and Forsteri. The bill is much smajler, and
every way more delicately shaped than in those species. The under parts are
nearly uniform in color. This is very decided, scarcely if at all lighter than
the back, (very different from the slight wash of Airundo,) and extends in full
intensity quite from the throat to tbe vent,—the under tail coverts being pure
white, in marked contrast. The under surface of the wings do not share the
general color of the body, but are pure white. The feet are exceedingly short,
and hardly vary appreciably. Their color is carmine, not so deep as the bill,
but still not of the vermilion or coral red of those of hirundo.

The distinctive features of this species and the S. hirundo, will be found under
the head of S. Forsteri. They are so many, and so well marked, that it is difficult
to conceive how the two species were ever confounded. The differences between
it and S. Pikei, the next most closely allied species, are given under the head of
the latter. There is no other North American species with which the present
requires comparison.

I have carefully examined a large series of examples from both continents,
and have been unable to detect the slightest discrepancies. This is one of the
species of which, so far as I am aware, American and European specimens have
never been separated by any writer.

Temminck’s name of arctica has until recently been very generally applied to
this bird; but that of Naumann must supersede it. Temminck admits that
Naumann named the bird macroura before he called it arctica, but insists upon

* Des Murs, Traite Générale d'Oologie Ornithologique, p. 551.

1862.]

550 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the adoption of his name upon the following grounds: “ Le nom de macroura
ne convient point à ma St. arctica; elle a seulement une queue un peu plus
longue que St. hirundo, tandisque nous avons en Europe et à l'étranger des
Sternes à queue très longue, et que St. Dougalli a une queue extraordinairement
longue, depassant les ailes souvent de plus de deux pouces." The fact, however,
of there existing other Terns with tails as long or longer than the species to which
the name macroura was applied, would hardly be recognized by ornithologists
as a valid excuse for setting aside a prior designation. Temminck's descrip-
tion is very accurate, but the dimensions given, (** 13 pouces 6 ou 8 lignes") is
considerably below the average. l

I regret that I have never seen the immature or winter plumage of this spe-
cies; the more so, since, so far as I can discover, no description of these stages
has been given by any American writer. They were unknown to Temminck.
Degland* says that the winter plumage differs from that of summer only in the
black of the crown being variegated with white. Thesame author describes the
young before the first moult as resembling those of S. hirundo; but being a
little smaller, the tarsus notably shorter, the bill slenderer and brown, with the
base and cutting edge of the mandibles yellowish red. His description in other
points does not differ materially from S. hirundo.

Degland also speaks of the occurrence of a hybrid of this species, and the S.
hirundo, partaking in a varying degree of the characters of either parent.
Though I have never met with a specimen which I could not unhesitatingly
refer to one or the other species, it seems not at all improbable that hybrids should
really occur.

The Sterna hirundo of the authors quoted in the synonomy undoubtedly re-
fers to the present species. Though in the description of S. mitzschii of Kaup
there are some discrepancies, I follow Gray in assigning it as a synonym. I have
never had an opportunity of examining S. brachytarsa of Graba, but quote it
entirely upon the authority of Gray.

STERNA PIKEI, Lawrence.

Sterna Pikei, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. N. H., vi. 1853, 3. Id. Gen. Rep. Birds, 1858,
863. Atlas, pl. xcv.

Diac.—(Adultus, vestitu hyemali 2) S. rostro tenue, fuscescente-rubro; fronte
albo griseoque variegato ; occipite nigro ; dorso alisque griseo-ccerulescenti-
bus; uropygio albo; caudâ valde elongata, forficatá, rectrice laterali pogonio
externo fuscá; corpore subtus albo; pedibus rubris.

Habitat.—Coast of California.

I have before me the type of Sterna Pike?, the original of Mr. Lawrence’s des-
criptions (l. c.) obligingly furnished by that gentleman for examination. This
specimen, the only one known to exist in any cabinet, is unfortunately in im-
mature or winter plumage, and in rather poor condition. The species is a very
strongly-marked one, differing widely from any other of North America, not
only in colors, but in form and proportions. In size it is considerably smaller
than S. macroura, the wing being one inch or more shorter than in the average
of that species; the tarsi and toes a very little less. The bill measures 1:12
inches ; it is remarkably slender, its heigth at base being only :25 of an inch
—just about equal to that of antillarum. "The color is quite undefinable in the
specimen before me, but, as remarked by Mr. Lawrence, is probably deep car-
mine in life. The whitish front, becoming more and more mixed with grayish
black towards the occiput, together with the plumbeous lesser wing coverts,
are evidently those of an immature bird, probably of its first winter. The black
of the occiput is quite pure, and extends on the sides of the head far enough ta
embrace the eyes. The marking of the primaries and secondaries are precise-
ly those of S. macroura, and the color of the back and wings is much the same.

* Oruith. Europ. 1849, ii. p. 245.

[ Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 551

The tailis very long. I do not mean, however, that the lateral tail feathers
are greatly produced, asin macroura and paradisea, (though that is not improbably
the case in the summer plumage) for the depth of the fork is not greater com-
paratively, than in Airundo ; but the whole tail is produced, the central feathers
being absolutely as long as in macroura, whichis a larger bird. The outer web
of the lateral tail feather is very dark colored,—even more so than is that of
macroura,—and the outer webs of the other feathers are shaded with grayish ;
but in the adult it is probable that the colors will be the same with those of the
last-named species. A striking feature of Pikei is the pure white of the whole
under parts, of the rump, and of the neck behind between the black pileum and
the back, there being not the slightest trace of the plumbeous wash, so conspic-
uous in macroura, hirundo, etc. The species in this respect agrees with S. para-
disea, and, like that species, may perhaps, during the breeding season, acquire
a rosy tint on the under parts.

I regard this species as intermediate between S. macroura -and paradisea,
though most closely allied to the former. In the foregoing remarks the differ-

.ences between the two have been pointed out. With the latter—S. paradisea—it
agrees in several particulars: slenderness of bill, color of under parts and of
feet, &c. Itis at once to be distinguished by its much darker colored upper
parts, different markings of primaries, pure white rump, slenderer and smaller
bill and feet, greater elongation of central tail feathers, &c.

The acquisition of perfectspecimens of various stages of this interesting Tern,
of whose changes of plumage we can only judge by analogy, and with whose
habits we are entirely unacquainted, is a particular desideratum in North Amer-
ican Ornithology.

STERNA PARADISEA Brünn.

Sterna paradisea, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 46, and of recent authors. Law-
y rence, Gen. Rep. 1858; 863. `
Sterna Dougalli, Montagu, Orn. Dict. Suppl. 1613, and of most authors, inclu-
ding Audubon and Nuttall.
Sterna Macdougalli, Macgillivray, Man. Orna. ii. p. 233.
Thalassæa Dougalli, Kaup.
Hydrocecropis Dougalli, Boie, Isis, 1844, p. 179.

Drac.—(nupt. temp. ad.) S. rostro tenue, nigro, basin versus rubescerte,
pedibus rubro-aurantiis; caudà longissimá, valdé forficata, fere albidá, remigi-
bus omnibus interné albo-marginatis ad apices ipsas; corpore suprà perlaceo,
subtus rosaceo-alho.

Habitat.—Atlantic coasts of Europe and America.

In a number of equally adult examples, I find that the color of the bill varies ;
in most the black extends nearly or quite to the base, in others fuily the basal
third of the bill is reddish. The extreme points of both mandibles are yellow-
ish. The color of the mantle is lighter than that of any other species; the
tail, exceedingly long and tapering, is of so light a pearly blue as to be almost
white. A most striking feature of coloration of this species consists in the
well-defined, broad white inner margins of all the primaries extending quite
around the tips of the feathers, on to the outer webs on the first and second
primaries. Immature and winter specimens have the bill brownish black; the
front white; the crown and nape dull black, variegated with white. The lateral
tail feathers want the great elongation and attenuation they acquire during the
breeding season, the tail being no more deeply forked than that of Forsteri, or
even of Airundo.

This species is so distinct in characters, that a comparison with any other is
needless.

The American bird bas never, I believe, been separated from the European.
The specimens I have compared appear identical in every respect.

1862.]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

or
or
Lo

STERNA ANTILLARUM Coues ex Lesson.

Sterna minuta, Wilson, 1813; Bonaparte, 1828; Audubon, 1838; sed non Lin-
nei, 1776.

Sterna argentea, Nuttall, Man. Orn. 1834, ii. 280; sed non Princip. Maxim. que
species Braziliensis. d

Sterna frenata, Gambel, Pr. A. N. S. Ph. 1848, iv. 128.

Sternula antillarum, Lesson, Descriptions de Mammiféres et d'oiseaux recemment
de couverts, &c., Paris, 1847, p. 256. Adultus.

Sternula melanorhyncha, Lesson, op. et loc. cit. Juvenis.

Diac.—S. Sterne minute similis, ejusdemque stature ; sed rostro breviore et
valdé graciliore, vittà frontale angustiore, dorso, uropygio, caudáque suprà con-
coloribus, ccerulescentibus-perlaceis.

Habitat.— Atlantic coast of North America, from Labrador to Texas, and
ranging further south into the Antilles. Great lakes and rivers of interior of
North America. Not on the Pacific coast ?

The bill of this species, as usual in the subfamily, varies somewhat in length ;
but the longest bills before me do not equal the shortest of the European bird.
The slenderness of the bill, which is very marked in comparison with its trans-
atlantic congener, is constantly preserved. The black tip of the bill, usually
from one and a half to two-tenths of an inch in length, is sometimes reduced to
a mere point; but itis very rarely wanting altogether. The white frontal lunula
varies within narrow limits, probably widening somewhat with increasing
age: but it never, I believe, attains the ordinary breadth of that of the Euro-
pean. The neck behind, between the black' pileum and the back, is a somewhat
lighter shade than the latter, but the difference is scarcely noticeable. The
pearl gray of the back and wings extends unchanged on the rump, upper cov-
erts, and the inner tail feathers quite to their tips; but the outer vanes of the
lateral tail feathers, and their bases, are white. As described by most authors,
the two outer primaries in the great majority of adult spring birds are black,
their shafts white, their inner webs broadly bordered with white, except toward
the tips; but specimens frequently occur which have the three or four outer
primaries of this color. This is, without doubt, merely a seasonal feature, and
one quite independent of sex or age; for all the specimens bearing this char-
acter of primaries are adult birds, labelled as having been taken in July and
August. At this season of the year they have finished the duties of incubation,
and are about to put on the perfect winter dress, as the ragged and dilapidated
condition of their plumage testifies. I: is well known that allied species of
Terns, such as S. hirundo, Forsteri, etc., towards the close of the summer, at the
approach of the moult, entirely lose the delicate silvery hoariness with which
the primaries are glossed over during the breeding season—these parts becom-
ing of a plain, dull, brownish tint. The change in the present species is pre-
cisely analogous.

The young of the year, taken in July and August, differ greatly from the adults.
The bill, though as stout at the base, is much shorter, less acute at the tip, and
wants the sharply-defined angle at the symphysis. It is brownish black, the
base of the under mandible dusky flesh color. The forehead is mostly white.
The crown and occiput are variegated with brownish black and white, the for-
mer color mostly aggregated into a postoeular patch. The back and wing cov-
erts are lightly washed over with the pearl gray of the adults; but this color is
greatly obscured, and its continuity interrupted by dark brown crescentic or
hastate spots, one or more on each feather, which give the upper parts a mottled
appearance. The primaries are all grayish black, growing successively lighter,
and more and more glossed with silvery, from without inwards; the inner webs
of all bordered with white. This white is broadest on the outer primary, but
falls considerably short of the tip; it grows narrower, but at the same time
longer, on the others, until on the inner ones it goes quite around the tip to the

[ Dec.

——

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 553

outer web. The tail is not deepiy forked, but simply emarginate, the difference
being about that which attains between the adult and young of Hirundo horreo-
rum. Ihave never seen it of quite the shape figured by Audubon; but in his
plate it is very accurately colored.

This species is so very distinct from S. minuta, that it is a little singular that
they should ever have been confounded. The following are the

Differential Diagnoses of the American and European birds.

S. minuta.—Bill along the culmen 1:20 inches, height at base :27; width of
frontal lunula 40. Rump, upper tail coverts and tail pure white, in marked
contrast to the pearl blue of the back and wings.

S. antillarum.—Bill along culmen 1:05 inches, height at base :25; width of
frontal lunula :30. Pearl biue of upper parts continued uninterruptedly on to
the rump, tail coverts and tail.

These differences are all I can discover between the two species; quite enough,
however, to permanently separate them. Nuttall states that the “ Silvery

Tern is about 93 to 10 inches long; the European species 8 to 84 only." itis
difficult to determine the exact length of a species from dried skins; but in this
case it is certain that no such difference exists. In fact, judging from the wings
and tarsi,—parts which do not change in dimensions in drying,—the two are
nearly or quite identical in size; and I am sure that the difference, if any, is
not greater than is found between individuals of either species. Both appear
to range from eight to nine inches in length. Icannot appreciate the difference
in the color of the upper parts mentioned by Nuttall.

But, while our pretty little Tern thus rejoices in unimpeachable claims to
specific distinction, it has not been equally fortunate in retaining for any length
of time undisputed possession of a title of its own. By the earlier writers on
North American Ornithology it was confounded with the European bird, and
called Sterna minuta, Linn. Nuttall, in 1834, was the first to vindicate its claims
to specific distinction from its European analogue. This author, however, while
he gives correctly enough its essential characters, commits the grave error of
referring it to the Brazilian S. argentea of Prince Maximilian,—quite a different
bird. Nuttall appears to have made the mistake in this wise. He evidently
never examined a specimen of S. argentea ; for he says, “ That our bird is that
of Brazil we have no further evidence than the slight notice of Temminck.”
Now Temminck's* remark is as follows: ‘Cette espóce,"— 5S. minuta,—“ est
absolument la méme dans l'Amerique septentrionale. Les voyageurs au Brézil
ont aussi trouvé dans ces contrées une petite hirondelle-de-mer modelée sur les
formes de la notre. Mais elle forme une espèce distincte, bien caractérizée par
soa bec p'us robuste, qui est entierement d'un beau jaune clair; les distributions
des couleurs offrent aussi quelques disparités. Le prince de Nieuweid indique
cette espèce sous le nom de Sterna argentea. Voy. v. i. p. 67." With only this
brief indication to guide him, and impressed with the different distribution of
the colors of the upper parts of S. minuta and antillarum, Nuttall might readily
overlook the discrepancies mentioned in the size of the bill, and in this manner
refer the American bird to the Brazilian.

In the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy for 1848, Dr. Gambel points
out the distinctive features of the present species and the S. argentea, and our
bird being thus left without a name, he applies to it the exceedingly appropriate
one of S. frenata, by which it has been known from that date up to the present
time. Iam therefore very reluctant to supersede it by any other; but the
Sternula antillarum of Lesson’ undoubtedly refers to the present species, and
has priority in point of date. Lesson's description (vide op. cit.) is essentially
as follows: ‘Differs from S. minuta in its shorter bill, of orange color, tipped
with black; the white frontal band narrower. Two outer quills bordered with

* Man. d'Orn. vol. ii. p. 753.

554 PROCEEDINGS OF TIIE ACADEMY OF

black; tarsi orange. Lives on the banks of the Guadaloupe.” Here, it will be
noticed, that though the characters are so brief, the peculiar features of bill
and frontal lunula are given with such precision, that there can be no doubt of
the propriety of referiing the description to the species now under coasidera-
tion. :

Immediately following the description of the S. antillarum, there is instituted
(l. c.) a Sternula melanorhyncha, Less., with substantially the following charac-
ters: ‘A little stouter than the preceding; differs from it and S. minuta in
the straight and black bill. The white front of small extent. Black of head
above extends to middle of neck. Black of sinciput mixed with white; lower
neck white above, the gray of the upper part of the body washed with brown-
ish. Tail short, little forked; the lateral feathers tipped with slender filaments.
Tail pale grayish white, the outer quills broadly margined with brown.” It is
evident from almost every paragraph of this description, more particularly the
mention of the black bill, the sinciput mixed with white, and the upper parts
washed with brownish, that Lesson had in view an immature or winter Tern.
The habitat given is the same as that of the preceding,—antillarum,—and J
have but little doubt that the description is that of the young bird of the spe-
cies now under consideration, in which the characters are almost exactly as given
by Lesson. Indeed, a specimen before me agrees exactly with the description,
even to the lateral tail feathers tipped with slender filaments,—said filaments
being the termination of the shaft of the feather, from which the web has been
worn away. I therefore quote Sternula melanorhyncha, Less., as a synonym of
the present species.

Genus HYDROCHELIDON Boie.

Hydrochelidon, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563. Type S. nigra Linn.

Viralva, Leach, Stephen's Zool. 1826, xiii. p. 166. Same type.

Pelodes, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1826, 107. Type Sterna leuropareia, Nat-
terer.

Ca.—Bill a little shorter than the head, longer than the middle toe and claw ;
very delicate, slender, acute; culmen and commissure decidedly declinato-con-
vex, the amount of curvature increasing towards the tip; outline of rami and
gonys both concave, the former most so : the angle separating them prominent
and very acute. Wings exceedingly long, pointed, of same color as back, with-
out distinct markings on either web. Tail rather short, contained 2} times in
the wings, only moderately emarginate, (much as in G'elochelidon,) the lateral
feathers but little exceeding the next, not tapering and acuminate; all the
feathers broad and rounded. Feet slender and short; tarsi much abbreviated,
rather less than the middle toe alone. Toes moderately long; the webs rather
narrow, and very deeply incised. Size small, general form delicate; colors.
mostly black, the wings and tail plumbeous.

A genus distinguished from Sterna proper chiefly by its very slender attenu-
ated bill, with its decurved tip: its short tail, of a very different shape; its
deeply incised interdigital webs and its very peculiar style of coloration. Other
differences, however, will be noted in the preceding diagnosis. North America
contains but a single representative,—the young of which was described by
Wilson as S. plumbea, but which isin all probability identical with the well-
known European H. fissipes. Other closely-allied species of Europe are the F.
nigra, (of Linneus—H. leucoptera of most authors), and H. hybrida (of Pallas
=H. leucopareia of most authors.)

The principal synonym of Zydrochelidon is Viralva of Leach, (1826,) based
upon the same type. Pelodes of Kaup, 1829, founded upon H. leucopareia, is
also strictly a synonym of Hydrochelidon.

HYDROCHELIDON rissipes G. R. Gr. ex Linn.
Sterna fissipes, Linn. Syst. Nat, i. 1766, 228. Not of Pallas.

| Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 555

Hydrochelidon fissipes, G. R. Gray. Gen. Birds, iii. 1849, 660.
Sterna nigra, Brisson, and of authors. Not of Linn.
Hydrochelidon nigra, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563.

Viralva nigra, Leach, Steph. Gen. Zool. 1826, xiii. p. 167.
Sterna nsvia, Linitzus, S. N. i. 1766, 228. Young.

Sterna plumbea, Wilson, Am. Orn. vii. 1813, 83, pl. Ix. Young.
Hydrochelidon plumbea, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 1858, 864.

Habitat.—Europe. North America generally, both on the sea-coast, and in the
interior.

This speeies in all its changes of plumage is too well known to require any
descriptions.

I have critically compared quite a series of European and American speci-
mens, in allstages of plumage, but have been entirely unable to detect the
slightest discrepancies between the birds of the two continents. The speci-
mens before me are all absolutely identical in size and relative proportions of
different parts; and the colors of those of the same age correspond minutely.
"There do not appear to exist the slighest characters upon which to base
specific distinction.

The first distinctive name applied to the American bird was plumbea, of Wil-
son, based upon the immature bird, he probably, however, not recognizing it as
the young, or desiring to separate it from the European species. The birds of
the two continents were first formally separated by Bonaparte, in 1838, in his
Comparative List, and his example has been followed by the majority of subse-
quent American authors.

To G. R. Gray, I believe, is due the credit of elucidating the synonomy of
this, as well as of the other species of the genus, which was in a state of great
confusion. The proper name of the present species appears to be fissipes, Linn.,
the name nigra, Linn., usually applied to it, really referring to the white-winged
black Tern of Europe, of which leucoptera is the most firmly established syno-
nym. Mr. Gray has also shown that the proper name of the whiskered Tero
usually given as leucopareia Natterer, is hybrida of Pallas.

Genus HALIPLANA Wagler.

Onychoprion, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 277, Type S. serrata, Forster.
Haliplana, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1224. Type S. fuliginosa, Gm.

Ca.—Bill as long as the head, but little less than the tarsus and middle toe
together, perfectly straight, stout, especially at base, whereitis nearly as broad
as high, tip rather acute. Culmen but very slightly convex; gonys about
straight, so ascending as to make the commissure nearly straight; rami slightly
convex, the prominence between them and the gonys illy developed, not acute.
Nostrils somewbat more anterior than in Sterna, not nearly so much so as in
Anous, in a decided, but rather irregularly-defined sulcus, which terminates a
little beyond the middle of the bill in several longitudinal striæ. Outline of
feathers at base of bill much as in Sterna. Wings exceedingly long, pointed,
but the first primary scarcely surpassing the second. Tail very long, deeply
forked, the feathers broader and stiffer than in Sterna, not so regularly tapering,
but still quite acuminate at their tips. Legs rather long for this subfamily :
the length chiefly apparent by a greater denudation of the tibia. Toes rather
short; the middle with its claw exceeding the tarsus but slightly. Size mode-
rate; general form slender and graceful. Bicolor.

A genus distinguished from Sterna by several important characters. In the
shape of the bill, position of nostrils, proportions of primaries, color to some ex-
tent, there is an evident approach to Anous. It is, however, decidedly to be re-
ferred to the typical Sternex, rather than to the Megaloptereæ.

Wacler's Onychoprion is based upon the S. serrata of Forster ; while his Hali-
plana has as type S. fuliginosa, Gm. The former of these species—S. serrata—

1862.]

556 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

is in all probability identical with fuliginosa, and is at all events strictly con-
generic with it. This being the case, perhaps Onychoprion ought to be employed
for the genus ; as it isinstituted several pages in advance of Haliplana. But, as
the conflicticg names are by the same author, and bear the same date, I have
preferred to adopt Zaliplana, which, besides being based upon:the old and well-
known type fuliginosa, has the merit of being much more euphonious.

HALIPLANA FULIGINOSA Wagl. ex Gm.

Sterna fuliginosa, Gml. S. N., 1788, i. 605, et auct.

Haliplana fuliginosa, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1224.

Onychoprion fuliginosa, Gould, Introd. B. aust., 1848, 113.

Sterna serrata, Forster, Descrip. Anim. 1844, 276. Adult.

Onychoprion serrata, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 277.

Sterna oahuensis, Bloxham, Voy. Blonde, 1826, p. 251. Fide Cass.

Sterna guttata, Forster, Descript. Anim. 1844, p. 211. Juv.

Anous lherminieri, Lesson, Descr. de Mammifères et d'oiseaux, &c., 1847, p. 255.
Juv. —

Diac.—H. bicolor, corpore suprà, rostro, pedibus, remigibusqne nigris ; cor-
pore subtus, fronte et rectrici laterali nisi apicem versus, albis.—( Adultus).

Minor; rostre graciliore; caudá minus forficata ; corpore toto brunnescente-
nigro, subtus dilutiore, abdomine tectricibusque caudalibus inferioribus griseo-
albis; tectricibus alarum laté albo-terminatis.—(4Juvenis).

The plumage of the young of the year of this species differs so remarkably
from that of the adult, that I have above contrasted the diagnoses of the two
ages. While the plumage of the adult is well known, a description of that of
the young may not be here out of place.

(Young of the year.)—The bill is much smaller and weaker than that of the
adult; its upper mandible black; its lower, together with the eyes and feet, are
dusky red. The whole body is a uniform brownish or fuliginous black,—this
color deepening on the primaries, growing lighter on the under parts, until on
the abdomen and under tail coverts it is dull grayish white. The wing coverts
and scapulars are all broadly tipped with white, giving a very marked spotted
appearance to the parts. The feathers of the back, rump and upper tail coverts
are narrowly margined with dull rufuus, which gives a transversely waved
appearance tothe parts. The tail is uniformly of much the color of the wings:
all the feathers at their extreme tips fading into light brown.

The above description is taken from a bird in the collection of the U. S.
Exploring Expedition, under Captain Wilkes, U. S, N., taken at Hendin Island.
It is labelled “S. fuliginosa, Gm. juv.," by Mr. Cassin. I have carefully com-
pared the series of adults in the same collection, and cannot find tbat they
differ in the least from specimens from the West Indies and Southern States.

Upon the above-described state of plumage of Halipluna fuliginosa is based,
I take it, the „Anous l'herminieri of Lesson. (‘ Descriptions de Mammifères et
d'oiseaux recemment decouverts,” 1847, page 255.) A condensed translation
of this author's description is as follows: ‘ Length 24 cent. Bill black above,
red on the lower mandible; tarsi red. Plumage uniform dusky black beneath,
the lower belly and under tail coverts white, washed with gray ; above black-
ish brown, dark and uniform on the head and neck, enammelled with trans-
verse white spots on the greater wing coverts, and rayed with rufous on the
back, rump and wing coverts." It will be seen that this description corresponds
in the minutest particulars, wbich render it but little if at all doubtful, what
bird he had under consideration. His specimens came from the Antilles near
the Guadaloupe.

I have also quoted, as a synonym of the young, S. guttata of Forster. This
author (loco citato) says: “S. caudá forficatà corpore fuliginoso, dorso tec-
tricibusque albomaculatis, pedibus nigris,"—and a part of his further descrip-
tion is: ''Corpus magnitudine circiter Sterne hirundinis.” . . . ‘Corpus

[ Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 557

omne fuliginosum; abdomine circa anum albicante; fronte fusco-cinerea."
The dimensions are given as length 14 inches; bill 1.50; tarsus and toes 2.75.
This description in all respects applies very exactly to a stage of plumage a
little more adult than that characterized as Anous lherminieri, in which the
under parts have become lighter, and there are signs of the white front.

Sterna serrata, of the same author (page 276), isto be referred to S. fuliginosa,
provided the Pacific bird be the same as the Antilles and Florida, which we
have no reason to doubt. I quote S. oahuensis on the authority of Mr. Cassin,
not having an opportunity of consulting the reference.

Section MEGALOPTEREZ.

If the preceding groups which have been considered as genera—and they
are so held by the majority of modern writers—be really such, then the Anous
stolidus is entitled to more than generic separation from the other representa-
tives of the subfamily. The discrepancies in every particular of form, as well
as of pattern of coloration, are very marked and decided. In the following
diagnosis are given the characters which present themselves in the Anous stoli-
dus; my want of familiarity with exotic forms preventing me from distinguish-
ing with accuracy the fentures of the section from those that are strictly cha-
racteristic of its typical genus.

Genus ANOUS Leach.

Anous, Leach, Stephens’ Gen. Zool. 1826, 139. Type S. stolida, L.
Megalopterus, Boie, Isis, 1826, 980. Same type.

Ca.—Bill greatly exceeding the tarsus, rather longer than the middle toe and
claw, as loug as the head, moderately robust, depressed at the base, where it is
very broad (as broad as high), compressed in the rest of its extent, tapering
to the rather acute, attenuated and somewhat decurved tip. Culmen about
straight for half its length, regularly decurved towards the tip, rounded, and
towards the base very broad and flat. Commissure about straight to near the tip,
where itisregnlarly declinato-convex. Outline of both rami and gonys concave,
former most so ; the prominence which separates them being illy defined and not
acute. Both mandibles marked with numerous more or less distinct longi-
tudinal striz; their cutting edges inflected. Nostrils situated far forwards, their
anterior extremity nearly half way to the tip of the bill, in a deep suleus formed
by the rounded culmen and a prominent broad ridge which runs from the base
of the upper mandible, along its cutting edge to beyond the nostrils, where
it gradually becomes lost. Just above the base of this ridge there is a small
but distinct triangular fossa, separated by an oblique stria from the large nasal
sulcus. Outline of feathers at base of bill very peculiar; those on the culmen
have a broadly convex outline, and reach considerably beyond the lateral
feathers, which latter slope rapidly backwards with a slightly convex outline.
This is the reverse of Sterna, in which the feathers reach far forwards on the
sides of the upper mandible, and recede on the culmen to form an acute angle.
Wings only moderately long for this subfamily, not very acute, the first primary
scarcely surpassing the second; all the primaries slightly falcate, very broad
almost to their rounded tips; unicolor. Tail exceedingly long, more than half
the wing; ronnded, the lateral feathers regularly much graduated; all the
feathers broad at the base, tapering to their somewhat acuminate tips, their
shafts stiffened. Tarsi moderately stout, exceedingly short, much less than the
middle toe without the claw. Lateral toes very long, the inner especially,
which is but little shorter than the outer. Hind toe well developed. Interdigi-
tal membranes very long and full, their margins even, unincised. Size mode-
rate; general form stout; nearly unicolor; colors very dark.

ANOUS STOLIDUS (Linn.)
Passer stultus, Ray, Syn. 154, fide Leach.

1862.]

558 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Gavia fusca, Brisson, Ornith. pl. xviii. fig. 2.

Sterna stolida, Linn., S. N. 1766, i. 227, et auct. antiq.

Anous stolidus, G R. Gray, Gen. Birds, 1849, iii. 661, et auct. recent.
Megalopterus stolidus, Keys, et Blas., Wirb. Eur. 1840, 98.

Anous niger, Stephens, Gen. Zool. 1826, xiii. 140.

À comparison of the Floridan bird with that from the South Pacific, collected
by Wilkes’ Exploring Expedition, shows some differences of color, form and
size, which, though not great, are well marked and quite constant in all the
specimens I have examined. The bill of the Pacific bird is of the same length
as that of the American, but is higher at the base, which gives it a somewhat
different shape. The toes are considerably longer, while the tarsus is of just
the same length; making a different relative length of tarsus and toes. The
wing is from a half to three-fourths of an inch longer; the tail is very decidedly
longer, the difference being quite an inch. The central tail feathers are half an
inch shorter than the lateral feathers in the Pacific bird ; while in the American
ihe emargination is much less, only about a fourth of an inch. The differences
in color are slight. The American bird has the occiput bluish plumbeous,
which fades into pure white on the crown anteriorly; while the Pacific bird
has the occiput darker, and the crown ushy white instead of pure. The sides
of the head and neck all round, in the American bird, have a bluish plumbeous
wash, notably different from the general fuliginous, which is entirely wanting
in the Pacific bird. The feet of the American bird appear much darker in the
dried skin.

Mr. Cassin, in the Ornithology of the Expedition, remarks upon these difer-
ences in the following words: “Numerous specimens from the shores and
islands of the Pacific Ocean present, with some degree of uniformity, small and
apparently unimportant differences from others from the Atlantic coast of North
America. The bill appears to be larger in the latter, and a slight dissimilarity
is observable in the colors. On careful comparison, however, we are not in-
clined to consider the bird of the Pacific as possessing characters sufficient to
justify a distinct specific designstion; but venture to suggest that further
examination of specimens from localities in the two great oceans, and especi-
ally of the various immature plumages, is yet desirable.”

] tabulate the differences between the two, leaving it to future investigation
to determine their constancy and value.

American Bird. Pacific Bird.
Length of wing 10:00 to 10:50 inches. | Length of wing 11:00 to 11:25.
Length of tail about 6:00. Length of tail about 7-00.
Height of bill at base :38. Height of bill at base -43.
Length of tarsus 1 00. Length of tarsus 1°00 (same).

Length of middle toe and claw 145.| Length of middle toe and claw 1-60.
Middle toe and claw 1:45 hundredths Middle toe and claw 1-60 hundredths

of tarsus. of tarsus.
Central tail feathers but slightly| Central tail feathers 50 of an inch
shorter than the next. shorter than next.

Occiput bluish plumbeous, becoming | Occiput brownish ash, becoming ashy
pure white on the front. Sides of head | white (not pure) on the front. Sides
and neck all round with a decided | of head and neck not notably different
wash of bluish plumbeous. Feet nearly | from general fuliginous. Feet reddish
black in dried skin. brown in dried skin.

The difference in color appears very slight. I attach more importance to the
discrepancies in size and proportions. If the Pacific bird be really distinct
from the American, it has probably yet to receive a name; for it is very differ-
ent from the various species of Anous mostly described by Mr. Gould. In that
event, it may be called a ANOUS FRATER.

Ip. the preceding pages are noticed all the Terns which are known to inbabit

[Dec.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 559

North America. The fact of the writer's beiug actively engaged in professional
duties at a Military Hospital while committing to paper the results of his in-
vestigations, will be a sufficient excuse for any evidences of hasty composition
which may be apparent.

Catalogue of the MIOCENE SHELLS of the Atlantic Slope.
BY T. A. ‘CONRAD:

In the Miocene or Upper Tertiary formation of the Atlantic Slope there
have been collected about five hundred and eighty species of shells, —two
hundred and seventy-two of which are Conchifera and three hundred and nine
Gasteropoda. The most northern limit of this formation appears to be in Glou-
cester County, New Jersey, and it underlies the eastern portions of Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina. I have included in the Miocene
formation that portion of the South Carolina Tertiary referred to the Pliocene
period by Tuomey and Holmes, because I can discover no line of demarcation
by which these tertiary strata can be divided into two distinct groups. The
extinct species common to South Carolina and the more Northern States are
numerous, and the fauna can only be regarded as that of one geological era.
Some few of the species described by Tuomey and Holmes from the South
Carolina Tertiary oceur also in New Jersey, at the most northern boundary of
the Miocene. The per centage of recent species in South Carolina, it appears
to me, should be greatly reduced,—and I would reject from the list as many as
eighteen, consisting of the following shells: Busycon canaliculatum, B. per-
versum, Strephona literata, Littorina irrorata, Natica canrena, Dolium galea,
Pasciolaria gigantea, F. distans, Pholas costata, P. oblongata, Petricola pho-
ladiformis, Solen ensis, Lucina divaricata, L. Pennsylvanica, Cardium magnum,
Mactra similis, Yoldia limatula, Strigilla fluxuosa. It may be that all the
species are extinct, but I have not had an opportunity of comparing all those
doubtfal shells with the recent forms. Natica heros and N. duplicata, Say,
have fossil analogues in Maryland so closely resembling them that I find no
essential difference ; but the shells of this doubtful character are not more
than thirty in number out of five hundred and eighty-one species. Near the
coast, a Post-Pliocene or Pleistocene formation rests immediately on the Mio-
cene, replete with existing forms, but as a group resembling that of more
Southern latitudes on the coast of the United States. There is no inter-
mingling of extinct species between these two formations, and the passage ie
almost as abrupt as between the Eocene and Miocene.

The final subsidence of the Eocene appears to have been accompanied by
such an alteration of climate or other conditions as to have given origin to a
totally distinct terrestrial and marine fauna, the latter existing on an Eocene
and Cretaceous bed, extending from New Jersey to South Carolina inclusive,
and which appears to have been generally extinct and above the sea during the
existence of the European Pliocene faunas.

Works referred to.

C. Miocene Foss. Conrad, Medial Tertiary or Miocene Fossils of the U. S.

C. Foss. Shells of Tert. Form. Conrad, Fossil Shells of the Tertiary Forma-
tions of the United States. 1832.

Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. Transactions of the American Philosophical So-
ciety of Philadelphia, vol. ix. n. s. 1845; vol. vi. n. s. 1839.

Sillim. Journ. American Journal of Science and Arts.

Journ. A. N.S. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila-
delphia. :

Proceed. A. N. S. Proceedings ditto.

1802.]

560 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Plioc. Foss. S. C. Pliocene Fossils of South Carolina.
Bullet. Nat. Inst. Bulletin of the National Institution.
Emmons, Geol. N. C. Geology of North Carolina.

MURICIDZ.
MUREX, Lin.
M. globosus, Emmons, Geol. N. C. 247, 105a.

Subgenus Przrorytis, Conrad.
Fusiform ; six prominent recurved foliated ribs; aperture ovate ; channel
closed.
M. umbrifer, C. Tert. Foss. 17, 3, 1. Emmons, Geol. N. C. 247, 1042.
M. sexcostata, Emmons, Geol. N. C. 248, 106.

TYPHIS, Montfort.
T. acuticosta, C. Journ. A. N. S. vi. 217, 9, 1. 1829.

TROPHON, Mont.
T. (Fusus) tetricus, C. Tert. Foss, 18, 3, 6. Foss. Med. Tert. pl. 46, fig. 4.

FUSIN A.
FUSUS.
< Subgenus SCALASPIRA, Conrad.
Fusus strumosus, C. Tert. Foss. 18, 3, 4. Foss. Med. Tert. pl. 49, fig. 3.

NEPTUNEA, Bolten.

N. (Fusus) devexa, C. Foss. Med. Tert. pl. 49, ig. 8. Proceed. A. N.S. i. 309.

N. (Fusus) exilis, C. Tert. Foss. 17, 3, 2. Mioc. Foss. pl. 49, fig. 1. Tuomey
and Holmes, Plioc. Foss. S. C. 150, 30, 5. Emmons, Geol. N. C. 251,
llla?

. (Fusus) equalis, Emmons, Geol. N. © 251, 11.

. (Fusus) filosa, C. Proceed. A. N. S. 1863.

. (Fusus) lamellosa, Emmons, Geol. N. C. 251. 112.

. (Fusus) parilis, C. Tert. Foss. 18, 4, 2. Foss. Med. Tert. pl. 49, fig. 5.

. (Fusus) rustica, C. Tert. Foss. 18, 4, 1.

Fusus errans, ©. Journ. A, N. S. vi. 223.
<. (Fusus) trossula, C. Tert. Foss. 18, 3, 5. Foss. Med. Tert. pl. 46, fig. 6.

FASCIOLARIIDJE.
BUSYCON, Bolten.

alveatum, C. Proceed. A. N. S. 1862, 583.
. adversarium, C. Proceed. 1863.
B. perversum, Tuomey and Holmes, (not Lam.,) Plioc. Foss. S. C. 145, 29, 3.
. carinatum, C. Proc. A. N. S. 1862, 286.
(Pyrula) carica? Tuomey and Holmes, Plioc. Foss. S. C. 145, 29, 1.
. (Fulgur) contrarium, C. Sill. Journ. xxxix. 387. Miocene Foss. pl. 45, f. 11.
B. perversum, Emmons, (not Lam.,) Geol. N. C. 249, 107.
. (Fulgur) coronatum, C. Bullet. Nat. Inst. 187. Mioc. Foss. pl. 46, f. 1.
Pyrula canaliculata, Lyell, (not Lam.,) Man. Geol. 172, 151.
. canaliferum, C.

Busycon canaliculatum, Tuomey and Holmes, (not Lam.,) Plioc. Foss. S.

C. 145, 29, 2.

B. Carolinensis, Emmons, Geol. N. C. 249, 108.
. (Cassidulus) Carolinense, Tuomey and Holmes, Plioc. Foss. S. C. 147, 30, 1.
B. (Pyrula) excavatum, C. Sill. Journ. xxxix. 387. Miocene Foss. pl. 45, f. 12.

Cassidulus Carolinensis ? Tuomey and Holmes, Plioc. Foss. S. C. 147, 30, 1.
filosum, C. Proceed. A. N. S. 1862, 286.

[Dec,

uw

w Ww Ww wt z

w

B.

v

XXV

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 99

to the genus Latrunculus of Gray, or Eburna of others.* The shell structure
appears to be more compact than in the typical Vivipari, and the species gen-
erally are more ponderous. The angulation of the outer lip and the sinus at
the base are characteristic, and contrast strongly with the uniform plane of
the aperture of Viviparus.

The figure of a “deformed” V. decisa (36) published by Binney, gives an ex-
aggerated idea of this peculiarity of form.

The soft parts of Melantho appear to also differ from those of Viviparus, the
rostrum being smaller and less protractile, and the auricles behind the tenta-
cles are likewise much smaller.

The earliest known American species of Melantho were contemporaneous
with the Vivipari, three species having been discovered by Dr. Hayden in the
lignite beds of Fort Union and described by-Meek and Hayden as Vivipara mul-
tilineata (— V. nebrascensis M. and H.), V. vetusta and Melania or Lymnea multi-
striata. These have now been referred to the genus Me/antho in the manuscript
work of Meek and Hayden.

Melantho multilineatus.

E. vetustus.
* multistriatus.

The following are referrible to the same genus,—Melantho:
Melantho ponderosa Ad. ez Say = V. ponderosa B.
t decisa Ad. ex Say = V. decisa B.

K coarctata Gill ex Lea = V. coarctata B.
i cyclostomatiformis Gill ex Lea = V. cyclostomatiformis B.
t incrassata Ad. ex Lea = V. incrassata B.

k decapitata Gill ez Anth. = V. decapitata B.
x regularis Gill ez Lea = V. regularis B.

LIOPLAX Troschel.

Lioplax Trogehel, Gebiss der Schnecken, p. 100, 1857.

Haldemania Zryon, Proc. Acad. of Nat. Sciences, 1862, p. 451.

Paludina sp. auct.

Vivipara sp. auct.

Shell imperforate or rimate, turreted, rather thick; of very compact struc-
ture; unprovided with colored bands; whorls carinated and longitudinally flat-
tened, with the sides nearly parallel. Aperture little oblique, oblong-oval,
broadly rounded at the base, and sinuous or retreating backwards, the sharp
outer lip being subangulated near the front; columellar lip concave appressed
to the body whorl, forming an obtuse angle with the outer.

Operculum corneous, with a large spiral nucleus, but with the subsequent
accretions concentric.

This type is evidently most nearly related to Melantho, but differs especially
in the spiral nucleus of the operculum, as well as in the form of the aperture.
A single species is found, which has been ascertained to inhabit some of the
streams of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We are
indebted for its subgeneric distinction to Prof. Troschel and Mr. Tryon.

wx subcarinata = Haldemania subcarinata = Vivipara subearinata B.
ex Say.

Note.—I regret that I have not been able to avail myself more fully of the
invaluable “ Gebiss der Schnecken” of Dr. Troschel. The four parts were only
received at the Smithsonian Institution, through the kindness of Prof. Agassiz,

* The name of Latrunculus has been recently applied by Dr. Günther to a genus of
Gobioid fishes, but, if no other reasons, cannot be retained on account of preoccupation
2 the name. The genus had, however, previously received the name of Aphya from

sso.

1863.]

40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the day before the reception of the proof of the foregoing paper, and conse-
quently too late to compare my views with those of the distinguished author.
I am happy to find that the validity of the groups of Viviparide, which have
been above defined, is confirmed by the researches of Dr. Troschel, who has
examined the dentition of several species of true Viviparus, besides that of the
Paludina subcarinata of Say, for which he has. proposed.the name Lioplaz. The
latter name is now substituted for Haldemania of Tryon, and is modified to form
the name of a group containing that genus and Melantho. T

>

A (

Additional Remarks on the North America ZEGIOTHI.
> BY ELLIOTT .COUES, A.M., M. D.

Since the publication in the Proceedings of the Academy for November,
1861, of my Monograph of the genus, the Smithsonian has been constantly in
the receipt of additional specimens from all parts of North America. These
were mostly the A. linarius; but collections from the North have usually
contained a number of well-characterized examples of A. exilipes. Nothing,
however, of special importance has been elucidated, until the reception of a
series collected in winter in the vicinity of Quebec. These specimens, as they
throw much light on the variations of the typical species of the genus,
A. linarius, will merit a brief notice. If the deductions I have drawn from
these specimens are warrantable, we have in North America the forms long
recognized in Europe as A. Holbóili and A. rufescens ; and these are both rather
races than distinct species. `

Selecting from the series two or three skins which differ most markedly from
the usual style of linarius, and comparing them with a typical specimen of the
latter from Philadelphia, I find the following differences : .

The bird is very decidedly larger. The difference in total length is nearly
one inch, as near as I can judge from the dried skins. The wings and tail are
each about a fourth of an inch longer. Thetarsus and middle toe with its
claw are together about two-tenths of an inch longer.* The bill and feet are
decidedly larger and stouter, though perhaps not disproportionately so. The
former is somewhat elongated ; its lateral outlines straight instead of a little
concave; its culmen slightly curved. The bill is of a bright chrome-yellow,
except just along the culmen and at the extreme tip. The gular spot seems
rather large. In other respects, the two birds are quite identical, for, with
these differences in size, there is an exactly proportionate increase in the bill,
feet, wings and tail; and the colors of the two do not differ appreciably, ex-
cept in the bill, and perhaps the larger gular spot. The specimens give the
idea, in fact, of overgrown individuals of the common linarius.

But now, on examining in detail the rest of the series, I find that, from
the one extreme, the characters of which have just been given, there is a com-
plete and gradual transition, —a diminutionin size, down to specimens which
cannot possibly be distinguished from typical linarius. There is no break in the
series ; no dividing point where we can stop calling the specimens ** /inarius
to give them another name; in spite of the discrepancy which is so evident
between the two extremes.

The point of interest which attaches to these specimens, is the bearing they
may have on the mooted question of the claims of ZEgiothus Holbélli to full
specific rank. As was the case at the time of the preparation of my Mono-
graph, I have never examined a specimen which professed, upon good Euro-
pean authority, to be that species. Careful examination, however, of the

* Tne tarsus, middle toe and claw together, of the specimens under consideration, measure
absolutely 1:20 inches; the same parts in linarius are about one inch: iu ezilipes 80 of an

inch.
( Feb.

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 41

figures and diagnoses of the various authors who have treated of this
bird has shown that there are assigged to .Egiothus Holbölli, as dis-
tinctive characters, exactly those differences from the /inarius which exist in
the specimens under consideration,—viz. : larger size, larger, more elongated
right yellow bill, and larger gular spot. I think there can be no reason-
oubt that these specimens represent in North America the form long
ized in Europe under the name of Æyiothus Holbólli.

this be the case, next comes the question, what rank are we to accord to
this form. Is it to be looked upon as an accidental variation from the type, —
as a well marked variety,—or as a distinct species? Brehm was the first to
proclaim it as distinct, and give it a name. Temminck, Schlegel, Bonaparte,
and other authors, —who are rather more orthodox in their ideas of a species
than is Brehm,—have always inclined, more or less decidedly, to the opinion
that it is rather a race or subspecies of A. linarius. The fact of there being a
complete gradation towards the /inarits, has not escaped attention, and has
been a powerful argument against according to it full specific rank. For my
own part, though unable to demonstrate the point incontrovertibly, Iam in-
clined to reiterate still more strongly the doubts expressed in my Monograph,
as to the propriety of separating it fromthe linarius.

Pursuing this question of the variations which A. linarius presents, we find
another species, —A. rufescens, — which hagnever been able to fully vindicate its
claims to specific distinction. First introduced by Vieillot, its existence was
strenuously denied by Temminck, doubtfully regarded by Bonaparte and
Schlegel, and admitted by Cabanis and others. I have always entertained
strong doubts as to its validity. The characters assigned are slight enough ;
and that they exhibit a gradation towards A. linarius, is admitted even by
those who contend for its separation fem that species. In examining two
hundred {more specimens, I find many individuals, fully as small, in fact,
and with a¥ much of a reddish tinge, as sp.cimens from Europe labelled **zu-
fescens?! by good authority. ;

The existence, then, in North America of these two races, or species, which
ever they may be, the one larger*and the other smaller than the typical lina-
rius, may be considered as exceedingly probable, if the fact be not actually
demonstrable. As a sort of negative argument, I may remark, that one
might naturally look for their occurrence in this country as the typical lina-
rius from Europe is absolutely identical with our own.

4Egiothus rufescens and A, Holbólli, compared with A. exilipes, afford a good
illustration of the limits between which a species may vary from its normal
type; while another species, looking at first glance more like this type than
do either of its extremes, is permanently distinct.

I have no reason to change any of the views expressed with regard to three
new species I have introduced. Additional specimens confirm the position as-
sumed, especially regarding A. ezxilipes. I may here, however, correct a
typographical error, which gives the date of the first introduction of A. fusc:s-
cens as ‘‘ Aug., 1860,” instead of ‘‘ Aug., 1861.”

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 121

8

isés que ne sont ni de vraies plantes, ni de vrais animaux. Ce n'est qu'à
force d'observations et de méditations que l'on pourra distinguer clairement
les vraies plantes et les vraisanimaux des autres étres organisés qui en different
assez pour avoir une autre détermination et un autre rang dans la division
méthodique des productions de la nature. (Séances des Ecoles Normales,
tome v. p. 277.)

We cite these authors only for the general purpose of illustrating the usual
style of the suggestions and opinions frequently to be met with. Purposely,
at present, we do not extend extracts of this description, nor give any such
from living authors.

On the LESTRIS RICHARDSONI of Swainson; with a Critical Review of the
Subfamily LESTRIDINZE. c

BY ELLIOTT COUES, M.D., U.S.A.

In the year 1831, a Jüger was described and figured in the Fauna Boreali-
Americana, under the name of ** Lestris Richardsoni Swains." This bird has
been generally supposed to be the true parasitica of Brünnich, in the now
well known fusco-unicolor state of plumage which all the species of Stercora-
rius pass through in arriving at maturity. Consequently, the name ‘‘?ichard-
sont’? has been employed for the common Jäger, especially by American
writers, to the exclusion of the prior name ‘‘ parasitica,” of Briinnich.

Examination of the works of Temminck, who, at the time in which he
wrote, probably knew more about Jägers than almost any author, will show
how this misapplication of a name became general.

In his edition of 1820, he is acquainted with but a single species of Lestris,
(besides catarractes and pomarinus,) which he calls ‘‘ parasitica Brünn.” His
description of the latter is made up of a mixture of the characters of parasitica
and Buffoni; and the synonyms of the two are indiscriminately adduced.

In his edition of 1840, he recognizes the distinctions between the two
Species parasitica and Buffoni; but, unfortunately, he calls the true parasitica
“ Richardsoni,” adducing the proper synonyms of the species under that
name; while he describes the true Buffon? under the name of ‘ parasitica.”
He is thus fully aware of his mistake of 1820; for (page 498) he makes the
following ‘‘ Remarque : Comme notre article du stercoraire parasite ou labbe
du manuel p. 796, renferme, ainsi qu'il vient d'étre dit, les synonymes de deux
espèces distinctes, (le stercoraire à filets subulés courts, et le stercoraire à
longs filets,) il est necessaire de refaire en totalité toutes les indications sur ces
deux espèces.”

But, believing Swainson's bird to be the same as the parasitica, he says
(page 492), in defence of the nomenclature adopted: ‘‘Shortly after the
publication of the second edition of the Manual, of 1820, we became aware of
the error in our article on Lestris parasitica, where the description and
synonymy of two distinct species are confounded. Guided by Boie's observa-
tions, we had applied the name parasitica to the small "Jäger with short tail
feathers, proposing to adopt for the one with long tail feathers (the labbe à
longe queue of Buffon,) the name Buffoni; but since some English authors, *
led into error by our artiele, have thought that they have discovered in our
parasitica a new species, which they call ‘‘ Richardsoni," we are obliged to
adopt their mistake, sanctioned as it is by several naturalists, and in many
collections. Being, then, confident that Lestris Richardsoni is really the same
with our L. parasitica, with short tail feathers, . . . we adopt here the
first of these names for the short-tailed Jüger, leaving to the long-tailed species

* i, e., Swainson, and others.

1863.]

122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

the appellation of parasitica ; for we take it, names and priority of discovery
are not of the last importance; all that is necessary is to be understood when
we talk of species; and for this purpose, a name sanctioned by usage, and
which does not cause confusion, is far better than one which has nothing to
recommend it but its priority of date." i

It was by this somewhat heterodox reasoning on the subject of nomenclature,
that Temminck adopted for the common Jäger the name of ** Richardsoni,”
and turned over the name ''parasitica" to the long-tailed species. His ex-
ample has been very generally followed, as will be seen by consulting the
Synonyms given in this paper. Iam inclined to the opinion, however, that
Swainson's bird may be a distinct species from the old parasitica of Brünnich,
upon the following grounds:

In the very extensive series of Jágers in the Museum of the Smithsonian
Institution, there are several specimens which agree among themselves in the
possession of some characters which differ considerably from those of the
typical parasitica. The whole bird is considerably larger,—the difference in
the wing from the flexure amounting to nearly or quite an inch, and propor-
tionate discrepancies existing in the tarsi and toes. The bill is longer, (though
not stouter;) its nail longer compared with the ceral portion, and its convex-
ity more gradual. The most marked features, however, lie in thetail. While
the relative proportions of the lateral feathers to the central pair are much as
in parasitica, the whole tail is longer, more graduated, and the individual
feathers somewhat broader. From the insertion to the tips of the pair of
feathers next the central, measures in parasitica about 54 inches ; in ** Rich-
ardsoni’’ about 61. A proportionate difference exists in the absolute total
length of the central pair; though their relative lengths do not differ appre-
ciably. The tail of the specimens under consideration is more graduated,—
the amount of graduation being nearly an inch, instead of about half an inch,
as in parasitica. The central pair seem broader than in parasitica, and
somewhat of a different shape ; and the same may be said, though less mark-
edly, of the lateral feathers. Comparing some of these specimens which are
in the dusky stage with the corresponding state of plumage of parasitica, I
find the dusky to be much darker,—in fact, quite of a blackish rather than of
a fuliginous hue. No other differences are appreciable.

These specimens agree minutely with the plate and description of what
Swainson called ** Richardsoni,” so that there cannot be the slightest doubt
of the propriety of referring them to that species. The only question is, are
the differences above detailed sufficient to constitute specific distinctions ?

Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, ii. page 209, gives a form or variety of
parasitica thus: “a. L. coprotheres Brünn. ; Richardsoni Swains. . . ex
bor. Eur. et Am. Omni tempore et ztate obscuré unicolor.’’ Swainson’s figure
also represents the bird in this fusco-unicolor stage; he perhaps thinking that
this feature formed a distinctive character. This, however, cannot be the
case; and I wish to be distinctly understood as throwing this out of considera-
tion altogether in discussing the claims of the bird to specific distinction,
since it is now certain that this dusky stage is merely an evidence of immatur-
ity; and that the bird, when adult, will have the white neck all round, and
white underparts, exactly as in parasitica. fitis to be separated at all, this
is to be done upon the grounds of the differences in size and proportion above
detailed, —withonut the least reference to the dusky stage of plumage in which
it is figured by Swainson.

While I am not thoroughly satisfied of the entire propriety of so doing, I
shall, in the following Review of the subfamily, separate it specifically from
the parasitica; desiring to call attention to it, as at least a well-marked form,
not a dist inct species.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 123

General Considerations.

Before proceeding to speak in detail of the individual species of the Lestri-
dine, I desire to make a few remarks on the points which at the present day
must be taken more especially into consideration, in carrying on an investi-
gation of this subfamily of birds.

Although the contrary was formerly the case, yet at the present time the
species of Jügers are pretty definitely ascertained,—being better known, in
fact, than the species either of Zarinw or Sternine. This arises partly from
the fact of the small number of existing species, and partly because most of
the species present really very marked differences, which can hardly be over-
looked by any one examining specimens with an ordinary degree of mental
acumen. With the amount of knowledge which we possess at present, it
would be quite impossible to mistake Buffoni for parasiticus, etc., in
whatever stages of plumage they may be found; and therefore, except
in one or two instances, I have thought it quite unnecessary to present
any lengthy description or specific characters, for the purpose of separat-
ing one species from another. In a paper like the present, such points seem
quite uncalled for.

At the same time, there is a point concerning which authors are even now
at variance, and which seems to have need of all the light that can be thrown
upon it. I refer to the remarkable changes of plumage which the species of
one of the genera of this subfamily,—Stercorarius,—undergo in arriving at
maturity, and more particularly that perplexing state in which the bird is
uniformly dusky. From the time when Brünnich, in 1764, institutes a
Catharacta “ coprotheres, corpore toto fusco," etc., and then adds: ‘‘An a
precedenti sexu vel specie diversa? A quibusdam hee pro fcemina, illa $127
(parasitica) pro mare habetur,"—the question has been an open one. Some
authors have made a distinct species of this stage; others have given it as a
variety ; others still have considered this plumage indieative of age, or of
. Beason, or of sex. Modern opinions have generally agreed in considering it
as simply an evidence of immaturity, and not a variety, much less a distinct
species. I hope I shall be able to show in the following pages, that this latter
opinion is the correct one, even if I cannot prove exactly what age the dusky
stage is characteristic of, or whether more than one sex participates in it. To
this end, I have gone into detail regarding the various ages of two of the
Species,—pomarinus and parasiticus.

But there is still another point in the study of the Jügers, which, being a
matter of more than ordinary difficulty, demands our most patient and
careful investigation. This is the bibliography of the subfamily. Many of the
species were known to the very earliest,—even pre-Linnzan,—writers on
ornithology ; and, as a natural consequence, the synonymy of the various
species is as intricate, and in as puzzling a state of complication, as perhaps
that of any other group of birds, rendering it a peculiarly difficult task to
unravel the various knotty points which present themselves for our considera-
tion. Fortunately, however, the synonymy of most of the species is rather
intricate, than doubtful; rendering it possible, perhaps, to present a tolerably
accurate list of references, by careful and patient study. To this part of the
subject in hand I have paid special attention, and it is believed that the lists
of synonyms given are pretty full, and include ali the important references.
Others must judge of the accuracy of the citations, each according to his own
views of the subject.

If I seem to have made any uncalled for innovations in nomenclature, I
can only offer as an apology, that it is impossible to conduct an investigation
into the bibliography of the subfamily without seeing that many of the names
in common employ must be superseded, provided we are to pay any attention
to recognized laws of nomenclature.

1863.]

124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Family LARIDÆ.

Subfamily LESTRIDIN A,

Of this, the first subfamily of the Laridæ, there are at present known to
exist eight species, belonging to two genera. Of these, five inhabit the
northern, and three the southern hemisphere. The five northern species are
all represented in North America. The following analytical table will represent
the characters of the species and genera sufficiently well for our present
purposes. The diagnoses are purposely made as brief as possible, only the
most prominent features being noticed.

§ Analytical Table of the Genera and Species of the Lestridine.

I. Staturà maximi, et formá robustissimi. Pedes et rostrum
validi. Tarsus brevior quam digitus medius cum ungue.

. Rectrices mediz latz vix ultra ceteras porrecte......... Genus BuPHAGUS.
a. Rostri longitudo poll. 2, et ultra; altitudo *75. Ad
anguli oris 3:00 poll. Ex maria arctica...... .......,. se0eee B. skua.
b. Rostrum brevius, crassius. Ex maria antarctica........ B. antarcticus.

II. Staturà minores, et forma graciliores. Pedes et rostrum
graciles. Tarsus non brevior quam digitus medius cum
ungue. Cauda longior, et rectrices mediz vald? ultra ceteras
LIO STU once pape canceincecoa-<++--ssesscssense snnsssancscsnssrais Genus STERCORARIUS.
1. Tarsi posticé asperrimi. Rectrices medie late in
apices ipsas.
a. Rectrices mediz ceteris 4 pollices longiores............ S. pomarinus.
2. Tarsi posticé subasperi. Rectrices medis longs, rigi-
dz, acuminate.

a. Rectrices mediz ceteris 4 poll. longiores......... ..... S. parasiticus.
b. Similis S. parasitico ; sed major, cauda totâ longiore,
PIUS roldhdst3.-.. 5... o -- e ena I eE SERE RR Aese e EE EE ERES S. Richardsoni.

c. Similis S. pirasitico ; sed minor, rostro magis com-
presso, rectricibus mediis elongatis, apicibus rotun-
dans E UO RSA TI ORT P YD DO HEC EROS one S. Hardyi.
d. Similis S. parasitico. Sed etiam minor S. Buffono ;
rectricibus mediis lineari-aeutis, rachide denudata
rigida, pollice et ultra ceteras superantibus (payee S. spinicauda.
3. Tarsi posticè subasperis. Rectrices mediæ longissimæ,
flexibiles, filiformes.
a. Rectrices mediæ ceteris 8 ad 10 pollices longiores....S. Buffoni.

Genus BUPHAGUS Moehring.

Buphagus, Moehring, Genera Avium, 1752, page 66, No. 71. Typus Larus
catarractes, Linn.

Stercorarius, ** Brisson,” Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 1817, 153. Typus
idem. (Sed non verus Stercorarius, Briss. cujus typus Larus parasi-
ticus, L. est.) Gray, Genera of Birds, 1849, 651. Degland, Ornith.
Europ. 1849, ii. 287. Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, 1856, 206. Law-
rence, Gen. Rep. Birds N. A. 1858, 838; et aliorum auctorum.

Catharacta, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, 32. Typus Cath. skua Brinn. Bona-
parte, Comparative List, 1838.

Larus, (partim) Linnæus, Systema Nature, 1766. Gmelin, Systema, Natu-
ræ, 1788. Latham, Index Ornithologicus, 1790. Meyer et Wolf, Tassch-
enbuch deutsch. 1810.

Catarractes, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-As. 1811, ii. 308. Typus C. skua. Steph-
ens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825, 214.

Lestris, ‘‘Mliger,’? Temminck, Man. Orn. 1820—40. Typus L. catarractes.
(Sed non verus Lestris Ill. cujus typus L. parasitica L. est.) Faber,

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 125

Prodromus Isl. Orn. 1822. Lesson, Traité d'Ornith. 1831. Keyserling
et Blasius, Wirbelth. Europ. 1840 ; et auctorum aliorum.

Megalestris, Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, 1856, p. 206. "Typus Larus catar-
ractes, Linn.

1. BuPHacavs skvA Coues ex Brünnich.

** Skua Hojeri, Ray, Synopsis Avium, 128."

Larus fuscus, Brisson, Ornithologie, vi. 1760, p. 165. **Scopoli, Bemerk. Natur-
Gesch. 1770, 90.” i

Cotharacta skua, Brünnieh, Ornithologia Borealis, 1764, 33. No. 125.

Catarracta skua, Retzius, Fauna Suecica, 1800, 161, No. 123. Bonaparte,
Cat. Met. Ucc. Europ. 1842, 79. Bonaparte, Rev. Crit. Degland's
Ornith. Europ. 1850, 202.

Catarractes skua, Pallas, Zoographia Rosso-Asis, ii. 1811, 309. Stephens,
Shaw's Gen. Zool. 1825, xiii. 215.

Cataractes skua, Macgillivray, Man. Orn. ii. 1842, 255.

Catarractes vulgaris, Fleming. (fide Bp.)

Catarractes fusca, Leach. (fide Bp.)

Lestris skua, Brehm. (fide Bp.)

Larus catarractes, Linneus, Systema Nature, i. 1776. Gmelin, Systema Na-
ture, i. 1788, 603. Latham, Index Ornithologicus, ii. 1790, 818.

Larus keeask, Latham, Index Ornithologicus, ii, 1790, 818.

Lestris catarractes, Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, 273. Faber, Prodromus Island.
Ornith. 1822, 102. Temminck, Manuel d'Ornith. ii. 1820, 792. Tem-
minck, Manuel d'Ornith. iv. 1840, 494. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1826, No.
304, Nuttall, Man. Ornith. ii. 1834, 312, Schlegel, Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur.
1844, 84.

Lestris catharactes, Brehm, Naturg. Europ. Vóg. 1823, 739.

Lestris catharractes, Schinz, Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 387.

Lestris catarrhactes, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Europ. Thierw. 1829, 64. Keyserling et
Blasius, Wirbelth. Europ. 1840, i. 239.

Stercorarius catarrhactes, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d'H. N. 1817, xxxii. 154.
Vieillot, Fauna Frang. 1828, 385. Degland, Orn. Europ. 1849, ii.
289. Gray, Genera Avium, iii. 1849, 652.

Stercorarius catarractes, Bonaparte, Consp. Avium, 1836, ii. 206. Lawrence,
General Report Birds N. A. 1858, 838.

Stercorarius cataractes, Selys-Longchamps, Fauna Belg. 1842, 155.

Stercorarius catharractes, Des Murs, Traité d'Ool. Ornith. 1860, 551.

Stercorarius pomarinus, Vieillot, Galerie d'Ois. ii. 1834, 220; sed non Temm.
nec auctorum !

Sp. ch.—Above blackish brown, more or less variegated with chestnut and
whitish ; each feather being dark-colored, with a spot of chestnut towards its ex-
tremity, which in turn fades into whitish along the shaft towards the tip of
each feather. On the latero-nuchal region, and across the throat, the chest-
nut lightens into a decided reddish yellow, the white being as a well-defined,
narrow, longitudinal streak on each feather. The crown, post-ocular and
mental region have but little whitish. Inferiorly, the plumage is of a blended
fusco-rufous, lighter than on the dorsum, witha peculiar indefinite plumbeous
nuance. The wings and tail are blackish ; their rhachides white, except towards
the apices ; the remiges and rectrices white for some distance from the bases.
This white on the tail is entirely concealed by the long tail-coverts, but ap-
pears on the outer primaries as a conspicuous spot. The bill and claws are
blackish horn ; the feet pure black.

Bill from base to tip 2°10; to end of cere 1:20; gape 3:00; height at base
"75 ; width a little less ; rami 1:60; gonys 50; wing 16:00; tail6:00; tarsus
2°70; middle toe and claw 3:10.

1863.]

126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Habitat.—Seas and sea coasts of the northern hemisphere ; more particularly
in higher latitudes.

It is quite unnecessary here to go into any details regarding the specific
characters of so long and well known a species, and one which is so very dis-
tinet both in form and colors from any other of our continent.

I am well aware that the adoption of the name under which I present this
species, may be looked upon by many ornithologists as an unnecessary, or at
least as an uncalled for innovation. In defence of the nomenclature adopted,
I beg leave to offer the following considerations, which, it is hoped, will ex-
onerate me from the charge of needlessly changing names, by proving that if
we are to pay any attention to recognized rules of nomenclature, such a pro-
cedure is unavoidable in the present instance, and that no other name than
the one adopted can be used :

In the first place, Moehring's genus Buphagus is certainly based upon a bird
which was afterwards the Larus catarractes of Linnzeus. His diagnosis (vide in-
fra*) unmistakably refers to one of the Lestridine, while the species is fortu-
nately exactly fixed by his reference to ‘‘ Hojeri’’ and **cataractes." Perhaps
no one of his diagnosesis more definite than this one. This being the case,
the only question is, are his genera to be adopted and used in ornithology ?

I believe that the rule generally followed regarding Moehring’s genera, is
that they are to be adopted when they can be certainly identified, provided
that they do not conflict with subsequent Linnean appellations. Upon this
principle, many of Moehring’s old genera have been revived and adopted by
Gray, and his example has been followed by Baird, and other ornithological
writers. Itis thus that such genera as Philomachus, Collyrio, Trogon, Uria,
Catarractes, etc., have taken the precedence over more modern appellations,
to which their priority entitles them. The rule, however, does not appear to
have been so strictly carried out as it should be, if adhered to at all. Gray,
for example, adopts Stercorarius of Brisson for the Jäger, remarking ‘‘ that it
is supposed to be Buphagus of Moehring." His procedure in this case is a
little remarkable, since Buphagus is certainly identifiable ; and there is no
Linnean genus with which it can conflict, —Linnzus ranging all the Jägers
known to him with the gulls, under Larus. With this restriction, which, it
must be confessed, is rather a compliment to Linneus, than strict justice to
other writers, the genera of Moehring are to be adopted when identifiable.
The fact of that author not being a binomalist,—in fact, not dealing at all
with species,—does not appear to be a valid reason why his genera should be
neglected any more than those of Brisson for example. Iam decidedly in
favor of the adoption for any genus of the first appellation that is proposed for it
after the date of the first published works of Linnzus, provided there be no
conflict between them: considering the introduction of a definite form of
nomenclature as beginning with that illustrious writer.

Now, supposing that we do reject Moehring's Buphagus, let us see what will
be the consequence. ‘‘ Stercorarius Brisson 1760"! is the name which of late
has been most generally applied to the genus in question. But the type of
Brisson's genus is not the catarrhactes,{ but the true parasitica, as is evident
by his elaborate description, although no specific name is given ; and hence,
if it is to be used at all, it must be for the genus of which parasiticais typical.
But Brisson was a polynomalist; and if we refuse to adopt Moehring’s names
on this score, Brisson’s genera must also be rejected: to which procedure, of
course, no naturalist would assent.

Catharacta of Brünnich of 1764 comes next in order, and has as its type

* Moehring. Genera Avium, 1752, page 66, No.71. “ Rostrum postice rectum, membrana callosa
ad nares usque tectum, versus apicem incurvum, lateribus compressis. Femora extra abdomen.
Digiti antici tres membrana intermedia toti coherentes, posticus liber."

t Brisson, on page 165 of vol. vi. of his Ornithologie, ranges this species under Larus, calling it

* Le Goelaud brun, Larus fuscus.”
[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 127

C. skua, which is the true catarrhactes. But here he is anticipated by
Moehring, who had previously applied the name Cataractes* to a genus of
Guillemots, of which Uria troileis the type. This genus has been adopted
for the latter birds, by Cassin, Bryant, and others; and, unless we admit the
different spellings of the same word as distinct genera, which would seem
quite unwarrantable, Brünnich's name must be superseded.

Lestris of Illiger (1811) being based upon the parasitica, I am aware of no
other genera than the above, which were founded on the Larus catarrhactes
down to 1856, when Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, proposed the name
Megalestris. The choice then lies between Moehring’s Buphagus and Bona-
parte's Megalestris ; and of the two, I prefer to take the former, especially as
by so doing we shall be enabled to retain Stercorarius of Brisson for the other
species of the subfamily.

Regarding the adoption of the specific name skua, I will merely remark that
as Brünnich was as strict a binomalist as Linneus himself, there is no reason
why his specific names should not be employed in all cases when they are
identifiable. The date of Brünnich's ‘‘skua’’ is 1764; that of Linnzus’
** catarractes * is 1766.

It is a little surprising that Brisson, after instituting the genus Stercorarius
for the Jägers, should be so far at fault regarding the proper affinities of the
present species as to place it among the Gulls, under the name of Larus fuscus.
His descriptions of all the Jügers are remarkably accurate, and so full and
complete as to admit of the positive identification of all his names. In this
case, and in numberless other instances, there is cause for exceeding regret
that he was a polynomalist; for, had he been a strict binomalist, so that we
could adopt his specific names, we should be saved a vast deal of uncertainty
and profitless discussion as to the proper specific appellations to be employed.

The Larus keeask of Latham is certainly the present species. That author
gives 22 inches as the total length, and 3 inches as the length of the bill,—-
dimensions which will apply to no species of Stercorarius; and there is no
other Buphagus than the present inhabiting the northern hemisphere. His
bird ** habitat in America ad sinum Hudsonis.”’

The plate which Vieillot gives in his Galerie des Oiseaux, (1854) of his
Stercorarius pomarinus, represents undoubtedly the present species; and is, so
far as I am aware, the only instance of the application of the name pomarinus
to any other species than that to which it rightfully belongs. This error seems
the more surprising, since Vieillot, in 1817 and in 1828 (vide synon.), gives
the species as Stercorarius catarrhactes.

The other synonyms of the species do not require special notice. I have
endeavored to preserve the various spellings of the word catarrhuctes by the
different authors cited. I quote Catarractes rusca Leach, and vulgaris Fleming,
and Lestris skua Brehm, on the authority of Bonaparte.

, 2. BurHacGvs ANTARCTICUS Coues ex Lesson.

Lestris catarractes, Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, Ois. p. 38. Nec auct.
Lestris antarcticus, Lesson, Traité d'Orn. 1831, p. 606.
Stercorarius antarcticus, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. 1856, p. 207.

Diac.—B. Buph. skue similis ; sed rostro crassiore et breviore.
Habitat.— Antarctic Ocean.

* This word affords a good illustration of the very various cacography we often find in the
names of the old authors. Thus, we have cataracta, cataractes, catharacta, catarracta, catarractes,
catarrhactes, &c. The orthography of the word will be evident if we regard its etymology. It is
from xaTa, and £y vug, whence xa"TA4ppaxTac, “a robber or despoiler;" the latinization of
whichis catarrhactes,—the h being derived from the rough aspirate over the second P. Brünnich's
spelling of the word might perhaps lead us to suppose it derived from x202t100, “to cleanse or

purify ;” but this isevidently not the case,—the latinization of the word formed from the latter
root giving us cathartes, Illiger’s genus of American vultures.

1863.]

128 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

This species is very closely related to the preceding, if it be really distinct
from it. The fine series in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, pro-
cured by the United States Exploring Expedition under Com. Wilkes, all
differ from the skua of Europe and America in the possession of shorter, and
comparatively stouter and deeper bills, with more obtuse tips. These are the
only points of discrepancy I have been able to detect in the examination of
the series; but they appear to be quite constant.

Among the series is a specimen much larger than the rest, and than the
skua from Europe. The bill is nearly two and a third inches long, and very
stout ; the wings an inch, and the tarsus a third of an inch longer than the
average of European skins. It is evidently a very old individual, and the
chestnut and whitish have almost entirely disappeared from both the upper
and under parts, leaving the whole bird deep blackish-brown above, and a
somewhat lighter brown, or fuliginous, below. The specimen is referred to
in Cassin’s List of the Birds of the Exploring Expedition, as ‘‘ Lestris 27?
Although the general appearance of the bird is really different from that of
the rest of the series, I do not think that the differences presented are any-
thing more than indicative of the great age of the specimen. A collection of
American and European Jügers, obligingly furnished by Mr. D. G. Elliott for
examination, contains a specimen of the true skua from the Atlantic Ocean,
which presents a very similar condition of things. The size is greater than
that of any other of the series of specimens, and the colors are nearly as
uniform as in the antarctic specimen referred to. I think it more than probable
that the birds of this genus continue to grow in size and proportions with
increasing age, and that the colors have a tendency to become darker and
more uniform under the same circumstances.

Genus STERCORARIUS Brisson.

Stercorarius, Brisson, Ornithologia, 1760, vi. (Typus Larus parasiticus, Linn.)
et auctorum pleriq.

Catharacta (partim), Brünnich, Ornith. Borealis, 1764.

Larus (partim), Linneus, Systema Nature, 1766. Gmelin, Systema Nature,
1788. Latham, Index Ornithologicus, 1790. Meyer et Wolf, Taschenb.
Deutsch, 1810.

Lestris, Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, p. 272. (Typus Larus parasiticus, Linn.)
Et auctorum.

Predairiz, Vieillot, Analyse, 1816, p. 62.

Labbus, Rafinesque, 1816, fide Bp. ~

Coprotheres, Reichenbach, 1850.

A single genus cannot, without great latitude and looseness of definition, be
made to include all the species of this subfamily. The differences between
Buphagus skua (with its southern representative antarcticus) and the other
known species, are very great, and strongly pronounced, if we regard stature,
proportions, character of central tail feathers, changes of plumage, &e. The
differences fully warrant the distribution of the species of the subfamily into
two genera, which may be thus defined:

Burnacvs.— Bill shorter than the middle toe without the claw ; exceedingly
robust; width at base about equal to the height, which is a third of the length
of culmen. Strie and sulci numerous and well marked. Encroachment of
feathers on bill moderate; and nearly the same on both mandibles. Occiput
scarcely crested. Wings only moderately long for this subfamily,—the pri-
maries very broad, and rounded at their tips. Tail very short, broad, nearly
even, the feathers truncated ; central pair projecting but little, and broad to
their very tips, which arealso truncated. Feet large and stout ; tarsi shorter than
the middle toe and claw. Size large; form robust and heavy; general
organization very powerful. Colors much the same over the whole body ;

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 129

not subject to any great variations with age, sex, or season. Species, B. skua
(type) and B. antarcticus.

SrERCORARIUS.— Bill equalto middle toe without the claw, moderately robust,
height at base more than a third of culmen ; striæ and sulci fewer and more
slightly marked. Encroachment of feathers on bill very great, especially on
the upper mandible, where it greatly exceeds that on the lower, and is of a
different outline from that of Buphagus. Occiput decidedly suberested. Wings
exceedingly long, the primaries narrow, tapering, with quite acute tips. Tail
long ; the lateral feathers more or less graduated ; the central pair considera-
bly, sometimes excessively, elongated, tapering and filamentous. Feet rather
slender, the tarsi equal to, or slightly longer than the middle toe and claw.
Size moderate or small. Form less robust, general organization much less
powerful. Nearly bicolor when adult; passing through very various states
of plumage before arriving at maturity. Species, S. pomarinus, parasiticus,
(type) Richardsoni, Hardyi, spinicauda, Buffoni.

Of these, the five last are very strictly congeneric in every particular.
Pomarinus, by its larger size, somewhat more powerful form, shorter and
broader central tail feathers, &c., shows a slight aberration towards Buphagus.
But in all other features the essential characters of Stercorarius are so strongly
pronounced, that it cannot afford a link by which the two genera may be
united.

? STERCORARIUS POMARINUS Vieill. ex Temm.

Larus parasiticus, Meyer et Wolf, Tasch. Deutsch. ii. 1810, 490. (Sed non
Linn. nec auct.)

Larus crepidatus, Gmelin, Systema Nature, i. 1788, 602. Latham, Index Or-
nithologicus, 1790, ii. 819. (Citat Sterc. striatum, Briss.)

Stercorarius striatus, Brisson, Ornith. vi. 1760, 152, pl. 13, fig. 2. (Juvenis.)

Lesiris striatus, Eyton, British Birds, 18—, 53.

Lestris pomarinus, Temminck, Man. Orn. ii. 1820, 793. Temminck, Man.
Orn, iv. 1840, 495. Faber, Prodromus Island. Ornith. 1822, 104.
Brehm, Naturg. Europ. Vógel, 1823, 741. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1826,
No. 305. Lesson, Manuel Ornith. 1828, 11.388. Kaup, Sk. Ent. Europ.
Theirw, 1829, 64. Swainson et Richardson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 429.
Nuttall, Manual Ornith. ii. 1834, 315. Audubon, Ornith. Biograph.
1829, ii. p. 396. Audubon, Synopsis, 1839, 332. Audubon, Birds
America, 1844, vii. 186, pl. 451. Keyserling et Blasius, Wirbelth.
Europ. 1840, i. 240. Schinz, Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 388. Schlegel,
Rev. Crit. Ois. Europ. 1844, 84. Bonaparte, Cat. Met. Ucc. Eur. 1842,
80. Bonaparte, Rev. Crit. Degland’s Orn. Eur. 1850, 202. Thompson,
Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii. 1851, 392. Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, ii.
1856. 207. Des Murs, Traité d'Oologie Ornith. 1860, 551.

Stercorarius pomarinus, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d'H. N. xxxii. 1819, 158. Vieillot,
Fauna Franç. 1828, 387. Selys-longehamps, Fauna Belg. 1842, 155.
Degland, Ornith. Europ. 1849, ii. 291. Gray, Genera Birds, 1849, iii.
652. Lawrence, General Report Birds N. A, 1858, 838. Coues, Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sc., Philada., 1861, p. 243.

Cataractes pomarinus, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. 1825, xiii. 216, pl. 24.
Macgillivray, Man. Brit. Orn., ii. 1842, 256.

Coprotheres pomarinus, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. 1850, 52, pl. 328-9.

Catarractes parasita, var. camtschatica, Pallas, Zoograph. Rosso-Asiz, 1811,
ii. 312.

Habitat.—Seas and sea coasts of Europe, Asia and North America. Interior
of Arctic America.

I will notice the stages of plumage of this species, from that of the fully
adult to that of the young of the year. Having a very extensive series at
command, I have endeavored to trace one stage from another, and point out

1863.] 10

130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

exactly how the great changes of plumage to which the bird is subject, are
produced.

Adult.—Bill horn, deepening into black; feet black. Pileum and occipital
érest brownish-black ; this color extending much below the eyes, and occupy-
ing the feathers on the ramus of the inferior maxilla. Acuminate feathers of
the neck light yellow. Back, wings, tail, upper wing coverts, under tail
coverts as far as the flanks, deep blackish-brown. Under parts, from chin to
pus and neck all round, (except the yellow acuminate feathers,) pure
whate.

The above is the plumage of the fully adult bird, and is comparatively not
often met with. A more usual state of plumage (described by Lawrence and
figured by Audubon* as ‘‘ fully adult,’’) is as follows:

Nearly adult.—Generally as in the preceding, but with a row of brown spots
across the breast; the sides under the wings transversely barred with white
and brown ; the purity of the dark color of the abdomen interrupted by some
touches of white. The legs still wholly black, and the tail feathers projecting
as much as in the fully adult.

i Now, as a somewhat younger stage than the preceding, we have the fol-
owing

Intermediate stage, (No. 1275.)—The band of dark spots across the breast
has widened and enlarged, so that the whole breast appears brown, mottled
with white; the sides under the wings are conspicuously barred with white
and brown; the white of the under parts is continued down over the abdomen
to the under tail coverts ; the pure brown of these parts which obtains in the
adult, now only appearing as transverse bars among the white. The upper
tail coverts and some of the wing coverts are barred with white. The bases
of the primaries are inferiorly white. The central tail feathers now only
project an inch, The tarsi are quite changed in color; they are now irregularly
blotched with chrome yellow,—the hind toe and nail being of this color.

The above changes are very gradual, and readily identifiable ; the quo modo
of their production may be thus summed up: In the adult the white and
brown occupy distinct and well-marked regions; and the two colors are
separated by trenchant lines of division. The younger the bird, the more
this distinctness of definition of colors is lost,—the white invading and barring
the brown, and the brown invading and mottling the white, wherever the
two join. Then also the feet lose their black, and are variegated with yellow.

Besides the above, we find a state characterizable thus :

Dusky stage.—The bird is very nearly unicolor : blackish-brown all over;
this color deepening into quite black on the pileum ; lightening into fuliginous
brown on the abdomen, with a slight gilding of the black on the sides of the
neck. The whitish bases of the primaries exist. The feet are in the chromo-
variegated condition. The central tail feathers scarcely project half an inch.

In the last edition of the Manuel d'Ornithologie, Temminck corrects various
errors committed in previous editions, and gives, as his mature opinion, four
‘ varieties” of this species. By examining his diagnoses, it will be seen at a
glance that his ‘‘ variety C” is the fully adult plumage above characterized ;
of which he says truly that it is * assez rare." His “B” is our second stage ;
his * A" is about our third stage ; while his ‘‘ D"' is the fusco-unicoler stage
just given. In his earlier editions he maintains that this dusky stage is
absolutely independent of sex ; but latterly he says that it is possible that the
dusky birds are females; the white-bellied ones males. Ornithologists main-
tain very diverse views on this subject ; but I believe it is generally supposed
that this state of plumage is not indicative of either sex, but simply of imma-
turity.

Now I think that the four plumages which Temminck describes as adults

"* I have Audubon’s original specimen before me. It agrees minutely with his plate; and is also
the specimen from which Lawrence’s description in the General Keport was taken.
[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 131

(varieties A, Xc.) are really the progressive stages of the same individuals.
I do not think that even the dusky stage constitutes a distinct ‘‘ variety,”
(7.e., the birds remaining in that state all through their lives ;) much less the
other stages. I am ofopinion that every Jäger, before arriving at full maturity,
passes through each of these states: beginning with a rufo-rayed plumage—
to be presently described—passing from that next into the dusky; and then
assuming successively the other stages above characterized. The only ques-
tion is this: What age, sex, or season is this dusky stage characteristic of ?
I think that it comes in next after the very young rufo-rayed plumage, for
this reason. We find these dusky birds to be generally less robust than the
others; with weaker bills, less elongated central tail feathers, and parti-
colored tarsi. Now it is well known, that the younger the bird, the smaller
it is, the shorter are the central tail feathers, and the more yellow the tarsi.
Another argument, by analogy, is that the S. parasiticus is found in exactly
the same unicolor state ; and from a great number of species it can be proved,
Ithink, that in that species it supervenes directly from the rufo-rayed plu-
mage. [See remarks under L. parasitica.]

The following is the plumage of birds of the year:

Young of Year.—Bill much smaller and weaker than in the adult, light
colored to beyond the nostrils, when it becomes brownish-black. Feet ànd
toes mostly bright yellow, the terminal portions of the latter black. The
whole body is everywhere transversely waved with dull rufous. On the head,
neck and under parts this rufous forms the predominating color; and the
bands are exceedingly numerous, of about the same width as the intervening
dark color. On the flanks and under tail coverts the bars become wider, and
almost white in color. On the back and wing coverts the brownish black is
the predominating color; and if any rufous is present, it is merely as a nar-
row edging tothe feathers. The under wing coverts have irregularly-angular
transverse waves of brownish black and white. The remiges and rectrices are
brownish black, darker at their tips; fading into whitish towards the bases of
their inner vanes. On the head and neck the light rufous decidedly predomi-
nates, and seems indistinctly but thickly nebulated with dusky; this dusky
forming a conspicuous spot just at the anterior canthus of the eye. (In this
plumage the bird is the Stercorarius striatus of Brisson and the Larus crepi-
datus of Gmelin and Latham.)

There can be no doubt that the Stercorarius striatus of Brisson, and the
Larus crepidatus of Gmelin and Latham, refer to this species in the very im-
mature state of plumage just described; when the bird is considerably
smaller than when adult, and is wholly rayed with rufous and dusky, with
white spaces at the bases of the wing and tail feathers. The Stercorarius
crepidatus of Vieillot, (1817,) however, is the true parasitica, as is also the
Lestris crepidata, of Degland, 1838, and of Schinz, 1840. The Lestris crepi-
data of Brehm (1823) is the young of the Buffoni. (Vide synonyms of
these species.)

Latham in his Index, page 819, gives a *' Larus crepidatus var. 8," which
is of course also to be referred to the young pomarinus.

The Larus parasiticus of Meyer and Wolf is, I believe, the only instance of
the application of that specific name to this species. The other synonyms of
the species do not require any special notice, as they are quite plain and
uncomplicated. ;

By most authors the Catharacta cepphus of Brünnich is considered as refer-
ring to the long-tailed species. I must confess, however, that I can hardly
discover grounds for such an identification of this name; and am rather
inclined to the opinion that his cepphus is based upon the young pomarinus ;
as are the crepidata of Gmelin and Latham, and the striatus of Brisson. Let
us look at the description for a moment. It is evident, from almost every
paragraph of it, that he had in view a young bird of the year,—in the state

1863.]

132 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

when they'are transversely rayed with dusky and rufous,— paler on the ab-
domen, and have the bases of the quills and rectrices white. The only point is
to determine of what species it is the young. Regarding its size, Brünnich
eompares it with his Catharacta skua, saying, that it is much smaller than
that species, and ‘‘ Magnitudo parasitice.’? The young of the year of poma-
rinus is more nearly of the size of an adult of parasitica, than is the young
of the year of the long-tailed species. The description of the colors, form,
&c., which follows, agrees precisely with those of the young pomarinus; and
when we remember that at that date the differences between the common
and long-tailed Jägers were not recognized, the two species being confounded
together by authors generally, (except Brisson ;) it does not appear by any
means certain that Brünnich had the long-tailed species in view in drawing
up the description of **cepphus." Had that been the case, he would pro-
bably have compared it with parasitica rather than with skua. Moreover,
Latham, in his description of his Larus crepidatus, which is the young poma-
rinus, gives * cepphus, Brünn.” as a synonym of that species.

Upon the whole, therefore, while I by no means insist upon the reference
of the name under consideration to the pomarinus, I merely wish to show
that it very possibly belongs to it: and that [the description is too vague
and uncertain to justify the use of the name for either of the species. It is
for this reason that I have adopted Boie's name ** Buffoni” for the long-tailed
Jager.

Having always professed a rigid adherence to the great law of priority in
questions of nomenclature, I am, perhaps, in the present instance, rendering
myself liable to be taken to task for not employing the name *'crepidatus??
of Gmelin and Latham (1788-90) for this species instead of pomarinus of
Temminck, since the former name is in all probability based upon this
species. The description is, however, short and unsatisfactory, and is,
moreover, based upon the young bird of the year; and, though there cannot
really be much doubt as to the species which these authors had in their
minds in preparing their descriptions, still I think in view of the above
considerations, that it will hardly be expedient to supersede so definite, long-
known and universally employed a name as pomarinus. At the same time,
should any one else see fit to do so, I would in future writings unhesitatingly
follow his example.

4. STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS Gray ex Brünn.

2Sterna rectricibus duabus internis longissimis, Linn., Fn. Suec., No. 129.

? Larus rectricibus duabus internis longissimis, Linn., S. N., 1748.

Catharacta parasitica, Brünnich, Ornith. Borealis, 1764, 37.

Larus parasiticus, Linneus, Syst. Nat., 1766, i. 226. Gmelin, Syst. Nat.,
1788, i. 601. (Num Lath.? qui me judice potius ad longicaudatum
Briss spectat.)

Cataracta parasitica, Retzius,* Fauna Suecica, 1800, 160.

Catarractes parasita, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-Asiz, ii. 1811, 310.

Lestris parasita, Keyserling ‘et Blasius, Wirbelth. Europ., 1840, i. 240.
Schlegel, Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur., 1844, 85. Bonaparte, Cat. Met. Ucc.
Europ., 1842, 80. Des Murs, Traité d’Oologie Ornith., 1860, 551. Bona-
parte, Rev. Crit. Degland’s Orn. Eur., 1850, 202.

* It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to say whether the citations of the authors before 1800
really refer to this species, or tothe long-tailed. Jager. I have, however, placed them under the
head of parasitica, for this reason: Retzius in his edition of the Fauna Suecica (of 1800) gives
them as synonyms of his parasitica, of which his description is, ** Rectrices 6, 6, (i.e., the central
pair) ceteris 4 poll. longiores;” thus clearly referring to the true parasitica. Descriptions of
previous authors had mostly been merely “ Rectricibus mediis longissimis," whence the uncer-
tainty. Retzius, however, is in error in adducing Stercorarius longicaudatus, Briss., as a synonym

of parasitica.
[Msy,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 133

Lestris parasitica, Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, 273. Temminck,* Man. Ornith.,
1820, ii. 796, (du: species confuse sunt.) Faber, Prodromus Island.
Orn., 1822, 105, (Nonne duz species confuse ?) Brehm, Naturg. Europ.
Vóg., 1823, 744. Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw., 1829, 47. Lesson,
Traité d'Ornith., 1831. 616. Schinz, Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 390. Bona-
parte, Conspectus Avium., 1856, ii. 208.

Lestris Richardsonii, (**Swains.") Temminck, Man. Orn., iv. 1840, 499.
(Sed non Swains. que potius species distincta.) Nuttall, Man. Ornith.,
ii. 1834, 319. Audubon, Ornith. Biograph., iii. p. 503; Audubon,
Synopsis, 1839, 332. Audubon, Birds America, 1844, vii. 190, pl. 452.
Giraud, Birds L. L, 1844, 367. Schinz, Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 392.
Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, 1851, iii. 394.

Cataractes Richardsoni, Macgillivray, Man. Orn., ii. 1842, 257.

Catharacta coprotheres, Brünnich, Orn. Borealis, 1764, 38, No. 138. In state
fusco-unicolore.)

Lestris coprotheres, Des Murs, Traité d'Oologie Ornith., 1860, 551.

Lestris parasitica var. coprotheres, Bonaparte, Consp. Av., 1856, ii. 209.

Stercorarius , Brisson, Ornith., vi. 1760, (nomen specificum nullum.)

Stercorarius erepidatus, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d'H. N., xxxii. 1819, 155. (Sed
non Larus crepidatus, Gmel., Lath., qui potius juvenis Lestris pomarinus,
Temm.)

Stercorarius cepphus, (**Leach,") Swains. et Richardson, F. B. A., ii. 1831,
p. 432. Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool., 1825, xiii. 211, pl. 23. Degland,
Ornith. Europ., 1849, ii. 295, (nec auct.)

Stercorarius parasiticus, Selys-Longchamps, Fauna Belg., 1842, 155. Gray,
Genera Birds, iii. 1849, 652. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. Birds N. A., 1858,
839. Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada., 1861, p. 243.

Lestris crepidata, Degland, ** Mem. Soc. Roy. de Lille, 1838, 108." Juvenis.
Schinz, Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 390, Juvenis.

Habitat.—Coast of America and Europe, more particularly in higher lati-
tudes. Interior of Arctic America.

Pursuing the question of the general ‘‘theory of variation"! in this genus,
it may be well to examine closely the various stages of this its typical spe-
cies. The exceedingly rich series in the Smithsonian collection enables me
to trace it through all its variations.

Young of the Year in August.—Size considerably less than that of the
adult, form every way more delicate. Wings more than an inch shorter ;
bill and feet much slenderer and weaker. Bill in some specimens light bluish
horn, in others greenish olive, the terminal portion brownish black. Tarsi
and greater par‘ of the toes yellow. The bird is every where rayed and
barred with rufous and brownish black. On the head and neck the rufous is
of a very light ochraceous tinge, and is by far the predominating color; the
dark only appearing as a delicate line along the shaft of each feather. There
is an aggregation of the brown into a spot at the anterior canthus of the eye.
Proceeding down the neck to the back, the longitudinal lines become larger,
and gradually spread wider and wider, until between the shoulders they
occupy the whole of each feather, except a narrow border of rufous; which
latter is of a deeper tint than on the head. Passing down the throat to the
breast, the rufous becomes decidedly lighter,—almost whitish,—while the
brown, which on the throat exists only as a light longitudinal line, changes
on each feather to transverse bars of about equal width with the light rufous
bars with which it alternates. This pattern prevails over the whole unde,

* This is a combination of parasitica and Buffoni, as shown by the description and indescrimi-
nate citation of synonyms. ‘his error Temminck corrects in his edition of 1840, (pp. 493, 499,
500,) where he recognizes the two species and describes them accurately: but unfortunately calls
the parasitica, “ Richardsoni,” and the Buffoni, * parasitica.”

1863.]

134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

parts,—the transverse bands being broadest on the flanks and under tail and
wing coverts, narrowest in the middle of the belly. The primaries are
brownish black, narrowly tipped with rufous, their shafts yellowish, their
inner webs fading basally into white. The tail has the same coloration as
the wings. The central feathers project about three-fourths of an inch.

As the bird above described grows older, the bill and feet become stouter,
the cere better developed; while the rufous everywhere gives way to the
darker color. No special stage can be characterized, however, until the
rufous is far outweighed by the dusky. Then we have—

(No. 18652).—Size and general proportions nearly those of the adult. Bill
and cere perfectly formed; feet mostly black, but with some yellow blotches.
The upper parts are unadulterated with any rufous bars; the deep brownish-
black pileum has appeared, and the sides of the neck have obtained their
yellow nuance, which contrasts conspicuously with the fuliginous background.
Evidences of immaturity, howeyer, are found on the under parts, where the
dark color is mixed with illy-defined transverse bars of ochraceous. Rufous
is also found at the bend of the wing, and on the under wing and tail coverts.
The primaries are still whitish baso-externally, as are also the rectrices. The
central rectrices project 23 inches, and have the tapering form of those of the
adults.

By the disappearance of the little rufous mentioned above, we have arrived
at a very marked and decided stage,—viz :

(No. 20362).—With the size and proportions of the adult. Wholly deep
dusky ; darker and more plumbeous superiorly ; lighter, and with a fuliginous
tinge inferiorly; the pileum quite black; the latero-nuchal yellow, well
pronounced ; the remiges and rectrices quite black; feet black.

Having reached this perfect dusky stage, we will go back again to the
young plumage first characterized, and show how specimens occasionally
seem to proceed at once towards the adult condition with the white under
parts. For example— .

(No. 2754).—The juvenility of the specimen is attested by its small size,
delicate bill and feet, little projection of the central rectrices, general molli-
pilose condition of plumage, &c. The rufous of the very young bird, instead
of giving way everywhere to dusky, yields to this color only on the upper
parts and crown; on the sides of the head, neck, and the whole under parts,
whitish being the predominating color,—the continuity of this last being
interrupted by indistinctly marked dusky bars. The yellow of the sides of
the neck has not yet appeared. There is the same white space on the bases
of the wings and tail as exists on the very young. The central tail feathers
only project about 12 inches.

By an attentive consideration of the preceding facts, it will be evident that
we have found the same very young plumage to change gradually through
one series of specimens into the fusco-unicolor state; through another series
into a stage which tends to pass directly into the normal plumage of the fully
adult bird, without going through this dusky epoch. What can we deduce
from this perplexing fact? Does one sez assume this dusky plumage at a
certain age, and the other not? Does this dusky state constitute the normal
adult plumage of one sex? Is it a seasonal feature, which both sexes return
to at certain periods in each year?—-or, finally, does it constitute a purely
accidental, but constant variety? Authors of weight are divided on each of
these points.

I reject entirely the last hypothesis,—viz: that some birds attain to this
dusky stage and retain it during their lives, though they may have sprung
from normally colored parents, and have normally colored progeny. What-
ever age or season, or whichever sex this state of plumage indicates, I think
there can be no reasonable doubt that it is a normal and constant stage which
every individual of one (or both ?) sexes passes through or attains to, in its

(May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 135

progress towards maturity. The only question is, what age is to be assigned
to this dusky state, and whether one or both sexes participate in it.

Leaving now speculation for facts, we have yet to notice the mature bird.
Taking either the dusky state (No. 20362,) or No. 2754, we find that both tend
to produce the following plumage :

Nearly mature, (No. 20144.)—Size and form of the adult. Pileum and
latero-nuchal region, and whole upper parts,asin the adult. The under parts
white (as in the adult) but clouded everywhere with dusky patches, most
marked across the breast, on the sides, the flanks, and under tail coverts, and
leaving the middle of the belly and throat nearly pure. Varying degrees of
this dusky nubilation approach in some specimens nearly to the uniform dusky
above characterized ; in others fade almost into the pure white of the adult,
—connecting the two ages perfectly and uninterruptedly. The tarsi of those
specimens most dusky have small yellow blotches; the others not.

Now, by the complete obliteration of these dusky cloudings on the throat,
breast and belly, and its increased intensity on the under tail coverts and
abdomen as far as the flanks, we arrive at last at the

Adult, perfect plumage, (No. 16802).—Bill a little shorter than the head or
tarsus, about equal to middle toe without the claw; stout, about as high as
broad at the base. Cere longer than the nail. Culmen broad and flattened,
with a longitudinal groove on each side. Nostrils as in the other species.
Curvature of culmen and tomia very gradual. Gonys short, about straight;
rami very long, a little concave; eminentia symphysis little marked. Strie
and sulci as in the other species. Tarsi about as long as the middle toe and
claw, moderately stout, somewhat roughened supero-posteriorly, but not
nearly as much so as in pomarinus. Scutellation and reticulation of tarsi, toes,
and interdigital membranes as in the other species. Tail moderately long,
slightly graduated, the lateral feathers broad quite to their apices, which are
somewhat truncated, the shaft slightly protruding as a small mucro; the central
pair projecting three to four inches; rigid ; not losing much of their breadth
until about four inches from their ends, when they commence to converge
regularly to a quite acute apex. They have nothing of the filamentous char-
&cter of those of Buffoni. Wings long, powerful, their rhachides rigid, their
apices somewhat acute. Pileum, occipital crest, whole upper parts, deep
brownish black, with a somewhat slaty tinge, and a slight but appreciable
metallie nuance; this color deepening into quite black on the wings and tail.
Rhachides of primaries and rectrices whitish, except at their tips; the inner
vanes albescent baso-internally. Chin, throat, sides of head, neck all round
and under parts to the vent, pure white; the feathers of the latero-nuchal
region rigid, acuminate, with disconnected fibrille, light yellow. Under tail
coverts like the upper parts, but somewhat of a fuliginous tint; the line of
demarcation from the white of the abdomen very trenchant.

Dimensions of fully adult.—Bill above 1:40 inches; height or width at base,
about +50. Wing, from flexure, 13:00: tarsus, or middle toe and claw, 1:80;
tail 53, its centre feathers nearly 9:00.

Dimensions of young of year.—Bill above 1:30; height or width at base :40;
wing 12-00; tarsi, or middle toe and claw, 1°70; tail 5:00; central tail
feathers not quite 6-00.

STERCORARIUS RICHARDSONI Coues ex Swainson.

Lestris Richardsoni, Swainson, Fauna Boreali-America, 1831, ii. p. 433, pl.
lxxiii. sed non auctorum.
Habitat.—Interior of Arctic America.
Diag.—S. Stercorario parasitico similis; sed major, rostro, tarsis, alisque
longioribus ; caudáà magis productá et rotundata, rectricibus latioribus.
This species is treated of at length in the beginning of the present paper.

1863.]

136 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

6. STERCORARIUS Harpyi Coues ex Bonap.

Lestris Hardyi, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus Acad. Sciences, 1856, p. 20. Tab.
Longip. species 5. Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium., ii. 1856, 210.

Diac.—“ Similis Lestrido parasitier ; sed minor, et rostro magis compresso ;
rectricibus elongatis mediis apice rotundatis.” —(Bp.)

Habitat. —Southern oceans, between Philippine and Sandwich islands.

I am only acquainted with this species through the notices of Bonaparte,
above cited. The diagnosis is copied from the Conspectus Avium. The
species is evidently very closely related to the parasitica, if it be really dis-
tinet from it.

7. STERCORARIUS SPINICAUDA Coues ex Hardy.

Lestris spinicauda, * Hardy." Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus Ac. Sciences, 1855.
Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, 1856, ii. 210.

Diac.—“ Similis L. Hardyi et parasitico; sed etiam minor Lestrido ceppho ;
cauda truncata; rectricibus mediis lineari-acutis, rachide denudata, rigida ,
pollice et ultra czeteras superantibus ; rostro brevi, robusto.” —(Bp.)

Habitat.—Coast of Africa, near St. Helena. í

A species with which, like the S. Zardyi, I am autoptically unacquainted.
If, however, the above characters really obtain, they would seem abundantly
sufficient to distinguish it. The diagnosis is copied from Bonaparte.

8. STERCORARIUS Burroxi Coues ex Boie.

Stercorarius longicaudatus, Brisson, Ornith., 1760, vi. 155. Vieillot, Nouv.
Dict. d'H. N. 1819, xxxii. 157. Degland, Ornith. Europ., 1849, ii. 298.
Selys-Longchamps, Fauna Belg., 1842, 156.

Leslris longicaudatus, Thompson, N. H. Ireland, iii. 1851, 399.

Cataractes longecauda, Macgillivray, Man. Orn., ii. 1842, 258.

22 Catharacta cepphus, Brünnich, Orn. Bor., 1764, 36.

Cataractes parasitica, Macgillivray, Brit. Birds, v.

Lestris cephus, Keyserling et Blasius, Wirbelth. Europ., i. 1840, 240. Bona-
parte, Cat. Met. Ucc. Eur., 1842, 80. Bonaparte, Rev. Crit. Degland's
Orn. Eur., 1850, 202. Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium., 1856, ii. 209.
Des Murs, Traité d'Oologie Ornith., 1860, 551.

Stercorarius cepphus, Gray, Genera Birds, iii. 1849, 652. Lawrence, Gen.
Rep. Birds N. A., 1858, 840. Coues, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada.,
1861, p. 243.

?Larus parasiticus, Latham, Index Ornithologicus, ii. 1790, 819.

Lestris parasitica, Temminck, Man. Orn., iv. 1840, 501. (Sed non Larus para-
siticus, Linn., Gmel. et auct.) Lesson, Man. Orn., 1828, ii. 388. Swain-
son and Richardson, F. B. A. 1831, ii. 430. Nuttall, Man. Orn., 1834,
ii. Audubon, Orn. Biog., 1839, iii. 470. Audubon, Synopsis, 1839, 333.
Audubon, Birds Amer., 1844, vii. 192, pl. 452. Giraud, Birds Long Island,
1844, 364.

Lestris Buffoni, * Boie, in Meyers’ Taschenb., 1810, iii. 212." Boie, Isis, 1822,
562 et 576. Bonaparte, Synop. Birds N. A. 1826, No. 306. Lesson,
Traité d’Ornith., 1831, 616. Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw., 1829, 47.
Schinz, Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 391. Schlegel, Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur.,
1844, 85.

Lestris Lessoni, Degland, * Mem. Acad. Roy. de Lille, 1838." Juvenis, Schinz,
Europ. Fauna, 1840, i. 392, Juvenis.

Lestris crepidata, Brehm, Naturg. Eur. Vég., 1823, 747. Nec Gm. nec Lath.,
nec Vieillot.

Adult, breeding plumage.—Bill dusky, its nail almost black. Tarsi deep
leaden blue; tibiæ, phalanges, interdigital membranes and claws black.
Occiput subcrested, more decidedly than in any other species, forming 2
calotte of brownish black; which color extends downwards on the cheeks,

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 137

the feathers before and below the eye, and on the sides of the bill, being of
this color. Neck all round, but especially the sides of the head and the
peculiarly formed feathers on the latero-nuchal region, light straw yellow.
Whole upper parts, with upper wing and tail coverts deep slate; which, on
the primaries, secondaries, lateral tail feathers and distal half of central
pair, deepens into a pure lustrous brownish black. Under surface of wings
and tail deeper slate than the back, but not so deep as the upper surfaces.
Chin, throat and upper breast white; gradually becoming obscured with
dusky plumbeous, which deepens posteriorly, so that the abdomen and under
tail coverts are nearly as dark as the back. Rhachides of first two or three
primaries pure white, deepening into brownish black at their extreme apices;
of the other primaries, and of the tail feathers (including the central pair)
brown, except just at the base, deepening into quite black terminally. Thein-
ferior surfaces of all the rhachides are white for nearly their whole length.

Length of culmen 1:15 inches; gape 1:70; cere ‘60; unguis about the
same; gonys ‘30; from feathers on sides of bill to tip :90; wing 12:50; tail
6:25; central pair 14:00 to 16:00; the projection 8:00 to 10-00 inches; tibix
bare 75; tarsus 1:60; middle toe without claw 1:40.

Habitat.—Sea coasts of America and Europe, particularly in the higher
latitudes. Interior of Arctic America.—(Kennicott.)

The changes of plumage of this species are strictly homologous with those
of S. parasiticus; and it is therefore quite unnecessary to present them in this
connexion.

As before remarked under head of parasitica, it is exceedingly difficult, if
not quite impossible, to determine positively to what species the “ parasitica”
and *‘cepphus” of the older authors refer. This confusion is occasioned
partly by the brief and vague diagnoses given, and partly by the fact that the
two species were really confounded by authors (except Brisson) until com-
paratively quite a late period. Even so late as 1820 Temminck does not
separate the two: his description applies to either, and the synonyms of both
are indiscriminately adduced. From which state of things it results that
nearly all the older names and citations may be without difficulty referred to
either species. This in effect has been really done; some authors, for ex-
ample, considering Brünnich's or Linnzus' parasitica to be the long-tailed
Species, and others holding a contrary opinion, until the identification of
these names has become almost a matter of choice, or rather of tacit agree-
ment among ornithologists. This is the more to be regretted since on it de-
pends the question whether the common or the long-tailed Jiger is to be called
parasiticus. A glance at the synonymy of the species will show that authors
have been about equally divided on these points. Before the introduction of
** Richardsoni? by Swainson, the common Jäger was usually called *para-
sitica ; but after the adoption of this name “ Richardson?" by Temminck, for
the common Jäger, the name parasitica was for some years almost univer-

sally applied to the long-tailed species. In the year 1819, or thereabouts,
the name of Buffoni was proposed by Boie for the long-tailed species, and
was adopted by many writers; while others had recourse to Brisson’s old
name ** longicaudatus.” Within the last few years, however, the name “ para-
sitica” has again reverted to the common Jäger, while the other species has
been usually called “ ceppAus," after Brünnich. This identification of Brün-
nich's name is adopted by Gray, Bonaparte, and other writers. Our reasons
for rather referring it to the Stercorarius pomarinus wil be found under the
head of the latter.

Granting, as itis undoubtedly wisest to do, that the parasitica of Brünnich,
Linneus and Gmelin, is really the common short-tailed Jäger, it still remains
an open question to which species we are to refer the Larus parasiticus of
Latham. [I incline to the opinion that it is based upon the long-tailed spe-
cies, for the following reason: Although the diagnosis is brief and unsatis-

1863.]

138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

factory, and although the synonyms of the two species are indiscriminately
adduced, (thus, e. g., Larus parasitica, Linn. and Catharacta parasitica, Brünn.,
with Stercorarius longicaudatus, Briss., &c.,) yet in his further description he
says of it, ^21 pollices longus." The common Jäger never attains to this
dimension.

Latham commits the error of giving Stercorarius longicaudatus, Briss., as
the male, and Stercorarius , Briss., (without a specific name,) as the
female of his species; whereas, these two citations really refer to the two
distinct species.

The specific name “longicaudata” of Brisson (1760) being untenable for
obvious reasons,— cepphus” of Brünnich (1764) being too indefinite to
warrant its employment,— parasitica” of Brünnich (1764) being used for
the common Jiger,—the first definite distinctive name for the long-tailed
species appears to be “ Buffoni’ of Boie, (1819.) This specific appellation
we accordingly adopt.

Norr.—The present paper completes a series of brief reviews of the
three most important of the four subfamilies of the Laridz,—viz.: the La-
rine, Sternine and Lestridine. In conducting an investigation into the
characters and the bibliography of these groups, with special reference to
North American forms, it has been thought expedient to issue in advance &
brief prodromus, so to speak, of each subfamily as soom as its examination
was completed. Combining the results arrived atin the investigation of each
.of these groups, and making whatever additions or modifications future re-
search may dictate, the writer hopes before long to present a more complete
and elaborate Monograph of the North American forms of the Laride. It is
contemplated to present the anatomical as well as the external characters,
both of the higher groups andofthe more marked species; the changes of
plumage, dependent upon either age, season, sex, or pure accident, which
examination of very extensive series may show; together with the biblio-
graphy of each species, and a discussion of doubtful points of nomencla-
ture and relationship. The Monograph will be illustrated by colored plates
of the bills, wings, feet, &c. of most of the species, showing exactly wherein
one differs from another; and no pains will be spared to render it a complete
exposition of the present state of our knowledge of this family of birds.

Synopsis of the MARINE INVERTEBRATA collected by the late Arctic
Expedition, under Dr.I. I. Hayes.

BY WM. STIMPSON, M. D.

The collections of Dr. Hayes, as might/be expected from the thorough search,
to which the Arctic regions have lately been subjected, and the characteristic
paucity of forms existing there, embrace few novelties. They possess, however,
great interest, from having been found in great part at localities much nearer
the Pole than any previous eXpeditions have succeeded in reaching on the
American side of the Arctic circle. They include some species hitherto
found only on the European side. And, we may add, the number of species
collected by Dr. Hayes-is greater than that brought back by any single ex-
pedition which has yét visited those seas, as far as can be judged by published
accounts. /

Of the localities mentioned below, Port Foulke and Littleton J. are on the
eastern or Greenland shore of Smith's Straits, in lat. 784°. Cape Faraday is on
the west shore of the same Straits, in lat. 79° 45’. Godhavn is at the southern
end of Disco Island, in lat. 69° nearly.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 115

spira subaentü; suturis valde impressis; anfractibus quaternis, convexis,
ultimo grandi et parum inflato; apertura ellipticá, subtér marginem incras-
sata et palli@o-salmonia ; labro incrassato, subconstricto ; columella impressá
et contorta.

Hab.—Lafayette, Walker Co., Georgia, Rev. G. White, and Verdigris River,
Kansas, F. Hawn.

Puysa Sarrorpi.—Testa fusiformi, subcompressa, opacá, albida, politá,
crassiuscula; spira parum productá, acuminat&; suturis impressis ; anfracti-
bus quinis, ultimo grandi ; aperturá ovata, grandiusculà; labro parum expanso,
subtér margiaem incrassato et dilute fusco; columell& parum incrassata et
vix plicatà.

Hab.—Lebanon, Wilson Co., Tenn., J. M. Safford; Verdigris River, Kansas,
F. Hawn ; Nashville, Prof. Troost.

Paysa Hawnu.—Testa fusiformi, subcompressá, crassa, albidà ; spirà ex-
serta, subobtusá ; suturis impressis, ultimo inflecto ; anfractibus senis, convexis,
ultimo grandi; labro parum expanso, subter marginem incrassato et rufo-fusces-
cente; columella valdé incrassata vix plicata.

Hab.—Verdigris River, Kansas, F. Hawn.

PaHYSA ANATINA.—Testá subfusiformi, subinflatá; diaphanà, tenui, albida;
Spirá exsertá, acuminata; suturis valdé impressis ; anfractibus senis, convexius-
culis, ultimo grandi; aperturá parviusculà, subconstrictá ; labro subexpanso,
subiér marginem incrassato et crocato; columellà medio impressa, et contorta.

Hab.—Northern Tributary of the Arkansas River, Kansas, F. Hawn.

Paysa PARVA.—Testà fusiformi, subconstrictà, diaphana, politá, pertenni,
tenebroso-corneà; spirà exsertá, acuminatà; suturis impressis; anfractibus
quaternis, convexiusculis, ultimo grandi; apertura parviusculá, constricta;
labro subexpanso, margine acuto; columella impressis, vix plicata.

Hab.—Verdigris River and Rock Creek, Kansas, F. Hawn.

Puysa SgowarrERII.—Testá subfusiformi, subinflatà, subdiaphana, subtenui,
pallido-cornea; spira parüm productá, acuminatá ; suturis valdé impressis:
anfractibus quinis, convexis, ultimo grandi; apertura magna, ellipticá; labro
regulariter expanso, subtér marginem lat? incrassato et crocato; columella
medio valdé impressá, incrassatá, contortá, et plicd induta.

Hab.—Uniontown, Alabama, E. R. Showalter, M. D.

PnvsA SMITHSONIANA.—Testáà elliptic, subtenui, subdiaphaná, nitida, pal-
lido-fuscá, feré olivaceáà; spirà subacutá; suturis impressis; anfractibus
quinis, convexiusculis, ultimo grandi et parum constrirctá; apertura elongato-
elliptica ; labro parum incrassato, subtér marginem tenebroso-fuscà ; columella
impressá et contorta.

Hab.—Loup Fork of the Platte River, F. V. Hayden, M. D.

Puvsa WARRENIANA.—Testa inflatà, tenui, diaphaná, nitidà, albidà; spir&
obtusà; suturis impressis; anfractibus quinis, ultimo pergrandi et valde in-
flato; apertura latè ellipticàá; labro acuto subtér marginem fusco et albido
vitta!à ; columellà medio impressá et contorta.

Hob.—Loup Fork of the Platte River, F. V. Hayden, M. D.; Milwauki, Wis-
consin, H. C. Grosvenor; and Grand Rapids, Michigan, A. O. Currier.

Paysa TRAsKi.—Testá valdè inflata, parum obliqua, striatá, subdiaphaná,
tenuissima, pallido-castaneá; spirà parum producta; apice acuto; suturis im-
pressis; anfractibus senis, ultimo pergrandi et valde inflata; apertura latè
expansà; labro acuto, subtér marginem fusco-vittatà; columellà medio im-
pressá et magna plicà indutà.

Hab.—Rio Los Angelos, California, J. B. Trask, M. D.

Parsa STRIATA.—Testà latè ovat, oblique inflata, laté striata, subdiaphaná,

1864.]

uw?

116 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

pertenui, color columbe ; spirá snbobtusá ; anfractibus quinis, convexiusculis,
ultimo pergrandi; apertura magna, latè ellipticà ; labro regulariter expanso,
subter marginem parüm incrassato et crocato; columella medio impressá,
parüm incrassata et plicà indutà.

Hab.—Salt Lagoon, near Monterey, California, J. B. Trask, M. D.

Puysa Buanpu.—Testa ovato-subfusiformi, subobliquá, inflata, diluté stram-
ined vel albidà; spirà obtusà; suturis impressis; anfractibus quaternis, ultimo
inflato et pergrandi; apertura ovatá, subgrandi; labro expanso, subtér mar-
ginem incrassato et pallido crocato ; columella incrassata, impresssá, plicata et
contorta.

Hab.—California, Mr. Thomas Bland.

Puvsa NuTmTALLI.— está inflata, subdiaphaná, parüm nitidá albidá; spira
obtusa, curtá; suturis impressis; anfractibus quaternis, convexis, ultimo per-
grandi et inflato; apertura grandi, subrotunda, subtér marginem pallido-
fuscii; labro acuto, valdé expanso; columella leviter incrassatá, et contortá.

Hab.—ULewis’ River, Oregon, Prof. Thomas Nuttall.

PHYSA vENUSTA.— està subcylindraceá, tenuissimá, diaphaná, nitidá, alba;
Spirà curtà, acumiuata; suturis leviter impressis ; anfractibus quaternis, convex-
iusculis, ultimo pergrandi; apertura magna, elongato-ovata, subtér marginem
fuscá ; labro acuto et sinuoso, vix expanso; columellá parum impressá.

Hab.—Near Fort Vancouver, Oregon, Sir George Simpson.

Pnuvsa HoRDACEA.—Testa subcylindraced, pellucida, polità; diluté rufa; spirá
subelevataé subacuta; suturis subimpressis ; anfractibus quinis, ultimo grandi
et constricto; labro acuto, margine rufo lineato; apertura ovata, superné
acuté angulata; columellà aliquantó impressa et incrassata.

Hab.—Vancouver Island, Oregon, Sir George Simpson.

PHYSA BREVISPIRA.—Test& levi, lato-elliptica, albidá, diaphanà, inflata; spira
brevissim&, obtusa, vix exsertá ; anfractibus ternis, ultimo grandi et inflato ;
labro acuto, margine intus incrassato; apertura pergrandi et dilataté ; colu-
mellà incrassata, impressá et contorta.

Hab.—Ottowa River, Canada West, E. Billings, Esq.

»

“A Critical Review of the Family PROCELLARIDZE:—Part II.; Embracing the

PUFFINEZ.
BY ELLIOTT COUES, M. D.; U.S.A.

The present paper is the second of a series in which itis proposed to con-
sider the entire family of Petrels. The first fasciculus in which the Procel-
larieæ or ‘‘ Stormy Petrels" are reviewed, has already appeared in these Pro-
ceedings; inthe present continuation of the subject are embraced the Puf-
fineæ, or ** Shearwaters.”’

In writing upon the Procellariee I had regard more particularly to the
generie disposition of the species; for most of them were so well known as
to require comparatively little comment upon their specifie distinctions.
With the Puffinee, however, the case is exactly the reverse. While
the generic groups are very plainly indicated, the species compri:ed in each
are for the most part quite numerous, and their relations to each other, gene-
rally so very intimate, as regards size, form, and color, that it requires care-
ful and discriminating comparison to separate them. I have, therefore, given
this part of the subject in hand special attention ; and have gone consider-
ably into details in my examination of the specific characters and relation-
ships of the numerous components of the group, believing that in no other
way can the desirable degree of information on the subject be attained, At

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. TU

^"

the same time the many intricate questions of synonymy involved have
necessitated somewhat lengthy discussions.

In my arrangement of the zenera and species I have closely followed that
given by Bonaparte in his Conspectus; except that I place among the Puf-
fine the genus Adamastor, which Bonaparte considers as belonging to the Ful-
mares. The position of this genus is, indeed, a little uncertain, the char-
acters of the bill approximating to those of the Fulmareæ. Its bill, how-
ever, is almost identical with that of Majaqueus; and it agrees so closely in
other respects that the two genera cannot be placed in different groups ; while
the possession by each of twelve, instead of fourteen or sixteen rectrices,
plainly indicates that they belong to the Puffinez rather than to the Fulmarez.

The Puffinez, as I regard them, are composed of five genera, viz :—JMaja-
queus, Adamastor, Thiellus, Nectris and Puffinus. The two first of these are
véry different from the three last in many respects; and warrant a sub-
division of the section into two groups. The first, or the ** Fulmar-Puffins,’”?
have the bill stouter than ordinary; the nasal tubes longer, more elevated,
more decidedly tubular, vertically truncated at their apices, and the nasal
Septum thinner; the wings and tail shorter. The three latter of the above-
named genera constitute the ‘‘ Puffins proper." The bill is very long and
slender; the nasal tubes short, broad, depressed, obliquely truncated ;
the nasal septum thick; the wings and tail very long, the latter much
rounded; and the feet very large. As for the genera themselves, they are
hardly worth retaining, except it be for convenience’ sake. Thiellus is mere-
ly Nectris with a longer and more decidedly cunéiform tail; while Nectris
hardly differs from Puffinus, except in its rather slenderer bill, and entirely
fuliginous color. The subdivision of Puffinus into *' Ardenna,” ‘‘ Priofinus,”’
and ‘‘ Puffinus" seems quite unwarrantable.

I shall consider the species of the five genera in the order in which they are
named above, and conclude with a brief synopsis of the section in accord-
ance with the results arrived at in the investigation.

MAJAQUEUS, Reich.

Gen. char.—Bill a little shorter than the head, about equal to the tarsus,
stout, compressed, higher than broad at the base, the culmen rising imme-
diately from the nostrils, the unguis large, very convex, much hooked. Com-
missure unusually curved from feathers to unguis, the concavity looking up
wards; outline of inferior mandibular rami quite straight to the unguis.
Nasal tubes long, (nearly a third the length of the culmen), elevated, laterally
obliquely flattened, carinated along the median line, apically vertically trun-
cated, with a considerable emargination; nostrils quite circular; the septum
narrow for this section. Wings very short for this family. Tail also exceed-
ingly short, and subtruncated, the graduation of the lateral feathers being
slight. Feet stout, the tarsus greatly abbreviated, being much shorter than
the middle toe without its claw. Outer toe without claw longer than the
middle. Tip of the inner claw reaching the base of the middle one. Of large
size, dark color, and exceeding robust form.

The preceding paragraph characterizes a marked and very peculiar genus
of Procellaride. It is at once distinguished from all its allies by the com-
bination of the large size, extreme robustness of bill and feet, as well of the
whole body, the unusually short wings and tail, the dark colors, ete. It is
most nearly allied to Adamastor, the bills of the types of the two genera
being almost identical; but other characters readily distinguish the two.

Two species of this genus are recognized by ornithologists. Dr. Schlegel
has well sbown that it is rather by peculiarities of form and size that conspicil-
latus is to be distinguished, if at all, from aequinoctialis.

1864.]

118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

MAJAQUEUS AEQUINOCTIALIS, Reich ex Linn.

Procellaria aequinoctialis, Linn., S.N., ed, vi. (1758), Id. ed. xii., i., 1766,
p. 213. Gmel. S. N. i, p. 564. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii., 1790, p. 821, et
auctorum. P, aequinoxialis, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d' H. N., 1817,
XXV., p. 422. Priofinus aequinoctialis, Hombr., et Jacquin. Majaqueus
aequinoctialis, Reich, Syst. Av., pl. 20, fig. 340, 341. Bonaparte, Consp.
Avium, ii. 1856, p. 200.

Puffinus capitis Bone-spei, Brisson, Ornith. vi. 1760, p. 137. Procellaria
nigra, Forster, Descr. Anim, ed. Licht. 1844, p. 26. ‘‘ Procellaria fu-
liginosa, Solander."

Habitat. —''In oceano Australi extra tropicum, (nunquam visa ad lineam
aequinoctialem, unde patet, in ipsum nomen ‘ aequinoctialis? non quadrare."
(FonsTER).

It is unnecessary to give any description of this long and well known
species.

P The white spots on the throat and cheeks appear to vary much with age.
In the perfectly adult bird the triangular gular spot is alone left ; that on the
cheeks, which is connected with it in immature birds, having disappeared. Very
young birds have the under parts almost wholly whitish, which afterwards
deepens into fuliginous.

The present is one of the three species of Procellaridæ, (pelagica, aequinoc-
tialis, capensis), known to Linnæus in 1758, and given in the sixth edition of
his Systema Naturæ. The name aequinoctialis appears, according to the obser-
vations of most naturalists, to be geographically erroneous ; and probably on
this account it was changed to nigra by Forster in 1772. But as it is impos-
sible to say exactly what are the limits of a Procellaridian’s wanderings, it
would be hardly warrantable, I think, to change Linnzus' appellation.

There are no points of synonymy which require discussion here.

MAJAQUEUS CONSPICILLATUS, Bp. ex Gould.

Procellaria conspicillata, Gould, . Ann. et Mag. N. H., 1844, Ima. series
xiii., p. 362. Id. Birds Austr. vii. pl. 46. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus.
Pays-Bas, 1862, p. 20. Majaqueus conspicillatus, Bonap. Consp. Av.
ii., 1856, p. 200.

Procellaria larvata, Lesson.

Habitat.— Australian Seas.

This species, despite the peculiar markings of the head, which usually
characterize it, is, nevertheless, exceedingly closely allied to the preceding.
Examination of the large series in the Philadelphia Academy collection shows
the markingsto be very variable as to their extent, and that they are some-
times hardly traceable at all. (Consult on this point Dr. Schlegel's mono-
graph, where the point is fully elucidated.) In the majority of specimens
the submental white patch is more or less perfectly connected with a broad
white stripe, which, passing from the feathers on the side of the lower man-
dible, runs backwards on the side of the head, below the eye, curving up-
wards on the occiput, so as nearly to meet its fellow of the opposite side. In
addition to this, a broad somewhat crescentie patch occupies the anterior por-
tion of the vertex, and descends on the cheeks in front of the eyes nearly or
quite to the commissure of the bill, leaving the features of the extreme
front black. The colors in every other respect are those of aequinoctialis.

More constant and reliable, though not so conspicuous, diagnostic features
are to be found in other characters. The brd is larger than aequinoctialis ;
its bill is a little longer and considerably more robust, and has the unguis of
both mandibles bluish black instead of bright yellow. The sides of the man-
dibles are also usually much darker in color. The wings and tail, on an aver-
age, exceed those of aequinoctialis by an inch or so, but the variation with
individuals of both species amounts to more than this. A corresponding
relative difference exists in the average length of the tarsus and toes.

[April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPUIA. 119

There are no points of synonymy connected with this species which require
notice.

ADAMASTOR, Bon.

Char. Gen.—Of large size and robust form. Bill a little shorter than the
head, about three-fourths the tarsus, broad and stout at the base, narrowing
regularly to the strong, very convex compressed unguis, Nasal tubes longer
than ordinary (for the Puffüne») very broad, depressed, but vertically trun-
eated at their extremity, and with an unusually thin septum, somewhat as in
the Fulmares, to which the genus bears considerable analogy. Wings rather
short for this section; the primaries broad and stout, the second quite as
long as the first. Tail rather short, of twelve feathers; the central rectrices
projecting and a little acuminate; the lateral more rounded, and rapidly
graduated. Feet of the usual size, moderately compressed and stout. Tar-
sus shorter than the middle toe without its claw. Outer toe longer than the
middle. Tip of outer claw about reaching base of middle.

The genus Adamastor was founded in 1856 by Bonaparte to accommodate
certain Procellaridians, which seem to combine in a remarkable manner the
characteristics of both the Fulmarez and the Puffinee. The species resem-
ble most the Fulmarez in the length, vertical truncation and thin septum
- of the nasal tubes; and also less "markedly in the shape of the wings x
tail. In all other respects they are, however, true Puffinee. The bill,
shape and comparative size, can hardly be distinguished from that of M
queus aequinoctialis, which is one of the Puffinee. The most essential char-
acter of the bill of the Fulmarezs is that the outline of the unguis of the lower
mandible is about straight and ascending ; that of the Puffine is very concave
and decurved. Adamastor possesses the latter character. Again. the tail of
the Fulmarecz has fourteen (Fulmarus) or sixteen (ossifraga) rectrices ; the
tail of Adamastor but twelve. The large stout feet, too, are those of Shear-
waters, and not of Fulmars. From these manifold considerations I think
that it is manifest that the proper affinities of the somewhat anomalous
genus are decidedly with 'the Puffinee, rather than with the Fulmaree,
among which Bonaparte has located it.

It is not a little surprising that so great confusion and uncertainty should
have reigned concerning so marked a species as P. ‘cinereus, Gmel, the type
of this peculiar genus. On my remarks, infra, upon A. cinereus, and also
upon Puffinus Kuhlii, I hope I have elucidated several vexed questions of
synonymy satisfactorily.

Three species are known to me to compose this genus.

ADAMASTOR CINEREUS Coues ex Gmel.

Procellaria cinerea, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. pars 2, 1788, p. 563. Latham,
Ind. Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 824. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d'H. N., 1817,
xxv. p. 418. Sed non Proc. vel Puff. vel Nectr. cinereus, Kuhl, Cuv.,
Temm., Degl., Keys. et Blas. Schinz., Schleg. nec al auct. Europ.
recent. fere omnium, que P. Kuhlii, Boie: nec Audubon, et auct.
Americ. que P. major "Faber.

Puffinus cinereus, (Gm.) Lawrence, Birds N. A., 1858, p. 835; ex Cali-
fornia. (Homonyma accurate enumerata; descriptio prestans; et
observationes pertinentes.)

Procellaria hesiiata, Forster, Descript. Anim., ed. Licht., 1844, p. 208.
Gould, Birds Austr., vii. pl. Ixvii. et Reichenbach, Syst. Av., pl. xxiv.
fig. 2504; nee Kuhl, Beit. Zool, p. 142; nee Temm., Pl. color tab.
416; que species Astrelatee generis, teste Bonaparteo. Puffinus hesi-
tatus, Lawrence, Aun. New York Lyc. Nat. Hist., 1855, vi. p. 5.

Adamastor typus, Bonaparte, Consp. Avium, ii. 1856, p. 187. Comptes
Rendus Ac. Se. Tab. Longip.— Procellaria adamastor, Schlegel, Monog.
Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 25.

1864.]

120 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Puffinus Kuhlii, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada., June, 1862, p. —
(Specimena ipsa a me visa.) Sed non Boie, nec auct.
? Procellaria melanura, Bonn, Encyc. Method.

Description.*—Form typically that of the genus, which see, suprà.

Color.—The nasal tubes, and culmen as far as the unguis, are black ; the
unguis is pale yellowish. The sides of the upper mandible, as far as the
sulcus which separates them from the culmen, yellow, as are the sides of
the lower mandible and its unguis; the sulcus of the lower mandible and its
commissural edge being bluish black. [Compare Fonsr. Descr., p. 208.]
Feet in the dried specimen dingy bluish or yellowish green, dusky exteriorly `
and posteriorly, the webs yellow, the claws light brown, with black tips.
Above a uniform cinereous, of much the same shade over the whole upper
parts ; some of the feathers, especially the scapulars and tertials, with just
appreciably lighter tips; the crown of the head and the circumocular region
alittle deeper cinereous than elsewhere. The wing coverts of the specimen in
question are interspersed with feathers of a dull brownish rather than cine-
reous hue. These are evidently old woin ones, and doubtless indicate that
in this species, as in others, the newer and fresher the feathers the clearer
and more decided is the cinercous hue. The color of the upper parts has no
line of demarcation with the white of the lower on the sides of th2 head and
neck. Insensibly fading away, it extends quite around on the chin and
throat, but is more restricted on the sides of the neck. The primaries are
blackish cinereous on their outer webs and at their tips; light greyish cine-
reous internally and basally; their shafts are light brown. The inferior sur-
faces of the wings, together with the axillary feathers and some feathers on
the sides of the body under the wings, are dull brownish cinereous. The
tail feathers and the entire under tail coverts, from the anus backwards, are
deep blackish or sooty cinereous, the rectrices the darkest. The rest of the
under parts are white.

Dimensions.—Length about 19 inches. Bill along culmen 1:80; from fea-
thers on side of lower mandible to its apex 1:50 ; height of bill at base -65 ;
width of bill at base ‘60. Due from the carpus 13:00; tail 5:75 ; exterior
rectrices 1:25 shorter. Tarsus 2°40; middle toe and claw 2 :90 ; outer do.
3:00; inner do. 2:50. Length of nasal tubes 45, inches and hundredths.

Bibliography.—As I have endeavored to prove, in my discussion of the
synonyms of P. Kuhlii (which see), the Proc. cinerea, Gmelin, is really the
present species, and not the common Atlantic bird to which the name cine-
reus has been generally applied by European authors. Bonaparte, indeed,
was completely convinced of this; and it is the more singular that he does
not adopt Gmelin's name, but prefers to confer a new specific designation,—
viz.: typus, in direct violation of one of the most firmly established laws of
nomenclature. To Mr. G. N. Lawrence is due the credit of restoring Gme-
lin's name to the species to which it rightfully belongs.

The Proc. hesitata of Forster is most undoubtedly, I think, the present
species. His description is pertinent in every respect; and his remarks con-
cerning the form and color of the bill will apply to no other species. The
hesitata of Gould’s Birds of Australia, and of Lawrence, (Ann. New York
Lye. Nat. Hist.,) is the same bird. The Acesita'a of Kuhl’s Monograph and
of Temminck's Planches Colorées is apparently, however, not this species,
but the Astrelata diabolica, Bp. ex L' Herm.

I quote ‘‘ P. melanura, Bonn." on authority of Bonaparte, not having an
opportunity of verifying the reference.

* The accompanying description was taken from a fully mature specimen from the coast of
California, off Mloaterey, kindly furnished for examination by Mr. Lawrence. It is the example
from which Mr. Lawrence's description of P. hæsitata, in the Annals of the New York Lyceum,
and of P.cinereus, in the Birds of North America, was taken; is not incompatible in any feature
with P. cinereus, Gm., Lath., Vieill.; agrees entirely with Forsrer's P, hæsitata, With Donaparte's
Adamastor typus and Schlegel's Proc. adamastor, q

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 121

The following resumé of the points under discussion is given for conve-
nience of reference:

Proc. cinerea, Gm., Lath., Vieill. (1817) ; (nec auct. Europ. que P. Kuhlii,
Boie; nec auct. Amer. que P. major, Faber) = Puffinus cinereus, Lawrence,
1858 — Adamastor typus, Bp., 1856 — Proc. adamastor, Schlegel, 1863 —
Adamastor cinereus, Coues, 1864. b

Proc. hesitata, Forst., 1774 — Puff. hesitata, Lawrence, 1853 — P. hesitata,
Gould (sed non P. hesitata, Kuhl, 1823, nec Temm. Pl. Color. que species
Astrelate) — P. cinereus, Gm.

Dr. Lichtenstein, in his edition (1844) of Forster's Descriptiones Anima-
lium, says that the leucocephala of Forster (which is also the alba of Linn.,
Gm., Lath.) * vix nisi state videtur differre a hesitata Forster." It is well
known that the present species when young has the cinereous of the head
much lighter than that of the adults; and Prof. Lichtenstein's surmise may
therefore be correct. As, however, there are several points of form, etc., in
which it seems to differ from hæsitata, and especially as Bonaparte has con-
sidered it a valid species of Astrelata, I shall follow the latter authority until
more definite data may be found upon the subject.

ADAMASTOR GELIDUS Coues ex Gmel.
Procellaria gelida, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., i. pars 2, 1788, p. 564. Latham,
Index Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 822. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d'Hist. Nat.,
xxv. 1817, p. 419. (Haud dubie, opinor.)
Procellaria flavirostris, Gould, Ann. et. Mag. N. H., 1544, Ima ser. xiii.
p. 365. Adamastor flavirostris, Bp. Consp. Av., 1856, ii. p. 188.

-Habitat.— Antarctic Ocean. Cape of Good Hope.

Sp. char.—“ Feathers of the head and all the upper surface brown, with
paler edges, fading"into white on the tips of the upper tail coverts ; wings
and tail deep blackish brown; all the under surface pure white ; tĦe feathers
of the under surfaces of the shoulders with a streak of brown down the
centre; bill yellow, passing into dark horn color at the tip; tarsi and feet
fleshy white.

‘Length 19 inches ; bill 22 ;
claw 33." — [Govrp.]

This is an exceedingly well marked species, liable to be confounded with
no other with which I am acquainted. That it is a species of Adamastor,
and entirely congeneric with A. cinereus, there can be, I think, no doubt.
The general coloration and the proportions as indicated by the measurements,
plainly evince this to be the case. Moreover, Mr. Gould himself remarks
that ‘this bird so nearly approaches in form the members of the genus Puf-
finus, that it is almost a question whether it should not be included in that
genus." A bird which could be placed by so accurate an ornithologist as
Mr. Gould in the genus Procellaria (i.e. among the Fulmarezx), and which
yet exhibits such an affinity with the Puffinez, cannot but belong to the genus
Adamastor.

Discussion of synonymy.—I think there can be no reasonable doubt that the
old P. gelida of Gmelin, Latham and Vieillot is really the present species.
The habitat and the dimensions given by these authors is the same as that
assigned to flavirostris by Mr. Gould ; and their diagnoses are pertinent in
almost every particular. The expression ‘‘ pedibus ceruleis’’? is indeed
quite inadmissible ; but a misinterpretation of the color of the feet of birds
of this family is extremely likely to occur when only dried skins are exa-
mined. Still I would hardly venture to supersede Gould’s flavirostris by
Gmelin’s or Latham’s gelida, were it not for the fuller and more perfect de-
scription of the species given by Vieillot in the work above quoted. An
examination of his description will show that it differs in no single conse-

1864.]

wing 15; tail 63; tarsi 23; middle toe and

1233 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

quential point.* In view of these facts, and deeming it of the utmost im-
portance to identify as many of the names of the older authors as possible, I
have thought it best to restore Gmelin's appellation,

ADAMASTOR SERICEUS Dp. ex Less.
Puffinus sericeus, Lesson, Man. Ornith., ii. 1828, p. 402. Adamastor seri-
ceus, Bp., Consp. Av., 1836, ii. p. 188.

Habitat.—Southern Pacific Ocean.

Sp. char.—Bill black; feet flesh-colored, the margins of the webs blackish.
Upper parts deep greyish ashy, passing into blackish grey on the upper wing
coverts. Head, neck and under parts white; the fermer variegated with
some touches of clear greyish ash. Cireumocular region blackish. Inferior
surfaces of the wings of a lighter color than the superior. Tail rounded, its
upper surface lightly washed with ashy.

Length 15 inches ; extent of wings 36; wing from the carpus 11°50; tail
5; bill along gape 2:00; nasal tubes -40; tarsus 1:75; middle toe 1:33.

The preceding description is compiled from Lesson’s original notice. The
indications are not as explicit as might be desired; but I think that there can
be no doubt of the propriety of Bonaparte’s referring the species to his genus
Adamastor. The pattern of coloration is rather that of most of the Species
of Astrelata ; but the proportions as indicated by Lesson’s measurements in-
dicate a bird congeneric with Adamastor cinereus.

Ihave met with no synonyms of this species requiring notice.

THIELLUS Gloger.

Char.—Bill long and slender, about three-fourths the tarsus, compressed,
the unguis much decurved, but at base broader than high, Nasal tubes very
short, only a fifth of the culmen. Wings of moderate length, and ordinary
shape. Tail unusually lengthened, being nearly or quite half as long as the
wing from the carpus, very much graduated. Tarsus a fourth longer than
the bill, moderately stout, compressed. Middle toe without a claw, a little
longer than the tarsus. Of moderate size, rather slender form and uniformly
fuliginous colors. á

The most essential character of the genus is found in its unusually elon-
gated and much graduated tail. In all other respects it hardly differs at all
from Nectris; and its species have all the same fuliginous hue that charac-
terizes the latter genus.

Two species are recognized by ornithologists as belonging to this genus.
Though exceedingly closely allied to each other, yet they seem to constantly
differ in some applicable points.

THIELLUS s<PHENURUS Bp. ex Gould.
Puffinus sphenurus, Gould, Ann. et Mag. N. H., 1844, 1ma series, xiii. p.
365. Id. Birds Austral., vii. pl. 58. — Z'Aiellus sphenurus, Bonap., C. A.,
1556, ii. p. 201.— Procellaria sphenura, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-
Bas, 1863, p. 25

Habitat.— Australian seas.

A fine series of these species is in the collection of the Philadelphia Aeade-
my. The general color of the plumage is a deep chocolate brown, or dark
reddish black, most of the feathers of the upper parts with paler margins.
The color of the back deepens into pure black on the wings and tail. Below,
the general plumage is of a deep brown, with a wash of grey,—the brown
tinge most palpable on the abdomen, the grey predominating on the throat.

* I may remark, en passant, that the expression * prés de uit ponces de longueur totale” is
most probably a typographical error, or a lapsus calami. lt was evidently intended to be * dix

huit.”
[April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 128

The bill is flesh color, tinged with brown; much darker along the culmen
and on the unguis; the legs and feet are flesh colored, with a tinge of yellow.

This species measures from 15 to 16 inches in total length ; the wing from the
carpus 10:50 to 11:25. The tail varies somewhat in length, from nearly five
to quite six inches; the graduation of the lateral feathers usually being about
2 inches. Bill about 1:60; height at base :35, width ‘50; length of nasal
tubes ‘25. Tarsus 1:90; middle toe and claw 2°35.

This species can be confounded with no other, (except, perhaps, T. chloro-
rhynchus, which see ;) and there are no involved points of synonymy.

THIELLUS CHLORORHYNCHUS Bp. ex Less.
Puffinus chlororhynchus, Lesson, Tr. Ornith., p. 613. Pucheran, Rev.
Zoologique, 1850, p. 633. Vhiellus chlororhynchus, Bp., Consp. Av., ii.
1866, p. 201. Procellaria chlororhynchus, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus.
Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 25.

Habitat.—* Western Australia," Bp. Dr. Schlegel has specimens from the
Bourbon Islands and the Cape of Good Hope.

Almost identical with 7' sphenurus in the color of the plumage; and with
much the same dimensions. The main diagnostic points seem to be the fol-
lowing: The bill is of a greenish orange color, except along the culmen and
at the tip, where it is black. The bill is longer than that of sphenurus by
about a fourth of an inch on the average, and appears a little larger at the
base, though quite slender in its continuity, While chlororhynchus is, upon
the whole, a larger bird than sphenurus, nevertheless the wings are abso-
lutely shorter (4 an inch or more) on an average. The feet are slightly

"longer and stouter. In eolor the present species differs slightly in being
rather more cinereous below ; but the difference is not well marked.

The species not as yet a well known one, nor contained in many musa.

NECTRIS Bp. (emend, ex Forst.)

Char.—Generally similar to Puffinus ; colors uniformly fuliginous ; bill and
feet wholly or partially light colored. Bill long and slender, much hooked at
the tip; nasal tubes short, broad, depressed, very obliquely truncated, the
septum broad, the nostrils narrowly oval. Wings reaching a little beyond
the tail, which varies in length, but is always more or less rounded. Feet
moderate ; tarsus about equal to middle toe without claw ; outer toe without
claw equal to middle ; tip of inner claw not reaching base of middle one.

This genus comprises five, perhaps six, species, all agreeing in the uniform
fuliginous of their plumage, and in the partial or entire paleness of the bill
and feet. In form it hardly differs from Pufinus, and its retention as a valid
genus is perhaps questionable, except as a matter of convenience in a group
where it is of importance to distribute the numerous closely-allied species in
as many groups as may be at all characterizable.

NecrRIS FULIGINOSUS, Keys. et Blas. ex Strickl.
Puffinus fuliginosus, Strickland, Proe. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1832, p. 129.
Lawrence, Birds N. A., 1858, p. 803, et auct. recent. Sed non Proc.
Juliginosa, Gm., Lath., quz probabiliter species Thalassidrome (cauda
fureatá ex '*Otaheite "); nec Banks, tab. 19, Kuhl, sp. 12, pl. x. fig.
6; que certé Pterodroma atlantica, Gould. Quid sit Proc. fuliginosa,
Kuhl, p. 148, sp. 27 (ex Banks,) nescio.—WNectris fuliginosa, Keys. et
Blas. Wirbelt. Europ., 1840, p.
Puffinus major foemina!) Temminck, Man. Orn., iv. 1840, p. 506. Puffi-
nus cinereus (fcemina !), Gould, Birds Europ., pl. 445, fig. 2.
Habitat.—More northern portions of the Atlantie Ocean ; especially numer-
ous off the coast of Newfoundland ; more rarely on the European coast.
Sp. ch.—Upper parts a uniform fuliginous brownish black, the primaries
and tail feathers of a deeper color; under parts a much lighter fuliginous

1864.]

194 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

brown, passing into greyish on the throat. Bill entirely brownish black. Feet
brownish black, the internal face of the tarsus and the interdigital membranes
dusky yellowish. Length, 18 inches ; wing, from the carpus, about 12. Bill
along culmen, 1-72 to 2-00; along commissure, 2:50; tarsus 2:20 to 2°30;
middle toe about 2:50.

This species is too well known to require further characterization.

Discussion of synonymy.—The name ** fuliginosus? has unfortunately been
almost as badly bandied about as has cinereus, Gm. Thus the fuliginosus,
Gm., Lath., apparently (and it is so looked upon by most ornithologists,) be-
longs to a species of the genus Thalassidroma, Vig., from Otaheite, probably
not very widely differing from the Cymochorea melania, mihi, ex Bp. Fuligi-
nosa, Banks, (tab. 19,) Kuhl, (sp. 12, pl, x. fig. 6,) is a species subsequently
called atlantica by Gould, now the Pterodroma atlantica, Bp. Exactly what is
the fuliginosa, Forster, (Descr. p. 23, sp. 18), is a little doubtful. His editor,
Lichtenstein, says that it is the same as fuliginosa, Kuhl, sp. 12; and this
opinion is also maintained by Bonaparte, which would make it the Pterodroma
atlantica. But then, on the contrary, Dr Kuhl asserts positively that his
species 12 is ** omnino diversa a Nectri fuliginosa, Forst." For my own part,
after carefully studying Forster's description, I am inclined to coincide with
Dr. Kuhl, and to hold that Forster's fuliginosais not the P:erodroma atlantica,
but rather a pacific species of the genus Nectris.

Species 27 of Kuhl’s monograph, also called fuliginosa (after Banks, tab. 23),
is too indefinite for me to make anything of it.

No other synonyms of this species seem to require notice. The confounding
of this species with carneipes, Gould, by Dr. Schlegel, will be noticed under
the head of the latter.

WEcTRIS AMAUROSOMA, Coues, nov. sp.

Diagnosis.— Nectris media quoad staturam inter fuliginosam vel carniepedem
et tenuirostrem vel brevicaudam ; corpore brunneo-fuliginoso, subtus valde di-
lutiore, in gulà fusco-cinerascente ; tectricibus alarum inferioribus albidis feré
meris; rostro ex toto fusco; pedibus interné palamisque carneis, externe
brunneo-albis. Long: ale 11:00 poll. Ang. Rostri à fronte ad apicem 1:70.
Tarsi 2-00. Digiti medii cum ungue 2-40. Caudæ, 4:25.

Habitat —Mare Pacif., eireum capit. Sanct. Lucas, Calif.

Description.—Form. Bill about as long as the head, a little shorter than
the tarsus, about two-thirds the middle toe and claw ; rather slender, attenu-
ated, compressed, except at base, where it is as wide as hish; the unguis
large, and much hooked; commissure much curved from base to unguis;
outline of rami of inferior mandible quite straight. Nasal tubes rather more
than a fourth the length of the culmen, broad, but much depressed, with an
indistinct median longitudinalgroove ; terminally exceedingly obliquely trun-
cated; the nostrils oval. The feathers of the front form a very obtuse angle
on the culmen, but instead of immediately retreating on either side, they ex-
tend forwards again on the sides of the upper mandible, nearly as far as on the
culmen. Wings of ordinary length and shape. Tail rather long, contained
only 23 times in the wing from the carpus; much rounded, as usual in the
genus. Feet moderately stout; tarsus just equal to the middle toe without
its claw: outer toe without its claw longer than the middle; inner toe un-
usually abbreviated, the tip of its claw falling 4 of an inch short of the base
ofthe middle claw.

Color.—The bill is wholly deep brownish black; somewhat lighter on the
sides of the lower mandible ; the extremity of both ungues horn colored. The
inner aspect of the tarsus, the middle and inner toes, the whole of the webs,
and the bases of the claws, clear light yellowish flesh color; the outer aspect
of the tarsus, the outer toe, and tips of the claws, the same color, but much
tinged with brown. The shade of the upper parts is a pure deep chocolate

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 125

brown, without the slightest tinge of ashy; a little darker on therump, so dark
as to be brownish black on the wing coverts and tertials; the extreme tips of
which latter are somewhat paler. The primaries are lustrous brownish black
on their outer webs and at their tips; and their inner webs are but little
paler; their shafts are on their superior aspect black, becoming brownish ba-
sally ; their inferior aspects also black, but with a delicate white line running
medianly two-thirds their whole length. The rectrices are colored like the
primaries; their shafts are brownish black. The entire under wing coverts
are white; the purity and continuity of which is, however, interrupted by
some grayish brown marbling. The under parts generally are mach lighter
than the upper, and of a grayish rather than brownish fuliginous, this color
passing on the throat and chin gradually into a somewhat grayish cinereous
hue. The short anterior under tail coverts are light grayish brown; the long
posterior ones are more of a brownish fuliginous. There is a delicate touch of
white on the under eyelid.

Dimensions.—Length of bill along culmen 1:70; from feathers on side of
lower mandible to its top, 1°60; length of nasal tubes, :45 ; height of bill at
base, °45; width about the same. Wing, from the carpus, 11:00; tail, 4:25 ;
graduation of lateral rectrices, ‘90; tarsus, 2:00; middle toe and claw, 2°40;
outer do., 2:30 ; inner do., 1:90.

It may seem somewhat improbable that a species of Nectris has remained to
this late day undescribed; but the subject of the present article differs in so
many partieulars from any known bird of the genus, that I have not the
slightest hesitation in presenting it as new. It is most closely allied to fuli-
ginosa, Strickl., but differs from it, as well as from carneipes and tenuirostris,
in many very tangible points. The combination of the wholly dark bill, with
the coloration of the feet, as above described, the white on the under surfaces
of the wings, together with its own particular dimensions, readily character-
ize it among its congeners. The following detailed comparison of it with each
may serve to define its relationships more explicitly.

With the general colors of fuliginosus, especially as regards the wholly
dark bill, it differs in the conspicuous white under wing coverts, only a little
obscured by grayish brown, and in the different tints and pattern of the feet.
(Compare original descriptions of each species.) Itis much smaller than that
species,—to wit: the length about fifteen inches, (as near as I can judge from
the skin,) instead of eighteen; the tarsus barely two inches, instead of two
and a quarter; the toes less in proportion; and the wing eleven, instead of
twelve inches.

It is more nearly of the same size as carneipes, but in that species the
“ whole of the plumage is chocolate black ;"' the bill is flesh colored, except
on the culmen and at the tip, whereas in my bird it is wholly dark. The feet
of carneipes are wholly ** yellowish flesh color," while in amaurosoma the ex-
tennal aspect of the tarsus and the outer toe are brownish white.

The species hardly requires any comparison with tenuirostris or brevicauda,
the notable differences of color alone, or of dimensions alone, at once separa-
ting them. The bill of amaurosoma measures about 1°70 inches; that of
tenuiros.ris 1:20; the wing 11, instead of 10 inches; the tail 4°75 to 5:00, in-
stead of 3:50, etc. The general color of tenuirostris is a deep smoky black,
with a tinge of ashy ; that of amaurosoma brownish fuliginous. Compare also
the descriptions given in this paper of the colors of the bill and feet. There
is just about the same amount of whitish on the under surfaces of the wings
of the two species.

The type of this species, now in the Smithsonian collection, was procured by
Mr. John Xantus at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, August 18th, 1960. It
is there apparently the representative of fuliginosus, as my opisthomelas is of
obscurus.

1864.]

126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

NECTRIS CARNEIPES, Bp. ex Gould.

Puffinus carneipes, Gould, P. Z. S. xii. March 26, 1844, p. 57. Id. Ann.
et Mag. N. H., 1844, xiii. 1ma., series, p. 365. Majaqueus carneipes,
Reichenbach, Syst. Av., pl. xxiv. fig. 2601. Nectris carneipes, Bona-
parte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 201. Procellaria carneipes, Schlegel,
Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1862, p. 26, (siné bond ratione. Nect. fuligi-
nos. Strickl. conjuncta.) - «

** Puffinus cinereus, Smith, Ill. S. Afric., Bds., pl. 56." ** Nectris gama,
Bp. Consp. Av. ii. p. 202;?' de utroque teste Schlegelo.

Habitat.—'* Numerous in all the seas bounding the western coast of Aus-
tralia; and breeding on the small islands off Cape Leeuwin.’’—[Gou bp. ]

This species is quite closely allied to fuliginosus, but differs from it by ex-
ceedingly well marked characters. The plumage is much the same in both
species, but the bill of carneipes is ‘‘ fleshy white, the culmen and tips of the
mandibles brown ; the legs, feet, and membranes, yellowish flesh-color." Be-
sides these differences in color, there appear to be equally marked discre-
pancies in proportions; thus, while fuliginosus is eighteen inches long, and
carneipes only fifteen, the absolute lengths of the bill, feet, and wings is very
nearly the same. (Compare original descriptions by Strickland and Gould.)
Ihave never seen any example so small as the one whose measurements are
given by Dr. Schlegel, p. 26 of his monograph, but the limits within which
any species of this family may vary are very great. But even granting for a
momeut the identity of the two species, I do not see upon what authority Dr.
Schlegel has given the name carneipes of 1844 priority over fuliginosus of
1832.

Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, has a species JN. gama, from South Africa,
with which he considers Puff. cinereus, juv., Smith, as synonymous. I have
never had an opportunity of examining a specimen professing to be of this .
species; but as the diagnosis scarcely shows tangible points of difference, and
as Dr. Schlegel is convinced of its identity with carneipes, I shall, for the
present at least, follow his authority in assigning it as a synonym of that
species.

An excellent suite of specimens of carneipesis in the collection of the Phila-
delphia Academy.

NzcrRIS TENUIROSTRIS Bp. ex Temm.
Procellaria tenuirostris, Temminck, Pl. Col., No. 587. Schlegel, Mon.
Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 26. Puffinus tenuirostris, Temm. et
Schl., Faun. Japon. Aves., p. 131, pl. 86. Nectris tenuirostris, Bona-
parte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 202. ‘* Proc. curilicus, Museorum Berol.
et 3t. Petersburg."
** Puff. tristis, Mus. Parisiensis."

Habitat.—Japan, and neighboring seas.

Ihave before me a typical example of this marked species, from Niphon,
agreeing in every respect with the types of the species as described by Schle-
gel.

The most peculiar character of form of this species is found in the shape of
the bill. It is stout at the base, where it is a little broader than high, but
rapidly becomes both compressed and depressed, tapering to a small, weak,
only moderately hooked unguis. This unusually weak bill is also short, be-
ing much less than the head, and only about two-thirds the tarsus. The nostrils
measure about a third the length of the culmen. The commissure and out-
line of the inferior mandibular rami are both nearly perfectly straight. The
wings are very long, reaching much beyond the rest; the primaries are all
tapering and acute. The tail is exceedingly short, its length being contained
nearly three times in the wing from the carpus, the central retrices projecting
a little, the lateral rapidly graduated. The feet are moderately large and

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 127

stout; the tarsus is about equal to the middle toe without its claw ; theouter
toe and claw are equal in length to the middle toe and claw; the tip of the
inner claw falls short of the base of the middle.

Bill mostly dusky greenish yellow, brighter along the commissure and at
tip. Feet yellowish on the anterior, exterior and internal aspect of the tarsus
and toes, and the superior surfaces of the webs, the posterior edge of the tar-
sus, and the under surface of the webs blackish, Above very deep sooty
black, becoming pure black on the rectrices and outer webs of the primaries,
with a just appreciable ashy nuance on the wing coverts. Inner webs of
— eem (except at their tips) and the under surfaces of the wings generally

ight dull grayish brown. Shaft of primaries black, except along a groove on
their under surfaces, which is yellowish. Beneath, the whole body is of a
rather light fuliginous or brownish grey, fading, on the throat, (especially in
more immature birds) almost into greyish white. The under tail coverts,
however, are nearly as dark as the upper parts, only rather more fuliginous.

Dimensions. Wing from the carpus 10:00 inches: central tail feathers 3:50 ;
lateral 2:75; bill along culmen 1:20; depth at base 30; width at base °40;
tarsus 1:90; middle toe and claw 2°25; outer toe and claw the same; inner
toe and claw just equal to the tarsus.

This strongly marked apecies is distinguished from all its congeners by its
small size, weak, peculiarly shaped bill, very short tail, and peculiarly
colored feet, The difference in intensity between the colors of upper and
under parts are quite appreciable.

Synonymy. "The proper name of this species is a matter of no uncertainty,
but what designations are to be referred to it as synonyms is more doubtful.
Both Bonaparte and Schlegel place ** curilicus, Pennant," of the museums of
Europe, as a synonym, which is merely, however, saying that certain muse-
ums have called tenuirostris, ** curilicus," and does not in the least affect the
question as to whether curilicus be properly a synonym. Iam inclined to
think that it is not, but that it is rather tq be referred to another and larger
species of this fuliginous genus.

Bonaparte and Schlegel both consider ‘‘ tristis, Forster, Descr. p. 205,” as
synonymous with this species. It is difficult to say whether such is oris not
the case ; but my own impression, derived from a careful study of the charac-
ters laid down by Forster, is that his tristis refers to a species much larger,
and with a stouter bill than the present ; possibly the true curilicus, Penn.

NECTRIS BREVICAUDA Bp. ex Brandt.

Puffinus brevicaudus, Brandt, ‘‘Ic. Rossic, Av. pl. vi. fig. 17." Gould,
Ann. et Mag. N. H., xiii. lma series, 1844, p. 365. Gould, Birds
Austr. viii. pl. 56. Majaqueus (!) brevicaudatus, Reichenbach, ** Syst.
Av. pl. xxxvii. fig. 2271—2." Wectris brevicaudus, Bonap., Consp.,
Av. ii. 1856, p. 201.

Habitat. *'Found in all the Australia seas, and breeds in the greatest abund-
ance on several of the islands in Bass's straits." [Gourp.]

** Blackish fuliginous, lighter beneath; bill black, yellowish at the base ;
. feet cinereous, their webs yellow." [BoNAPARTE.]

This is a species with which I am autoptically unacquainted, nor have I ac-
cess to the original description and figure of Brandt, and I am therefore un-
able to discuss its characters and relationships. By Dr. Schlegel it is placed
as a synonym, with a query of N. tenuirostris, but other authors all agree in
considering it as a valid species.

PUFFINUS Brisson.

Ball about as long as the head, or a little less, about three-fourths the tar-
sus, rather stout, a little higher than broad at the base, compressed for the

1864.]

128 PROCEEDINGS OF TIIE ACADEMY OF

rest of its length; the unguis strong, much hooked; nasal tubes about a
fourth the length of the culmen, broad, depressed, obliquely truncated, the
septum thick, the nostrils oval; wings long, pointed, first primary longest,
surpassing the tail, which is lengthened and more or less rounded, of twelve
rectrices. Feet very large and stout; tarsus compressed, as long as the mid-
dle toe and elaw ; outer toe about as long as the middle, but its claw much
Shorter and weaker; tip of inner claw not reaching the base of the middle
one ; claws strong, little curved, moderately acute, somewhat depressed, the
middle one with its inner edge dilated; hallux extremely abbreviated, only
apparent as a short, stout, conical, rather obtuse claw. Of moderate and small
size. Bicolor: bill and a portion of the feet usually dark colored.

The genus Puffinus, as characterized in the above paragraph, comprises nu-
merous bicolor species, spread all over the world. They form two groups.
Those of the first group are large, with robust bills, and have the upper plum-
age brown or cinereous. They are major, leucomelas, Kuhlii and creatopus,
which compose the ** genus” Ardenna, Reich. The species of the second group
are all much smaller, with very slender, weak bills, and the upper parts blackish
or greyish black. They are anglorum, yelcuanus, obscurus, opisthomelas and
nugax, forming the restricted *' subgenus’ Puffinus.

Pourrinus Koat, (Boie.)

Procellaria puffinus, ** Linn.,’? Temminck, Manuel d'Ornith., ii. 1820, p.
805. Vieillot, Fauna Frane, 1828, p. 404,-et auct. al. alig. sed non
Linnei, quae certé P. anglorum, Ray.

Procellaria cinerea, Kuhl, Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool. p. 148, pl. ix. fig. 12;
ex oc. Atlantico Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 24; ex
ocean. Atlant. Sed non Gmelini, vel Lathami que certé Adamastor typus,
Bp. est, ut bené et sepé vindicata est a Bonaparteo; ex maribus an-
tarcticis precip, Pacif.

Puffinus cinereus, Cuvier, Temminck, Man. Orn., vol. iv., 1840, p. 506.
Degland, Ornith. Europ. ii. 1849, p. 362, et al. script. Europ. recent.
fere cmnium. Sed non Auduboni, et auct Amer. qui P. major, Faber:
non Lawrencii, qui Adamastor cinereus hujus opusculi. Nectris cinereus,
Keys. et Blas. Wirb. Europ. 1840, p. xciv.

Proce!laria Kuhlii, Boie, Isis von Oken, 1835, p. 257, sp. 25. Puffinus"
Kuhlii, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 202. (Sed non Cassin, Pr.
A. N. 8. Philada., 1862, p. 327, que Adamastor cinereus, mihi, testibus
speciminibus ipsis. )

Discussion of Synonymy.—There is in the Atlantic Ocean a very common
and well known Procellaridian, to wit, the ‘‘cinereous Shearwater,’’ a bird
about the size of Puffinus major, Faber, but otherwise quite distinct from it in
form, color, etc. This bird was named Procellaria Kuhlii by Prof. Boie, in
1835. (Isis von Oken, p. 257, sp. 25, which consult.) From Boie's excellent
characterization, and from the very marked distinetive features of the bird
itself, there need have been no confusion or uncertainty regarding it. But
before 1835, so common and well known was the bird, that it had been noticed
by numerous other writers, and unfortunately most of them had erroneously
applied to it Gmelin’s name cinerea; while others had with equal inaccuracy
called it P. puffinus, Linneus. When more , recently C. L. Bonaparte at-
tempted to show that ‘‘ cinereus, Gm., Lath.," was not the common Atlantic
bird at all, but a Pacific species, (described as P. haesitata by F. ster) and
properly the type of a genus (viz., Adamastor, Bp.) distinct from Puffinus ;
the assertion was illy received by ornithologists, and the general confusion
rather augmented than diminished. To the following attempt to unravel the
knotty points of synonymy involved, I would invite the particular attention
of ornithologists, as I hope to be able to sustain the position assumed by

Bonaparte. i
[April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 129

The following is Gmelin's diagnosis, in copying which the italics are my
own: S. N. i. pars ii. p. 563, sp. 17. — ** Pr. cinerea, subtus alba, cauda nigra,
rostro flavicante, pedibus cerulescentibus. — ** Cinereous Fulmar,” Latham,
Syn. iii. p 405, No. 10. Habitat intra circulum antarcticum ; glacialis magni-
tudine: 202 polliees longa." It will be noticed that Gmelin's bird is one from
the Antarctic seas, as large as the comunon Fulmar, and with exactly the
characters of the bird afterwards designated as Adamastor typus by Bonaparte.
Gmelin’s further description will be found to confirm this opinion by each of
its sentences. Ido not see, therefore, how it is possible to consider it as re-
ferring to a North Atlantic species, with characters so very different as are
those presented by P. Kuhlii, Boie.

The Proc. cinerea, Lath., Ind. Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 824, and the Proc. cine-.
rea, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. D'H. N. 1817, xxv, p. 418, are both exactly the
same as Gmelin’s cinerea, and so is the Puffinus cinereus of Lawrence, Bds.
N. A., 1858, p. 835, from the Pacific Ocean, under which head the synonyms
of Adamustor typus are accurately enumerated.

The above is all that is necessary to be said, I think, to substantiate Dona-
parte's position, that P. cinereus, Gm., is not the Atlantic bird afterwards
named Kuhlii by Boie. The subject will be resumed and the generic and
specific characters of Adamastor typus, as distinguished from those of Puffinus
Kuhlii, will be enlarged upos in another place. It now only remains to dis-
cuss the various synonyms of Xuhlii.

The first instance of the misapplication of Gmelin's name, cinereus, which I
have been able to find, is that by Cuvier, when he calls P. KuAlii ** P. cine-
reus." This same malidentification has also been committed by Bonaparte,
(Comp. List, Bds. N. A. and Eur., 1838, p. 64.) Degland, (Ornith. Europ.,
1849, ii. p. 362;) Temminck, (Man. Orn., iv. 1840, p. 506; Schinz,) (Europ.
Faun., 1840. i. p. 393.;) Schlegel, (Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur., 1844, p. 132;) Key-
serling and Blasius, ( Wirb. Europ., 1840, p. 94.)

The Puffinus cinereus of Bonaparte (Synop. Bds. N. A., 1828, p. 370,) of
Nuttall, (Man. Ornith., ii. p. 334,) and of Audubon's works, (Orn. Biogr. vol.
iii. p. 555; Bds. N. Amer., vii. 1844, p. 212, pl. 456,) is, however, not the P.
Kuhlii but the P. major, Faber.

“The Procellaria pujinus, L., of Temminck, (Man. Orn. 1820, ii. p, 805 ;)
and of Vieillot, (Fauna Franco, 1528, p. 404) are synonyms of P. Kuhlii.

Yet another improper reference of Gmelin’s cinereus is found in Degland's Or-
nithologie Européene, where it is placed as a synonym (with a query, how-
ever,) of P. major, Faber. This is just the mistake which has been generally
committed by American Authors.

Iam enabled to state positively, from autoptical examination of the speci-
mens themselves, that the bird referred to by Cassin, in the Proceedings of
the Philadelphia Academy for June, 1562, page 327, as Puffinus Kuhlii, is
really the Adamastor cinereus, Mihi. The specimens, three in number, col-
lected by the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, are lying before me, and
agree in the minutest particulars with the type specimen of Lawrence's P.
hesitata, (Aun. N. Y., Lyc. N. H., 1853) which is also Lawrence's P. cinereus
(Birds Amer., 1858, p. 835,) which is Adamas‘or typus, Bp.

Description. In general form not unlike P. major, but rather more grace-
ful, with slightly slenderer and weaker bill, comparatively longer wings and
tail, etc. Bill scarcely if at all shorter than the head, just equal to the tar-
sus, moderately stout, compressed, higher than broad at the base; unguis
only moderately strong and hooked ; commissure and outline of inferior man-
dibular rami a little curved, the former most so; nasal tubes unusually ab-
breviated, measuring not over a fifth of the culmen, but elevated, inflated,
medianly subcarinate, apically obliquely truncated, the nostrils subcircular
in outline ; wings moderately long, a little exceeding the tail; tail quite long,
so much rounded as to be almost cuneiform, the central reetrices much elong-

1864.] 9

130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

ated ; feet rather weak and slender, moderately compressed; tarsus shorter
than the middle toe without the claw ; outer toe and claw longer than the
middle with its claw, tip of inner claw about reaching base of middle one;
claws obtuse, little arched, more or less dilated on their inner edge.

Colors. The upper parts are of a ligat smoky gray, or very light brownish
ash color, this color uniform on the crown and nape, interrupted on the back
by the pure or grayish white margins of all the feathers, which margins are
broadest on the scapulars, deepening on the wing coverts and tertials into deep
grayish brown, and also losing the white margins. The rump is concolor
with the rest of the back, but the upper tail coverts have successively more
and more white until the longest and most posterior ones are almost wholly of
this color, with only some central touches of grayish brown. The primaries
are deep grayish or brownish black, with, however, large white spaces which
occupy the basal half or two-thirds of their inner webs. The outer webs, and
apices of the secondaries are deep grayish plumbeons; the greater part of
their inner webs white. The entire parts-of the bird, from the chin to the
extreme tips of the under tail coverts are pure white, except some slight
soupcons of grayish on the flanks. The under surfaces of the wings, except
just along the edges, and the axillary feathers are pure white. The connec-
tion of the color of the upper parts with the white of the under, on the sides of
the head and neck, is peculiar ; there is no line of demarcation whatever, but
as the color of the upper parts becomes lighter in tint, so it becomes gradually
more and more nebulated and undulated with white, the admixture of the
two having a marked and beautiful effect. The under eyelid is wholly white,
the upper less completely so. The bill is yellowish, darker along the culmen,
the unguis light horn color. The legs and feet are yellowish, the webs still
clearer yellow; the claws fiesh colored.

Dimensions.—Length of bill along culmen 1:90, along gape 2:60, from feath-
ers on side of lower mandible to its apex 1:75 ; height at base*70; width -60;
tarsus 1 90; middle toe and claw 2:50, outer do. 2:55, inner do. 2:50; wing
from the carpus 12°75; central rectrices 5:50, exterior do 4°75.

The variations in size to which this species is subject, are entirely parallel
with those of P major, detailed further on. The color of adult birds does
not vary much, and that chiefly in the slightly different degree of clearness
or obscurity of the upper parts. Younger birds, however, have the bill
rather dusky than yellowish, and somewhat of a greenish or bluish tinge in
the color of the feet. The upper parts are considerably darker than those of

‘the adults, being rather more of a brownish plumbeous than of an ashy gray-
ásh tint.

PUFFINUS LEUCOMELAS Bp. ex Temm.

Procellaria leucome:as, Temminck, Planches colorées, No. 587.—Temm. et
Schiegel, Fauna Japon. p, 131, fig. 85. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus.
Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 24. Thiellus sive Nectris leucomelas, Auct. aliq.
Puffinus leucomelas, Bonap., Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 203.

With this species lam autoptically unacquainted, and therefore compile
the following brief account from Dr. Schlegel’s excellent Monograph, above
‘quoted.

It is in general similar to P. Kuhlii, which it appears to replace in the
Pacific Ocean. It is smaller, however, than that species, slenderer in
general prorortions, and with a weaker bill. In color it is principally distin-
guished by having the feathers of the upper parts generally, and of the sides
of the head and neck white, each with a brown longitudinal shaft line.

Length of wing from the carpus from 112 to 12 inches. Middle tail feath- .
ers 4) to 42 inches, external 34 to 3}. Bill 22 to 22 lines; height at base 5
to 6 lines; width about the same. Nasal tubes 3j lines. Tarsus 21 lines;
middle toe 23 to 25 lines.

Habitai.—Pacific ocean, particularly in vicinity of Japan.

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 131

PurriNvs curaATOPUS Cooper (MSS.) Nov. Sp.

Diagnosis. P. Puffini majoris staturà, nee ei coloribus perdissimilis ; sed
rostro multo breviore, crassiore, tubulis nasalibus inflatis ; feré om-
nino nisi ungue flavescente-carneo; pedibus brevioribus, graciliori-
bus, carneis; tectricibus caudae superioribus et inferioribus ex toto
bruuneo-nigris; remigibus primariis spatio albo basin versüs interni
pogonii carentibus.

Habitat.—South Pacific Coast of North America.

Specimen typicum et unicum in museo Smithsoniano, (Catal. No. 31964,)
ex insula ‘San Nicholas” prope California, a Chirurgio J. G. Coopero col-
lectum. (Calend. Julii A. D. m4ccclxiii.)

Description.—Form :—Bill a little shorter than the head or tarsus, about
two-thirds the middle toe and claw ; the most'robust of the Puffinez, being
especially large and swollen at the base, where it is as wide as hizh. The
culmen rises rapidly from the end of the nasal tubes to the strong, very con-
vex and much curved unguis; the sides of the bill are considerably com-
pressed beyond the nostrils. Commissure curved from the feathers to the un-
guis, the convexity lookiog downwards; outline of the inferior mandibular
rami about straight. The basal tubes are very short, being hardly a fourth of
the length of culmen; they are unusua'ly elevated, turgid, and with a slight
median furrow ; very obliquely terminated; the nares are elliptical in outline.
The feathers of the forhead run forward to form an acute angle on the me-
dian line. The tarsi are unusually weak and slender, though not very much com-
pressed, and are shorter than the middle toe without the claw. The outér toe
just barely exceeds the middle, butits claw is much shorter and weaker. The
tip of the inner claw falls short of the base of the middle one. The wings are
of the ordinary shape and dimensions, and have the usual proportionate length
ofthe primaries, The tail is of m»ch the same length and has the same amount
of graduation of its lateral rectrices as in P. major.

Color.—The upper parts are of about the same shade of brown as in P.
major, and the feathers have similar lighter margins, the head, however,
having more decidedly a plumbeous cast. The upper tail coverts are entirely
deep brownish-black, darker even than the rest of the upper parts, with no
vestige of white. The inner webs of the primaries are entirely brownish-
black to their very bases, with no indication of the white spaces which exist
in P. major. Onthe sides of the head and neck, the color of the upper parts
extends entirely round on to the chin and throat, having no distinct line of
demareation, but very gradually and insensibly becoming more and more
mottled with white, until the latter becomes the predominating color; on the
chin the plumbeous-black and the white are about equalin amount. The
dark color does not extend further nor indeed so far on the sides of the breast
as on the sides ofthe neck. The lower eyelid is pure white. The side: under the
wings and the inferior surfaces of the wings are mottled with grayish-black
and white in about equal amount. The long axillary feathers are entirely gray-
ish-black, except just at their bases. The middle of the abdomen and the
circumanal region are variegated with grayish-black and white. The under
tail coverts are entirely fuliginous black, with somewhat of a grayish cast.
The nasal tubes, the culmen and unguis of the bill are brownish-black ; the
rest of the bill light-yellowish flesh color. The legs and feet are entirely
light flesh color. The claws are whitish with brown tips.

Dimensions.—'* Length 19:0); extent of wings 45:00 "'. (collector's label.)
Bill along culmen 1:60; along gape 2:20; from feathers on side of lower
mandible 1:50; height at base, "60; width about the same; length of nasal
tubes 40. Wing from the flexure 12-50. Tail: exterior feathers 4:00, me-
dian 5:00; tarsus 2-10; middle toe and claw 2:65; outer do 250, inner
do 2:10.

Comparison with allied species.— The present species is so very peculiar in

1864.]

132 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

most of its features, that it intimately resembles no other with which I am
acquainted. It may be well, however, to notice the points of difference be-
tween it and P. major which is the most nearly allied species. There is but
little difference in size between the two birds, creatopus being only slightly
smaller, and the color of the upper parts is about the same in each. Creatopus
may be at once recognized as follows: by its much shorter, stouter bill, usu-
ally turgid and thick at the base, with its very short swollen nasal tubes, and
light flesh-color, except along the eulmen and unguis; by its shorter, slen-
derer flesh-colored feet; by its entirely brownish-black upper tail coverts ; by
the extension of the dark color of the sides of the head and neck, far round on
the chin and throat without any distinct line of demarcation ; by the absence of
any white at the bases of the primaries, and by the unusual amount of gray-
ish-black mottling on the sides, the under surfaces of the wings, the axillary
feathers, and circumanal region.

The shape of the bill is more like that of the common Atlantic KuAlii ; and
the nasal tubes are quite as short. But the bill of creatopus is much stouter,
wider and more turgid at the base, and the unguis is much more rapidly de-
curved. The color is quite different, (compare descriptions.) The legs of
cinereus are yellow ; of creatopus light flesh-color, The differences in plum-
age are too obvious to require comparison; e. g. cinereus has pure white
under tail coverts ; creatopus brownish-black, etc.

Ihave been unable to find any description which can be considered as in-
dicative of this species, which I believe to be hitherto quite unknown. It is
exceedingly interesting, from its many peculiarities of form and color. It is
particularly to be noted, that it is the only ''bicolor?' species, that is, dark
colored above and mostly white beneath, which has flesh-colored legs ; this
coloration of the legs being hitherto only known to its extent among the fuligi-
nous species composing the subgenus JVectris.

The type and only known specimen of the species was taken by Dr. J. G.
Cooper, at San Nicholas Island, off the coast of California. Its precise range
of habitatis as yet unknown. Accompanying the specimen was a note from
Dr. Cooper, stating that it was a species unknown to him and probably new,
and suggesting, inthe latter event, the exceedingly appropriate name by which
I have designated it.

PUFFINUS MAJOR Faber.

Procellaria puffinus, Kuhl, Monog. Proc. Beit. Zool, 1823, p. 146, pl. xi, fig.
10; et auct. al. aliq.; sed non Linn., Gmel., Lath., que Puff. anglorum
Ray; nec Temm. qus Proc. cinerea Cuv. (Kuhlii Boie.)

Puffinus major, Faber, Prod. Isl. Orn. 1822, p. 56. Bp. Consp. Av. 1856,
ii. p. 203.—Lawrence, Birds N. A. 1858, p. 833.— Procellaria major,
Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1862, p. 27.—Ardenna major,
Reichenbach, Syst. av. t. xiv, fig. 770.

Puffinus cinereus, Bonap. Syn. Bds. N. A. 1828, p. 370, No. 311. Audub.
Birds Amer. 1844, vii. p. 212, pl. 456; et al. script. Americ; sed non
Gmel.

Habitat.—Atlantic Ocean, especially its northern and temperate portion.
Mediterranean Sea. Atlantic coast of Africa. Cape of Good Hope. Terra
delFuego. Not the Pacific Ocean ?

Synonymy.—This species has been presented under a variety of designa-
tions. Some authors have thought with Kuhl, that it is the one referred to
by Linnzus, Gmelin and Latham, under the name of Procellaria puffinus. Else-
where, however, I have proven, I think, that such is not the case, but that
P. puffinus, Linn., is a synonym of P. anglorum Ray.

The Procellaria puffinus of. Temminck (loc. cit.) is not this species, nor yet
the anglorum (although he presents it as the real Linnean P. puffinus ;) but
on.the contrary, itis the P. Kuhlii, Boie, as is evident from the description and
the synonyms quoted. I am quite at a loss, however, to discover upon what

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 188

grounds Temminck asserts that the P. puffinus, Kuhl, and the P. cinerea
Kuhl, are ‘‘le vieux et le jeune dela même espèce.” Kuhl's descriptions
certainly indicate the two different species ; and his passable figures of their
heads are distinct enough from each other. But if Temminck could stoutly
maintain to the last that P. fuliginosus, Strickl., was the female of P. major,
Fab. (!), itis theless to be wondered at that he should commit the error we
are now discussing.

It is a little doubtful what species is referred to by Vieillot, Nouv. Dict.
d'H. N. xxv, 1817, p. 421, under ihename of * Le Pétrel-puffin, Procellaria
puffinus, Lath.’ The dimensions given ('*quinze pouces ") appertain best to
the anglorum ; but the description is entirely that of the P. Kuhlii, which it
is doubtless best to consider it. The Procellaria puffinus of Vieillot’s Fauna
Franc. 1828, p. 404, is undoubtedly the true cinereus.

Dr. Degland in his Ornithologie Europ^ene, p. 263, gives a good description
of this species under its proper name of Puff. major, but he is in error in
citing as synonyms the Puffinus cinereus, Brisson, or the Procellaria cinerea
Gmelin and Latham.

Description. —Form : Bill but very little shorter than the head or tarsus,
stout and subterete at the base, then gradually more and more compressed to
the strong, deep, much curved unguis. Nasal tubes straight, about a fourth
the length of the culmen, somewhat dilated, the apertures widely separated,
sub-elliptical. The culmen rises gradually with a slight but continuous
concavity from the nostrils to the summit of the unguis. The commissure
from the insertion of the feathers to the declination of the unguis is a long
regular curve, whose convexity looks downwards. The outline of the inferior
mandibular rami is nearly straight. The bill is about three times as long as it
is high at the base, considerably less wide than high. The primaries are long,
somewhat narrow, rather acutely pointed, the first longest, the second
nearly equal, the rest rapidly graduated. The tail is long, being contained
only about two and a third times in the wing from the carpus; so much
rounded as to be almost cureiform ; the central rectrices projecting consid-
erably, and the lateral being much abbreviated. The tarsus is as long as the
middle toe alone, compressed as usual, but very stout and strong. The
outer toe is as long or slightly longer than the middle, but the small size of
its claw makes it fall short of the tip of the middle claw. "The inner toe is
unnsually abbreviated, the tip of its claw falling far short of the base of the
middle one.

Color.—Upper parts dark bistre brown; on the head inclining a little to
plumbeous or grayish brown; on the tertials and rump the deepest; each
feather of the back, rump, and wing coverts with a margin of lighter brown,
which in freshly plumaged birds is so light as to be almost ashy white; on
the head the eolor is uniform without any lighter margins, and it extends
considerably below the eyes, just to the level of the gape, having a clear and
distinct line of demarcation with the white of the throat. Posteriorly on the
side of the neck the white reaches further round on the nape, and has a
more indefinite outline. Backwards still on the sides of the breast, the dark
color reaches farther down, encroaching on the white of that region. The
upper tail coverts, especially the longest and most posterior ones, are mostly
white, but with transverse rays or central spaces of brown. The primaries
are brownish black, deepest on their outer webs ; on their inner webs, towards
their bases, gradually lightening till they become brownish white, or even
nearly pure white, in freshly plumaged birds, especially on the innermost pri-
maries. The under parts from chin to anus are white; this color interrupted on
flanks by the more or less numerous, large, isolated, dark brown patches, which
coalesce just over the flanks. The under surfaces of the wings are white, except
just along their edges where they are mottled with brown ; and the apices of the
long axillary feathers are brownish. The under tail coverts are deep grayish

1864.]

134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

brown, more or less conspicuously tipped with whitish. The tail feathers are
like the outer primaries. The bill is deep blackish horn. The outside of the
tibie and the exterior toe are brownish; the rest of the feet including the
webs yellowish flesh color.

Dimensions.-—Total length 18,00 to 20.00 inches and hundredths; expanse
of wings 43.00 to 45.00. Bill along culmen 2.00; from feathers’ on side of
lower mandible to tip 1.75; depth at base .65, width .60; wing from the
carpus 13.00; tail: central feathers 5.75; exterior do. 4.75 ; difference 1.00 ;
tarsus 2.40 ; middle toe and claw 2.90; outer do. 2.75 ; inner do. 2.30.

Variations.—The differences in dimensions which this large species presents
are so great that the above measurements can only be considered as am aver-
age ; and individuals will be found considerably above and below the standard.
The bills of various specimens, as well as the tarsus and toes, differ to the
amount of two or even three tenths of an inch; the wings from the carpus
three-fourths of an inch, or more, and the tail proportionally. The relative pro-
portions, however, and the shape of these several parts appear to be pretty
constant.

There also exist greater variations in' color than are found iu most of the
species. The difference appears to depend chiefly upon age, or rather upon the
age of the feathers themselves. Just after the moult, when the feathers are
fresh and new, they are of a clear deep brown with a considerable of a plum-
beous tinge, and their margins are exceedingly light colored, in fact almost
white on the tertiaries, etc. With advancing age the feathers become more
and more of a duller brown, much like that given by Audubon in his plate ;
the margins are broader, less deeply defined, and simply of a dull grayish
brown. Constant characters, however, seem to be the uniformity in color of
the feathers of the head, there being no light margins to them; the peculiar
line of demareation on the sides of the head and neck, aud the partially white
upper, and almost wholly dark under tail coverts. Audubon's plate of this
species, otherwise excellent, is very wrongly colored as regards the bill and
feet. The bright tints he gives them rather appertain to another species.

Notwithstanding these variations, the present species is so marked a one
that it is not readily to be confounded with any other. Some small and light
colored specimens look something like examples of P. Kuhlii; the exact dif-
ferences between tlie two will be given under the head of the latter. From
P. anglorum, its size and the color of the upper parts at once distinguish it.
P. obscurus and its allies are too different to require comparison. P. major
may always be recognized by the peculiar size and shape of the bill (care-
fully examine preceding description); by the lighter margins of the feathers
of the upper parts; by the line of demarcation of the white and brown on
the sides of the head, as above given; and by the colors of the under tail
coverts and flanks, which are the reverse of those of Kuhlii, its nearest ally.
However light the color of the upper parts may be, they never acquire the
realashy tint which is a distinguishing characteristic of the latter species;
and the colors of the bill and feet are always conspicuously different.

This species has an exceedingly extensive range. It apparently inhabits
the entire Atlantic Ocean, up to exceedingly high latitudes. Dr. Schlegel
has specimens from points on the west coast of Africa and from the Cape of
of Good Hope. A specimen before me from Terra del Fuego, collected by Mr.
T. R. Peale, Naturalist of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, is identical with
the common north Atlantic bird.

PUFFINUS ANGLORUM, Temm. ex Ray.

Procellaria anglorum, Raii Syn. 1713, p. 134, sp. 4. Temminck, Man.
Orn, ii. 1820, p. 806. Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 28. Puf-
finus anglorum, Brisson, Ornith., 1760, vi. p. 131. Temminck, Man.
Ornith. iv. 1840, p. 509. Bp. Consp. av.. 1856, ii. p. 203. Law-
rence, Gen. Rep. Bds. N. Amer, 1855, p. 834; et auct. recent. feré

[ April,

—-——— aa wo

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 195

omnium. JVectris anglorum, Kuhl. Monog. Proc. Beit. Zool., 1820, p.
146, sp. 23.

Procellaria puffinus, Brünn., Orn. Bor., 1764, p. 29, sp. 119. Linn. Syst.
Nat. i. 1706, p. 215; Gmel. S. N. i. 1788, p. 566. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii.
1790, p. 824; sed non auct. aliorum, que potius ad Puff. majorem
spectat.) Nectris puffinus, Keys. et Blas. Wirb. Europ. i., 1840, p. 94.

Pufjinus arcticus, Faber, Prod. Isl. Orn., 1822, p. 56, sp. 1. Puffinus
Baroli, Bonelli; Bp. Consp. Av., 1856, ii. p. 204; (an — P. ‘‘ anglo-
rum, ex Mare Medit. ;’? an sub. P. yeleuano adducenda?) P. 'í mank-
sii," aliq.

Habitat.—North Atlantic Ocean, at large.

This species, though so long known and so common, yet requires very
careful investigation; both because its bibliography is somewhat exten-
sive, and on aecount of its variations in size and color, which are so consider-
able that there has been much confusion concerning it. I will first examine
into its synonymy, and then proceed to characterize the species beyond the
probability of any further difficulty with its specific characters.

The Procellaria puffinus of Liunzus, Gmelin, and Latham, has been various-
ly interpreted by modern authors. Most writers, including Kuhl and others,
consider it as the bird which was afterwards named P. major by Faber.
Temminck makes it equal to the cinereus of Gmelin. Bonaparte and Schlegel
regard it as undoubtedly referring to the present species. An examination of
the diagnoses of Linnzus, or Gmelin, or Latham,—particularly the latter, —
will, I think, make it quite patent that the last is the only tenable view to
take of the name. Such expressions as are found ine. g. Latham’s notice,
as *Pr. eorpore suprà nigro, subtus albo" * * * 15 pollices longa,"
etc., can only be considered as referring to the anglorum ; for they are totally
at variance with the essential characters of the P. major. Moreover, Latham
cites ** P. anglorum, Raii, Syn." as a synonym of the species. Such being the
case, I unhesitatingly accord with Bonaparte and Schlegel in their identifica-
tion of the Linnzan P. puffinus. I am quite at a loss to understand upon
what grounds M. Temminck makes the remark that “ni Linn? ni Latham
n'out connu cet oisean.”

The first recognized classical notice of this species is that given in 1713 by
Mr. Ray, under the name of Proc. anglorum. Brisson calls it Puffinus anglo-
rum; it is indicated by Linnæus, Gmelin, and Latham as Proc. puffinus, with
‘‘anglorum, Ray," as a synonym. Temminck was, I believe, the first binom-
alist who adopted Ray's designation; he calling it in 1820 Procellaria anglo-
rum; in 1840 Puffinus anglorum.

This species is also the Proffinus arcticus, Faber (l. c.), as is evident from
his diagnosis. The reference of Faber's name arcticus to the P. major, as has
been occasionally done, is quite erroneous. I havean indistinct recollection
of having seen this species cited as Procellaria or Puffinus ** manksii," but I
cannot at present call to mind the reference.

A certain ** Puffinus Baroli, Bonelli," is admitted as distinct by Bonaparte
in his Conspectus, p. 204, and also in his Tab. Longip. in the Comptes Ren-
dus. It is said to be somewhat smaller, lighter colored, and with a slenderer
bil. Well acquainted as I am, however, with the variations in just these
features which the anglorum frequently presents, I cannot discover sufficient
grounds upon which to separate P. Baroli even as a distinct variety ; but
rather entirely agree with Dr. Schlegel in considering it as an undoubted
synonym of anylorum, or at least of P. yelcuanus, which is the representative
species in the Mediterranean Sea.

Bonaparte (Consp. ii. p. 203) inquires **quid Proc. puffinus, Kuhl, Mon.
Proc. p. 146, sp. 22, t. xi., f. 10, ex Mediterraneo ?" to which I would reply
unhesitatingly that it is the Puffinus major, Faber. The description is entirely
pertinent, and the figure much more readily recognizable as representing the
head and bill of this species, than are many of the delineations of the work.

1864.]

136 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Description.—Form : —The bill, measured from the frontal feathers, is about
three-fourths as long as the skull, rather more than two-thirds the tarsus. Its
height at the base is just about equal to the width. Its height at the point of
greatest convexity ofthe unguis hardly exceeds that at the middle of the culmen.
The unguis is not very strong, its convexity only moderate. The commissure
atfirst curves gently upwards, then still more gradually downwards for the
whole length of the bill, and then is pretty strongly deflected along the edge
of the unguis. The outline of the lower mandible is about straight to the
unguis, a little concave thence to the tip. The length of the nasal tubes is
a little less than a fourth that of the culmen. The outline of the feathers on
the upper mandible is the segment of a perfect circle. The folded wings just
about reach to the end of the tail. The second primary is nearly as long as
the first, the rest successively more and more rapidly graduated. The tail is
contained about two and a third times in the wing from the carpal joint. Itis
much rounded, the lateral rectrices all regularly graduated ; the exterior just
three-fourths of an inch shorter than the central pair. The tarsus is just as
long as the middle toe without its claw. The external toe and claw is a little
longer than the middle toe and claw. The tip of the inner claw falls short of
the base of the middle one. The claws are all nearly or quite as broad as
high, being much dilated on their inner edges.

Color : — The entire upper parts are of a "deep lustrous black, with a soup-
con of brownish, especially when the feathers are old and worn. On the
front and sides of the head and neck the black has a grayish or plumbeons
cast. This color extends on the sides of the head much below the eyes, in
fact quite to the throat, but it is more or less marbled with white. The
under eyelid is pure white, in marked contrast with the surrounding black.
On the sides of the neck the white extends further round towards the nape ;
on the sides of the breast, on the contrary, the color of the back extends a
considerable distance, it being of a decided greyish plumbeous hue, and gra-
dually becoming more and more marbled with white till it entirely disappears.
The primary quills are black, as are their shafts, their inner webs fading
into dull grayish brown. .The entire under parts, from chin to under tail
coverts, are pure White, with the single exception of a few feathers just on the
flanks, and of the outer webs of the exterior row of under tail coverts, which
are plumbeous black. The under surfaces of the wings and the axillary
feathers are pure white, with a slight marbling of blackish just along the
bend of the wing. The caudal rectrices are like the primary quills; the in- -
ferior surfaces of their shafts grayish white. Bill deep greenish black, some
part of the lower mandible yellowish. Part of outer side of tarsus, whole of
outer side of exterior toe and the claws brownish black; rest of feet light
yellowish, including the webs.

Average dimensions :—Bill along culmen 1.40; height at base .45; width
about the same ; along rictus 2.10; from feathers on side of lower mandible
to its tip 1.40; wing from the carpal joint 9.25; tail: exterior feathers 3.25,
middle 4.00; amount of graduation .75; tarsus 1.80; middie toe and claw
1.90; outer do. 2.00; inner do. 1.55. Total length about 14.00; extent of
wings about 33.00 '

Variations.—As to dimensions, these are quite considerable. As usual
among Puffini, the bill differs a good deal in absolute size, as well as in
robustness, generally preserving its shape, however, quite contantly. The
longest bill before me measured 1.50; the shortest 1.50, along culmen, with
a corresponding difference in other dimensions. The wing from the carpal
joint varies nearly ha!f an inch, and the tail to a corresponding degree. The
totallength of tarsus and toes varies about a third of an inch. In. color the
species is more constant, the chief variation being in the greater intensity or
more decided brownish tint of the black of the upper parts. Younger speci-
mens have more marbling of the plumbeous black and white on the sides of
the breast, the color sometimes reaching nearly o: quite across the breast, or

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 137

even invading the throat. In immature individuals, also, the lateral inferior
caudal tectrices may be more extensively hued with plumbeous black. They
are never, however, so much darkened as is usual in obscurus or opisthomelas.

This species may be always recognized among its congeners by the follow-
ing combination of characters: its peculiar dimensions (see above), joined
to the very dark upper parts, this color descending far on the sides of the
head and breast, leaving a conspicuously white under eyelid; the almost en-
tirely white under tail coverts and the comparative shortness and character-
istic degree of roundness of the tail.

This is so very distinct, and at the same time so well known a species, that
it hardly requires comparison with any other. The features in which the P.
yelcuanus differs from it will be pointed out under the head of the latter.

Purrinus YELcuANvS, Bp. ex Acerb.
Procellaria yelkouan,* Acerbi, ** Bibliot. Ital., 1827, cxl., Agost. p. 294 ;"
et ** Bull. des Sciences Nat., 1829, xvi. p. 463. Schlegel, Monog. Proc.
Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 29. Puffinus yelkouan, Bonaparte, Comptes
Rend. Tab. Longip. , Id. Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 205.

Habitat.—More eastern portions of the Mediterranean Sea; especially in the
Black Sea, and in the vicinity of the Bosphorus.

With this species, admitted by the majority of modern authors, I am ac-
quainted only through descriptions. This is specially to be regretted, since
authors are at variance regarding its characters and aflinities, and are not even
entirely agreed upon its specific validity. Bonaparte considers it to be the
representative of obscurus in the Black Sea and vicinity, and says that it is

:smaller than that species (being only 10 inches in length) and has a slenderer
bill. Dr. Schlegel, on the contrary, considers it as most intimately allied to
anglorum, which it replaces in that locality. As far as I can judge from a
eareful study of published descriptions, I entirely agree with Dr. Schlegel in
opinion. On comparing it with anglorum, Dr. Schlegel has found it to differ
as follows: In the greater elongation of the point of the wing; in the color of
the upper parts being lighter and rather tending to grey than black, as is
also the color of the dark féathers of the crissum ; and in the uniform deep
gray of the lateral under tail coverts, these latter being, in anglorum, blaek
on their outer, and white on their inner webs.

The following detailed measurements are given by the same author, taken
from individuals coming from the Bosphorus, near Constantinople. They are

' to be compared with those of anglorum, already given on a previous page.
Wing (from the carpus), 8:33 to 8:66 inches and hundredths. Tail, 2:40 to
2:60. Bill along culmen, 1:20 to 1:50 ; height, :25 to °33 ; width, *40. Nasal
tubes, 16 to :20. Tarsus, 1:66 to 1:80 ; middle toe, 1:58.

Purrinus oBscuRUS, Vieill. ex Gmel.
Procellaria obscura, Gmel., Syst. Nat., i. pars ii. 1788, p. 559. Lath.,
Ind. Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 828, et auct, antiq. Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. H.
N. 1817, xxv. p. 423. Puffinus obscurus, Bonap., Synop., 1828, p. 371.
Vieillot, Gal. Ois., 1834, ii. p 230, pl. 292. Audub., Bds. Amer.,
1844, vii. p. 216, pl. 458. et al, auct. recent. Nectris obscura, Kuhl,
Beiträge Zool., 1820, p. 147, pl. xi. fig. 11. Cymotomus obscurus, Mac-
gillivray, Man. Orn., 1844, ii. p.13. ** Puffinus lherminieri, Lesson,"
fide Bp. Puffinus floridanus, Muszi Beroliensis,’’ fide Bp.
Habitat.—The warmer portions of the Atlantic Ocean, especially the Gulf of
Mexico, and the coasts of the Southern United States; abundant in the ba-
hamas and Bermudas. Wanders as far north as New Jersey, and is accident-
ally found in Europe. Apparently replaced in the corresponding latitudes of
the Pacific Ocean by my Puffinus opisthomelas.
For so long known a species, the present has remarkably few synonyms,

* I find this barbarous name variously spelled yelkouan, yelkuan, yelkoan, cic. I have seea
fit to modify it insomuch that it may present somewhat of a classical aspect. |

1864.]

158 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

and its bibliography is as explicit as that of almost any of the eighteenth cen-
tury species of the family. First indicated with tolerable accuracy in Linnzean
times, the species has almost invariably been presented under its original and
proper specific title, though referred successively to the genera Puffinus, Nec-
tris, and Cymotomus. The names ‘‘l’herminieri’’ of Lesson, and '* jloridanus’?’
of the Berlin Museum, which I quote upon the authority of Bonaparte, are the
only specific synonyms which I have met with.

There is an unusual and remarkable discrepancy in the statements of vari-
ous authors concerning the length of the species, different writers giving the
dimension from as little as 92 inches to over 13. It is impossible that it
Should vary to this extent. I believethe average length is a little over eleven
inches.

Audubon's description of this species is sufficiently pertinent, but the plate
he gives is unusually poor, and by no means true to nature. The outline of
the bill is exceedingly faulty ; the line of demarcation of the dark and light
colors along the side of the head and neck is by no means accurate, and the
lower tail coverts are represented as entirely white. The exact insertion of
the right tibia of the individual figured has always been to me, anatomically
Speaking, a puzzle.

Dr. Kuhl informs us, iu the text, that figure 11 of plate ix. of his Mono-
graphie der Procellarien was intended as a representation of the bill of this
Species ; which is fortunate, as otherwise it would be quite impossible so to
identify it.

I am much surprised at the statement by Dr. Degland, (Ornithologie Euro-
péene, ii. page 366, published in 1849 !) that ‘‘ cette espèce est peu connue, et
il n'est pas certain qu'elle est distincte de la précédente "— P. anglorum !
This author's indication of the habitat of this species is vague, and leaves
much to be desired.

M. Temminck (Man. Ornith., ii. p. 808) gives, under head of P. obscurus,
an excellent description of this species, except that the dimensions are inaccu-
rate, being far too small.* The exact measurements of both of Temminck’s
typical examples are given by Dr. Schlegel in his recent monograph of the
Procellaride, (Mus. Pays-Bas, p. 30.) This author finds that one of the types
is an example of anglorum, from the Mediterranean Sea, afterwards labelled by
Temminck himselfa P. Baroli, Bonelli ; and that the other is a small, weak-
billed specimen of the true obscurus, from the Atlantie Ocear. These facts,
supported by the authority of one so well known for diagnostic acumen as,
Dr. Schlegel, are indicative of an imperfect acquaintance on the part of Tem-
minck with the species he treats of under the name obscurus.

The species of Puffinus spoken of in a paper published by Dr. D. W . Pren-
tiss and myself in the Annual Smithsonian Report for 1861, (p. 418 ,as hav-
ing occurred at Washington, D. C., and doubtfully referred to as the obscurus,
has since been definitely ascertained to be this species.

Description.—Form : The bil! is rather small.and weak, and considerably
compressed, except just at the base. In length along the culmen it measures
just about two-thirds the skull, and about three-fourths the tarsus. It is
quite stout at the base, where the height very decidedly surpasses the width.
The unguis rises rapidly and a little suddenly above the rest of the culmen,
and is strongly convex inoutline. The commissure, from the insertion of the
feathers to the unguis, as wellas the outline of the lower mandible as far as
the unguis, is almost perfectly straight. The nasal tubes are short, being
much less than a fourth the length of the culmen, but they are elevated and
quite conspicuous, much more so than in anglorum. The wings barely reach,
when folded, to the end of the long tail. The proportionate lengths of the
primaries are the same as in most other species. The tarsus is just as long as
the middle toe without its claw. The outer toe with its claw is just as long
as the middle one with its claw. The top of the inner claw about reaches the

* ** Longueur, ** à peupres 10 pouces."

[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 139

base of the middle. The tail is very long, exceeding that of anglorum, which
is a much larger species. It is also so very much graduated as to be almost
cuneate, the lateral feathers being relatively shorter than in any other spe-
cies. The under tail coverts are very long, fully equalling the central rec-
trices.

Color.—The upper parts are of a hue quite different from that of anglorum,
the black having every where a quite appreciable grayish or plumbeous tinge,
and the borders of the feathers being still notably lighter, especially on the
seapulars and tertials. The color is deepest on the rump and upper tail cov-
erts ; it is much restricted on the sides of the head and neck, not extending
below the level of the eyes, and even there its borders are marbled with
white. On the sides of the breast the dark color extends cohsiderably more
towards the median line, but it is of a very light plumbeous tint, and much
variegated with white. Both eyelids are more or less white, and there is,
moreover, an indication of a white superciliary streak. "Tbe remiges and rec-
trices are colored, as in anglorum. The under parts, from the chin fo the un-
der tail coverts, are white, as are the axillary feathers and inferior alar
tectrices, the white only interfered with over the flanks by leaden black. The
longest posterior under tail coverts are brownish black, as are also one or two
rows of the exterior ones, the rest being white, with or without a plumbeous
tint. Notice that in amount of white on the under tail coverts, obscurus is
just intermediate between anglorum and my new opisthomelas. The bill is
deep leaden blue, darker at the apex ; the legs and feet colored, as in anglo-
rum.

Dimensions.—Length of bill along culmen, 1:25 ; along rictus, 1-70; from
end of nostrils to tip, ‘90; from feathers on side of lower mandible to its apex,
1:20; its depth at base, -40; width, *35; depth at convexity of unguis, ‘25.
Wing, from the carpal joint, 8:00. "Tarsus, 1:60; middle toe and claw, 1:80 ;
outer do., 1:85. Central tail feathers, 4:25 ; exterior feathers nearly an inch
Shorter. Total length from tip of bill to end of tail about 11:00; expanse of
wings about 25°50.

Variatiors.—I find the differences in size to be about the same, relatively to

its dimensions, as in the other smaller Puffini, while, as usual, the general
form and the proportion of parts are pretty constantly preserved. The char-
acteristic hue of the upper parts is always recognizable, but the precise tint
varies with the age of the feathers. The margins of the dorsal feathers are
frequently very conspicuously lighter. The limit of the extent of the dark
‘color on the sides of the head, neck, and breast, hardly differs notably, even
with age, and is a strong specific character. The relative amount of the black
and white on the under tail coverts is also pretty constant, being intermediate
between anglorum and opisthomelas, as before stated. The unusual graduation
of the tail is, I believe, always preserved in mature birds.

The combination in this species of its small size, the tint of the upper parts,
and its characteristic line of demarcation with the white on the sides of the
head, neck, and breast, together with the color of the under tail coverts, and
the length and shape of the tail, renders it readily diagnosticable. As with
anglorum, I have taken it as the standard in treating of the other closely
allied; and the peculiar points wherein each differs from it will be found de-
tailed under their respective headings.

PUFFINUS OPISTHOMELAS Coues, nov. sp.

Diag.—P. Puffino obscuro nee perdissimilis ; sed major, rostro longiore,
robustiore, alis pedibusque longioribus, caudà breviore, minus rotundata;
et tectricibus caude inferioribus feré omnino fuliginoso-nigris.

Habitat.—South Pacific coast of North America.

Description.— Form: The bill is rather long, about four-fifths the tarsus,
stout, moderately compressed, a very little higher than broad at the base, the
unguis large and strong, its convexity great, and rising much above the level
of the rest of the culmen, the depth of the bill at the point of the greatest

1864.]

140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

convexity of the unguis being much more than in its middle. The outline of
the inferior mandibular rami is about straight as far as the unguis; the line
of the commissure is considerably curved. The nasal tubes are large and
prominent, aud rather long for this group, being more than a fourth of the
culmen ; and the nasal apertures are much elongated, being very elliptical
rather than circular. The frontal feathers extend forwards to a point on the
median line instead of being the segment of a perfect circle, as in anglorum
and obscurus. The folded wings reach beyond the tail. The tail is compara-
tively and absolutely much shorter than in obscurus and very decidedly less
rounded, the difference between the middle and exterior rectrices being only
about half an inch. The feet are as much longer than those of obscurus as
is proportional to the greater size of the bird; the tarsus is as long as the
middle toe and half its claw. The outer toe and claw equals the middle ;
the tip of the inner claw falls short of the base of the middle one. |

Color.—The nasal tubes and culmen are blackish, the sides of the bill yel-
lowish or reddish brown, the unguis mostly light bluish white. ‘‘ The iris is
dark brown," (collector's label.) The internal aspect, and part of the outer
side of the tarsus, the middle and inner toes and the webs arelight yellowish
flesh color. 'lhe rest of the tarsus, the outer toe and the very margins of the
webs are brownish black. The claws are brown. The entire upper parts, the
wings and tail are of exactly the same shade of sooty black as obtains in ob-
scurus, but with the following notable difference in the line of demarcation of
the white on the sides of the head, neck and breast: the dark color is much
more extensive, reaching as far below the eyes as it does in anglorum, and
there is no definite union of the two colors; but as the dark takes on more and
more of a lighter plumbeous hue, it insensibly becomes more and more nebu-
lated with white. There is no white on either eyelid, nor any indication of a
white superciliary line. The under wing coverts are white, as in obscurus ; the
bend of the wing rather more decidedly mottled with the color of the back. The
axillary feathers are more or less blackish towards their ends instead of being
pure white. The flanks are more extensively and decidedly fuliginous black
than in obscurus. It is in the color of the under tail coverts, however, that the
difference from obscurus is most apparent. These feathers are entirely of a
deep fuliginous black, except a few of the shortest ones just posterior to the
fundament, which are whitish.

Dimensions.—Bil along culmen 1°40, along commissure 2:00, from end of
nasal tubes to tip 1:05, from feathers on side of lower mandible to its tip 1°40 ;
height at base '42, width a little less; height at convexity of unguis ‘32.
Wing from the carpus about 9:00. Tarsus 1:80; middle toe and claw 2-10.
Tail 3°75 ; outer feathers *60 shorter; (in obscurus tail 4°25; outer feathers
nearly 1:00 shorter.)

Variations. — With but two specimens before me, I cannot speak so fully on
this point as I could wish ; but the variations are doubtless quite parallel in
all respects with those of anglorum or obscurus. The above measurements in-
dicate the average of the two specimens. They are precisely similar in
colors.

Comparison with allied species.—This new species differs from obscurus as
follows, briefly: In its larger size, as will be palpable from the measurements
given of the bill, wings and feet.* In its both relatively and absolutely
shorter tail, which is also much less rounded. In the different outline of the
frontal feathers on the bill In the different coloration, insomuch that there
is no white about the eye; that the dark color extends much further on the
sides of the head and neck ; and that the under tail coverts are almost en-
tirely fuliginous black, instead of being for the most part white.

It is distinguishable at a glance from anglorum by its greatly inferior size, —

* The collectors label gives, “Total length 15 inches; expanse of wing 925" but these cannot
be implicitly relied on. i
[ April,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 141

vide measurements ; by the very different color of the upper parts ; and by
the fuliginous black instead of white under tail coverts.

The Puffinus yelcuanus is lighter colored above than is anglorum, and there-
fore this species approaches it in this respect. But ye/cuanus is much larger
than the present species, and has white under tail coverts like anglorum ; so
that it is impossible to confound it with opisthomelas.

Still more different is this species from the P. nugax, Solander, from the
Australian seas. This latter is a very diminutive species, much smaller even
than obscurus, the wing being only about 62 inches from the carpus. It also
has the white of the throat extending far up on the sides of the head and
neck, and white under tail coverts ; characters diametrically opposed to those
which obtain in the present species.

Iam acquainted with no other species to which the present bears any sort
of resemblance. I trust that I have so fully and correctly indicated its cha-
racters and relationships, that its introduction, even into this peculiarly in-
tricate group, will be the cause of no confusion or uncertainty regarding it.

Two fine examples are contained in the Smithsonian Museum, both col-
lected by Mr. John Xantus at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. (Smiths.
Catalogue, Nos. 16,990, 16,991.)

PUFFINUS NUGAX (Solander. )
Procellaria nugax, Solander, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863,
p. 31. Puffinus nugax, Bonaparte, Consp. Av., ii. 1856, p. 205.
Puffinus assimilis, Gould, P. Z. S., 1837, v. p. 156. Id. Ann. et Mag. N.
H. xvi, Id. Birds Aust., vii. pl. 56.
** Procellaria australis, Eyton,” (Bp.)

Habitat. — Australian seas.

A fine suite of this well marked species is in the collection of the Philadel-
phia Academy. Its relationships are closest with P. obscurus, but the dif-
ferences are sufficiently obvious on comparison. It is the very smallest
known species of Puffinus, being appreciably less than the obscurus. It is
hardly 10:50 inches in length ; the wings from the carpus only about 63; th
tailaverages 2:75; the bill about one inch; the tarsus li; the middle toe
about the same. The color of the upper parts is about the same as in P. ob-
scurus, or a very little lighter; the feathers generally with appreciably darker
tips. A striking diagnostic feature is found in the extent to which the white
of the under parts mounts up on the sides of the head and neck, which is
greater than in any other species. The inferior caudal tectrices are usually
entirely pure white. The under surfaces of the wings are pure white, and
the inferior aspect of the inner webs of the primaries are dull whitish, being
much lighter than are these parts in obscurus. The bill is dusky horn color.
The tarsi are greeenish yellow ; the webs bright chrome yellow.

The preceding paragraph shows the points in which the species differs
from obscurus. Ft is too distinct from anglorum or yelcuanus to require com-
parison. It cannot be confounded with my P. opisthomelas, since the latter
is nearly as much larger than obscurus as nugaz is smaller ; has the colora-
tion of the sides of the head and neck very different, (compare descriptions ;)
has black instead of white under tail coverts, etc.

Ihave not an opportunity of examining the original description of nugar
by Solander, but allauthors agree that it is the species subsequently named
assimilis by Gould. Ido not know where the species is called australis by
Eyton, but quote the name on the authority of Bonaparte.

Analytical Synopsis of the Genera and Species of Purrinex.
Family PROCELLARID.E.
Subfamily PROCELLARIN A.
Section PUFFINER.

Char.—-Tail of twelve much graduated feathers. Bill long, compressed,

1864.]

113 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

much hooked, the outline of the unguis of the lower mandible concave, de-
curved. Nasal tubes short, broad, flattened, apically usually very obliquely
truncated ; in length usually a fourth of culmen; the internasal septum
broad. In color either entirely fuliginous, or cinereous, ór brown above and
white beneath; never glaucous or bluish, or with parti- colored. primaries. ,
** Shearwaters. 3?

I. MAJAQUEUS Reich.

The very short tail only a fifth of the total length. Bill unusually stout
for this section ; nasal tubes approaching in character those of Fulmareæ.
Very large ; fuliginous, with peculiar facial markings.

1. M. æouixnocriauis Reich.
Pr. equin. L. Priofinus pud, Homb. et Jacq. Pr. nigra, Forst. Puff.
capitis bonc-spei, Briss.

Tarsus 2} inches; ungues of bill yellow; a submental white spot.

2. M. coxsPICcILLATUS Bp.
Proc. conspicillatus, Gould. Pr. larvata, Less.
Larger: bill more robust; its unguis bluish black; tarsus 21; usually a
white submental spot; a lateral stripe on sides of head, and a transverse one
across the vertex before the eyes.

II. ADAMASTOR Bp.

Bill and nasal tubes identical with those of Majaqueus. "Tarsus much less
than middle toe without claw. Tail very short, much graduated. Bi-color;
above cinereous, below white.

3. A. CINEREUS Coues. 3
Proc. cinerea, Gm. (non Cuv., Kuhl., Temm., Schleg., Degl., Schinz.,
Keys. et Blas. que Puff. Kuhlii, Boie ; nec Aud., Mitt. que Puff. major,
Fab.) Puff. cinereus, Lawrence, 1858. Adamastor cinereus, Coues,
1864. Proc. hesitata, Forst., Gould, Reich. (non Kuhl, Temm., New-
ton, gue Astrelata diabolica) = Puffinus hesitata, Lawr., 1853. Puff.
Kuli, Cass. [1862] nec Boie. Proc. adamastor, Schleg. Adam. typus,

Bp.

Bill yellow, nasal tubes, culmen and sulcus on lower mandible black ; above
with under surface of wings and tail cinereous ; below white; 19 inches long ;
bill 1:80, wing 13-00, tail 5:75, tarsus 2:40, middle toe and claw 2°90.

4. A. cELIDUS Coues.
Proc. gelida, Gm., Lath., Vieill. Proc. flavirostris, Gould. Adamastor
flavir, Bp.

Above brown, with paler edges to the feathers; wings and tail deep black-
ish brown; below, including the under surfaces of wing and tail, white, the
feathers of the former with a brown longitudinal streak; bill Apa its tip
dark; 19 inches long, wing 15, tail 6:50, middle toe and claw 8 15.

9. A. SERICEUS Bp.
Puff. sericeus, Lesson.

Bill black ; above grayish ash, deeper on the wing coverts; below white;
15 inches long , wing 11:50, tail 5, tarsus 1:75, middle toe 1:23.

Ill. THIELLUS Gloger.

Generally like Nectris, but tail unusually long and cuneiform, being nearly
or quite half as long as the wing from the carpus.
6. T. spHENURUS Bp.

Bill flesh color, tinged with brown, darker on culmen and unguis. Length
15 to 16 inches, wings about 11, bill 1-60.
7. T. cHLoRoRHYNCHUS Bp.

Bill greenish orange, black on culmen and at tip. Bill 1-85; stouter than
in sphenurus, a little larger than that species, but the wing usually shorter,

(4 inch or more.) [April

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPIIIA. 143

f- IV. NECTRIS Bp. (emend. Forst.)

Size moderate ; unicolor, fuliginous ; feet pale; bill long, slender, much
hooked ; nasal tubes short, flat, very obliquely truncated ; tail long, rounded ;
tarsus about equal to middle toe without claw, (vix nisi colore fuliginoso
genere Pujjino differre videtur!)

8. N. runirGiNOsUS Keys. et Blas.
Puff. fuliginosus, Strickl. et auct. (sed non Proc. fuliginosus, Gm., Lath.,
Vieill., que species ** Thalassio ;? nec Banks, [tab. 19;] nee Kuhl,
[sp. 12] qua Pterodroma atlantica, Gould.) Puffinus major toem !
Temm. Puff. cinereus fem! Gould.
Bill concolor with plumage; feet brownish black, internal face of tarsus and
the webs dusky yellowish. Length 18 inches, wing 12, bill 2:00. North
Atlantic.

9. N. AMAUROSOMA Coues, nov. sp.

Bill concolor with plumage; feet fleshy white, outer side of tarsus and
outer toe tinged with dusky. inferior wing coverts mostly white; wing 11
inches, tail 4:25, bill 1:70. Pacific coast of N. Amer.

10. N. carneres Bp.
Puff. carneipes, Gould. Proc. carneipes, Schlegel. Majaqueus carneipes,
"Reich. “ Puff. cinereus, juv. Smith." ** Nectris gama, Bp.”

Bill fleshy white, culmen and tips dusky; legs, feet and membranes yel-
lowish flesh color. Length 15 inches ; length of bill, feet, wings, tail, much
the same as fuliginosus. Australian seas.

ll. N. rznvirostris Bp.
Proc. tenuirostris, Temm. Puff. tenuirostris, Temm. et Schleg. "P.
curilicus, P. tristis, Muse#orum.’’

Very small; billexcessively weak and slender; wing 10 inches, tail 3:50,
bill 1:20, tarsus 1:90. Bill dusky greenish yellow ; feet yellowish ; posterior
edge of tarsus and under surface of webs blackish. White under wings as
in amaurosoma. Japan.

12. N. previcaupus Bp.
Puff. brevicaudus, Brandt. Majaqueus brevicaudus, Reich.

** Blackish fuliginous, lighter beneath; bill black, yellowish at base; feet
cinereous, webs yellow." (Bp.) ^ Australian seas." Gould, [species mihi
ignota. |

V. PUFFINUS Briss.

Moderate and small in size, bicolor, above brown or cinereus, below white.
Wings very long and pointed; tail long, rounded. Feet very large; tarsus
shorter than middle toe and claw; bill long, rather slender, compressed,
hooked; nasal tubes short, flat, obliquely truncated; nasal septum broad, nos-
trils oval.

13. P. Kvar Boie.

Proc. puffinus, Temm., Vieill. [1828] ; et al, auct. Europ. ; sed non Linn.,
que P. anglorum, Ray. Proc. sive Puff. cinereus, Cuv., Temm., Kuhl.,
Schleg., Degl. et al. auct. Europ. feré omnium; sed non Gm., Lath.,
Vieill., Lawr. qua Adamastor cinereus, Mihi; nec Aububon et auct.
Amer. que P. major, Fab.

Bill yellow, its nasal tubes more elevated, compressed and vertically trun-
cated thay usual in this genus. Above light brownish ash or cinereous, each
feather with a lighter margin, nebulated and undulated with pure white on sides
of head and neck; posterior upper tail coverts and whole under parts, includ-
ing under surfaces of wings and all the under tail coverts, pure white. Tail
almost cuneiform; feet weak and slender, yellowish; outer toe and claw
longer than middle do. North Atlantic Ocean only.

1864.]

141 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

14. P. LEUCOMELAS Bp.
Proc. leucomelas, Temm.

Smaller than P. KuAlii; weaker bill. Feathers of the upper parts and
sides of head and neck grayish white, each with a longitudinal shaft line of
brown.

15. P. cnEATOPUS Cooper, n. sp. [in epistolis.] /

With the general aspect of P. major. Bill short, usually swollen and stout
at the base, nasal tubes elevated, turgid, short. Bill yellowish flesh color.
Nasal tubes, culmen and tip blackish. Feet light flesh color! Upper parts
generally as in P. major, but no white on upper tail coverts ; no white at
bases of primaries; thecolor of sides of head extending round on the throat,
with no dividing line; and the under tail coverts entirely fuliginous black.
Bill along culmen 1:60 ; height at base -60.

16. P. mazor Fab.

Proc. puffinus, Kuhl, et auct. al. aliq. Europ. (sed non Linn., Gm., Lath.
que P.anglorum, Ray; nec Temm. que Kuhlii, Boie.) Puff. sive
Proc. major, Auct. Ardenna major, Reich. Puff. cinereus, Bp. [1828.]
Audub., Nutt. non Gm.

Above smokey brown, the feathers with lighter edges. Posterior upper tail
eoverts mostly white. A definite line of demareation between the brown and
white on the sides of the head and neck. Length 18 to 20 inches ; bill 2,
wing 13, tarsus 2°40.

17. P. anctorum Temm.

Proc. anglorum, Ray. Puff. anglorum, auct. Proc. puffinus, L., Gm.
Lath., Brünn. sed non al. auct. que P. major. Nectris pufinus, Keys.
et Blas. P. arcticus, Fab. P. Baroli, Bonelli.

Tarsus equal to middle toe without claw. Bill about two-thirds the tarsus,
along culmen 1°40-inches ; wing 9-25. Above very deep lustrous brownish
black,—darker than in any other species.

18. P. yELcuanus Bp.

Proc. yelkuan, Acerbi.

From the Mediterranean Sea. Like P.anglorum, but lighter colored above,
the point of the wing more elongated, and lateralunder tail coverts uniformly
deep grey.

19. P. osscurus Vieill.

Proc, obscurus, Gm. Proc. sive Puff. obscurus, auct. Nectris obscurus,
Kuhl. Cymostomus obscurus, Macgill. Puff. lherminieri, Less. P.
floridanus, Mus. Berol.

Bill three-fourths as long as the tarsus. Tail very long, much graduated.
Above grayish, or plumbeous black, not extending on the sides of the head
below the eyes. Axillary feathers white. Longest posterior under tail co-
verts brownish black, rest white. Bill 1:25, wing 8, tail 4:25, exterior rec-
trices an inch shorter. Tarsus 1:60; middle toe and claw 1-80—inches and
hundredths.

20. P. OPISTHOMELAS Coues, nov. sp.

From Cape 8t. Lucas. Generally like P. obscurus, but larger, with a longer
bill and wings, a shorter, less graduated tail; almost all the under tail co-
verts and axillary feathers faliginous black, and a different line of demarea-
tion between the color of the upper and under parts on the sides of the head
and neck. Bill 1:40, wing 9, tarsus 1:80, middle toe and claw 2:10, tail 3-75,
outer rectrices only *60 hundredths of an inch shorter.

21. P. NvcAx Bp.

Proc. nugaz, Solander. Puff, assimilis, Gould. ** Proc. australis, Eyton.”

From the Australian seas. Smallest of all; wing only 6} inches, tail 22,
bill one inch, tarsus 14}. The white of the under parts mounts high up on
the sides of the head. Under tail coverts entirely white. Under surfaces of
inner webs of primaries dull whitish.

, [April,

“2

[

A Iulio OE OBL Ss PRSE Id i di

GUA MO Eve Lur FZ ganlo

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 25

Well known as a bird of Chili and other countries of Western South America.
In this species the under wing coverts are white, and the fine scarlet of the
throat and breast extends over the abdomen.

Numerous specimens in the Academy Museum, and in Museum Smithsonian :
Institution.

7. STURNELLA Loyca, (Molina.)
Sturnus loyca, Mol., Dizz. Stor. Nat. Chili, (1782,) 2d ed. p. 212, (1810.)
Sturnella bellicosa, De Filippi.
Pezites brevirostris, Cab., Mus. Hein., p. 191, (1850.)
Leistes albipes, Philip. et Landb. Trosch. Archiv., 1863, p. 128?

This is apparently a smaller bird than the preceding, with a shorter and
thicker bill, and the scarlet of the under parts is restricted to the throat, neck
and breast, not extending on the abdomen as in the preceding. One fine ap-
parently adult specimen now before me has the fibiz clear white on their inner
surfaces, mottled with black on their outer, in which plumage it seems to be
Leistes albipes, Philip. et Landb., as above cited. The under wing coverts are
white, as in the preceding.

The synonymy of this species I find to be difficult, but it is not improbable
that it was first described by Dr. Cabanis as above cited, authors to the con-
trary notwithstanding. Specimens in Mus. Acad.

8. SruRNELLA De Finippi, (Bonaparte.)
Trupialis defilippii, Bonap. Consp. Av. i. p. 429 (1850.)
Easily distinguished from either of the two preceding by its black under wing
coverts. Specimens from Brazil in Museum Academy.

3. Amblyramphus.
(Genus Amblyramphus, Leach, Zool. Misc. p. 81, 1815.)

9. STURNELLA HOLOSERICEA, (Scopoli.)
Xanthornus holosericeus, Scop. Flor. et Faun. Insub. p. 88, (1786.)
Oriolus ruber, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 388, (1788.)
Amblyramphus bicolor, Leach, Zool. Misc. i. p. 82, (1815.)
Sturnus pyrrhocephalus, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 18, (1823.)
Sturnella rubra, Vieill. Ency. Meth. ii. p. 635, (1823.)
Leistes erythrocephalus, Swains. Cab. Cy. Birds, ii. p. 275, (1837.)

Leach. Zool. Misc., i. pl. 36.

Numerous specimens of this apparently common epecies are in the Academy
Museum from Brazil. Easily recognized when adult, by its brilliant scarlet
head, and tibiæ and black body. The young is nearly uniform dull black, the
scarlet generally first appearing on the throat and forehead.

This species ends the subfamily Agelaiinae, but I am not quite confident
that the genera or subgenera Creadion, Vieillot, and Amblycercus, Cabanis, do
not belong here. Such may be the case also with Hypopyrrhus, Bonaparte.
At present, however, my impression is, that all of these have greater affinities
in other groups of the family Jcteride.

A Critical Review of the Family PROCELLARIIDZ :—Part III; embracing
the FULMAREZE.

BY ELLIOTT COUES, A. M., M. D.
[Continued directly from page 144 of these Proceedings for 1864.*]

g

The Fulmaree, as I would define them, form a group of the Procellarinæ
represented as far as is now known by only three genera. These are Fulma-
rus, Thalassoica and Ossifraga ; all closely allied in general form and propor-

* The writer's protracted residence in Arizona, where books and specimens were alike unat-
tainable, has unavoidably delayed until now the continuation of the series of papers begun in
1864. Efforts will now be made to finish the subject.

1866.

26 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

tions, though presenting considerable diversity in coloration. The genus
Adamastor which has been placed among the Fulmars by Bonaparte, seems,
as I have attempted to show in a previous paper,* to fall mo:t naturally among
the Puffinee ; being not widely separable from Majaqueus, which Bonaparte him-
seif (Consp. Av. ii. p. 200) places among the Shearwaters. The position of the
somewhat anomalous genus Daption is a little uncertain ; possessing, as it
does, some of the characteristics ofthe present group. I am of opinion, however,
that it is most naturally to be included with the Æstrelateæ, under which
section I shall hereafter consider it.

The section Fulmaree then, as thus constituted, is composed of large or
moderate sized species, having a form very stout, compact, and robust, and
being nearly always very light colored. It is apparently the section of Petrels
most closely allied to the Laride, and forming the connecting link between
the two families. Particularly in the genus Thalassoica is the Laridine
aspect very marked.

The bill is always large and robust. The unguis of the upper mandible
is strong, very convex in profile, and much hooked at the extremity. That ofthe
lower mandible is never much attenuated nor decurved, with the outline of
the gonys decidedly concave; but is short, stout, obtuse, with a straight as-
cending gonys. The nasaltubes are prominent, wide, long. vertieally trun-
cated, usually emarginated at their end ; the nasal septum very thin and deli-
cate. The wings are of moderate length, reaching when folded about to the end
of the tail; the primaries are very broad. The tail is short; more or less
rounded ; of 14 to 16 feathers, all of which are broad and subtruncated at their
extremities. The feet are comparatively small and weak. The tarsus is
slender, compressed, reticulated, shorter than the middle toe. The outer toe
is as long or longer than the middle one. The tip of the inner claw about
reaches to the base of the middle.

Of the three genera which I regard as the components of this section, Ossi-
Jraga has 16 rectrices, while Fulmarus and Thalassoica have but 14. Of Ful-
marus we at present know three species ; of Thalassoica, two; while Ossifraga
has but a single representative. The section is cosmopolitan.

FULMARUS Leach.

Procellaria sp., Auctorum ; nec Linn.
Fulmarus, Leach, Stephen's Gen. Zool. 1825, xiii. p. 233. Type Proc. glacialis L.
Rhantistes, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, p. 37. Same type.

Gen. Char. Bill about two-thirds as long as the head, three-fourths as long
as the tarsus; short, very stout, exceedingly robust at the base, where it is
higher than broad; the lateral lamine of the upper mandible especially large,
and swollen; the unguis short, very stout, convex in outline, commencing to
rise almost from the nostrils; commissure greatly curved; the outline of
inferior mandibular rami a little concave; the gonys ascending; the sulci of
both mandibles deep and distinct; the nasal tubes long, nearly half the cul-
men, prominent, inflated, their dorsal outline about straight, their apex emar-
ginate, vertically truncated; the nasal septum very thin. Wings of moderate
length ; reaching when folded about to end of tail; the primaries very broad
at their bases, somewhat rapidly tapering to their rounded tips. Second pri-
mary nearly as long as the first. Tail of 14 rectrices, all broad, subtruncated ;
the lateral ones somewhat graduated. Feet rather small and weak; the
tibiz exposed for a short distance ; the tarsi slender, moderately compressed,
about three fourths as long as the middle toe and claw. Outer toe and claw
about equal to middle toe and claw; the toe alone longer than the middle
without its claw. Inner toe very short, the tip of its claw barely reaching to
the base of the middle claw. Hallux short, only observable as a stout obtuse
subconical claw.

* Vide Pr A.N.S Ph. fr April, 1864, p. 117.
[ March,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA 2T

Large in size, and very robust in form. Colors white and light pearl blue,
with darker primaries.

As above defined, the genus Fulmarus is restricted to its type glacialis,
and the two other closely allied species pacificus and Jcodgersii.

As is the case with all the genera of the family, the name Procellaria has
been applied to the present genus. As I have already indicated, * I consider P.
pelagica and its congeners as typical of the genus Procellaria. Fulmarus appears
to be the first distinctive appellation of the present group; having priority
over Rhantistes of Kaup.

The type of this genus is subject to variations in size, etc., remarkable even
in this variable family. In consequence, several races or varieties have been
described and named ; which I think are properly to be included under gluci-
alis. I recognize as valid the three following species.

FULMARUS GLACIALIS (Linn.) Steph.

Procellaria glacialis, Linn., S. N. 1766, p. 213; et auct. nec Pall., nec Forst.

Fulmarus glacialis, Stephens, Gen. Zool. 1826, xiii. p. 234, pl. 27. Bona-
parte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 187; et al. auct. recent.

Fulmarus glacialis, var. Audubonii, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. 1856, ii. p. 187.

Fulmarus glacialis var. minor, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. 1856, ii. p. 187.

** Procellaria minor, Kjærb,” fide Bp.

** Procellaria hyemalis,’’ Brehm.

Habitat. North Atlantic Ocean.

This species has served as the basis of so many nominal species, caused by
its great variations, that, although no description of it is needed, it may be
well to notice the differences to be found whenever large series are compared.

Examination of numerous specimens convinces me that the differences in
color are those of age and season chiefly if not wholly ; since the species passes
very gradually from the uniform dull greyish brown of youth to the pure white
and pearly blue of the adult condition. There do not seem to be any very
well defined stages during this transition. Birds of the year, before the autum-
nal moult, are entirely fuliginous gray, lighter beneath, with darker margins to
the feathers of the back and wing coverts. The tail is about concolor with
the rest of the plumage. There is an angular anteocular black spot. The bill
and feet are of a dull yellowish or ashy brown. After the moult, the pearly
blue of the back extends upon the nape and head; (just as it does in Rissa
tridactyla ;) and the upper tail coverts, and the rectrices are of the same color.
The primaries are colored the same as in the mature bird. Spring and summer
adults have the pearl blue restricted tu the back and wing coverts ; other parts
of the body being pure white. The distribution of colors is then just as in
Larus canus, argentatus, etc. The dark anteocular spot however seems perma-
nent. The bill is wholly yellow ; the feet yellow with a bluish tint.

The variations in size are carefully to be noted; since, taken in connection
with a varying length and robustness of bill, they have given rise to nominal
species. ‘The average length appears to be about 16:5 inches; there is how-
ever a margin of one or even two inches both above and below this standard
to be allowed. The wing measures from the carpal joint to the tip of the
longest primary, from rather less than 11 to 12:5 inches. The average length
of the bill (chord of the culmen) is 1:5; but it may be 1:33 or 1:66, with a
corresponding difference in robustness. Young birds are always weak-billed.
The tail ranges from about 4 to about 5 inches. The average of the tarsus is
about 2 inches: of the middle toe without its claw, 2°25; both varying to
the extent of a fourth of an inch or rather more. The feet however asa general
rule differ less in dimensions than other parts.

The synonomy of this species is very brief and uninvolved; the points re-

* Proc. A. N. 8. Philad'a. March, 1864, p. 79.

1866.]

38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

quiring considerations being hardly more than those relating to the varieties
or supposed species which have been separated from it.

Ihave before me a rather small and weak-billed specimen from Greenland,
which appears to be an example of what was called P. minor by Kjerb, or P.
glacialis var. minor by Bonaparte. It has no claim that I can discover to be
considered as even a variety; as the difference in size from the ordinary
standard is by no means uusual. In the var. Audubonii of Bonaparte—based
upon the bird used for the figures in Audubon's works—there is exhibited a by
no means unusual variation in size, or in strength of bill.

While I would thus consider the Atlantie Fulmars as representing but a
single species, nothing that I have found in an extensive series tends to invali-
date the claims of F. pacificus to specific distinction.

Formarvs paciricus (Aud.) Lawr.

Procellaria glacialis, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-As. ii., 1811, p 312.. Sed non Linn.
nec auct.

Procellaria pacifica, Audubon, Orn. Biog. v. p. 331. Id Bds. N. Amer. vii.
1844, p. 208.

Procellaria (Fulmarus) pacifica, Lawrence in Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 826.

Fulmarus glacialis var. pacificus, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 187.

? Procellaria glacialis ( juniores), Kuhl, Beit. Zool., 1823, p. 141.

This species, though very closely allied to glacialis, and requiring a rather
careful comparison to distinguish it, yet appears to differ by constant char-
acters. It is nearly or quite as large as that species; but the feet are, per-
haps, a little shorter and weaker. There seems to be a constant difference in
the shape of the bill; which, though not inuch shorter, is considerably
weaker, more compressed, and more attenuated and decurved at the tip. The
inferior mandibular rami divaricate at a more acute angle. But I have not
been able, in examining quite a large series, among which is one of Audu-
bon's types, to find any distinctive characters in the nasal tubes ; the dorsal
outline of which does not appear to be straighter than that of the Atlantic
bird. In fact, one example of pacificus has a more concave tube than one of
glacialis, now before me; nor can I discover that the carination of the tubes
is more marked in one species than in the other. One example of pacificus
shows no trace of any carination.

Some features of coloration are, perhaps, most distinctive of this species.
The upper parts are much darker in pacificus than in glacialis ; inclining to a
bluish cinereous rather than a pearly blue. The rump and upper tail
coverts, in lieu of being nearly pure white, are concolor with the middle of
the back, or even darker than it. The bend of the wing, and the secondaries
and tertials are somewhat deeper-colored than those of glacialis. The bill is
bright yellow, lightest on the unguis: the root of which latter is bluish
horn-colored. The feet are bright yellow, only slightly obscured on the
outer aspect of the tarsus, and on the outer toe. The anteocular spot is
smaller and more indistinctly marked than in g/acialis.

Young birds have the yellow of the bill obscured by brownish or greenish,
the unguis especially being quite dark, as are also the feet and toes. The
entire plumage is fuliginous grayish brown; deepest on the side of the head ;
lighter on the under parts of the body, where there is considerable of a smoky
cinereous tint. Most of the feathers of the upper parts have cinereous or
pearly tips. Some of the tertials are more or less distinctly tipped with
grayish white. The remiges and rectrices are brownish black; the former
lightest, inclining towards their tips to grayish. The primary shafts are
light brown, deepening in color at their apices. The under surfaces of the
primaries are cinereous gray.

I thus detail the differences I have been able to find between the two sup-
posed species, considering them as sufficient to establish a species; though

[ March,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 29

with equal reason they might be held as indicative of the extreme of varia-
tion of a single changeable type, and thus forming only a local race or geo-
graphical variety.

The Procellaria glacialis of Pallas in all probabilty refers to this species
rather than to the true glacialis of Linnzus. I also think that the '* Procel-
laria glacialis, juniores ex Americà Septentrionali allat:e, colore cinerascenti-
fuliginoso tincte ’’ of Kuhl's ‘‘ Beitrage,” p. 141, belongs here rather than to
the Thalassoica glacialoides to which Dr. Schlegel has referred it.

FvnMARUS Roncrmsi Cassin.

Fulmarus Rodgersii, Cassin, Cat. Birds North Pacif. U. S. Expl. Exped., in Pr.
A. N. S. Ph. 1862, p. 290.

Habitat.—North Pacific Ocean.

I have before me Mr. Cassin’s original and type specimen. With exactly
the size and very nearly the form of F. glacialis, it differs from the latter
very decidedly in color, as will be seen by the following comparative de-
scription;

The bill is bright yellow, except the base of the unguis of the upper man-
dible, which is bluish black. The middle of the back, the scapular feathers
and some of the lesser wing coverts are a rather dark grayish ash, approach-
ing the hue that is most distinctive of pacificus. The rump and upper tail
coverts are pure white. The rectrices are fuliginous grayish ash; their inner
webs and their extreme apices whitish, their shafts wholly yellowish. The
whole of the tertials and the greater wing coverts are pure white; the lesser
wing coverts and edge of the wing of the same color, but marbled with the
ashy hue of the back. The secondaries are white with yellow shafts; the
terminal half of their outer webs grayish brown. The primaries are dull
brownish black, their entire shafts yellow, their inner webs to within an
inch of their tips white. These markings of the primaries are much like
those of Thalassoica glacialoides. All the rest of the body is white. The
legs and feet are bright yellow ; the outer aspect of the tarsus, aud the outer
toe somewhat obscured by dusky. The nails are ochraceous brown.

Bill along chord of culmen 1:50 inches and hundredths; from feathers on side
oflower mandible to its apex 1-40 ; nasal tubes *60 ; height of bill at base *80 ;
width about the same; wing from the carpus 12:25; tail 5:50; exterior
rectrices *75 shorter; tarsus 2°00; middle toe and claw 2:60 ; inner do. 2:20.

Some differences in the shape of the bill of this species are readily recog-
nizable. It is even stouter than that of glacialis, being at the base fully as
wide as high; and the lateral lamine of the upper mandible is bulging and
convex rather than straight. The nasal tubes are larger, broader, more
depressed, with no traces of median longitudinal carination. Independently
of these discrepancies, it is to be distinguished from glacialis by the restric-
tion in extent and deep hue of the color of the back; by the white tertials
and coverts, dark rectrices, yellow primary shafts, amount of white on inner
webs of primaries, etc.

But a single specimen is known to exist in any collection. No. 21304 of
the Smithsonian Register. From the North Pacific, the precise locality not
known.

THALASSOICA Reich.
Procellaria sp. auctorum.
Thalassoica, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. Type P. glacialoides, Smith.
Priocella, Homb. et Jacq. Same type; fide G. R. Gray.

Gen. char. Bill slightly shorter than the head, or tarsus, about three-
fifths the middle toe and claw; higher than broad at the base, compressed,
not very robust, its sides regularly tapering to the rather thin tip. Unguis
attenuated and only moderately hooked ; commissure a little curved, outline
of inferior mandibular rami, and of gonys, both slightly concave. Nasal

1866.]

30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

tubes two-fifths as long as the culmen, basally wide and depressed, termin-
ally high and compressed. Feet rather small; tarsus much compressed, as
long as the inner toe without the claw ; about three-fifths the middle toe.
Wings and tail as in Fulmarus.

This genus differs from Fulmarus in little except the bill; in which, how-
ever, the distinction is well marked. The bill has, notwithstanding the
presence of the nasal tubes, an aspect which is Laridine to a degree not
found in any other genus of the family ; and the pattern of coloration in the
type of the genus is almost precisely that of a Larus.

Two species are known to compose the genus. Intimately allied in form,
their colors are more widely diverse than is usually found to be the case in
congeners of this family.

THALASSOICA GLACIALOIDES (Smith) Reich.

Procellaria glacialis, Forster, Descr. Anim. ed. Licht. 1844, p. 25, No. 21.
Nec Linn., nec auct. al.

Procellaria glacialis, Var. B., Gm. S. N. i. 1788, p. 563. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii.
1760, p. 823.

Procellaria glacialoides, Smith, Illust. S. Afric. Bds. t. 51.

Thalassoica glacialoides, Reich. Syst. Av. Bonaparte Consp. Av. 1856, ii.
p. 192.

Thalassoica glacialoides var. polaris, Bp. Consp. Av. 1856, ii., p. 192.

Thalassoica glacialoides var. tenuirostris. Bonaparte, Consp. Av. 1856, ii.
p. 192.

Procellaria tenuirostris, Audubon, Orn. Biog., 1839, v., p. 333. Id. Birds
North Amer. vii. 1844, p. 210, (fig. nulla.) Lawrence, in Baird's
B. N. A., 1858, p. 826.

Procellaria Smithi, Schlegel, Monog. Proc. Mus. Pays Bas, 1863, p. 22.

Priocella Garnoti, Homb. et Jacq. Voy. Pole Sud, pl. 32, fig. 43; fide G. R. Gray.

Habitat.—Southern hemisphere generally, apparently replacing the F.
glacialis. Columbia River and whole Pacifie Coast of North and South Ame-
rica. Cape Horn. Cape of Good Hope. Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Africa.
Not in the North Atlantic ?

The sulci on the sides of the bill, uniting the lateral laminz with the un-
guis, are remarkably narrow, shallow, and indistinct; and the bill in other
respects calls forcibly to mind that of a small Larus argentatus, The colors of
the back, and of the primaries even to the white spaces on their inner webs,
and the size and shape of the feet and tail are rather those of a Laridine than
a Procellaridine bird.

Nasal tubes a third the length of the culmen, basally broad and depressed :
terminally narrower and elevated ; their dorsal outline concave, subcarinated,
their tip deeply emarginated ; nasal septum very thin, and so short as not to
reach the end of the nasal tube. Culmen flattened from tube to unguis ; latter
much elevated and very convex. Shape of lower mandible that of Larus.
Tarsus much compressed, shorter than middle toe without its claw; hardly
exceeding the inner toe alome. Outer toe without its claw longer than the
middle. Folded wings reach to end of tail. Primaries broad, tapering rather
suddenly to their rounded apices. Tail contained 2} times in the wing from
the carpal joint.

Bill yellow; nasal tube, unguis and sometimes basal portion of superior
lateral mandibular laminz, bluish horn. Feet yellow. Upper parts uniform
clear pearl blue; exactly the shade that obtains in some species of Larus.
This color begins as a faint wash or shading on the nape, deepening as it pro-
ceeds backwards until on the interscapular region it has gained its full inten-
sity; which continues undiminished over the whole back, rump, wing coverts,
tertials and tail coverts, to the tips of the rectrices themselves. The feathers
just along the edge of the wing, however, are grayish slate. Primaries black,

[ March,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Si

their shafts yellowish white at the base, changing to black towards their apices ;
their inner webs pearly white near their tips. This white on the first primary
extends to within two inches of the tip; on the rest successively extends nearer
the tip of each, till on the innermost it occupies the whole web. Secondaries
slaty black on their outer, white on their inner webs. Elsewhere the bird is
pure white ; except a small anteocular dusky spot; and a faint shade of pearl
gray on the sides of the breast and body, and on the flanks.

Dimensions. Length 18 to 19 inches, extent of wings about 36. Bill along
culmen 2, from feathers on side of lower mandible 1:75 ; its height or width
at base*70; nasal tubes *66. Wing from the carpus 13. Tail 5:25. Tarsus 2;
middle toe and claw 2°60; outer 2°70; inner 2°25.

There is no other species towards whieh the present bears an intimate re-
semblance. Th. antarctica is exceedingly dissimilar in color, though so nearly
the same in form. The generic peculiarities—especiallyof the bill—of Fulma-
rus glacialis er pacificus at once distinguish the latter.

Synonymy. The Proc. glacialis of Forster's Descriptiones Animalium is un-
doubtedly this species. ‘The expressions regarding the nasal tube—‘‘ coerules-
cens in rostro incarnato,* —apice nigro"; and regarding the primaries—‘“‘ fusco-
nigrae, margine interiore albido, ’’ are quite inconsistent with the true glacialis.
This is the only instance I have met with of the application of the name ** gla-
cialis?! to this species.

The Procellaria tenuirostris Audubon is most certainly this species. I have
compared Audubon's type specimen with specimens of undoubted g/:cialoides
from various localities. Mr. Cassin has shown (U. S. Expl. Exp. 1858, Birds,
p. 409) that possibly Audubon's designation has priority over that of Smith.

Ido not suppose that the var. polaris of Bonaparte's Conspectus is in any
way diverse from the true glacialoides.

I hardly know upon whatgrounds Dr. Schlegel has laid aside the prior names
of this species to give it the appellation '* Smithi.”

THALASSOICA ANTARCTICA Reich.

Procelluria antarctica, Gmelin, S. N. 1788, i. p. 565; et auct.
Thalassoica antarctica, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. t. 22, fig. 790. Bonaparte,
Consp. Av. 1856, ii. p. 192.

In this species there is the same general character of the nasal tube as in
T. glacialoides ; though it is comparatively a little broader and shorter, and
somewhat less carinated on the median dorsal line. The sulci uniting the
different laminz of the bill are rather deeper and more distinct, taking away
something ofthe Laridine aspect, so marked in the other species. The lateral
rostral lamina is wider at its base, and tapers more rapidly to the acute apex
by which it is united to the unguis. The tip of the lower mandible is more
decurved, and the gonys is a little concave.

The coloration of this species is so peculiar, and so widely dissimilar from
any other Procellaridian, that itis needless to give any description here. The
species has I believe no important synonyms.

OSSIFRAGA Hombr. et Jacq.

Procellaria sp. Gmelin, et auct.
Ossifraga, Hombron et Jacquinot.

Char. Tail of 16 rectrices, moderately long, rounded. Wings rather short,
and not very pointed. Tarsi short, much less than the middle toe without its
claw ; compressed, stout, reticulated. Bill as long or rather exceeding the
tarsus, very robust; the nasal case very long, depressed, carinated, the aper-
ture small. Of immense size and powerful organization.

* “ Bill black and flesh-colored, the latter hue fading to whitish on drying," I find on the
label of a specimen collected by the North Pac'fic Exploring Expedition. 1 note this here
because the bill is generally described as ‘ yellowish” and to show how pertinent is Forster’s ex-
pression “ incarnato, apice nigro."

1866 ]

32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

But a single species of this genus is known; which in size vastly exceeds
all other Procellarine, and is only itself surpassed by the Diomedine. f

OssIFRAGA GIGANTEA (Gm.) Reich.

Procellaria gigantea, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. 1788, p. 563. Lawrence, Birds N. A.
1858, p. 825, et al. auct. f

Ossifraga gigantea, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. t. 20, fig. 332. Bonaparte, Consp.
Av. 1855, ii. p. 186.

? Procellaria brasiliana, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 821, No. 2. Gm. S. N.
i. 178, p. 564.

Procellaria ossifraga, Forster, Descr. Anim Ed. Licht., 1844, p. 343.

* Quebranthuesos ;?' ** Bonebreaker."" Vvroo.

Habitat. Chiefly the Southern Seas. Has been taken off the Coast of Oregon.

Bill exceedingly robust, compressed, higher than broad at the base; longer
than the head, rather longer than the tarsus (chord of the arc of the culmen
about equal to the tarsus ;) sulci separating the rostral laminz very distinctly
defined. Nasal case very long, more than half the length of the cnlmen* ;
basally exceedingly broad, being nearly as wide as the bill; narrowing ante-
riorly to the small nearly circular apical orifice ; on the upper surface so flattened
as to bea little concave; the median carination strongly marked, though the
ridge is rather broad than sharp, and more elevated anteriorly than at the
base; the apex of the case vertically truncated, not emargined. The frontal
feathers extend in an obtuse angle a little way upon the root of the case.
Unguis large and strong, its dorsal outline very broad and not sharp ; regularly
decurved, its tip rather obtuse. Commissure much sinuated for its whole
length. Gape of mouth moderate, the angle of the commissure falling far
short of the eye. Outline of lower mandibular rimi about straight: angle of
gonys obtuse, its dorsal outline straight, ascending. Feathers of the chin ex-
tending quite to the symphysis. Feet very large and stout. Tibie bare for
a considerable portion of their extent. Tarsus short, stout, much compressed,
reticulated: the plates minute posteriorly and superiorly ; larger and trans-
versely very broad on the infero-anterior aspect. Toes very long; the outer
with its claw as long as the middle; its claw alone shorter than that of the
middle toe. Webs full. Hallux avery stout, nearly straight, subconical,
obtuse claw. Wings short ; not very pointed : when folded falling considerably
short of the end of the tail. Tail of moderate length, or rather short for this

group ; much graduated ; of 16 instead of as usual 14 feathers.

Dimensions. Averaging about 3 feet in length by 7 in extent. Bill 3}
to 4 inches. Tarsus 3}. Middle toe and claw 52: outer do. about the same ;
inner do. 44. Wing from the carpal joint about 20 inches.

The species is found in quite diverse states of plumage. The upper parts are
of a varying shade of brown, and more or less mottled with dull white, the
edges and tips of many of the feathers being thus colored. Often however there
are no traces of this white mottling, and the dorsal plumage is of a uniform
sombre fuliginous. The wings and tail seem to be nearly always plain dark
brown. In adult birds the under parts, and a portion of the neck in front are
white. ‘he amount of this white varies with age; and young or immature
birds have the whole under parts similarly colored with the rest of the body ;
though the hue is usually rather lighter and duller. The gradations in color
between old and young are very gradual; scarcely any two specimens, not
perfectly mature, being found exactly alike. The feet of some specimens are
yellowish, more or less obscured by dusky; of others are uniform fulizinous
brownish black. ‘The bill is yellow in all the specimens I have seen. As are-
markable state of plumage which I do not recollect to have seen given, I may in-
stance a specimen in the Philadelphia Academy, which is pure white all over,

* But its length seems liable to some considerable variation. I believe it always extends nearly
or quite to the root of the unguis.
[ March,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 33

even to the wings and tail; the continuity of the white only interrupted by a
few isolated brown feathers sparsely scattered at irregular intervals over the
body. Other specimens in the Academy Museum are in very nearly the
plumage described by Gmelin and Latham as P. Brasiliana ; so that there can
be little doubt of the propriety of referring the latter to this species.*

The species and genera treated of in this paper are so few and so well known
that an analytical synopsis does not seem to be required.

( To be continued.)

Description of twelve new species of UNIONIDE from South America.
BY ISAAC LEA.

The species described and figured in this paper were procured in South
America by Don Patricio M. Paz, of Madrid, and very obligingly submitted to
me. Some of them fortunately were in alcohol, thus preserving the soft parts,
which are of great interest. These have been carefully examined and described,
and it will be observed that the South American characteristics of the outer
hard parts, as well as the included soft parts, which seem to pertain to the
Uniones of that continent, are here exhibited. I allude more particularly to the
round palpi, or mouth lips, and the divergent felds of the tips of the beaks, neither
of which have I observed in our North American species. Very little atten-
tion, heretofore, has been given to the soft parts of the Unionide of South
America, and none to the embryonic shell, except by myself. M. d'Orbigny, in his
Voyage dans l’Amerique Meridional, has imperfectly described and figured the
soft parts of some of the genera. Spix, in his Testacea Fluviatilia Braziliensia,
takes no notice of the soft parts of the species, which he describes and figures
with much accuracy.

Unio PECULIARIS.— Testa levi, quadrata, compressiuscula, inzquilaterali,
postice obtuse angulata, antice rotunda: valvulis crassiusculis, antice aliquanto
crassioribus; natibus subprominentibus, ad apices divaricaii undulatis; epi-
dermide virido-fusca, eradiata; dentibus candinalibus parviusculis, compressis,
obliquis, in utroque valvulo duplicibus ; lateralibus longis, lamellatis curvis-
que; margarita czruleo-alba et iridescente.

Embryonic Shell subtriangular, light brown; dorsal line rather long and
straight; side margins irregular and unequal—one being a segment of a
circle, the other an irregular curve line—forming an obtuse angle at the base;
basal margin obtusely angular and furnished with hooks; granulate over the
whole surface.

Hab.—South America, Don Patricio M. Paz.

This very peculiar and unique form is now for the first time observed. Its
unequal lateral margins give it an abnormal and lapsided appearance, totally
differing in this from any other species known to me.

Unio rigMUvs.—Testa levi, elliptica, subinflata, valde inzquilaterali, postice
et antice rotundata; valvulis crassiusculis, antice aliquanto crassioribus;
natibus prominulis; epidermide viridi-fusca, eradiata; dentibus cardinalibus
subcrassis, compressis; in utroque valvulo duplicibus; lateralibus longis,
lamellatis subeurvisque ; margarita argentea et valde iridescente.

Hab.—South America, Don Patricio M. Paz.

Unio ncGososULCATUS.— Testa sulcata, triangulari, subinflata, subequila-

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NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 133

Description of five New Species of the Genus UNIO.
BY ISAAC LEA.

Unio SrAMENSIS,— Testa levi, transversa, subcylindracea,ad basim emarginata,
* valde inzequilaterali, subcompressa, ad latere planulata, postice truncata, antice
rotundata; valvulis tenuissimis, diaphinis; natibus prominulis; epidermide
luteo-oliva; dentibus cardinalibus acicularis, sublongis, obliquis; lateralibus
longis, lamellatis subrectisque ; margarita alba et iridescente.
Hab.—Siam ; C. M. Wheatley.

Unio AsPERULUS.—-Testa plicata, elliptica, inequilaterali, postice subbiangu-
lata, antice rotundata; valvulis subtenuibus; natibus subprominentibus, ad
apices undulatis ; epidermide viridi-oliva, obsolete radiata ; dentibus cardinali-
bus lamellatis, parum obliquis, in dextro duplicibus; lateralibus sublongis,
iamellatis subcurvisque; margarita cærulea et valde iridescente.

Hab.—Siam ; Thomas R. Ingalls, M. D.

Unio pinatus.—Testa levi, elliptica, valde inzquilaterali, postice obtuse
angulata, antice rotundata ; valvulis crassiusculis, antice crassioribus ; natibus
subprominentibus, ad apices minute undalatis; epidermide luteo viridi,
micanti, obsolete radiata; dentibus cardinalibus duplicibus ; lateralibus sub-
longis, subrectis lamellatisque; margarita alba et valde iridescente.

Hab.—Siam; Thomas R. Ingalls, M. D.

Unto nviraTus.—Testa levi, elliptica, valde inequilaterali, postice subbiangu-
lata, antice rotundata; valvulis subtenuibus, antice parum crassioribus ; nati-
bus prominulis, ad apices divaricate undulatis; epidermide olivacea, obsolete
radiata; dentibus cardinalibus parviusculis, compressis, in utroque valvulo
duplicibus ; lateralibus sublongis, subrectis lamellatisque; margarita alba et
iridescente.

Hab.—Bengal; W. A. Haines.

Unio SrREBELII.— Testa levi, oblonga, ad latere compressa, inzquilaterali,
postice obtuse angulata ; antice rotundata; valvulis subcrassis, antice aliquanto
crassioribus ; natibus prominulis; epidermide luteo-fusca, radiata ; dentibus
cardinalibus subcrassis, elevatis, crenulatis, in utroque valvulo duplicibus ;
lateralibus sublongis, subcrassis, subcurvatus corrugatisque ; margarita vel
purpurea vel salmonea et valde iridescente.

Hab.—Vera Cruz, Mexico; G. Strebel.

Description of two New Species of the Genus LITHASIA.
BY ISAAC LEA.

LITHASIA CYLINDRICA.—Testa striata, cylindracea, flavescente, vittata vel
evitata; spira subelevata ; suturis irregulariter impressis; anfractibus con-
strictis, ultimo grandi; apertura subconstricta, rhomboidea; labro acuto,
sinuoso; columella alba et valde sinuosa.

Hab.—Coosa river; E. R. Showalter, M. D.

LirHAsiA WHEATLEYL*-—Testa levi, subcylindracea, luteo-virente, vittata ;
spira elevata ; suturis'irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus planulatis, ultimo
subgrandi; apertura subconstricta, rhomboidea, intus vittata; labro acuto,
sinuoso; columella alba et valde iridescente.

Hab.—Cahaba river, Alabama, E. R Showalter, M. D.

* Named after Mr. C. M. Wheatley, to whom I am indebted for the possession of a specimen

1866.]

134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Critical Review of the Family PROCELLARIIDZE:—Part IV; Embracing the
ZESTRELATEE and the PRIONEZE.

BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U.S. A.

In the present paper, the fourth of the series, are together considered the
zEstrelatee and the Prionew, mainly for the purpose of showing how closely
related these sections are through certain of their genera.

For the first of these sections three names are at our disposal; se. Æstrela-
tee, Daptionee and Rhantistee. Of these I prefer to accept the first, both as
having priority, and being taken from the name of the typical and largest
genus of the group; the second being based upon a subtypical genus with but
a single species, and the third being derived from Bonaparte’s erroneous
identification of Kaup’s Fulmarine genus Rhantistes.

The section strelatew, as here restricted, corresponds very nearly with the
group defined under this name in Bonaparte’s Conspectus. Thereis here,
however, included in it the genus Daption*, by Bonaparte placed among the
Fulmaree ; and it is considered as probably connecting the dstrelatee with
the Prions. The genus Thalassoica is excluded as being essentially Fulma-
rine. In generic arrangement I am compelled to differ widely from the dis-
tinguished author just named. After attentive and critical examination of his
genera Cookilaria, Pterodroma and Bulweria, I raust confess my inability to
distinguish either of them from Æstrelata by a degree of morphological dif-
ference which, by any sublimation of characterization, can be considered of
generic import. ‘‘ Bulweria” has a rather more elongated and decidedly
cunéiform tail than have the majority of the Aistrelatas; but differs from
some of them in this respect, no more than they do among themselves.
** Pterodroma’’ comprises some fuliginous species morphologically identical
with dstrelata. ‘‘*Cookilaria’’ has no characters whatever assigned to it by
its author ; possibly because none are to be found in the species included
under it.

I do not hesitate to follow natural data afforded by specimens, even should
they conflict with the opinions of so justly distinguished an author as that of
the ‘‘ Conspectus ;’’ especially since the more closely I scrutinize his work
upon the Petrels, the more irresistibly the conviction is forced upon me, that
it is, to speak in the mildest terms, unreliable. It cannot be denied by the
most strenuous of his advocates, that there are to be found in this work in-
stances of unnecesssary if not unwarrantable pseudo-generic subdivisions ; of
some pure figments in the way of species; of rash collocation of synonymy ;
and of weak and intangible diagnoses. These are to the last degree discoura-
ging, because perplexing, to the student,—crede mihi experto. They would,
however, be less repellant, and bear much more weight, could we feelsatisfied
that they represented the matured opinions of the author, based upon well-
digested facts. Such unhappily is not the case ; for the views expressed on
different occasions are found to fluctuate according to the particular theory
which may have been in posse sion of his mind at the time of writing; and
are often diametrically epposed to each other. That I may not seem to wan-
tonly criticise one of the most brilliant lights that has ever shed its radiance
upon Ornithology, to whom alas! it was not permitted to finish his last great
work, I may be allowed to sustain myself by a simple comparison of the
** Conspectus?" with the Table of the Longipennines published in the Comp-
tes Rendus. The fasciculi ofthe former which treat of the Petrels bear date
of Dec., 1855, and Jan., 1856; the latter is of the séance of April 28, 1856. I
only cite some of the more glaring discrepancies of generic arrangement and
distribution of species; for concerning synonyma it may be stated that as a
general rule conflicting views are entertained on all debatable points.

* The true relationship of this genus is still with me a matter of some uncertainty.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 135

C. A. Genus Majaqueus placed among the Puffinee ; Pterodroma and Pa-
godroma among the Æstrelateæ.—C. R. These three genera placed among the
Fulmaree.

C. A. Priocella Garnotii, H. and J. (= Thalassoica glacialoides according
to Gray) not recognized.—C. R. Given as a valid genus and species of Ful-
marec.

C. A. Proc. meridionalis Lawr. considered as a synonym of Æstrelata dia-
bolica.—C. R. Given as a valid species of genus Fulmarus.

C. A. Genus Adamastor founded and considered as a component of the
Fulmarec, with typus Bp. (—cinerea Gm.) sericeus Less. and flavirostris Gould,
as its species.—C. R. Genus Adamastor abandoned, aud its three species dis-
tributed thus :—typus (here called cinerea Gm.) is put under Priofinus,*
among the Puflins ; flavirostris and sericeus (the latter queried as to validity)
are put under Æstrelata of the ‘‘ Rhantistec.??

C. A. Genus Cookilaria established with leucoptera Gould, velox Soland.,
solandri Gould, and mollis Gould, as its species.—C. R. Cookilaria abandoned,
Rhantistes ex Kaup taken, with Cookii Gray, velox Sol. mollis, ** unicolor,”
“ raolensis " Gould, and Lessoni Garnot as determined species ; rostrata, par-
virostris Peale, gelida Gm. and sandaliata Sol. as doubtful species.

C. A. Genus Æstrelata contains diabolica L' Herm. (syn. Aaesitata Temm.
Kuhl,) desolata Gm. inexpectata Forst. (— mollis Gould) and leucocephala
Forst. (=Lessoni Garnot.)—C. R. The same genas is made to contain diabolica
L'Herm. hesitata Temm. (here considered distinct from diabolica,) sericea
Less. flavirostris Gould, desolata Lath. ; with gularis and brevipes Peale, and
inexpectata Forst. as doubtful species.

C. A. Genus Nectris Bp. emend. ex Forst. contains brevicauda Brandt, car-
neipes Gould, fuliginosus Strickl. gama Bp. and tenuirostris Temm.—C. R.
Nectris abandoned, and its species thus distributed : brevicaudus and carneipes
are put with cinereus Gm. under Priofinus H. & J.; fuliginosa Strickl. is
made a queried synonym of Puffinus major Faber; gama Bp. does not appear;
while tenuirostris is united with sphenurus, etc., under the genus Thiellus.

However great the changes and innovations thus introduced,— which are
indeed ‘une foule des faits nouveaux relatifs à la classification, à la nomen-
clature, à la synonymie, et aux divers rapports des espéces," resulting *'de
leur étude approfondie "f between Dec. 1855 and April 1856, Iam unwilling
to believe that the ** Table?' is drawn up with reference to the size and shape
of the Comptes Rendus page, rather than in accordance with truth.

The numerous difficulties which beset us in the critical investigation cf any
group of the Petrels, reach their maximum in the section now under considera-
tion. This is in a measure due to the habitat of most of the species—the
genera being essentially South Pacifle and Antarctic in their distribution—which
renders the acquisition of specimens difficult, at least in such numbers as to
enable extended comparisons to be instituted, and the great changes of plu-
mage which a majority of the species undergo with Increasing age, to be fully
and accurately elucidated. Some are to this day known only by type speci-
mens; while of many others we are no more familiar regarding variable
features of coloration, than to enable us to speak in the most general terms of
the changes undergone during progress towards maturity. But these are
among the minor evils to be contended with; for Nature herself is perhaps
never so difficult of comprehension, as we often find our attempts to under-
stand her to be. And so the confounding of distinct species under one name
and description ; the making of nominal ones out of changes of plumage and
variations in size; together with the misinterpretation by writers of the labors

* This is an important correction. * Priofinus cinereus" is the proper name of the species called
in the C. A. ** Adamastor typus.”

1 This name of Kaup’s is a synonym of Fulmarus Leach,

t Bp. C. R. April 28, 1856, p. 767,

1866.)

136 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

of their predecessors, have produced a bibliography so embrouill£e as to defy
our most patient efforts to completely unravel the entangled skein, and to
cause us to turn with weariness if not disgust from the hopeless task. The
necessity which exists for the study—I use the word advisedly—of synonyma,
is the opprobrium of ornithology ; and the kind of labor demanded for their
elucidation is far removed from the real pursuit of science itself. At thesame
time, while an inevitab!e, it is too often a thankless labor, and one hardly ap-
preciated ; the results of which are usually incommensurate with the time
and trouble expended. Collocation of synonyma is by no means mere clerical
compilation. It is a species of investigation which, to be productive of any
value, demands a sound judgment and powers of discrimination perhaps of
as high a grade as those required for the successful study of genera and spe-
cies. But it does not often bring to its author such rewards as are willingly
granted him who elucidates other classes of faets in Natural Eistory. For as
its chief duty is to deal with disputed points. it enters an arena where more
conspicuously figure not facts but rather opinions; concerning which the
right of arbitration is yielded by no man to another, The synonymist must
ordinarily expect acquiescence with his views from those only whose ideas are
not jostled by the opinions he advances.

It is impossible to pursue a critical investigation of the Procellariide with-
out being impressed by these facts ; which must be my only weapon wherewith
to turn the edge of criticism from my efforts towards the elucidation of the
family. No one can be more painfully aware of the errors of omission and
doubtless also ofcommission, which must be met with in these papers; and
none can be less tenacious of debatable views, or more ready to relinquish
opinions when proof of their fallacy is made apparent. I only ask athorough
examination before a condemnatory fiat is passed upon any of the views enter-
tained which may be at variance with current opinions.

As a rule I have adopted for species no name to which any doubt as to
identity attaches ; while those still open to discussion I have endeavored to
treat of solely with reference to their intrinsic merits, no extraneous claims to
our consideration being acknowledged. I regret the necessity of frequent
citations of manuseript names and unpublished drawings, which we are by no
means bound to recognize; but which have become so interwoven with the
bibliography of the family, that it is impossible to avoid so doing.

The present paper, like others of mine, is doubtless amenable to the charge
of ‘‘discursivene s." This fault, if it be one, is certainly of that class which
“lean to virtue's side ;"" and one which at present I feel indisposed to cor-
rect. Words are cheap enough ; and had they not been so parsimonious!y
doled out in the earlier days of ornithology, there would now be less need of
a profuse expenditure of them.

The Æstrelateæ, as I regard them, are composed of three genera, which may
be briefly diagnosticated as follows :—

A. Tail much graduated, or cunéiform.
I. Bill robust, compressed, the unguis large, and curved
from the nostrils. Extension of feathers on forehead
normal. Hallux small. Nostrils short......... .........- ZEstrelata.
B. Tail slightly rounded.
II. Bill stout, compressed, unguis large, nostrils short.
Forehead low, flat, the feathers encroaching far on the
bill. Interramalspace feathered. Hallux large and
SLOT Eo eco ua. ox ON EE Cod 80 coo A Pagodroma.
II. Bill greatly dilated. Nostrils long. Feathers on
forehead normalinextension. Unguis small and weak.
Interramal space partially naked. Hallux ordinary... Daption.

Color also affords us an excellent artificial index to these genera. Thus
Estrelata is bicolor or fuliginous; Pagodroma is unicolor, white; and Daption
is spotted with light and dark colors.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 137

The first of these genera, after the fusion with it of those of Bonaparte
already adverted to, is quite an extensive one, comprising more species than
any other of the family. In this paper I enumerate eighteen, which appear
to have just claim to recognition. At the same time some of them, as I inti-
mate, may not be valid, while I am quite willing to believe that there may
exist good species of which no cognizance is here taken.

JESTRELATA Coues, [emend. ex Bp.]

Procellaria sp. Auctorum.

Daption sp. Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825.

Puffinus sp. Webb and Berthelot, Av. Canar. 1836—44.

Ossifraga sp. et Thalassoica sp. Reichenbach, Syst. Av.

ZEstrelata, Bonap. C. A. 1855, ii. p. 188. Type Proc. hesitata, Temm.

Cookilaria, Bonap. C. A. 1855, ii. p. 190. Type Proc. Cookii, Gray.

Pterodroma, Bonap. C. A. 1855, ii. p. 191. Type Proc. macroptera, Smith.

Bulweria, ‘Bp. 1836. (Gray.) Bp. C. A. 1856,ii. p. 194. Type Puff. col-
umbinus, Webb and Berthelot.

Rhantistes, Bonap. Compt. Rend., April, 1856, xiii. p. 768. Type Proc. Cookii
Gray. (Not of Kaup, 1829, the type of which latter is Proc. glacialis,
Linn.)

Cls.—Billabout as long as the tarsus; very stout; compressed; higher
than broad throughout; lateral outlines nearly straight, converging to the
much compressed unguis. Unguis particularly large, strong, its upper out-
line very convex, its tip greatly decurved ; arising almost immediately from
the end of the nasal tubes, leaving but a very brief and quite concave culmen
proper. Lateral element of the bill very strong ; rising high up at the root of
the nasal case; somewhat inflated throughout ; and with a strongly convex
inferior border ; which with the great decurvature of the unguis produces an
extremely sinuate commissure ; outline of lower mandible nearly straight ; of
gonys a little concave; eminentia symphysis well marked. Sulci on both
upper and under mandibles distinct. Nasal tubes of moderate length, eleva-
ted, conspicuous, not carinated, dorsal outline about straight, apex more or
less vertically truncated, orifice subcircular, each naris oval, separated from
its fellow by a thin vertical portion which comes well forward. Interramal
space narrow,.fully feathered. Wings comparatively longer than in most
sections, surpassing the tail when folded ; pointed; but the second primary
nearly as long as the first. Tail long, and much graduated ; sometimes almost
cuneate, usually much rounded; the rectrices quite broad to their tips. Feet
of moderate size; tarsus moderately compressed, with the ordinary small
subhexagonal reticulations; about as long as or alittle less than the middle
toe without its claw. Outer toe rather surpassing the middle; with its claw
about equalling the middle and claw. Tip of inner claw reaching base of middie
one. Hallux short, sessile, conical, acute, elevated. Of moderate and rather
small size; bicolor, or nearly so; in youth nearly unicolor.

The genus ZEstrelata as thus defined is quite an extensive one, comprising
a larger number of species than any other of the family. In its geographical
distribution, it is essentially southern and antarctic; only a very few of the
eighteen or more known to compose it being found in north temperate lati-
tudes. The numerous species all agree in certain points which separate them
from others ; the principal of which is the large size and great convexity of
the unguis of the bill: which begins to rise almost immediately from the
nasal case. Other peculiarities will be noted in the above diagnosis ; which
have caused the species to be put in intimate relation to each other when col-
located even by those writers who recognize but one, or at most three or four
genera of Procellariine.

Taking the Azsitata as the type of the genus, we find that most of the
species, — Lessoni, rostrata, etc. agree entirely with it: while some others,
e. g. Cookii, diver in being smaller and more slenderly built, with rather less

1866.]

138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

robust bills, somewhat longer and more pointed wings, etc. These latter
characters have been made typical of a distinct genus by Bonaparte. The
gradation, however, in these and all other features is so gradual, through
several intermediate forms, that I do not see how we are to draw the dividing
line. Bonaparte moreover includes in Cookilaria such a species as Solandri,
which is particularly a robust bird.

Throwing out of consideration the fuliginous ‘‘ Pterodromine ” group, we
find that the other species of ZEstrelata adhere quite closely to a particular pat-
tern of coloration. When adult they are dark colored above, being of some
Shade of brown or black, with more or less of an admixture of cinereous, and
generally have a white forehead. The color of the upper parts extends on the
sides of the breast; otherwise the under parts are wholly white. When
young, the color of the under parts does not differ very notably as a general
rule from that of theupper: the white being obscured by a dusky, fuliginous
or einereous clouding of the tips of all the feathers, the basal portions of which
remain white. In general the younger the bird the more uniform, or more
tending towards fuliginous are its colors: while in adult life light and dark
colors occupy distinct areas, and are quite trenchantly defined.

When we consider, therefore, the great change which the plumage under-
goes in the bird’s progress towards maturity, together with the similarity
that exists between corresponding ages, it will not appear surprising that not
only very numerous nominal species should have arisen, but that names of
species should have been frequently misapplied to others than those to which
they rightly belong ; producing a confusion in the synonymy certainly not
surpassed, if indeed equalled, in any other genus in ornithology. A number
of the species were first brought into notice by voyagers ; and when named by
professed naturalists it was at a time when the neces-ity of detailed deserip-
tions was not appreciated, so that the nice points of size and proportion which
really distinguish the species more than color, were rarely presented. The
consequence is that it is now impossible to identify many of the older names
with any degree of certainty, except perhaps by incidental or collateral testi-
mony; and to this day a great many identifications remain matters of opinion
rather than of fact.

Nor is the confusion and uncertainty by any means less in the fuliginous
group which goes to compose this genus. Its components, so far as we know,
are in every age unicolor; and are absolutely indistinguishable except by
form and dimensions. This alone would have been amply sufficient for the
production of synomyms and malidentifications innumerable; but this inevi-
table result is furthered by another fact. The ‘‘genus’’ Pterodroma is among
the ZEstrelatee exactly what Nectris is among the Puffinee ; i. e. composed of
species differing in no wise in form from strelata or Puffinus, and which are
entirely fuliginous in color. Now the points of form separating the species of
** Pterodroma ” from ** Nectris’’ are by no means patent on a casual examina-
tion; and hence, among the older writers we find many descriptions which
it is impossible to refer with any degree of certainty to one or the other genus,
of which, in short, we can say no more than that a fuliginous petrel formed
the subject of the article. Consequently, some synonyms have ever been oscil-
lating as to weight of authority between these two groups.

I confess to a feeling of surprise, when, on examining critically species
typical of Bonaparte’s genus Pterodroma, I could find absolutely no points of
form whereby it might be held separable from dstrelu‘a. I do not think that
the skeleton will be found to present any tangible morphological characters,
critically examined in its minutest details of intermaxillary bone or phalanges ;
nor do the remiges or rectrices in their relative developments offer the
slightest discrepancies. We must have recourse therefore to color alone if we
would separate them; and Bonaparte himself gives us no other character

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 189

whereby we may recognize his genus. Iam therefore eonstrained to unite
the so-called genus with ZZstrelata.*

This fuliginous section, then, of ZEstrelata, comprehends some four or five
species, very widely distributed, as regards latitude ; though, so far as we now
know, chiefly occurring in the tropical and temperate portions of the Atlantic.
A new species from Jamaica is being published as I write.]

With the exception perhaps of A. Bulweri, these are only distinguishable by
size and some points of coloration of the feet.

This latter species differs from the type of ** Pterodroma’”’ in the somewhat
more elongated and decidedly cunéiform tail, which is hardly contained twice
in the wing from the carpal joint; and perhaps in having comparatively
slightly smaller feet. The difference in the tail is no greater than that existing
among unquestioned species of streluta ; and in all other points there is an
absolute identity of form. This species is the type of Bonaparte’s genus
Bulweria, and by him it is placed among the Thalassidromines ; upon what
grounds I am at a loss to conjecture.] The ‘‘genus’’ seems to me to bear
exactly the same relation to Pterodroma that T'hiellus, Gloger, (as defined by
Bonaparte to include sphenurus Gould, and chlororhynchus Lesson), does to
ANectris.

The genus Cookilaria, founded by Bonaparte upon the Pr. Cookii, Gray, has
not even an apology for characters whereon to base claims to recognition. A
diagnosis is not attempted by its author; aud a few weeks subsequently the
name is dropped; § and Rhantistes || substituted, although the species collo-
cated under the latter designation are by no means the same as those pre-
viously included in Cookilaria.

The other partial synonyms quoted at the head of this article are merely
instances of the reference to them of some of the species included in the genus
as it is here defined and limited. Of the several names at our disposal,
ZEstrelata has, so far as I can ascertain, the priority. The species given in
the following pages inelude all I have been able to learn of, through specimens
or books, as having just claims to recognition. Very possibly some valid ones
are omitted ; and perhaps some now retained may hereafter help to swell the
list ofsynonyms; that wearisome and vexatious, but inevitable, mass of rub-
bish, repelling inquiry, and retarding progress, under the burden of which
ornithology now labors.

ZESTRELATA HJESITATA (Kuhl) Coues.

Procellaria hesitata, Kuhl. Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool., 1820, p. 142, No. 11. [Exel.
synon. ]—Temminck, Planches Colorées, No. 416.— Lesson, Traité Ornith.
1831, p. 611, [Excl. synon.]—Newton, Zoologist, x. 1852, p. 3691.—
Sehlegel. Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 13.

ZEstrelata diabolica, Bonaparte, Consp. av. ii. 1835, p. 189. ex ‘‘ Procellaria
diabolica, L'Herminier."

* This procedure may seem inconsistent with the course followed in a previous paper of mine
upon the Pufins. It is there, however, explicitly stated that the difference between JVectris or
Thiellus, and Puffinus, is scarcely aught than that of color, and that these genera * are hardly
worth retaining, except it be for convenience's sake." (Page 117; and see also pp. 122, 128, 142,
143.) Therecognition of genera founded upon fuliginous color in this family is perhaps peculiarly
to be deprecated; since some species are known to pass from a fuliginous unicolor to a bicolor
state of plumage with increasing age; and moreover. it is by no means incontrovertibly proven
tbat some supposed fuliginous species are not merely immature plumages of others. I most
willingly relinquish the position above referred to ; and am now indisposed to degrade, even upon
a plea of utility, so harmonious a group as every natural genus forms.

T Pterodroma carribxi Carte, P. Z. S. of which I learn through the kindness of Dr. Sclater, but
of whose characters I have no means of judging.

f The species is also included in the genus Thalassidroma by G. R. Gray. Examine in this con-
nection my remarks p. $9, of the Proc. Phila. Acad. for 1864, where its affinities are shown to be
with the Mstrelatean genus Pterodroma. By a lapsus calami the word “ Fulmarez" there appears
instead of * ZEstrelatez.?

í Comptes Rendus, Apr., 1856., xlii. p 768.

|| This is merely a misuse of a name of Kaup's founded in 1829 upon the Pr. glacialis, Linn., and
therefore a synonym of Fulmarus, Leach, of 1525. (Steph., Shaw’s Gen. Zool. 1825, xiii. p. 233.)

1866.]

140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Procellaria meridionalis, Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., New York, iv. 1848,
p. 475.—Id. Ibid. v. 1852, p. 220, pl. xv. Id. B. Amer., 1858, p. 827. *
[Ex Proc. brevirostris Lawr. olim.]

Fulmarus meridionalis, Bonaparte, Tabl. Gav. Compt. Rend., 1855. Puffinus
L’ Herminieri, Lesson, fide Bp. **Cat. Mus. Av. Rocheforte, 1843, p. 976,
sp. 5958."

Procellaria rubritarsi, Gould, (nomen ined. supprimend.)

Habitat.—Atlantie ocean, coasts of America and Europe. The most boreal
of the bicolor species of the genus, and the only one hitherto detected on our
shores.

Form.*—The bill is about as long as the tarsus; much shorter than the
skull; longer than the middle toe; very stout; but slightly higher than broad
at the base; moderately compressed in the rest of its extent. The lateral
lamina is very strong and large, a little inflated, short, very deep at the base.
The unguis is large and strong, and its convexity begins almost from the end
of the nasal case, leaving but a very brief and very concave culmen proper.
The commissure is extremely sinuate, having several different curves. The
unguis of the lower mandible is also strong, its point a little decurved, the
gonys convex, the angle at the symphysis acute but not very prominent. The
sulcus on the sideof the inferior mandibular ramus is distinctly marked. The
nasal case is in length about a fourth of the culmen ; broad, depressed, scarcely
carinate ; the orifice large, subcircular; apex a little obliquely truncated ; each
naris oval, with a distinct septum which reaches to the end of the case. The
frontal feathers overlap the base of the bill, and descend in a nearly straight
line on the sides; thence rapidly retreating backwards. The feathers on the
side of the lower mandible extend much further than to a point perpendicu-
larly beneath the furthest extension of those on the upper. The interramal
space is fully feathered.

The folded wings reach a little beyond the end of the tail; the first primary
is longest ; the second nearly equal; the rest rapidly graduated.

"The tail is very long, being contained scarcely more than twice in the
length of the wing from the carpal joint. It is very cuneate in shape; the
central feathers sometimes even projecting slightly beyond the rest. The
difference between the median and outer pair of rectrices is fully one and
a half inches.

The tarsi are moderately stout, and very regularly reticulated with small
sub-hexagonal plates ; largest on its interior aspect. In length it about equals
the middle toe without the claw. The outer toe is a little longer than the
middle; but the claw of the latter is so much longer than that of the former,
as to make the tips ofthe two about equal to each other. The tip of the inner
claw just reaches the base of the middle one. The latter is a little dilated
on its inner aspect. Hallux of the usual shape.

Color.—On the crown of fully adult birds there is a vertical central area or
“ calotte ” of blackish brown. The more mature the bird, the smalleris this
spot, and the more trenchantly are its edges defined against the white which
surrounds it on all sides. Butin young or immature birds,—in fact, in the
majority of all the specimens we examine, —this perspicuous definition of the
Gark area is interfered with in this wise: on the front many of the feathers
are brownish black, producing a spotted or variegated appearance; and the
same dark color, usually somewhat diluted in tint, extends from the crown on
to the occiput, nape, and even adown the back of the neck, until it may
coalesce with the color of the back. On the sides of the crown the dark color
may be generally distributed, merging into the transocular fascia of dark color
which always exists. This latter band of color which passes through the eye
is in adult birds well defined, and quite distinct from the calotte. In all ages
and plumages it is somewhat darker in tint than the crown itself.

* The description is taken from a specimen in the Philadelphia Academy; with which is algo
compared Mr. Lawrence's type of Procellaria meridionalis.
[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 141

These simple facts regarding the varying extension of the dark colors of
the head and neck, in a species which otherwise is not known to differ
materially in plumage, have given rise to descriptions so worded as to be ap-
parently quite in conflict with each other.

Back a nearly uniform clear bistre brown: but most of the feathers often
have slightly lighter margins of an ashen hue. The shade of brown of the
back deepens on the wings and wing coverts into blackish brown ; which
is especially intense in color on the outer webs of the primaries ; their inner
vanes being fuliginous brown.

The distal half of the tail is like the wings incolor: the basal half is white,
except the outer web of the exterior feather, and to a less extent some portions
of the outer webs of the two next ones. A few of the shortest, most anterior
upper tail coverts are colored like the back ; the rest are white. On the sides
of the flanks afew feathers are touched with brown.

The upper tail coverts ; the forehead. lores, sides of head, neck,* under wing
coverts, (except the row just along the edge of the wing), axillars and whole
under parts are white.

Bill black; iris brown ; tarsus, first joint of toes, and contained portion of
webs flesh-colored ;ł rest of webs and toes, with claws and hallux, black.

In the young bird, the colors generally are rather darker, and tending more
strongly towards smoky brown ; but 1 have never seen a specimen entirely
dark-colored below, though such a state of plumage may be found. The head
and neck all around, and npper part of the breast, may be concolor with the
back, as described under the young Lessoni.

Dimensions. Bill (chord of eulmen) 1:45. Nasal tubes °33, (a little more
or less). Height of bill at base *68; width -60; depth at greatest convexity
of unguis ‘60. Wing (average) 12:00; tail 5°50 to 5°75. Tarsus 1:45 : outer
toe and claw 2:12; middle do., the same; inner 1°75. Gradation of tail
about 1:50.

The subject of the present article bears an intimate resemblance to no other
species of Petrel; and, on this account, it is the more surprising that its
synonymy should have become so involved as it will be evident is the case
from the succeeding remarks on its bibliography ; and, particularly, it has no
sort of resemblance to the Adamastor cinereus, to which its name of hesitata has
been so often misapplied. Moreover, the species, so far as we know, is not
subject to as great changes of plumage as many others of the genus; its gene-
ral aspect, as regards color, is not that of the other congeneriec species, but
rather of Puffinus major; and why, therefore, its synonymy is so involved is
a difficult matter to conjecture.

Bibliography. The first definite reference to this species which I have found
is the Proc. hesitata of Kuhl, as above cited. The description given by this
author is entirely pertinent, both as to colors and dimensions; in fact, some
expressions quite exclude any other species. Dr. Kuhl also speaks of his
specimen as being ‘‘in muszo Bullockiano, nunc in Temminckiano,’’ so that,
very probably—though I can by no means speak with certainty—his bird was
the very individual which furnished the subject for Pl. Col. 416 of Temminck ;
an accurate figure now universally referred to as representing this species.

At the outset we thus have a very definite starting-point in discussing the
synonyms of this species; but, most unfortunately, Dr. Kuhl adduces as syn-
onyms of his hesitata two references} to Forster's unpublished drawings, and
cites Forster as authority for the species. Whereas, neither of these draw-
ings refer to the bird now under discussion; and the first published use of the

* Neck all around (adults): on sides only (young;) white.

T Dull yellowish in the dried state.

t“ Forster, tab. 97 ;" and “tab. 98, sub nomine Procellariz leucocephalze." Mr. A. Newton,
(Zoologist, x. p. 3696,) tells us that No. 97 is the mollis of Gould, called A^zsitata : No. 98, the
Lessoni of Garnot, called leucocephala ; and without opportunity of examining these drawings, I
rely upon Mr. Newton's authority.

1866.]

142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

name /csita'a by Forster was to indicate a very different bird ;* not an ZEstre-
lata at all, but one of the Puffinee. These unfortunate citations have ever
since been the cause of a sort of double employ of the name by ornitholo-
gists. The synonyms at the head of this article, taken in connection with
those given under Adamastor cinereus, (Pr. A. N. S., 1864, p. 119,) contain
most of the references of consequence which bear on the question.

One must not fail to consult in this connection Mr. A. Newton's very
thorough and lucid exposition of the bibliography, as well as an accurate
description, of this species, given in the ‘‘ Zoologist," as above cited, on the
occasion of the first introduction of the bird into the British Avifauna. Some
very important corrections and verifications are there presented.

The name hesitata Forst. had been long in existence, in manuscript, for a
species very different from the present; but being first published, (in 1820,
when we first gained the right of recognizing it,) by Dr. Kuhl, for the
species now under consideration, it must necessarily stand in this connection.
I do not see, therefore, why Bonaparte supersedes it by diabolica of L’Her-
minier. This latter quotation, as well as the reference to a Puffinus L’ Her-
minieri of Lesson, I present on the authority of Bonaparte, not having the
opportunity of verifying them personally. The name ‘‘rubritarsi’’ of Mr.
Gould is to be suppressed as unpublished by him, and, moreover, as con-
veying an erroneous impression regarding the color of the feet.

The hesitata of Lesson's Traité, p. 611, is this species; but the author
erroneously cites hesitata Forst. and leucocephala Forst. as synonyms.

I have before me the type specimen of Procellaria meridionalis, kindly
transmitted to me for examination by Mr. Lawrence. It is an example of
Estrelata hesitata ; as, indeed, Mr. Lawrence himself suspects may be the
case. (B. N. Amer., text of p. 827.) Any differences which may exist in
the specimen in question, from the figure given by Mr. Newton in the Zoolo-
gist, seem rather accidental than real. This same individual had been for-
merly called ‘‘ brevirostris” by Mr. Lawrence—a name preoccupied by M.
Lesson for a fuliginous species of ‘‘ Pterodroma.” Mr. Lawrence enumerates
with entire accuracy the synonyms of this species under head of Proc. meri-
dionalis, in the Birds of North America, p. 827. The name hæsitata, as em-
ployed by Mr. Lawrence, and also by Mr. Gould, refers to the Adamastor
cinereus, and not to the present species.

I have not met with any names or descriptions published during the
eighteenth century which are definitely referrible to this species; and, if
there be any other synonyms than those above commented upon, they have
not been brought sufficiently into notice to r-quire recognition in this con-
nection. The chief point is to be able to decide, without hesitation, to what
hesitata, as used by different authors, really refers.T

/ESTRELATA Lessont (Garnot) Cassin.

Procellaria Lessoni, Garnot, Ann. Sc. Nat., 1826, vii. p. 54, fig. 4, (mala.)
South Pacific, Cape Horn, lat. 52°, long. 85w. Lesson, Traité Orn.,
1831, p. 611. Gould, B. Aust., pl. 49, (accuratissima et pulcher-
rima.) Reichenbach, Syst. av. tab. 24, fig. 2605; et tab. 20, fig. 359,
and of authors generally.

ZEstrelata Le:soni, Cassin, Cat. Bds. North Pac. U. S. Expl. Exped. in Pr.
A. N. S. Ph., 1862, p. 327. South Indian Ocean.

Rhantistes Lessoni, Bonaparte, Comptes Rend. xlii. 1856, p. 768.

Procellaria leucocephala, Forster, Ed. Licht. Descr. Anim., 1844, p. 206, sp.

* To wit, the Adamastor cinereus, ex Proc. cinerea Gm. Lath. Compare carefully, in this con-
nection, my remarks, pp. 119, and 128, of the Philadelphia Academy Proceedings for 1864.

t For convenience of reference: P. hesitata ot Kuhl, Temminck, Lesson, Newton, Schlegel,
Bonaparte, and of some other authors, is the ZEsírelata hæsitata of this paper. P. hesitata of
Forster, Gould, Reichenbach, Lawrence, is tne Adamastor cinereus of Pr. A. N. 3. Ph., 1862,

p. 119. [AS

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 143

177. New Holland to Cape Horn. Gould, Am. et Mag. Nat. Hist. xiii.
1844, p. 363. From Cape of Good Hope to Van Diemen's Land.

Estrelata leucocephala, Bonap. C. A., 1856, ii. p. 189.

? Procellaria alba, Gmelin, S. N. i. pars ii. 1788, p. 565. Vieill. Nouv. Dict.
1817, xxvii. p. 420.

? Daption album, Shaw, Gen. Zool., 1825, xiii. p. 246.

? Procellaria variegata, Bonnerté, fide Bp.

Procellaria vagabunda, Solander, Mss. fide Bp.

Habitat.—South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Form.* Bill much shorter than the skull, but slightly less than the tarsus,
about two-thirds the middle toe and claw ; very robust, as broad as high at
the base, compressed in the rest of its extent. Unguis of upper mandible
very large, strong, deep, convex, much decurved, the tip acute ; the elevation
of the unguis beginning so near the nasal tubes as to leave but a short and
very concave extent of culmen proper. Lateral lamine large, strong, wide,
inflated, deep at the base ; superior margin nearly straight, running obliquely
downwards and forwards from the frontal feathers to the commissural edge of
the unguis ; its lower margin sharp, a little inflected, very convex in outline.
The commissure is not very sinuate from the angle of the gape to the unguis.
The under mandible has a very distinct and deep lateral sulcus, which is
widened at both ends. The inferior unguis is large and strong, its tip much
decurved and acute, its gonys very concave, its angle at the symphysis pro-
minent but not acute. The outline of the inferior mandibular rami is a little
concave; the interramal space is feathered nearly to the symphysis. The
nasal tubes are short, broad, somewhat depressed, their outline nearly
straight and ascending a little from base to apex ; the latter obliquely trun-
cated and emarginated. The frontal feathers overlap the culmen, nearly in a
straight line or with a slightly convex outline ; thence immediately retreating
gradually backwards as they descend the sides of the bill. Those on the
lower mandible do not extend further than a point perpendicularly below
those on the culmen.

The wing is of the ordinary length and shape. The tail is comparatively a
little shorter and less graduated than in hæsitata, and is contained a little
more than twice in the wing from the carpal joint.

The tibie are feathered to within half an inch of the joint. The tarsi are
short, about three-fifths the middle toe and claw, moderately stout, but little
compressed, with the usual small subhexagonal reticulations. The tip of the
inner claw just reaches the base of the middle one. Outer toe longer than
the middle; but the tip of its claw does not quite reach to the tip of the
middle one. Claws alllong slender, little curved, acute, compressed, the
middle one somewhat dilated on its inner edge, Hallux short, slender,
straight, acute, conical, sessile.

Color. Bill pure intense black. Tarsi, and basal half or more of the toes
and webs flesh-colored ; yellowish when dried. Rest of toes and webs, in-
cluding the whole aspect of the outer toe, blackish.

The head all around and the whole under parts are pure white. But a well-
defined bar of slaty or cinereous black passes through the eye. The upper
tail coverts and superior surface of the tail are clouded with light grayish
cinereous. On the nape the white of the head begins to be shaded with
pearly gray which deepens as it descends adown the back of the neck on the
interscapulars and dorsal parts generally into grayish slate; which again
lightens on the rump. This color varies much as to intensity or dilution ;
but is never as dark as the wings. Both surfaces of the wings are deep slaty
black: the greater coverts inclining to dark slaty gray: lie under surface
rather duller in color than the upper ; the prevailing color changing gradually

* These descriptions of old and young are from specimens in the Philadelphia Academy and
Smithsonian Iustitution.

1368.]

141 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

into dull brownish gray on the edges of the inner webs of the primaries.
Some of the under wing coverts are edged and tipped with grayish white. A
few of the long axillars are chiefly white with their terminal portions slaty.

The preceding description is taken from a specimen from the South Indian
Ocean, mentioned by Mr. Cassin in the Proceedings, as above cited. The fol-
lowing is from one of the specimens taken by Mr. Peale, one of the natural-
ists of the United States Exploring Expedition under Com. Wilkes. The
specimen in question is labelled in Mr. Cassin's hand-writing t‘ P. Lessonii
Garnot:" and while absolutely identical in form with the species as usually
known and recognized presents the following exceedingly different colors :—

Young. No. 15709, Smiths. Register. Terra del Fuego, T. R. Peale.
Entire upper parts dusky fuliginous brown; the dorsal feathers usually
with somewhat light margins; the color deepening on the wings and tail into
brownish black. Some of the secondaries, tertials and upper coverts have a
slight cinereous tinge. On the head and nape the brown is lighter than else-
where; and a somewhat diluted shade of this color extends adown the throat,
thus completely enveloping the head: and occupies likewise the upper half
of the breast, quite across, as well as all the sides under the wings. On the
crissum, and especially on all the under tail coverts except immediately
around the anus, the color again deepens into brownish black. The rest ot
the under parts are white. The circumocular region is darker than the
adjacent parts.

The foregoing is the most immature plumage known to me, and it will be
noticed that not only the colors themselves, but the pattern of coloration is
radically distinet from those of the adults. Ia some specimens is recogniz-
able a faint shade of a darker color on the tips of the feathers of the other-
wise white under parts; whence I infer that in very young birds the whole
under parts may be brownish or grayish.

Dimensions. Chord of culmen 1:50; width or height at base *60; nasal
tubes :25; from feathers on side of lower mandible to its tip 1:15; along
rictus 2:00. Tarsus 1:65; middle toe and claw 2:50; outer do. 2:40; inner
do. 2:10. Wing 11:50 to 1200. Tail 5:60 to 5:50. Graduation of lateral
feathers rather more than an inch.

Synonyma. Among the older authors, I only find one name—alba, of
Gmelin and Latham—which seems at all referrible to this species. JP. alba is
evidently an Æstrelata, of about the size of Lessoni, and the colors as
deseribed apply tolerably well to a somewhat immature example of this spe-
cies. But there is nothing in the diagnoses of either of these authors which
absolutely restricts the name to the P. Lesson? ; and, therefore, in the uncer-
tainty, I would by no means supersede M. Garnot’s appellation Lessoni, the
description of which is quite pertinent. I believe Mr. Cassin, in the Proceed-
ings of the Philadelphia Academy, as above, was the first to refer the bird to
its proper genus.

The Procellaria leucocephala of Forster is certainly this species. His
description is in every respect pertinent to the adult bird. Although the
name had been used, in manuscript, as applied to Drawing No. 98, for many
years, it was not published until 1844, and, eonsequently is antedated by
Lessoni of Garnot, (1826). Forster’s editor, Dr. Lichtenstein, says, probably
correctly, that leucocephala Forst. is the alba Gm. ; but certainly incorrectly
that.‘‘ vix nisi state differre videtur a Proc. hesitata Forst. ;" whereas hesi-
tata Forst. is not even congenerie with leuc cephala.

I am unable to discuss the synonyms variegata, Bonnerté, and vagabunda
Solander, which I quote on the authority of Bonaparte.

ZESTRELATA ROSTRATA (Peale) Gray.

Procellaria rostrata, Peale, Zool. U. S. Expl. Exped. 1848, p. 296. Cassin,
Ornith. U. S. Expl. Exped. 1858, p. 412.
Rhantistes rostrata, Bp. Compt. Rend. 1856, xlii. p. 768.
[ May,

,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 115

Procellaria (ZEstrelata) rostrata, G. R. Gray, Cat. Bds. Pacif. Isl. 1859, p. 56.

Habitat.—Tahiti. (Peale.)

The following detailed description of this little known and hardly recognized
species is taken from Mr. Peale's type specimen, now before me.

Form.—The bill is much shorter than the head or tarsus, about two-thirds
the middle toe without its claw ; exceedingly robust, especially at the base
where it is as high as broad, and where its height is nearly equal to half the
length of the culmen. The lateral lamine of the upper mandible are very
wide and large ; especially basally, where their upper margins rise so high as
to be nearly on a level with the dorsum of the nasal case, the tubes being
thus almost buried between the laminz. In consequence of this shape of the
Jateral laminæ the sulcus is extremely sinuate, extending from the top of the
root of the nasal case to the commissural edge of the unguis, near its middle.
The inferior edge of the laminz, forming in great part the cutting edge of the
upper mandible, is decidedly convex in outline. The unguis is large and
strong, and its elevation, which begins almost directly from the termination
of the nasal case, as well as its convexity and decurvation, are very great.
The under mandible is straight, its suleus strongly pronounced, its tip de-
curved and aeute, its unguis large, its gonys quite concave, though there is
but a slight protuberance at the symphysis.

The nasaltube is short, wide, depres-ed, turgid, not carinated, convex in
outline both antero-posteriorly and transversely ; its apex obliquely truncated,
broad, depressed, not emarginated, the nares circular, separated from each
other by a rather thick septum which comes forward to the very end of the
nasal case. The frontal feati.ers encroach far upon the dorsum of the tubes,
with a rounded termination, and then slope gradually backwards and down-
wards.* The feathers on the sides of the lower mandible do not extend to a
point perpendicularly below the apex of the frontal feathers.

The wings are long, the first primary considerably surpassing the second ;
and when folded they reach considerably beyond the end of the tail. The-
latter is of moderate length, contained rather more than twice in the length
of the wing from the carpus ; and it is much graduated in shape.

The feet are comparatively large for the size of the bird, absolutely about
equalling those of Lessoni, which is a larger bird. The relative proportions.
of the tarsus and toes are much the same as in other species. The hallux is-
rather long, slender and acute.

Dimensions.—Length about 14 inches, **extent 39:50," (Peale.) Wing 11 :.
tail 4°75 ; bill along chord cf culmen 1:37 ; heighth or width at base *66 ; nasal
tubes :25; from feathers on side of lower mandible to its tip 1:20. Tarsus
1°75; middle toe and claw 2:25, outer do. 2:12; inner do. 1:80; hallux °25..
From apex of longest secondary to tip of longest primary in the closed wing
3°25.

Color.—Entire upper parts pure deep blackish brown, including the under:
surfaces of the wings and tail feathers ; everywhere of a nearly uniform tint ;.
but a little darkest on the outer webs and tips of the primaries, and somewhat
lighter on their inner webs, especially towards their bases. This color of the:
upper parts extends around the sides of the head, neck and breast; but be-
comes on the chin, throat and breast a little paler; and includes the sides.
under the wings, and crissum. Rest of under parts, including the under tail
coverts, pure white ; the latter however have a few isolated brownish streaks.
The line of demarcation between the dark and light colors on the breast is not
very trenchant. The bill is black. The tarsi are pale yellow ; probably flesh.
colored in life. A small space on the lower part of their external aspect, and
the whole toes and webs (except a small yellow spot on the inner web near-
its base) are black.

This color of the upper parts is a pure very dark brown, with no mixture

* l'his outline of the feathers on the bill shows an approach to that seen in 7'agodroma, and m
quite different fiom anything that obtains iu the other species of the genus Æstrelata.

1866.] 10

116 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

whatever of ashen, gray or plumbeous. The distribution of colors is almost
exactly that of the species of Cataractes.

I do not think that the plumage above given is that of the adult; it so
closely resembles that of the immature Æ. Lessoni, which is its nearest ally.
It is the only one, however, of which we have at present any knowledge.

I think it most probable that this is a valid species. There is none to which
it bears any very intimate resemblance, except A. incerta and Æ. Lessoni.
The relationships of the former will be noticed elsewhere. Compared with a
young Æ. Lessoni, in which the size and pattern of coloration are not widely
diverse, I find them to differ as follows: The upper parts of rostrata are of a
deeper, purer brown. The under tail coverts are almost wholly white; those
of Lesson? wholly dark colored except immediately about the anus. Mostrata
is a smaller bird, the wing being an inch, the tail rather more than an inch
shorter; but the feet are absolutely of the same size, and therefore compara-
tively larger. The bills of the two birds are nearly of the same length ; but
the radical difference in the character of the nasal tubes, the degree of tur-
gidity of the base, and the outline of the feathers, as will be evident on com-
paring the descriptions given, at once distinguish them.

It is quite possible that some of the indications of older authors may have
veference to this species ; but in the utter impossibility of establishing any
such with certainty I think it best to assign no synonym whatever.

ZESTRELATA PARVIROSTRIS (Peale) Coues.

Procellaria parvirostris, Peale, Zool. U. S. Expl. Exp. 1848, p. 298 Cassin,
Ornith. U. S. Expl. Exped. 1858, p. 411. G. R. Gray, Cat. Birds Pacif.
Isl. 1859, p. 56.
thantistes parvirostris, Bp. C. R. 1856, lxii. p. 768.

Habitat.—Honden Island.

As in the case of Æ. rostrata I describe this supposed species from Mr.
Peale's type specimen.

Form.—Bill much shorter than the head, but very little less than the tarsus,
about two-thirds the middle toe; slender, compressed, considerably higher
than broad at the base; its lateral outline about straight. Nasal tubes much
as in mollis.* A considerable concavity of culmen between the nares and the
elevation of the unguis ; which latter does not rise very high, but is neverthe-
less very convex ; much decurved, attenuated and hooked. Sulcus on side of
the upper mandible curved, its convexity looking downwards, and greatest
near the base of the bill, where the lateral laminæ rise high up to embrace
the roots of the nasal case. Commissural edge of upper mandible strongly
sinuated. Lower mandible almost exactly as in mollis ; perhaps a trifle slen-
derer. Outline of feathers on base of bill just as in mollis.

The wings are exceedingly long, when folded much surpassing the tail.
First and second primaries about equal and longest. Tail of moderate length,
contained about 24 times in the wing. It is greatly graduated, the diffetence
between the external and median rectrices being 1:25 inches.

The tibize are denuded for nearly half an inch. The plates on both sides of
the tarsus are small, irregular and very numerous. The tarsus is a little
more than three-fourths as long as the middle toe and claw. The usual pro-
portionate lengths of the toes prevail. The claws are all small, weak and
little curved. The hallux is minute, straight, not very acute.

Dimensions.—'* Fourteen inches long, by 36 in extent," ( Peale.) Wing 11;
tail 4:50 ; tarsus 1:25 ; bill 1:08 ; outer toe and claw 1:66. From tip of longest
secondaries to end of primaries 4:25. Gradation of tail 1:25.

Colors.—Entire upper parts, including both surfaces of the wings and tail,
deep fuliginous brown, (with no trace of ashy or plumbeous) becoming almost
black on the outer webs of the primaries, and inclining to grayish fuliginous

*The tubes of the single specimen have been so injured by pressure or otherwise that they
cannot now be accurately described.
[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 147

on their inner webs and towards their bases. The head, neck and breast all
round are like the back, but not quite so intense in color; and the dark tint
only oceupies the extreme tips of the feathers ; while its continuity is also in-
terrupted by some whitish spots that show at intervals. There is no distinct
line of demarcation between the dark color of the breast, and the pure white
which occupies every other portion of the under parts of the bird, with the
exception of a few dark brown isolated feathers along the sides under the
wings and the crissum, and some streaks on the outer margins of the external
under tail coverts. The bill is black; the tarsi, first digital phalanges, and
included portions of interdigital membranes, are dull yellowish, but were
probably fiesh colored in life. The rest of the webs and toes are black.

ZESTRELATA INCERTA (Schl.) Coues.

Procellaria incerta, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 9.

** Wing 11 inches 5 lines; point of the wing 3 inches 9 lines. Tail: middle
feathers 4 inches 10 lines; external feathers 3 inches and 3 to 5 lines. Bill:
length 16 lines to 17 lines and a half; height 5 lines to 5 lines and a half.
Width 6 lines to 6 lines and a half. Length of nasal tube 3 lines and a half.
Tarsus 18 lines and a half. Middle toe 1 inch and 10 to 11 lines. Feet yel-
lowish, becoming black upon the two last or the last joints of the toes, with
the contained membrane. Head, neck and back brownish gray, clearer and
inclining to whitish on the throat or whole under part of the neck. Back,
wings and tail blackish brown. Below from the breast, white, mixed with
brown on the flanks and becoming brown on the under tail coverts.”’

Habitat.—'* Southern Oceans, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia."
[Schlegel. ]

The above is a copy of Dr. Schlegel’s description of this supposed species, of
which the author further says: ‘‘l have not been able to refer this species
to any one hitherto described. It appears allied to the Proc. rostrata, Peale,
* * but has the under tail coverts dark colored instead of white, and its
colors generally are less brownish.’’ It is to be deplored, that in introducing
a species into so difficult a family as the present one, a more detailed deserip-
tion was not given.

As well as I can judge by the description, the species is about the size of P.
rostrata, but distinguished from the latter by the different color of the under
tail coverts, and a less decidedly brown tinge of the upper parts generally.
It is probable also that if the bill possessed the turgidity which characterizes
that of rostrata, together with the peculiar outline of the frontal feathers,
these points would not have escaped the attention of Dr. Schlegel. The bird
may pretty safely, then, be separated from rostrata.

I think that it is to the immature plumage of Æstrelata Lessoni that the
species is to be referred, if it be really not valid. There were no recognized
specimens of this latter species in the Museum of the Pays-Bas when inceria
was founded. It comes in all respects exceedingly near the plumage I des-
cribe above as that of the young Lessoni ; so much so that I fail to detect ma-
terial discrepancies. Still I should not like to reduce any species founded by
a competent naturalist, except by autopsy ; and therefore leave it as described
by its author; only desiring to call attention to the necessity of careful com-
parison with the plumage of the young Lessoni.

ZESTRELATA NEGLECTA (Schl.) Coues.

Procellaria neglecta, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 10.

** Colors of the plumage and of the feet as in F. incerta. But much smaller
in size and with the shafts of the quill feathers whitish. Wing 10 inches and
6 to 11 lines; point of the wing 4 inches and 1 to 10 lines. Tail 5 inches and
8 to 11 lines. Bill: length 13 lines and a half; height 4 to 5 lines; width 5
lines and a half to 6 lines and a half. Length of nasal tubes a little over 2
lines. Tarsus 17 lines to 17 and a half. Middle toe 19 lines to 19 and a half.”

1865.)

148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Habitat. —** Pacific Ocean. Kermadec Islands. Sunday Island.” [Schlegel.]
I can offer no opinion concerning this supposed species, except to state that
it may possibly be, as Dr. Schlegel himself seems inclined to suspect, the
«Tistrelata parvirostris. But this latter species itself is so very near mollis
Gould, that it may hereafter prove to be only a state of plumage of the latter.

ÆSTRELATA SOLANDRI (Gould) Coues.

Procellaria Solandri, Gould, P. Z. S., March 26, 1844, p. 57. Gould, Ann. and
Mag. N. H. xiii. 1844, p. 363. Gould, Introd. Birds Aust. 1848. p. 116.

Cookilaria Solandri, Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, ii. p. 190.

Procellaria melanopus, Natterer, fide Gould. (Not of Gmelin.)

** Head, back of the neck, shoulders, primaries and tail dark brown ; back,
wing coverts and upper tail coverts slate-gray, each feather margined with
‘dark brown; face and all the under surface brown, washed with gray on the
abdomen ; bill, tarsi, and membranes black.

‘Total length 16 inches; bill 12; wing 12; tail 5l; tarsi 2; middle
toe and nail 23.”

The preceding is a copy of Mr. Gould’s description of this species. This
author further says of it. ‘‘This is a remarkably robust and compact bird.
I shot a single individual in Bass’ Straits, on the 13th of March 1839. M.
Natterer thought that it might possibly be identical with the bird figured in
Banks’ drawings, and to which Dr. Solander has affixed the term melanopus,
an opinion in which I cannot concur. I have accordingly named it in honor
of that celebrated botanist. The specimen above described may possibly
prove to be not fully adult, as the dark coloring of the under surface only
occupies the extreme tips of the feathers—the basal portions of which are
snow-white.’’

I have not enjoyed an opportunity of examining a specimen of this species,
and none, so far as I am aware, are contained in any American collection. It
appears to be exceedingly distinct from any other species of ZEstrelata, if not
in colors at least in proportions of bill and feet, as compared with the abso-
lute size of the bird. The dimensions of these parts as given by Mr. Gould, —
particularly the shortness of the tarsi, as compared with the lengths of the
toes, are quite different from that of any other species of the genus; so much
so that the bird may not be a true Æstrelata ; upon which point however I
cannot now give a definite opinion. The type of the species is doubtless, as
Mr. Gould surm'ses, not fully adult ; and when mature the dark coloring of
the under parts will in ail probability disappear, leaving the whole inferior
regions of the body white. The unicolor pattern of the feet is diverse from
the ordinary style which prevails in nearly all the species of the genus.

By Bonaparte the species is referred to his ‘‘genus’’ Cookilaria, though
for what reason is not obvious, since Mr. Gould particularly notes that his
species is a ‘‘ remarkably robust and compact bird," while the type of
** Cookilaria?? is the leucoptera Gould; almost the very smallest and most
gracefully formed species of Æstrelata. Dr. Schlegel’s identification of So-
landri with grisea of Kuhl is elsewhere commented upon.

ZHSTRELATA GRISEA (Kuhl) Coues.

Procellaria grisea, Kuhl, Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool. 1820, p. 144, No. 15, fig. 9.
But not of Latham.* Schlegel. Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas. 1863, p.
12; (excluding synonymy )

* Lath. Syn. 1785, iii. part ii. p. 399, No.4. “ Size ofajack-daw; length 14 or 15 inches. Bill
2 inches long, and brown; the whole plumage black or sooty; the under wing coverts white, with
black shafts; the wings rather exceed the tail in length ; the forepart of the legs greenish blue.
The specimen in the Leverian Museum has the chin and throat of a whitish color. Inhabits the
southe n hemisphere from 35? to £0°. Seems much allied to the Black Petrel,” (zquinoctialis.)

This is a species of Latham’s which has not so far as Iam aware been identifled by later
writers: and I find it quite impossible, from the above meagre indication, to come to any definite
conclusion regarding it. It is, however, in all probability some species of N-ctris, of the Puffinezx ;
so that we need not therefore be prevented trom using Kuhl's name of grisea for a bird of the

genus Æstrelata.
(May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 149

Procellaria lugens, Forster, icon. 21, according to Kuhl. Banks, tab. 21 and
22, ‘‘ubi rostri forma optime est delineata ' according to Kuhl.

** _Estrelata inexpectata, Forster," of Bonaparte's Conspectus, ii. p. 189. But
not the true inexpectata of Forster which is doubtless mollis, Gould.

** Bill much compressed. Plumage uniform gray, darkest above, and be-
eoming blackish on the wings. Generally similar to mollis of Gould, but with
a more compressed bill, different colors and proportions of some parts, and
the feet, including the webs, brownish in the dried state. Wing 9 1-12th
inches ; central tail feathers 3 11-12ths, external ones 2 11-12ths. Bill 11j
lines long: 4 high, 44 wide. Length of nasal tube rather more than 2 lines.
Tarsus 16} lines. Middle toe 19 lines."

The preceding description is compiled from the diagnosis of a species given
by Dr. Schlegel (as above cited) from the Australian seas. That writer iden-
tifies it with the grisea of Kuhl, and gives Solandri of Gould as a synonym.
I am unacquainted, autoptically, with any species differing from mollis Gould,
by the characters as given by Dr. Schlegel. That gentieman, however, has a
specimen indicating such a species, and upon the competent authority of the
accomplished Director of the Pays-Bas Museum, I recognize the species as dis-
tinet from mollis. "The color of the plumage I do not think can be regarded
as a constant and valid character, since some ages of mollis present exactly
the tints described as those of grisea. The species must therefore be separa-
ted, if at all, by the more compressed bill, different colors of the feet, and dif-
ferent proportions of some of the parts. Taking Dr. Schlegel's description and
specimen as the only tangible basis on which the supposed species I am now
treating of rests, there are presented for our consideration the following points
of synonymy.

Attentive study of Kuhl’s description of the bird he calls ‘‘ grisea L.," and
examination of his fizure (fiz. 9) will show clearly that it is by no means tlie
species described by Latham under the name of ‘Gray Petrel, P. grisea.”
Latham gives the bill as two inches long, while Kuhl’s figure delineates a bill
measuring just one inch along the chord of the culmen. Other discrepancies
are palpable throughout. Latham's grisea appears to be a Nectris, while
Kuhl’s is an sfre/ata very near mollis. Kuhl himself takes occasion to note
some descrepancies between his bird and Latham’s.* Kuhl’s expressions
** rostro valde compresso; * * corpore et tectricibus alarum inferiori-
bus cinerascente fuliginosis, pedibus pallidis °’ together with his measure-
ments, are entirely pertinent to the bird whose characters are given by Dr.
Sehlegel; so that the only question is the distinctness of the species from
mollis.

While I thus entirely agree with Dr. Schlegel in this identification of Kuhl’s
name, I can by no means assent to the referring of Mr. Gould’s P. Solandri to
this species. P. Solandri is certainly radically distinct; and so different in
its proportions that I cannot understand how Dr. Schlegel could have recon-
ciled it with P. grisea.

Dr. Kuhl (l. c.) says of the P. lugens of Forster (ic. 21) that he considers it the
same as grisea; he also adduces P. lugens Banks, (tab. 21 and 22,) as asyno-
nym of the latter. My quotation of these names is entirely upon Dr. Kuhl’s
authority.

The Æstrelata inexpectata of Bonaparte’s Conspectus evidently belongs here
rather than to the true mollis. The author quotes Kull’s grisea asa synonym ;
and the diagnosis he gives presents nothing incompatible with the present
species. The true inexpectata of Forster is, I think, mollis, as I attempt else-
where to demonstrate.

As a summary of the preceding remarks I may state that if there be a spe-

+“ In exemplari meo haud observari quod Lath. de inferioribus alarum tectricibus dicit."—
Kuhl, p. 144.

1860.]

150 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

cies of ZEstrelata, closely allied to mollis but permanently differing from it by
those characters laid down by Dr. Schlegel, and of which the specimen in the
Museum of the Pays-Bas is an example, then the synonyms adduced at the
head of this article are most properly to be referred to this species ; but other-
wise they must be considered as appertaining to mollis.

ZEsTRELATA MOLLIS (Gould) Coues,

? Procellaria melanopus,* Gm. S. N. i. p. 562. Lath. Syn. iii. p. 409, No. 12.
Vieill. Nouv. Dict. xxvi. 1817, p. 420. ? Puffinus melanopus Steph.
Zool. xiii. p. 231.

Procellaria inexpectata, Forster, Descr. Anim. ed Licht. 1844, p. 204, No. 177.
Not Æstrelata inexpectata of Bp. Consp. which rather appertains to the
** grisea Kuhl ” of this paper.

Procellaria mollis, Gould, Ann. et Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 363. Id. Birds
Aust. vii. pl. 50. Cassin U. S. Ex. Exped. Ornith. 1858, 410. Schle-
gel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 11.—And of later authors gene-
rally.

Cookilaria mollis, Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, ii. p. 190.

Rhantistes mollis, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, xlii. 1856, p. 768.

? Procellarva gularis,t Peale, Zool. U. S. Expl. Exped. 1848, p. 299.

? Procellaria Phillipii, G. R. Gray, Ibis, 1862, iv. p. 246.

? P. crepidata; P sandaliata, Solander, according to Bp.

Habitat.—South Pacific and Antarctic Oceans.

Form.{ Bill as long or slightly less than the tarsus, nearly equal to the
middle toe without its claw ; compressed, a little higher than broad at the
base. In the details of its shape it does not differ from the typical species of
Hstrelata. The proportions of tarsus and toes are also as in other species of
the genus. The tail is only moderately rounded, instead of being decidedly
cuneate with some projection of the median rectrices, as in Æ. hesitata ; its
length is contained in that of the wing from the carpal joint slightly more
than twice. The folded wings reach considerably beyond the tail. The spe-
cies in size and general contour of the body approaches Daption capensis.

I do not notice that the plumage is softer, fuller, or more mollipilose than
in some other species of the genus.

Color. There is a transocular black fascia, the greater part of which lies
below the eye. The clear ashy gray of the upper parts extends over the ver-
tex, becoming more or less mixed with white on the front and cheeks, accord-
ing to age. Most of the feathers of the back have slightly paler margins. The
primaries are nearly concolor in all their extent ; (compare description of No.
15,706 Smithsonian Collection, infra ;) being only a little duller or more fuli-
ginous on their inner webs. The under surface of the wing is chiefly dusky
brownish ; but there is an illy-defined and interrupted area of whitish, par-
ticularly towards the bases of the primaries. The upper tail coverts and tail
are chiefly concolor with the back ; but some of the outer rectrices are marbled
with white.

In the majority of specimens the color of the back extends on the sides of
the breast for a considerable distance; sometimes quite across the middle;
but in very adult birds most of the breast is pure white. The coloris pro-
duced by a clouding of the tips only of the feathers, their basal portions be-

* The following is Gmelin's diagnosis: * 13 pollices longa. Vertex, cauda rotundata, et alæ
totze obseuré nigræ; dorsum ex atro paulisper canescens ; membrana digitos connectens parte sui
ulteriore, digitorumque articuli, nigri.

+ Leale, as above. ** Above cinereous brown; tail and breast plumbeovs; throat, under wing
coverts and under tail coverts white. Primaries and spurious quills nearly black with brown
shafts ; tail light beneath: two outer feathers mottled with white, * * whole under plumage
white at the ro ts; bill blue-black. Length 18; extent 34; wing from carpal joint 107; bill one
inch; tarsi 1:20; outer toe 1:60; tail 2:40."

f Description from typical examples, received from Mr. Gould, in the Philadelphia Academy.

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. TSL

ing white; and often is not uniform in tint, but is minutely undulated or
punctulated with lighter and darker shades.

The front, lores, lower part of cheeks, and whole under parts, including the
lower tail coverts, are white. The lateral rectrices are on their inferior aspect
chiefly white, with some light cinereous marbling.

In general terms it may be stated that the older the bird, the clearer and
purer is the cinereous, and the more trenchantly defined are the boundaries
of the several differently colored areas; the difference in this respect being
especially notable in the forehead and sides of the breast.

Young birds are all over of a pretty uniform deep brownish ash, or fuligin-
ous cinereous ; inclining to smoky brown on the wings and tail. The whole
under parts are not notably different from the back, though, however, the
dark color only oceupies the tips of the feathers; their basal moiety remain-
ing white. The transocular dark fascia is always present. But the chin and
face are much mottled with whitish ; and in specimens otherwise wholly dark
on the under parts, the chin and throat may be chiefly white, striatulated
with ashy brown.

Moulting specimens, or those in poor plumage from the age and worn con-
dition of the feathers, show scarcely a trace of cinereous on the wings and
tail, these parts being of a dull brownish, more or less tending to gray. The
same tendency to brownish or grayish instead of cinereous is observable on
other parts. Sometimes a pure white chin and throat coéxists with complete
dusky clouding of the other under parts. *

The bill and feet hardly differ in color with age. The bill is black; the
tarsus, basal half of inner toe and contained web, flesh colored ; (dull yellow-
ish when dry ;) all the rest of the toes and webs, with all the claws, black.

Dimensions. (No. 1678, Phila. Acad., J. Gould.) Bill (chord of culmen)
1:10. Height at base ‘45; width slightly less. Tarsus 1:32. Outer toe and
claw 1°75; middle about the same, inner 1°50. Wing average 10:00; but
may range from 9:50 to 10°50; tail 4:50; the graduation of the rectrices about
1:30. These are nearly the average dimensions of six examples.

There is a specimen, No. 15,706, in the Smithsonian Museum from the
Antarctic Ocean, by Mr. T. R. Peale, which, with the size and general appear-
ance of mollis differs as follows : The under surfaces of the wings are, except just
along the edges, purely and uninterruptedly white ; as much so as in C.okii.
The inner vanes of all the primaries, instead of being simply duller and grayer
than the outer, have trenchantly defined pure white areas ; these white spaces
occupy the whole of the webs at the base; as they extend more towards the
apex they become less wide, leaving a narrow space of dark color along the
inside of the shafts; apically they terminate with an acutely pointed outline,
which stretches towards the tip of the feather, and is bounded internally and
externally by dark colored portions of the feather. The general pattern is
exaetly that seen in the primaries of most Lari ; and the definition of the two
colored areas is as strict. In other respects the bird is like a quite young
mollis, being dark colored both above and below ; but the tint of the cloud-
ing below is more intensely sooty than in any specimen of typical mollis I have
seen ; and there is this peculiarity in addition, that the under tail coverts
remain pure white.

I do not wish to introduce a new name upon the above basis; though pos-
sibly in any other family than the very one of the Petrels I would do so. The
points which would constitute its specific characters are elucidated in the pre-
ceding paragraph ; and should the differences above pointed out be substan-
tiated as persistent in other specimens, it would, I think, then be proper for
the ornithologist who makes the verification to forma ly introduce the species.
The specimen in question before me is the only one contained in the United

"* In which condition is the type of “gularis,’ Peale.

[May,

153 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

c

States Wilkes’ Exploring Expedition collection; and is, therefore, in all
probability, the very individual upon which Mr. Peale based his deseription
of gularis; which name should, therefore, stand for the species, in the event
of its proving valid; even though Peale's description does not notice the
peculiar markings of the primaries.

Bibliography. It is possible that the P. melanopus of Gmelin and Latham
was based upon this species. Their bird evidently was an ZZstrelata, and
‘thirteen inches long ;’’ and the description of the colors would apply pretty
well to an immature mollis, But mollis has a bill by no means an inch and a
half long; and is not found, so far as we know, ''circa Americani septen-
trionalis." The only known North American species of #strelata is the
hesitata ; of which the bill is nearly of the length stated by Latham. Under
the circumstances, I do not think this name is to be adopted for ei her species.

I think there can be no doubt that the inerpectata of Forster is really this
species. I find no points of the description, nor any of the measurements, at
all incompatible with this supposition. Dr. Lichtenstein refers inexpectata to
grisea of Gmelin; certainly incorrectly, whatever may be its relations to
grisea of Kuhl.

The name mollis Gould bears the same date of publication as inexpectata,
(1844): so that it is difficult to say which actually has priority. I think, if
any choice is allowed us, we should, by all means, use mollis, so definitely
characterized and well known. Mr. Gould, in describing the species, says
that it had been identified with lugens of Banks, and with grisea of Kuhl (nec
Gm.) This may very possibly be the case; although, for the present, I give
grisea Kuhl, (of which lugens Banks is a synonym,) as, a distinct species,
for reasons stated elsewhere.

In the Ibis, as above, Mr. G. R. Gray has a species P. Phillipii from Norfolk
Island; based upon the ‘‘ Norfolk Island Petrel,’’ Phill. bot. Bay, p. 161 ;
with P. alba, var. Lath., and P. mollis Gould, as synonyms, the latter queried.
No description is given, and I merely follow Gray himself, in placing the
name as a queried synonym of mollis. "Vieillot, (Nouv. Dict., xxvi. 1817, p.
420,) refers to this same ‘‘ Norfolk Island Petrel."'

AJEsTRELATA Cooxu (Gray) Coues.

Procellaria Cookii, G. R. Gray, Fn. N. Z. App. Dieff. Trav., 1843, ii. p. 199.—
Id. Voy. Ereb. and Terror, pt. iii. 1844, pl. 35.—Id. Sclater's Ibis,
1862, iv. p. 246. Cassin, U. S. Expl. Exped. Ornith., 1858, p. 414, and
of authors.

Rhantistes Cookii, Bonap. Compt. Rend. xlii. p. 768.

Procellaria leucoptera, Gould, P. Z. S. xxii. 1844, p. 57.—Id. Ann. Mag. N.
H. xiii. 1844, p. 364.—Id. Birds Aust. pl. 51.

Cookilaria leucoptera, Bonap. C. A. 1855, ii. p. 190.

Cookiluria velox, Bonap. C. A., 1855, ii. p. 190, ex Pr. velox of Solander. Not
velox of Banks, supposed to be one of the Prionew.

Rhantistes velox, Bonaparte, Compt. Rend. xlii. 1856, p. 768.

Procellaria breripes,* Peale, Zool. U. S. Ex, Ex. Bds., 1848, p. 294.

Habitat.—Southern Oceans, at large.

Form.t Bill much compressed, except at the extreme base, where it is
nearly as wide as high; much shorter than the skull; about equal to the
tarsus; one of the most slender in general shape of this genus. The lateral
superior sulcus is nearly straight, being only a little sinuate ; the outline of
the inferior mandibular rami and of the gonys botb a little concave, the pro-

* Peale, as above. “Head and wings sooty black; tail and back gray; throat, breast, and
belly white, tinged with salmon color when living; interrupted plumbeous bind across the
breast; two outer tail feathers lizht gray, white beneath; shafis white; all the others brown;
under wing coverts white; lesser ones nearly black. Bill black; teet pale flesh; toes black at
their ends. Length 10:70; extent 2425; culmen nineteen-twentieths ; middle toe and claw 1.30.”

+ From specs. iu Philada. Acad. and Mus. Smithson.
[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 158

tuberance at the symphysis acute, if not very prominent. The commissure
is, as usual, very sinuate. The nasal case is contained nearly four times in
the length of the culmen ; broad, depressed, its dorsal outline straight, its
apex very obliquely truncated, its orifice subcircular, each maris oval; the
septum of considerable thickness, and coming forward to the very end of the
ease. The frontal feathers do not extend at all forward on the base of the
eulmen, but embrace the sides of the bill as extensively as they do its base
above; and thence they slope very rapidly backwards, making a considerable
angle just above the edge of the commissure.

The wings are sufficiently elongated to extend, when folded, a little beyond
the end of the tail, which is, itself, rather longer than in most species of this
group. The second primary is nearly as long as the first; the rest are
rapidly graduated.

1he tail is so long as to be only contained exactly twice in the length of
the wing from the carpus, and the graduation of the lateral feathers is about
as great as in hesitata, (greater than in mollis,) though the median pair of
rectrices are not specially produced. The upper tail coverts fall far short of
the end of the tail: the under ones reach quite to it.

The legs are short and slender; the tibiz bare for but a very brief space.
The tarsi are considerably shorter than the middle toe without its claw, and
about equal to the inner; quite slender, moderately compressed, with the
ordinary recticulations. The tip of the inner lateral claw just reaches the
base of the middle one. The middle and outer toes are of equal length, but
the claw of the latter is much shorter than that of the former: which last is
but very slightly dilated on its inner edge. All the claws are small, slender
and weak, but still much curved and acute. The hallux is of the ordinary
Size and shape.

Dimensions. Chord of culmen 1:00; height of bill at base :35 to -40.
Length of nasal case *25. Wing 8:50 to 9:00; the distance from end of
longest secondary to tip of first primary in the folded wing 2:75. Tail 5:75
to 4:25; graduation 1:00 to 1:50. Tarsus 1:10; outer toe and claw 1:25;
inner do. 1:12, middle do. 1:33. From upper tail coverts to end of
tail 1:40.

Color. Adult. Above blackish cinereous. On the crown of the head and
its sides to a little below and before the eye, and on the nape the color tends
more towards sooty brownish than to cinereous; but on the neck behind
this color merges insensibly into the quite pure deep cinereous, which occu-
pies the middle dorsal region, the interscapulars, and some of the tertials.
The rump is darker and more like the crown; the upper tail coverts again
being cinereous, if anything a little lighter than the back—tending to pure
grayish instead of dusky cinereous. The superior surface of the tail is
plumbeous blackish, lightest and most cinereous basally. Inferiorly the tail
is lighter colored than on its upper surface ; the lateral rectrices particularly
being light plumbeous gray, almost whitish basally. The shafts of the
feathers are above brown, below white, except at their extremities. The
superior wing coverts and allthe primaries and secondaries are brownish or
fuliginous black; deepest along the edges of the wings, and outer borders
and tips of the quill feathers. The inner vanes of the primaries are light
grayish fuliginous, becoming grayish white towards their bases; but the
transition is quite gradual. The shafts are black above, brownish beneath.
All the under wing coverts are pure white, except one row, the smallest, just
along the edge of the ulna and metacarpus; producing a broad uninterrupted
white area. On the radial edge of the antibrachium there is a narrow but
well-defined white line:* visible from both upper and under aspects of the

* This is very erroneously called a ** linea humeralis” by Mr. Gould in one place; and spoken
of as “a line along the inner edge of the shoulder" in another. We very often find the carpal
joint most carelessly and incorrectly spoken of as the * shoulder,”

1866.]

154 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

wing. The front, the lores, the sides of the head nearly to the eyes; the
side of the neck, and the whole under plumage, pure white. The color of the
back almost always, to some degree, clouds the sides of the breast. :

The above is the plumage of a very mature bird. Usually the plumage is
rather as follows. The upper parts generally are less decidedly cinereous—
having more of an admixture of brownish—though the upper tail coverts are
quite notably plumbeous. The forehead is speckled with black: sometimes
the latter color being in excess over the white. The sides of the breast are
very strongly clouded with dark cinereous gray, which may reach quite to
the median line; though this color is only a wash on the extremities of the
feathers. Some of the feathers on the flanks, and a few of the under tail
coverts are also lightly touched with plumbeous gray.

Young. The upper parts show scarcely a trace of cinereous anywhere,
except, perhaps, on the upper tail coverts. The front is so much obscured
by dusky that the white only appears in small sparse specks. The whole
under parts are tinged with a piumbeous black hue from the breast back-
wards; this color being deepest on the breast where it is pure and uninter-
rupted; on other parts appearing as a clouding er marbling. The chin and
throat in all the specimens I have seen remain almost pure white, in marked
contrast to the rest of the under parts. The under wing coverts are as de-
scribed in the adult: and the white line along the edge of the fore arm also
exists.

It will be noted that the changes of plumage above described are quite
homologous with those to which mollis is subject.

The bill is black. S mewhat more than half the inner web, and rather less
than half the outer web, together with the tarsus, are light flesh color. The
rest of the toes and webs are black. The colors of the bill and feet seem
subject to little variation with age.

Synonyma. The name Cvoki of Gray has priority by about a year over
leucoptera of Gould; as, indeed, the latter author himself allows. That
these two names were based upon the same species is not doubted, so far as I
ean learn, except by one author. Bonaparte would have it that the bird
figured in plate 51 of the Birds of Australia, and called ** Cookii Gray ”’ by
Mr. Gould, is not the species really so named by Mr. Gray; but another;
differing slightly in size, though quite identical in color, and for which be
adopts the name veloz. In this conclusion, he is quite unsustained by orni-
thologists.

The specimen collected by Mr. T. R. Peale, now before me, which doubtless
is the type of his brevipes of 1848, is an example of this species.

This little species is liable to be confounded with no other, except, perhaps,
the succeeding one; under the head of which latter the apparent differences
are noticed. I find no names of the older writers which seem referrible to
this species; and its synonymy is less confused than that of most other
components of the genus.

AESTRELATA GAVIA (Forst.)

Procellaria gavia, Forst. Descr. Anim. Ed. Licht., 1844, p. 148. (**P. supra
cerulesventi-nigra, subtus candida, palato et linguá villis deflexis,
pedibus pallide-fuscis. * * Habitat ad ZEstuarium Regine Char-
lotte. * * Corpus magnitudine circiter P. vittate. * * Alae
expanse 26 une. rostrum in fronte 1:50; tibie 1°75; cauda 2:50.”
Forst.) G. R. Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terr. Birds, pt. x. Oct., 1845,
p. 18.—Id. Ibis, 1862, iv. p. 246. From Queen Charlotte's Sound.

This is a species which is not recognized, aud, in fact, does not appear to
be noticed in later systematic works. In addition to the diagnostic points
quoted above, Forster describes it as having the pileum, neck behind, back,
rump, thighs, tail, and upper surface of the wings, bluish black; the chin,

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 155

throat, breast, abdomen, crissum and under wing coverts white. Forster’s
editor, Dr. Lichtenstein, merely says of it, “inter P. a/be Lath. varietates
latens." Mr. G. R. Gray recognizes it in the works above cited as a valid
species. An accurate definition of ite characters, and an exact exposition of
its relationships, together with its synonyms, if it have any, are greatly to be
desired.

The bird is apparently some small species of Æstrelata. All the points of
coloration given, especially those of the under wing coverts, are quite con-
sistent with the characters of Æ. Cookii. But the dimensions as stated are
quite at variance with those presented by Cookii, those of the bill and feet
being much too large, while that of the tail is too small; these dimensions
being rather those of a small Puffinus. In view of these discrepancies, I pre-
fer to coincide with Mr. Gray’s high authority in holding it, for the present
at least, as distinct; especially as its reference to any described species
would be entirely upon supposition.

AQSTRELATA DESOLATA (Gm.) Bon.

Procellaria desolata, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. pars. ii. 1788, p. 562, No. 14.
Latham, Syn. iii. part ii. 1785, p. 409, No. 14. Latham, Ind. Orn.,
1790, ii. p. 825, No. . Kuhl, Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool, 1820, p. 143,
No. 13, fig. 7. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 13;
and of authors generally.

Daption desolatum, Steph. Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825, p. 244.

aTistrelata desolata, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. ii. p. 189. Excl. var. rostrata.—Id.

Comptes Rend. xlii. 1856, p. 768.

Procellaria fasciata, Bonnerté, (Gray, Cat. Bds. Pacif. Islands, 1859, p. 56).
Habitat.—Island of Desolation. New Hebrides ; Kamtschatka, (Schlegel).
“Pr. ex virescente cinerea, subtus alba, remigibus caudáque rotundata

obscuris, hac apice fusca. * * Rostrum nigrum apice flavicans; tempora

ocularumque area alba. Summitas alarum feré nigra; pedes fusci; mem-
brana digitos connectens flava; ungues nigri; alis expansis fascia obscura
per omne corpus ab apice ad apicem.” [Gmelin.]

** Teintes du plumage et des pieds absolument comme celles de la Procellaria
leucoptera, mais d'une taille beaucoup moins forte, et les pennes caudales
comme les plumes sous-caudales d'une teinte foncée jusqu'à leur base.
Aile 7 pouces 10 lignes; pointe de Vaile 2 pouces 11 lignes. Queue: pennes
mitoyennes 3 pouces 5 lines; pennes externes 2 pouces 8 lignes. Bec:
longeur 11 lignes; hauteur 3 lignes; largeur 4 lignes. Longueur du tube
nasal à-peu-prés de 2lignes. Tarse 12 lignes. Doigt du mileau 12 lignes."
(Schlegel.)

This is a species with which I am unacquainted through autopsy. It is
the smallest known component of the genus, being less than the little Coo£i;.
I have copied Gmelin’s original indication of the species ; and Dr. Schlegel’s
measurements of a typical example, from the Temminckian collection ; the
individual upon which Dr. Kuhl, in 1520, based his description. Both
Gmelin and Latham speak of some portion of the bill as being yellow ; which
was probably an accidental feature in one specimen; for, as is well known,
all the ZZstrelatas have black bills.

This species is so small, and otherwise so well characterized, that it stands
in the enviable position of having hardly a synonym, although described in
the eighteenth century. I have not met with, or seen anywhere cited, a
single synonym, except that of Bonnerté, above given.

ABSTRELATA MACROPTERA (Smith) Coues.

Procellaria macroptera, Smith, Ill. S. Af. Zool. Bds., pl. 52. Gould, Ann. Mag.
N. H., 1844, xiii. p. 362. Gould, Introd. Bds. Aust., p. 116, No. 591.
Ossifraga macroptera, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. t. 21, fig. 786.

1866.1

156 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Pterodroma macroptera, Bp. C. A., 1855, ii. p. 191.

Procellaria brevirostris, Lesson, Traité Orn., 1831, p. 611.

** ? Procellaria lugubris, Tschudi,’’ according to Bonaparte. Not of Natterer,
which is a Thalassidromine.

Habitat.—Antarctic Oceans. Coast of Africa. (Smith). Van Diemen’s
Land. (Gould).

This is a species which I recognize with much doubt. Not. having access
to the original description by Smith, I cannot speak with certainty regarding
it. It is admitted by Bonaparte, who says of it: ‘‘ Ex toto fuliginoso-cinerea ;
rostro nigro; pedibus flavidis.’? On the other hand, Dr. Schlegel refers it to
the atlantica; and the measurements of two specimens in the Pays-Bas
Museum, (one an undoubted atlantica received from Mr. Gould, and the
other a supposed macroptera,) by no means differ in size to a degree incom-
patible with specific identity. If the expression ‘‘ pedibus flavidis"" is cor-
rect, the species would be easily separable. As it is, the only data given by
most authors are the larger size, longer wings, and grayer face, as compared
with atlantica.

It is quite possible that the specimen upon which Dr. Schlegel unites the
two names is not a veritable example of macroptera. Bonaparte evidently
separates macroptera from ctlantica on the strength of the difference in the
color of the feet. Mr. Gould says of this species: “I think that a bird I
killed in the seas off Van Diemen’s Land, where it was tolerably abundant,
and which differs from atlantica in being of a larger size, having much longer
wings and a grayer face, may be identical with P. macroptera of Smith, and
Itherefore retain it under that appellation, in preference to assigning it a
new name." Here is an instance in which an author who, in extensive and
practical knowledge of the Petrels, is surpassed by no other naturalist, deems
the species sufficiently distinct from at/antica. But it is quite possible that
the bird here referred to is not the true macroptera of Smith; and may likely
enough be an undescribed species of Pterodroma, different from both macrop-
tera and atlantica, as, indeed, Bonaparte hints, (page 191, Conspectus).

On page 611 of Lesson's Traité," (1831,) there is described a Procellaria
brevirostris, as follows: ‘‘Bee noir, court, tres recourbé; tarses jaune;
plumage en entier brun fuligineux; ailes et queue noir intense. Mus. de
Paris." This is evidently some species of Pterodroma; and upon this de-
scription, apparently, or, very possibly, upon the specimen itself in the Paris
Museum, Bonaparte has drawn up his diagnosis of the species he calls
'* macroptera Smith.’’ I cannot see why he does not employ Lesson’s name,
which has priority over macroptera Smith, provided the two are synonymons.

As a resumé of the subject, I may state that I think it quite possible there
are two species confounded in the synonyma at the head of this article. One
is brevirostris Lesson, entirely fuliginous, and with yellow feet. The other is
the species referred to by Mr. Gould, as above, as distinguished from the
common allantica by its larger size, longer wings, and gray face. Whether
the latter is the true macroptera of Smith remainsto be proven. Dr. Schlegel
may be perfectly right in referring the macroptera Smith to atlantica Gould ;
and yet the two species Iam speaking of may also exist, distinct from each
other and from at/antica.

By Bonaparte the Procellaria lugubris T'schudi * is referred with a query to
this species. As will be seen by the accompanying foot.note, the bird is
evidently some species of Plerodroma ; though the description is so brief
aud wanting in measurements that it is impossible to say to which one itis to
be referred, or whether it be really a valid new species.

* Tschudi, Cab. Journ. f. Ornith., iv. 1856, p. 85. *'The whole body is dark brown, the back
somewhat deeper-colorea than the belly; the tail wholly black; the inner side of the wing
darker than the outer. Bill and feet reddish; iris ashy gray. Surpasses in size the capensis ;
also compressed in form. The description of P. antarctica is too inaccurate to say with certainty
if it be the species here described. Between 46° and 36°.”

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. T57

ÆSTRELATA FULIGINOSA (Kuhl) Coues.

Procellaria fuliginosa, Kubl, Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool. 1820, p. 142, No. 12, pl. x.
fig. 6.—(Banks, tab. 19, fide Kuhl; Forst. tab. 93, B. fide Gould.) But
not Proc. fuliginosa, Kuhl, l. c. species 27, page 148, (Banks tab. 23,)
which isa Neciris. Also not fuliginosa Gm. Lath. which is probably a
Thalassidromine species. Also not Pufinus fuliginosus Strick.—Forster,
Descr. Anim. Ed. Licht. 184M, p. 23, sp. 18.—Not the JVecíris fuliginosa of
Forster.—Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas. 1863, p. 8.

Procellaria atlantica, Gould, Ann. Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 362. Id. Introd. B.
Aust. p. 116, sp. 590, and of authors.

Pterodroma atlantica, Bonaparte, C. A. 1856, ii. p. 191.

Habitat.—Atlantie Ocean, particularly its southern portions.

Deser.* Bill black. Feet dark colored. Entire plumage including the
under wing coverts, fuliginous, becoming almost black on the wings and
tail. Bill 1:35. Tarsus 1:60; middle toe and claw 2:20; outer do. about the
same, inner do. 220. Wing 10:75 to 11:50; possibly to 12:00. Tail 4:50 to
5:00. Total length 15 to 16 inches.

Fine examples of this well known species are in the Philadelphia Academy,
some of them typical specimens received from Mr. Gould, and labelled by him
“ atlantica.”

This species is certainly the fuliginosa of Kuhl's monograph (No. 12, pl. x.
fig. 6.) Indeed it is seldom that the descriptions and measurements of the
earlier writers are found so entirely pertinent and readily identifiable as in
the present instance. The figure of the bill agrees exactly. This identifica-
tion is made by both Bonaparte and Schlegel. Although the name fuliginosa
has been applied by several other authors to different species, none of them
fall in this genus or indeed among the ZZsírelatee. (Examine my synonyma,
suprd.) There would seem to be therefore no good reason why the
name should not stand for this species, taking precedence over atlantica of
Gould. To Dr. Schlegel is due, I believe, the credit of restoring Dr. Kuhl's
name.

It is quite at variance with the usual great accuracy of Mr. Gould's identifi-
cations, that he should have said} that this species “is the grisea of Kuhl”
(No. 15, fig. 9.) I have endeavored to show, anteà, what I think the grisea of
Kuhl really is; but whether my identification—which is the same as that
made by Dr. Schlegel—be correct or not, Kuhl’s grisea is certainly widely
different from the present species.

In my Review of the Puffinee, page 124 of these Proceedings for 1864, I
maintain the opinion that fuliginosa, Forster, sp. 18, p. 23, of Lichenstein’s
edition, is a species of Nectris; which view I am now satisfied is erroneous.
Procellaria fuliginosa Forster is the present species, as maintained by Prof.
Lichtenstein and Prince Bonaparte. Impressed with Kuhl's remark that his
fuliginosa is ^ omnino diversa a Nectri fuliginosa Forst." I did not discriminate
between this latter name and the Procellaria fuliginosa Forst. p. 23 of Lichen-
stein's edition ; whence my mistake.

I know nothing of the Neetris fuliginosa of Forster, nor do I attempt to iden-
tify Proc. fuliginosa, sp. 27, (‘‘ Banks tab. 23") of Dr. Kuhl's monograph. The
latter has recently been identified by Mr. Gray with Proc. pacifica of Latham,
which is some large species of Puffinus (Cat. Birds Pacif. Isl. p. 55.)

In the “Ibis” for 1862. page 245, Mr. G. R. Gray institutes a Procellaria
Parkinsoni; which is said to be the bird of Bank's icon. ined. No. 19, and (in
part) the Puffinus aquinoctialis of Gray's list of Anseres of the British Museum,
page 160, and is compared with zquinoctialis as follows: ** being smaller in all
its proportions; the bill is nearly one-third less than that of xquinoctialis ; the

* From specs. in Mus. Acad., Phila.
T Ann. Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 302.

1866.]

158 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

body is sooty black throughout, being without the white on the mentum ; the
tips of the mandibles are inclined to black." This description does not show
well whether the bird is a Majaqueus or a Pterodroma ; the comparison with
squinoctialis would seem to indicate the former; while the citation of Banks’
Drawings No. 19 (by Kuhl placed under his P. fuliginosa—which is the Ptero-
droma atlantica,) would make it a component of the latter group. The habitat
of the supposed species is New Zealand.

JESTRELATA ATERRIMA (Verreaux) Coues.

Procellaria aterrima, Verreaux. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 9.
Pterodroma aterrima, Bonap. C. A. 1855, ii. p. 191.

* Bulweria aterrima, Aliq."

* ? Proc. carbonaria, Solander ” fide Bp.

Habitat.—W est coast of Africa. Bourbon Island.

A very distinct species, distinguished among its congeners by its size, and
the color of the feet. The plumage as in the otbers of the group is uniform
blackish fuliginous ; the feet are yellowish, or light colored, passing into black
upon the terminal moiety of the toes and the included portions of their mem-
branes. Dr. Schlegel gives the following measurements of a typical example
in the Leyden Museum, from Bourbon Island, received from Mr. Verreaux:
* Wing 8 7-12 inches; point of the wing 3 5-12; middle tail feathers 3 7-12 ;
external 2 8-12; length of bill 123 lines; height 4} lines; width 6 lines; tar-
sus 163 lines; middle toe 173 lines." "

JESTRELATA BULWERI (Jard. et Selb.) Coues.

Procellaria Bulweri, Jardine and Selby, Ill. Orn. Vol. ii. tab. 65. (No date
given on title page and pages not numbered.) Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus.
Pay- Bas, 1863, p. 9, and of many authors.

Thalassidroma Bulweri, Gray, Gen. Birds, 1849, iii.

Procellaria anjinho, Heineken, Birds Mad. in Brewst. Journ. Oct. 1829, p. 231.
(First designation ?)

Puffinus columbinus, Webb and Berthelot, Hist. Nat. Canar. ii. part ii. 1836—44,
page 44, pl. '4, fig. 2. (Name Proc. columbina on plate.)

Bulweria columbina, Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, ii. p. 194.

Habitat.—Atlàntic Ocean. Coast of Africa and Europe. Dr. Schlegel has a
specimen from Greenland. Very possibly to be included in the Fauna of North
America.

This interesting species is the smallest of the genus, and quite distinct from
its congeners not only in size butin some of its proportions. It has compara-
tively a longer tail than most species of the genus; bearing a proportion to the
wing from the carpal joint of 44 to about 8, or more than half. The tail is
very cuneate, the difference between the median and outer feathers amounting
to 1-75 inches; and the central pair themselves are considerably longer than
the next. The under tail coverts,—at least in the specimen before me,—fall
nearly two inches short of the end of the longest feathers, being in fact no
longer than the upper ones. The folded wings hardly reach to the end of the
tail. The bill is about as long as the tarsus, or the middle toe without its
claw; of the ordinary ZEstrelatean type; quite stout at the base, compressed
throughout; tbe unguis large and rising almost immediately from the nostrils,
and exceedingly convex; the sulcus oh. the lower mandible is deep and well
marked; the outline of the rami is nearly straight, the gonys very concave ;
and there is considerable of an eminentia symphysis. The first primary is
hardly if at all longer than the second. The feet present no special peculiari-
ties in relative size or proportions; the inner toe is perhaps slightly shorter
than ordinary.

The fuliginous color is deepest, being almost black, on the wings and Mie

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 159

below is lighter and more brownish ; on the head has a faint cinereous wash ;
on the greater wing-coverts is rather paler and grayer.*

Dimensions. Chord of culmen 0°85. ‘Tarsus slightly longer, 90 to 1:00;
middle toe and claw 1:16; outer do. about the same; inner do. 0:35. Wing
8:00; tail 4:50; graduation of lateral feathers 1°75.

This little species has been very variously arranged in the series by different
authors, as will be seen by the synonyms which head this article. In my
mind there is no doubt that Dr. Schlegel has correctly indicated its affinities
io placing it in intimate relation with, and next after aterrima Verr., albeit he
retains it in his somewhat extensive genus” Procelluria. My own reasons
for referring it to ZZstrelata will be found in my remarks under the head of
that genus.

I am not enabled to state positively what was the first specific name applied
to this species, of the three which head this article. Bonaparte gives prece-
dence to columbina; but MM. Webb and Berthelot, in giving this name quote
anjinho, Heineken, (1829) as above, which must therefore have been published
anterior to their own appellation columbina. The title page of the work where
the latter name appears, bears the date “ 1836—44.” Dr. Schlegel and most
other writers give priority to Bulweri of Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations, a
work extending over a series of years. Itis figured in volume ii. pl. 65; but
the title page bears no date. If not published anterior to 1829 then the name
anjinho Heineken has priority.

JEsrRELATA MACGILLIVRAYI (Gray) Coues.

Thalassidroma (Bulweria) Macgillivrayi, G. R. Gray, Cat. Birds Isl. Pacit. 1859,
p. 56. Spec. in Britsh Museum, from the Feejee Isiands, (Ngau.)

“Like 7. Bulweri, but with the bill rather larger; and it is without the
sooty brown on the wings." [Gray.]

A species with which I am only acquainted through the above cited very
brief iudication.

[NorE.—Just as these sheets are leaving my hands for the printer's I learn
through the kindness of my friend Dr. P. L. Sclater, of London, of the identi-
fication of the “ Blue Mountain Duck " of Gosse’s Birds of Jamaica. It appears
in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society as Pterodroma Carribæi, Carte. I
was surprised at learning that it is a “ Pterodroma,” as I had confidently
anticipated that it wouid prove to be one of the Prionex ; possibly however
being prejudiced by the following note upon it by Richard Hill, Esq. ‘From
the dimensions of our bird, 13 inches long, by some 26 inches in the extent of
wing, and from the proportions and character of the bill and nasal tubes, and
the grooved mandible, I should say the Blue mountain petrel must be classed
with the Prion of Lacépéde, the genus Pachyptila of Illiger, thetype being the
Procellaria vittata, * * Our bird has a triple row of palatal teeth,” ete. |

PAGODROMA Bonap.

Procellaria sp. Gmelin et Auctorum.
Thalassoica, sp. Reichenbach.
Pagodroma, Bonap. Consp. Av. 1855, ii. p. 192.—Type Proc. nivea Gmel.

The bill is very short, being less than half as long as the skull; and ex-
ceedingly small, weak, slender and compressed throughout, its base being
much higher than broad. The lateral outlines are straight, rapidly converg-
ing to a narrow, elongated, rather slender, very convex, moderately decurved
and booked unguis, whose convexity begins immediately at the termination of
the nasal csse. The lateral suleus is short, and very oblique. The outline of
lower mandible is straight; of gonys a little concave, the angle of the sym-

* Description from specs. in the Philada. Acad. and Mus. Smithson.
1A week at Port-Royal. By Richard Hill. Montego Day, 1855.

1866.]

160 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

physis slight, the tip a little decurved. The interramal space is narrow, and
densely feathered to the symphysis. The nasal tubes are exceedingly sbort,
but broad, high, and turgid, the median line only obsoletely carina'ed. Their
apex is very obliquely truncated, not at all emarginated. The orifice is large,
and nearly circular; the internasal septum very thin, and not extending to the
termination of the nasal case. The frontal feathers extend far on the base of
the bill, running forward on the nasal case with a narrowly rounded termina-
tion, and sloping rapidly backwards and obliquely downwards. The outline
of the base of the nasal tubes is thus rendered nearly as oblique as their
apex.

The wings are rather short, when folded not reaching to the end of the tail.
The second primary is not much shorter than the first. All the primaries are
rather narrow, regularly tapering to their somewhat acute tips. The tertials
and inner primaries are much abbreviated, making the distance in the folded
wing, from their tips to the end of the first primary unusually great. The tail
is very long, broad, and but slightly rounded, and is contained only about
twice in the wing from the carpal joint. All the rectrices are broad to their
very tips ; which latter are squarely truncated.

The tarsus is as long as the middle toe; moderately stout and compressed ;
covered with small somewhat elongated irregularly shaped plates, which are
rough and elevated, especially posteriorly, and are not notably different in size
or shape on the two aspects of the tarsus. Thetibiæ are feathered to very near
the joint. The inner lateraltoe with its claw barely reaches the base of the
middle claw. The outer lateral toe is longer than the middle; its claw how-
ever so short, as hardly to reach to the tip of the middle claw. Claws are
r^ther large, little curved, moderately compressed and acute; the inner edge
of the middle one dilated. The hallux is unusually developed, and somewhat
depressed in situation; long, stout, acute, and a little curved.

The size is moderate; the form compact and robust; the color entirely pure
white.

This is one of the most remarkable generic types of the Procellariinz. It is
doubtless most nearly related to Daption, with which genus its “ build” cor-
responds closely. But, as will be seen on comparing the diagnosis given, it
differs in many details of structure, particularly those relating to the bill. From
_Hstrelata the pecularities of bill, of the hallux, comparative lengths of wings
and tail, ete., readily distinguish it. The genus has a “physiognomy” or
4 facial aspect? that is peculiarly its own. The long depressed sloping fore-
head is found in no other Procellaridian. This is produced mainly by the flat-
tening and elongation of the bones composing the forehead; but aided to a
considerable degree by the great forward extension of the frontal feathers,
which gives to the bill and nasal tubes their extreme brevity; causes such a
long rictus ; and places the eye, apparently, at so great a distance from the
corneous base of the bill.

PAGODROMA NIVEA (Gm.) Bon.

Procellaria nivea, Gm., S. N. 1788, i. part ii. p. 562, and of authors generally.
Daption niveum, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii. p. 243.
T'halassowca nivea, Reichenbach, tab. 22, fig. 791, 792.
Pagodroma nivea, Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, ii. p. 192.
Procellaria candida, Peale, Zool. U. S. Expl. Exped. 1848, p. 295.
Pagodroma, var. major, Bonaparte, l. c.
Pagodroma, var. minor, Bonaparte, |. c.
Procellaria nivea minor, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 16.
Habitat.—Antarctic Ocean and Continent.
Independently of differences in absolute size of body, the species presents
unending variations in size, and, to some degree, in shape, of the bill. Speci-
mens differ in this respect by as much as a fourth of the whole length of the

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 161

bill, which may be quite unaccompanied by corresponding differences as to
depth or width. The length of the nasal tubes, and the amount of turgidity,
and obliquity of truncation vary greatly. Differences in the depth and robust-
ness of bill are surprisingly great.

I have never seen, of many specimens, any which were separable specifi-
cally from the typical form. But some individuals are so strikingly small,
that were it not for intermediate sizes, they might readily be supposed distinct.
Upon this character a variety minor was founded by Bonaparte which has
been adopted by so accurate and cautious an ornithologist as Dr. Schlegel.

Theonly synonym of note I have met with is candidus of Peale, (1848.) The
original description of P. nivea by Gmelin speaks of black shafts of some of the
feathers. As Mr. Cassin justly remarks (Orn. U. S. Ex. Exped. 1858, p. 416)
should this ever be found to characterize a species, the present must bear Mr.
Peale's name of candida. I think it probable that dark spots or streaks would
be indicative of inmaturity; but being unfamiliar with the plumage of very
young birds, I cannot speak with certainty.

DAPTION Stephens.

Procellaria sp. Linnzus, et Auct.
Daption, Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825, p. 239. Type Procellaria ca-
pensis, L.

The bill is much shorter than the skull, about three-fourths the tarsus,.
rather more than two-thirds the middle toe, very stout, depressed, about as:
broad as high for its whole length as far as the unguis, where it is suddenly
much compressed and higher than broad. Culmen is about straight or a little-
concave from the nostrils to the root of the unguis, which latter is moderately:
large, but not very convex nor much decurved. The lateral outline of the bill’
is decidedly convex from its base to the unguis where the convexity suddenly:
ceases; it is produced by the large, inflated and protuberant lateral lamine.
Just inside the cutting edge of the bill is a series of oblique ruge, extending:
the whole length ofthe bill. The lateral sulcus is well defined, running from.
the base of the nasal case to the unguis, obliquely downwards aud forwards;
it is most distinct posteriorly, more shallow anteriorly, where it merges into:
the depressed portion of the culmen. Tbe lower mandible is perpendicularly
narrow, but horizontally is unusually broad, the rami widely diverging from:
each other immediately from the symphysis. The gonysisshort, scarcely con--
vex in outline, its angle small and inconspicuous. The interramal space is
very broad, in consequence of the wide divergence of the inferior mandibular:
rami, and their mutual concavity. The rictus is exceedingly ample; and the
capacity of the fauces increased still more by the looseness and dilatability of.
the enclosed skin. The feathers on the side of the lower mandible extend but
a short distance ; those in the interramal space only as far as a point opposite
the end of the nasal tubes; and by no means fill the space from side to side
when the skin is at all distended.

The nasal case is very long for a component of the group Æstrelateæ, being
a third as long as the culmen. It is broad, depressed, a little more elevated
towards the apex, its dorsal outline a little concave and moderately carinated.
The orifice is subcircular, nearly vertically truncated, a little emarginated.

The wings are of moderate length, about equal to the tail when they are
folded. The second primary is nearly as long as the first; the rest rapidly
graduated. The tail is rather short, contained about two and a half times in
the wing from the carpus; is moderately and very evenly rounded ; the rec--
trices being broad to their extreme tips. The upper tail coverts fall an inch
short of the end of the tail ; the inferior ones quite reach its extremity.

But a very brief portion of the tibia is naked of feathers. The tarsus is much
shorter than the middle toe and claw, about equal to the innertoe; very stout,
though much compressed ; covered externally with very small, irregularly sub-
circular plates; which on the inner aspect are much larger and more regular

1806.] 11

162 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

in shape; the median series of them so broad as to nearly stretch across the
inner face of the tarsus. The inner toe is short, the tip of its small weak claw
hardly reaching to the base of the middle claw. The outer toe without its
claw is decidedly longer than the middle one; but the much greater size of the
claw of the latter makes up the difference. The hallux is large and stout; a
straight, almost perfectly conical, moderately acute, claw.

This genus is trenchantly separated from all others by the characters of the
bill; in the lateral dilatation of which, the widely divaricating rami of the un-
der mandible, and the partially naked and distensible skin of the interramal
space, there is seen an approach to Prion of the Procellariine, and also to Pele-
canoides of the Halodromine. The superior lateral mandibular laminz are so
wide and large, and so inflated, that they give a bulging convex lateral outline
to the bill. Ta the same manner the inferior mandibular rami rapidly diverge
from each other, their concavities presenting to the interramal space. In all
these points there is an interesting resemblance to the genus Pelecanoides ; fur-
ther heightened by the broad ample rictus, loose dilatable skin of the floor of
the mouth, which is only partially feathered. These peculiarities are not shared
by any other genus of Procellariine except Prion ; and leaving out of considera-
tion the widely diverse nostrils, the bills of Pelecanoides urinatriz and Daption
capensis are very similar in shape.

The genusis of moderate size, of robust and compact form, and variegated
in the distribution of its colors. Its only known species is the type upon which
it is based, the well known D. capensis.

Daprion CAPENSIS (L.) Steph.

Procellaria capensis, Linn., S. N. 10th ed. 1758, p. 132. Linn. S. N. 12th ed. 1766,
i. p. 213, No. 5. Linn. Amoen. Acad. iv. p. 240, and of other authors.

Daption capensis, Stephens, Shaw's Zool. 1825, xiii. p. 241: and of later
authors.

Procellaria nzvea, Brisson, Ornith. 1760, vi. p. 146, No. 3.

Procellaria punctata, Ellman, Zool. 1861, p. 7473. Cape Pigeon; Black and
White Petrel; Petrel Tacheté; Pintado; Damier; Pardela, etc., Voya-
ger's Vulgo.

This is one of the three species of Procellaria given by Linnæus in 1758. It
has remarkably few synonyms, in consequence of its marked characteristies.
Its features are so well known tbat no mention of them is necessary in this
connection, as the peculiarities of its bill have been elucidated under the head
of the genus.

Section PRIONEZR.

The presence of laminated serrations along the inner edge of the upper man-
dible so trenchantly defines this group, that further characterization is unnec-
essary. A great similarity of color is found to prevail throughout.

After elimination of the genus Halobxna on the ground of its square tail
and some other peculiarities, I find among the so-called Prions two very dis-
similar types; which I consider as of generic import, and am therefore com-
pelled, however reluctantly, to separate under a new designation.

The three genera here recognized may be thus distinguished :—

A. Billeompressed, its unguis large, its serrations moderate in extent, or con-
fined to the base of the upper mandible.
I. Tail truncated ..... BAC EAD aocatiacóna. ^ooce^b! eodtibac tetas ocaeoco Halobena.
Nl UNE OTAOUALCU anre e Xonoeetic occ oc do aote CPC Sca ORC Pseudoprion.
B. Billexcessively dilated, depressed, its unguis small and weak ; the serra-
tions large and perfect to the extremity of the bill.
III. Tail graduated............ “porn Cata TBEPHOOBE SHIP ee AURORA Prion.

HALOBANA Is. Geoffr.

Procellaria sp. Gmelin, et auct.
Prion sp. Gray, Reichenbach, fide Bp.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 163

Halobzna, "Is. Geoffr. 1836," Bon. C. A. 1855, ii. p. 193. (? Type P. cerulea,
Gm.

Chs. Bill provided with a few laminated serrations at the sides of the base
of the upper mandible, just within the commissural edge of the upper mandi-
ble; in length slightly less than the tarsus, equal to the inner toe without its
claw; slender, compressed throughout, a little higher than wide at the base.
Superior lateral sulcus well marked, nearly straight; inferior shallow and in-
distinct. Unguis of upper mandible small, short, only moderately convex. In-
ferior unguis acute, much decurved, the gonys very concave, the ramal outline
straight. Interramal space fully feathered. Nasal tubes only a fifth the length
of the culmen, short, narrow, elevated, compressed, not carinated, terminally
obliquely truncated ; nares narrowly oval. Folded wings reach far beyond tail.
Tail contained rather more than 24 times in the wings from the carpal joint ;
square, with no graduation of the lateral feathers; all the rectrices so broadly
rounded as to be nearly truncated. Tarsus equal to middle toe without claw ;
outer rather longer than the middle; but its claw so short as to make its total
length rather less than that of the middle. Tip of inner claw just reaching
base of middle.

The principal character which distinguishes this genus lies in the short,
square tail; a feature which is quite unique in this family, being found in no
other genus of the Procellariide. Its type and only known species is the old
cerulea of Gmelin, a small delicately formed species, whose colors tend chiefly
to bluish and white.

In general features of external form, proportions of tarsus and toes, and par-
ticularly the shape of the bill, which is much compressed, this genus is quite
similar to Zsírelata, especially to such of its smaller species as mollis and Cookit.
Nevertheless, the presence towards the base of the bill of distinct serrated
laminz, which constitute the essence of the Prionitie type,* indubitably fix its
position among the latter group, to which also it so closely approximates in
color. These laminz only exist for a short distance on either side of the base of
the bill; but still they are quite palpable and decided in character; perhaps as
much so as in Pseudoprion turtur or ariel. The small and rather weak unguis,
which does not begin to curve almost directly from the unguis, is essentially
Prionitic, as distinguished from typical ZEstrelatines. The bill though higher
than broad in its whole length, is hardly more compressed than in P. turtur.
From these considerations, and esteeming, as I believe justly, that the lamina-
tions are the essential character of the Prionee, and consequently mare weighty
than all others, I include the somewhat anomalous genus in this latter group.
I regard it as the connecting link between the Æstrelateæ, on the one hand,
through the genus Daption, and the Prionex on the other, towards the true
type of which latter it approximates through the subtypical genus Pseudo-
prion.

I quote the reference to Isidore Geoffroy on the authority of Bonaparte, not
baving the means at hand of verifying the citation. Ido not know what spe-
cies is typical in the original founding of the genus. If it be the one named
Halobzna typica in the Conspectus, then Zalobzna is equivalent to, and has
priority over my Pseudoprion; and a generic name is wanting for the P. ceru-
lea of Gmelin.

HALORJENA C@RULEA (Gm.) Bon.

Procellaria cerulea, Gmelin, S. N. i. ii. 1788, p. 560. Latham. Ind. Orn. 1790,
ii. p. 827. Gould, Birds Aust. pl. 52, and of authors generally.
-Halobzna cerulea, Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, ii. p. 193.

* In some genera not of the Prionez, e. g. Daption, Ossifraga, etc., there are to be found along
the inner border of the cutting edge of the upper mandible, a series of rugz or alternate depres-
sions and ridges, obliquely placed. These, however, are part of the mandible itself, and by no means
distinct elements, and therefore are radically different in morphological character from the lami-
nz of the Prionez.

1866.]

161 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Pachyptila cærulea, Illiger, Prod. 1811, p. 275.—Steph. Shaw’s Gen. Zool. 1825,
xiii. p. 252.

Procellaria similis, * Forster’s Drawings, No. 86." Forster, Descr. Anim. ed.
Licht. 1844, p. 59.

Procellaria Forsteri, Smith, Ill. S. Afric. Birds, pl. 54. But not of Latham,
which is Prion vittatus.

JHabitat.—Antarctic Ocean. Australia.

Color. There is a short and not very conspicuous infra-ocular white line,
and a superciliary streak of the same color; but not, however, running far
down on the auriculars behind the eye. Above the bird is of a clear cinere-
ous or grayish blue; extending as delicate clouding around the sides of the
breast ; and deepening on the head, most of the wing-coverts, the outer edges
and tips of the four outer primaries, into brownish ash. It is chiefly the lesser
wing coverts that are thus darkened; most of the greater ones being nearly as
clear as the back. The secondaries and tertials are clear cinereous, edged
and tipped with white; their inner webs being almost wholly of this color.
The iuner vanes of all the primaries, but particularly of the first four, are
almost wholly pearly white except at their tips. The upper tail coverts are
concolor with the back. The exterior pair of rectrices are white, with dark
brown shafts; the next two are colored like the back; the rest similar ex-
cept that a fuscous hue deadens the cinereous towards the end of the feathers,
and their tips are squarely, trenchantly, and purely white; each for an in-
creasing distance from witbout inwards. Forehead, cheeks, lower auriculars,
under surface of wings and whole under parts of the body pure white.

Younger birds may be known by a less decidedly cinereous or bluish gray
tinge of the upper parts ; which tend more or less strongly towards brownish.
The forehead is not pure white but mixed with about an equal amount of
brownish ash. I have never seen specimens entirely fuscous or brownish
cisereous below; but think it probable that such a state of plumage charac-
terizes very young birds.

Dimensions. Chord of culmen 1-12 ; height of bill at base -45; width slightly
less. Tarsus 1:25; middle toe and claw 1:60; outer do. 1:50; inner do. 137.
Tail 3:50; wing 8 to 9.

There is no other known Petrel with a square tail, conspicuously tipped
with white. This peculiarity is mentioned in the various descriptions of the
authors cited above in the list of synonyma, so that there is no difficulty in
identifying their names. The similis of Forster* is said to have “ rectrices 12
omnes apice candido-fasciatze" which positively determines the species, al-
though that authoris in error in saying that it has the bill * non pectina-
tum."

PSEUDOPRION Coues.

Chs. Lateral lawelle of upper mandible normally developed, their surfaces
vertical. Lateral outline of bill straight. Dorsal outline concave to the
unguis. Unguis comparatively large, its chord forming more than a third of
the total length of the culmen. Commissural edge of upper mandible not dila-
ted. Inferior mandibular rami straight, divaricating at an acute angle; the
lateral sulcus apparent. No groove for reception of fringe from upper mandi-
ble, which is either quite obsolete or imperfectly developed towards the end of
the bill. Interramal space narrow, triangular, well feathered. Extension of
feathers on side of lower mandible not further than those on culmen. Tail
moderately graduated.

Type. Prion turtur Gould.

In amplification of the differences between the so-called Prion Banksti, tur-

* Concerning which Prof. Lichtenstein says very erroneously, * Species obscura, ulteriori ex-
amini relinquenda. A Pr. vittata (Pachyptila) non esse diversam nisi setate suspicor.”
[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 165

tur, ariel and ? brevirostris, and Prion proper, the following comparison is in-
stituted.

The fringe of laminz is smaller and weaker, and inflected inwards rather
than descending vertically ; and it is either restricted to a short space near the
base of the bill (turtur, ariel, ? brevirostris) being quite obsolete more anterior-
ly; or if as in Banksi it extends to the unguis, it is small, weak and incon-
spicuous. The lateral lamelle of the bill have scarcely more of development
and inflation than in other genera of Procellariinz, instead of being immensely
hypertrophied ; and they have a lateral, vertical aspect, instead of a superior
nearly horizontal one. The commissural edge of the upper mandible looks
downwards, with little inflation or reflection outwards, and nearly (though not
quite except apically) touches the under mandible. There is no groove for
the reception of the fringe of the upper mandible; but in its placethe ordinary
lateral sulcus of the sides of the lower mandible is apparent, though not very
strongly marked. The inferior mandibular rami divaricate at an acute angle,
and are quite straight, instead of widely diverging with a mutual concavity.
The submental space, narrow and triangular instead of broadly conoidal, is
quite fully feathered, instead of nearly naked ; and doubtless has little of the
distensibility which characterizes that of Prion. The extent of the feathers on
the lower mandible is much more restricted. The unguis of the bill is larger,
stronger, more convex, its tip more decurved, the chord of its convexity form-
ing more instead of less than a third of the length of the culmen. The lateral
outline of the bill is straight not convex. The tail is shorter than in Prion,
being contained nearly twice in the wing; and it is less cuneiform, The nos-
trils and the proportions of the feet, are as in Prion; while the entire simi-
larity, almost identity, of the coloration has doubtless had much to do with
the referring of the species of this genus to Prion.

In the following antithetical table the main diagnostic points of the two
genera are contrasted.

PSEUDOPRION. Differential Elements. PRION.

a. Poorly developed, or|a. Fringe of serrations. a. Extensively and com-
entirely obsolete to- pletely developed
wards end of bill. throughout.

b. Normal; vertical; not|b. Lateral lamellæ of bill. | b. Hypertrophied ; hori-
vaulted; nor with zontal ; arched ; with
inflated free edge. . inflated free edge.

c. Coneave. e. Dorsal outline of cul-| c. Straight.

men, y

d. Of ordinary size, its |d. Unguis. d. Very small; its chord
chord more than a less than a third of
third of culmen. culmen.

e. Straight. e. Lateral outline of bill. | e. Convex.

f. Absent. f. Groove for reception of |f. Present.

fringe.

g- Apparent. g. Lateral groove cn lower |g. Wanting.

mandible.

h. Nearly straight. h. Cutting edges of lower |h. Very sinuate.

mandible.

i. Narrowly triangular, |i. Interramal or submental | i. Broadly conoidal, near-
well feathered. space. ly naked.

k. Extend nofurtherthan|k. Feathers on lower man- | k. Extend much beyond
those on culmen. dible. those on culmen.

l. Moderately graduated, |l. Zu. l. Much graduated, cen-
central feathers not tral feathers elonga-
protruding ; contain- ted, contained one
ed nearly twice in and a half times in
the wing. the wing.

1866.]

166 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

PsrupoPnioN Bawxsmn (Smitk) Coues.

Pachyptila Banksii, A. Smith, Ill. S. Afric. Bds. pl. 55.

Prion Banksii, Gould, Ann. Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 366. Gray, Gen. Birds,
iii. 1849, p. 649. Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, ii. p. 193.

Procellaria Banksii, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 17.

Habitat.—Antarctic regions, coming northward into temperate latitudes of
both Hemispheres. :

This species may be readily recognized by the continuation to the unguis of
the fringe of laminz, whereas in the others of the genus itis confined to a
short space near the base of the bill. The laminations are, however, very
small anteriorly ; and are somewhat deflected inwards.

In colors the species of both Zseudoprion and Prion are so nearly identical
that, compared with Prion vittatus, the present species seems to differ in hardly
aught else than in the less amount of blackish towards the tail. On the mid-
dle feathers it is about an inch in depth; laterally decreasing so rapidly that
there is hardly a trace of it on the three outermost. The bill and feet, how-
ever, are differently colored.

Dimensions. Bill (chord of culmen) a little more than one inch; width at
widest point 0:50, height at base 0-44, at unguis about the same. Nasal tubes
-18. Tarsus 1:25. Middle toe and claw 1:50, outer do. about the same; inner
do. 125. Wing 750 to 8:00. Tail 4:00; its graduation about -75.

PsEUDOPRION TURTUR (Banks) Coues.

Procellaria turtur, ‘ Banks icon. 15,” and Solander's MSS. fide Bp. ? Kuhl, Mon.
Proc. Beit. Zool. 1820, p. 143, No. 14, pl. xi. fig. 8. A. Smith, Ill. Zool.
S. Afric. Bds. pl. 54. Gray, Genera Birds, 1849, iii. p.648. Schlegel,
Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 17.

Prion turtur, Gould, Ann. Mag. N. H. xiii. 1844, p. 366. Introd. B. Aust. p.
117, No. 602.—Id. B. Aust. vii. pl. 54. Bonaparte, ©. A. 1856. ii. p.
193.

Habitat.—'** Whole Pacific Ocean, between 30° and 50° of south latitude."

Gould.

‘ A cu MR absolutely identical with P. Banksii in colors of plumage; but

readily to be distinguished from that species by its somewhat smaller size, de-

cidedly slenderer and more compressed bill, and especially by the restriction

of the fringe of laminz to the base of the bill, and their very incomplete de-

velopment. The bill and feet are described as similarly colored with those of

Prion vittatus ; the webs flesh colored. The following measurements, particu-

larly of'the bill, taken from a specimen in the Philadelphia Academy, are to be

compared with those of Banksii above given.

Chord of culmen 1:00; width of bill at base 0:33; height at base 0-37; at
unguis the same. Nasal tubes 0:18; tarsus 1:15; middle toe and claw 1:45;
outer do. 1:50; inner do. 1:25. Wing 7:25; tail 3:50; its graduation 0-50.
““ Authors agree in identifying the Pr. turtur of Banks’ and Solander's inedite
with the species beautifully figured by Mr. Gould under this name, and dis-
tinguished from Zanksii by the characters given in the preceding paragraphs.

Following the P. turtur in Bonaparte's Conspectus is given a * Pr. Rossi,
Gr. Mus. Britann. ex Mar. antarcticis. Similis Prioni turturi; sed minor; et
proportionibus diversis; rostro latiore." Ido not know what this can be ;
unless, as is quite probable, it indicates the Prion ariel, Gould.

PSEUDOPRION ARIEL (Gould) Coues.

? Procellaria turtur, Kuhl, Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool. 1820, p. 143, pl. xi. fig. 8.
Also of Lesson, according to Bonaparte.) *
? Procellaria velox, Banks, ic. ined. No. 16, fide Bp.
Prion ariel, Gould, * Proc. Zool. Soc." Ann. Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 366.—
Introd. B. Aust. p. 117, sp. 605.
[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 167

Procellaria ariel, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 18.
Halobzna typica, Bp. C. A. 1856, ii. p. 194.

Habitat.— Australian Seas.

I have not been able to find where this species is originally described by
Mr. Gould, ifit has been at all more than named by him. From Dr. Schlegel's
description* of typical specimens received by him from Mr. Gould, it appears
to have exactly the colors, and the development of the laminz of the bill which
obtain in P. turtur ; and to be distinguished from that species by its smaller
Size; and a very slender bill, wider than high at the base.

Synonymy. It ia a little uncertain to which species the P. turtur of Kuhl’s
Monograph, No. 14, fig. 8, really refers. The figure of the bill agrees quite
nearly with a specimen of the turtur Gould, of the preceding article of this
paper; but the description given by Dr. Kuhl, and especially the measure-
ments rather seem to indicate the present species, ariel, Gould. But Dr. Kuhl
also gives the measurements “ Avis aliquantum major," which rather are those
of the true turtur. There are cited Bank's turtur, pl. 15, and also Pr. velox
Banks, pl. 16, as synonyma; the first of which (according to most authors)
representing the turtur of Mr. Gould, and of this paper; the second indicating
the true ariel of Gould. Under the circumstances, it is evident that Kuhl's
turtur may be, without violence, referred to either of the two species; and
authors are about equally divided iu opinion regarding it.

Bonaparte's Conspectus does not admit ariel as a valid species; but has
instead a certain Halobena typica Bp. based upon a specimen in the Paris
Museum. He cites *urtur?" Lesson, Kuhl, fig. 8, and “ veloz?" Banks, pl. 16,
as synonyms; and his diagnosis presents no points forbidding the reference of
this A. typica to the Prion ariel of Gould, with which Dr. Schlegel considers
it as synonymous.

? PSEUDOPRION BREVIROSTRIS (Gould).
Prion brevirostris, Gould, P. Z. S., 1855, p. 88, pl. 93.

* Upper surface delicate blue; edge of the shoulder, the scapularies, outer
margins of the external primaries, and tips of the middle tail feathers black ;
lores, sides of the head and all the under surface white, stained with blue on
the flanks and under tail coverts ; bill light blue, deepening into black on the
sides of the mandible and at the tip, and with a black lire along the side of
the under mandible; feet light blue; interdigital membranes flesh color.

Length 10} inches; billig; wing 62; fail 8}; tarsi 1}.”

I am only acquainted with this supposed species by the plate and descrip-
tion of Mr. Gould, above cited, and can offer no opinion regarding it. The '
description does not indicate any tangible points of differeuce from P. ariel.
By Gray, and, I believe, also by the majority of writers, it is considered as a
synonym of P. ariel.

PRION Lacépéde.
Procellaria sp. Auct.
Prion, Lacépéde, Mem. de l'Inst., 1800—1801, p. 514. (Gray).
Pachyptila, Illiger, Prod., 1811, p. 274, No. 132.
Priamphus, Rafinesque, 1815, fide Bp.

The essential characters of this genus lie in the peculiar shape of the bill
and the complete development of the serrated lamina, which are the dis-
tinguishing features of the group of which it is typical. The modifications to
which the bill is subjected produce a result which, compared with other Pro-
cellaride, may be likened to that seen in the genus Cancroma among the

*Schlegel 1. c. “Semblable à la Procellarit turtur, egalement par rapport aux lamelles des
mandibules; mais de taille mons forte, et à bec plus faible. Aile 6 pouces 2 lignes; pointe de
Vaile 2 pouce 3 lignes. Queue; pennes mitoyennes 2 pouces et 8210 lignes; peunes externes 2
pouces et5 à 7lignes. Bec: longueur 9 à 10 lignes; hauteur 2 lignes et demie; largeur 3 lignes
et demie a 4 lignes. Tube nasal, 2 lignes. Tarse 12 a 13 lignes. Doigt du mileau 12 a 13 lignes.
Individus de Mers de l'Australie obtenus en 1863 de Mr. Gould."

1866.]

168 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Ardeide. I have not met with as detailed a description of its peculiarities
as seems desirable.

The culmen, from the extremity of the nasal case to the root of the unguis,
is quite straight. Though rising up as a conspicuous ridge between the deep
longitudinal sulci on either side, its outline is broad, flat, depressed, and not
carinated. The unguis of the upper mandible is small and weak, and hardly
rises above the level of the culmen proper; its convexity and decurvation are
slight.

On either side of the culmen, from the root of the nasal case to the junction
of the lateral mandibular lamelle with the unguis, lies a well-marked, deep
longitudinal sulcus ; the central line of which depression, from the end of the
nostrils to the unguis, is occupied by a distinctly defined ridge.

Tbe immensely-developed lateral lamellz of the superior mandible have so
great a lateral extension, as to make the width of the bill at its broadest part
nearly two-thirds its length. These lamelle are arched and inflated through-
out; and their surface is superior, not lateral. The free commissural edge is
convex in outline; retreating slightly inwards and backwards from the
broadest point of the bill, which is a little in advance of its extreme base;
converging more rapidly and nearly in a straight line thenceto the unguis; it
is dilated and bulging posteriorly where it overhangs, but by no means meets
or touches, the inferior mandibular rami; more anteriorly, it is deflected
downwards, and terminally rests against the unguis of the lower mandible.

From the under surface of the lateral lamella near its free edge grow a
series of serrated laminz, which extend from the very angle of the mouth to
the unguis; their outline corresponding nearly to that of the edge of the
lamella whence they spring. They are directed downwards, with a little out-
ward and forward inclination. They are longest, largest, and their '' set” is
most oblique at the broadest point of the bill ; whence, as they proceed either
forwards or backwards, thev diminish in size and become more vertical in
direction. It is this fringe of serrations that is in apposition with the under
jaw; forming, therefore, the true commissural edge of the upper mandible.
These lamine are, so to speak, a series of plates, antero-posteriorly thin,
elastic and yielding; transversely wide and resisting ; whence it results that
they can readily be bent away from each other; but the series cannot be
laterally deflected, as a whole; exactly as is the case with the teeth of a
comb.

The nasal tubes are very short, measuring hardly more than a fifth the
length of the culmen and unguis ; broad and depressed ; placed conspicuously
high upon the base of the culmen. They are somewhat more elevated api-
cally than basally; their apex is so deeply emarginate as to cause a partial
segregation of the two tubes towards their termination. The orifice of each
naris is circular; the internasal septum rather wide.

Corresponding with the general sbape of the upper, the lower mandible is
very broad; its rami widely divaricating, presenting much concavity towards
each other. Its cutting edge is very sharp and strongly sinuate for its whole
length, being curved in several planes oblique to each other. From the
widest point, which is opposite the extremity of the feathers on its side, the
rami rapidly converge to the unguis; which latter is very small and weak, its
gonys very concave in outline, its tip acute and much decurved. There is
hardly an eminentia symphysis.

The true lateral sulcus of the rami, seen in most Procellariinex, is wanting.
In its place we have, just external to the true cutting edge of the lower man-
dible, a groove which extends the whole length of the ramus; deepest and
most marked posteriorly; apically becoming obsolete. "This groove, owing
to the inflection of the edge of the mandibular ramus, looks upwards and
outwards, and into it the fringe of lamin are received. More anteriorly
where the groove is obsolete, the teeth simply abut against the side of the
under mandible,

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 169

The broad space between the widely-separated, mutually concave inferior
mandibular rami is occupied by soft, more or less distensible skin, naked of
feathers, except à small triangular wedge which extends forwards from the
base only to a point but a little in advance of the termination of the feathers
on the side of the lower mandible. Even this patch does not fill the space
from side to side. The feathers on the side of the lower mandible extend as
far as the broadest point of the bill. The frontal feathers project a little on
the nasa! case. Retreating somewhat, they then stretch transversely across
the base of the lateral lamellz, with no obliquity backwards, to the.very edge
of the bill; which is thence densely feathered to the angula oris.

Bill about as long as the tarsus; the latter equal to middle toe without its
claw; covered with quite regular hexagonal plates, largest antero-interiorly.
Outer toe and claw about equal to middle. Tip of inner reaching base of
middle. Hallux strong, straight, conical, placed rather low down. Folded
wings not surpassing tail. First and second primaries about equal; last suc-
cessively more rapidly graduated. Tail long; two-thirds the wing from the
carpus, or contained one and a half times in it; cuneate; central rectrices
acuminately rounded and somewhat projecting; lateral ones more broadly
rounded and much graduated in length.

Prion viTTATUS (Gm.) Lacép.

Procellaria vittata, Gmelin, S. N. i. pars ii. 1788, p. 560, and of authors.

Prion vittatus, Lacépéde, Gray, Gen. Birds, 1849, iii. p. 649, and of later
authors.

Pachyptila vittata, Illiger, Prod., 1811, p. 275.

Procellaria Forsteri, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 827. Not of Smith.

Pachyptila Forsteri, Swainson, Class. Birds, ii. p. 374. Lesson, Traité, 1831, p.
613. Jard. and Selb. Illust. Orn. pl. 47. Steph. Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825,
p. 251.

Procellaria latirostris, Bonnærté, Ency. Metod.

Habitat.—Southern portions of both Atlantic and Pacific.

Line over the eye white. A transocular dusky fascia. Entire upper parte
light grayish or plumbeous blue; which color, somewhat diluted, clouds the
sides of the breast and the flanks, Edge of wing, lesser coverts, outer vanes
and tips of four first primaries, and terminal area on tertials, blackish
plumbeous. Inner vanes of quill feathers and tips of tertials fading into
pearly or grayish white. Tail concolor with back; passing terminally into .
plumbeous black; which, from an extent of 1} inches on the central rectrices,
decreases successively to a bare trace on the outer ones. Under tail coverts
white, somewhat clouded with plumbeous. All other parts are pure white.
* Bill light blue, deepening into black on the sides of the nostrils and at the
tip, and with a black line along the sides of the under mandible ; irides very
dark brown; feet beautiful light blue." [Gould.]

Dr. Kuhl’s fig. 13, and M. Temminck’s Pl. Col. 528, are by Dr. Schlegel sup-
posed to referto the P. Banksii rather than to this species, contrary to the
opinion entertained by most ornithologists. The former figure measures
eleven-sixieenths of an inch in width at the widest part of the bill; a
dimension which the Banksii is hardly krown to attain.

In accordance with the views entertained in the preceding pages, the follow-
ing synopsis of the genera and species of the two sections treated of is pre-
pared.

Family PROCELLARIID AE.
Subfamily PRoCELLARIINAE.
Section ZEstrelatez (Dp. 1855).

The cutting edge of the upper mandible is not dilated nor furnished with
serrations.

1866.]

170 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Genus I. ZEsTRELATA Bp., 1855. Bill robust, compressed, its unguis large,
hooked from the nostrils. Interramalspace narrow, fully feathered. Extension
of feathers on forehead moderate. Nasal case short. Tail more or less cunei-
form, the lateral rectrices much graduated. Hallux of ordinary size.

1. A. HÆSITATA Coues, ex Proc. hxsitata Kuhl. Not of Forst., Reich., Gld.
nor Puff. hesit. Lawr. Proc. brevirostris and meridionalis Lawr., or Fulmarus
merid. Bp., but not brevirostris Less. Puffinus UHerminieri Less. ZEstrelata
diabolica Bp. Large; pileum and upper parts brown; upper tail coverts, basal
half of tail, forehead and neck all around white. Bill or tarsus 1:45; wing
12°00; tail 5°50; middle toe and claw 2:12.

2. A. Lessoni Cassin, ex Proc. Lessoni Garnot. Rhantistes Lessoni Bp. Proc.
leucocephala Worst. dstrelata leuco. Bp. ?Pr. alba Gm. ? Daption album Steph.
Pr. variegata Bonn. Pr. vagabunda Sol. secundum Bp. Large; head all around
white, except a transocular fascia. Back deep ash. Tail and coverts ashy
gray. Bill 1°50; tarsus 1°65; middle toe and claw 2:50.

3. A. ROSTRATA Gray, ex Pr. rostrata Peale. Rhantistes rost. Bp. Large, bill
exceedingly robust, along chord of culmen 1:37; height or width at base 0:66.
Wing 11:00, tail 4:75. Tarsus 1-75. With the pattern of coloration and nearly
the tints of young Zessoni. Frontal feathers running far forward on the nasal
case.

4. A. PARVIROSTRIS Coues,ex Pr. parvirostris Peale. Rhantistes parvir. Bp.
Medium, bill slender and compressed, its length 1:08. Tarsus 1:25. Outer toe
and claw 1:66. Young? Above deep fuliginous brown, (no trace of ashy,)
this color extending all around the head and neck, on the tips of the feathers.

5. A. INCERTA Coues, ex Pr. incerta Schlegel.—Large. Wing 11:50; tail nearly
5, much graduated. Bill 16 to 17 lines; height 5 lines. Tarsus 1:50. Colors
as described much those of young ZLessoni ; to which the species may be re-
ferrible.

6. A. NEGLECTA Coues, ex Pr. neglecta Schlegel.—Medium, with the colors of
incerta. Bill; length 1:12; height 4 to 5 lines. Wing 10:00 inches. Per-
haps to be referred to parvirostris.

7. A. Souanpri Coues, ex Proc. solandri Gould.—Cookilaria solandri Bp.—Pr.
melanopus Natt. nec. Gm.—Large; very robust. Length 16; bill 1:75; wing
12; tarsus 75; tail 5:50; middle toe and claw 2:37. Bill and feet black.
Above dark brown ; becoming slate gray on middle of back, and wing and tail
coverts. Young? Washed with gray on the abdomen.

8. A. GRISEA Coues, ex Pr. grisea Kuhl, according to Schlegel’s identi-
fication.—Zr. lugens Banks, Forst. ined. Æst. inexpectata Bp. nec. Forst.
Medium, generally like mollis ; with a more compressed bill, and some discrep-
ancies in dimensions. Wing 9:50; tail 3:88 ; bill 114 lines; tarsus 163 lines ;
middle toe 19 lines.

9. A. morLIs Coues, ex Pr. mollis Gould.— Cookilaria and Rhantistes mollis
Bp.— Pr. inexpectata Forst.—? Pr. melanopus Gm. Vieill. Steph.—? Pr. gularis
Peale.—? Pr. Philippii Gray.—? Pr. crepidata vel sandaliata Sol. according to
Bp. Medium, bill (chord of culmen) 1:10; height at base -45; width slightly
less; tarsus 1 33; outer toe and claw 1:75; wing ranging from 9:50 to 10:50 ;
tail 4:50. Under surfaces of the wings concolor with the upper.

10. A. Coogi Coues, ex Pr. Cookii Gray.—Rhantistes Cookii Bp.—Pr. leucop-
tera Gld. —Cookilaria leucoptera aud C. velox, Rhantistes velox Bp. Pr. brevipes
Peale. Small. Bill 1:00, height at base :35. Wing 8:50 to 9:00; tail 3-75 to
4:25, its lateral graduation 1:00 to 1:50. Tarsus 1:10. Under wing coverts
and a line along edge of fore arm white.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Tt

ll. A. Gavia Coues, ex Pr. gavia Forst. (following G. R. Gray’s authority.)
Small; with the colors generally those of Cookii, including under wiug coverts.
* Expanse 26; bill 1:50; tibia 1:75; tail 2:50," [Forst.]

12. A. DESOLATA Bp. ex Pr. desolata Gm.— Daption desolatum Steph. Small-
est. With the general colors of Cookii. Wing 7:80; tail 3:40, its graduation
"15. Bill less than one inch. Tarsus or middle toe about 1:00.

13. A. MAcRopTHRA Coues, ex Pr. macroptera Smith.—Ossifraga macroptera
Reich.— Pterodroma mac. Bp.— Pr. brevirostris Less. nec. Lawr.—? Pr. lugubris
Tsch. Large; wings long; face gray ; tarsi yellow.

14. A. ruL1IGINOSA Coues, ex Pr. fuliginosa Kuhl, sp. 12, (not fulig. Kuhl, sp.
27; not of Gm. Lath.; not Puff. fulig. Strickl. not Nectris fulig. Forst.)—Pr.
atlantica Gld. Pterodroma atl. Bp. Large. Everywhere fuliginous; feet dark
colored. Billl:35. Tarsus 1:60; middle toe and claw 2:20; wing 10°75 to
11:50; tail 4-50 to 5:00.

15. A. ATERRIMA Coues, ex Proc. aterrima V err.—Pterodroma aterr. Bp. Small.
Tarsi light colored, passing into black upon the terminal portion of the toes.
Wing 8:50; tail 3:50 ; bill slightly more than an inch. Tarsus 1:33.

16. A. Burwrni Coues, ex Pr. Bulweri Jard. and Selby. Thalassid. Bulweri
Gray.—Pr. anjinho Heineken.—Pujinus columbinus Webb and Berth.— Bulweria
columbina Bp. Smallest. Proportionate length of tail to wing as 4-50 to 8;
graduation of tail 1-75 to 2:00. Bill -85; tarsus a little longer.

17. A. MacarLLIvRAYI Coues, ex Thalassidroma ( Bulweria) macgillivrayi G. R.
Gray. Like Zulweri; billlarger; no sooty brown on wings.

18. A. CARRIBÆI Coues, ex Pterodroma carribxi Carte. ‘ Blue Mountain
Duck," Gosse.

Genus II. Pacoproma Bp. 1855. Bill very short, moderately strong and
compressed. Forehead flattened ; and lengthened by the extension forward of
the feathers. Interramal space narrow, densely feathered. Nasal tubes short.
Hallux unusually developed. Tail long, broad, but slightly rounded.

19. P. nivea Bp. ex Pr. nivea Gm.— Daption n. Steph. Thalassoica n. Reich.
— Proc. candida Peale. Pagodroma var. major Bp. Entirely white. Subject to
great variations in size; forming var. minor Bp. ;

Genus III. Daprron Steph. 1825.—Bill much dilated, unguis small and weak.
Interramal space wide and partially naked, oblique sulci on inner face of cut-
ting edge of mandible. Fasal tubes long. Hallux of ordinary size. Tail
rather short, moderately rounded.

20. D. capensis Steph. ex Pr. capensis Linn.—Pr. nzvia Briss.—Pr. punctata
Ellm. Spotted with black and white on upper parts.

Section PRIONE (Bp. 1855.)
The upper mandible is furnished near its edge with laminated serrations.

Genus I. Hatopmna Is. Geoff. External form of bill much that of Zstrelata ;
serrations few and inconspicuous. Tail truncated.

1. H. CŒRULEA Bp. ex Pr. cærulea Gm. Pachyptila cerulea Ill. Steph. Pr.
similis Forst. Pr. Forsteri Smith, nec. Lath. Tail tipped with white.

Genus II. Pstupoprion Coues. Serrations poorly developed or quite obso-
lete towards end of bill. Lateral lamellz of bill normal, their free edges un-
inflated. Culmen concave ; lateral outline of bill straight. Interramal space
narrow, well feathered. No sulcus for reception of fringe. Tail moderately
long and rounded, contained nearly twice in the wing.

1866.]

172 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

2. Ps. Bangsi Coues, ex Pachyptila Banksii Smith.— Prion B. Gld. Procellaria
B. Schl. The fringe of serrations is apparent to the end of the bill. Chord of
culmen 1:05; width of bill at widest point -50; height at base -44.

3. Ps. TURTUR Coues, ex Proc. turtur Banks “ icon. ined. No. 15.”—Also of
Kuhl? Prion turtur Gld. The fringe of serrations is confined to the basal por-
tion of the bill. Chord of culmen 1:00 ; height of bill at base :37; width -33.

4. Ps. ARIEL Coues, ex Prion ariel Gould.—2? Proc. turtur Kuhl.— Proc. ariel
Schl. Halobena typica Bp.—? Prion brevirostris Gld. Smaller than turtur.
Bill 9 to 10 lines, height 24 lines; width 31 to 4 lines.

Genus III. Prron Lacép. 1800—1. Serrations developed to the maximum.
Lateral lamellae hypertrophied, with inflated free edges. Culmen straight;
lateral outline of bill convex to the unguis. A deep sulcus on either side of
the culmen ; another on the lower mandible for reception ofthefringe. Inter-
ramal space broad, nearly naked. Tail elongated, much graduated, contained
1} times in the wing.

5. Pr. virratus Lacép. ex Proc. vittata Gm. Pachyptila vitt. ll. Proc. Fors-
teri Lath. nec. Smith. Pachypt. Forsteri Swains. Proc. latirostris Bonn. Greatest
width of bill three-fourths of an inch or more.

In a subsequent paper will be considered the Diomedeine and Halodromine.

Critical Review of the Family PROCELLARIIDIE;—Part V; embracing the
DIOMEDEINJE and the HALODROMINZE. With a General Supplement.

BY ELLIOTT COUES, M. D., U.S. A.

The group composed of the Albatrosses is so trenchantly distinguished from
all other JVatatores, that for its definite characterization it is only necessary to
advert to the absence of the hallux, and to the position of the rhinothece. In
other morphological points the Albatrosses conform closely to the type of
structure which obtains throughout the Procellariine.

The Halodromes, if really components of the family Procellariide, are the
most curiously-aberrant of all the Gave or Longipennine Natatores. They
appear to hold a quite anomalous position, intermediate between several nata-
torial suborders. The very short falcate wings, no less than the absence of the
hallux; the general configuration of the body, and especially the position of
the posterior extremities relative to the axis of the body; as well as the com-
pactly imbricated, glossy plumage; indicate a close affinity with the Urinatores,
or Brachypterous Natatores. These structural resemblances are borne out by
the attitudes, habits, and mode of life of the species, so far as we are acquain-
ted with them; which are rather those of Guillemots than of Petrels. The
dilation of the bill, particularly of the under mandible, and the partially naked
and distensible submental skin, which forms an imperfect pouch, point to a
type of structure extensively prevailing among the Yotipalmi. Mostof the lat-
ter have the rhynchotheca segmented ; so that almost the only character of the
Halodromes which is strictly Procellaridian is the tubulation of the rhinothe-
ca; and even in this feature the details of shape and direction of axis are en-
tirely unique. So far indeed as external characters are concerned, arguments
are adducible for their reference to either of the three tribes above alluded to;
and especially to the Urinatores. It remains for the scalpel to finally deter-
mine their true affinities.

By Illiger* the tubulation of the rhinotheca has been made indicative of a
tribe (although called a family) T'ubinares, which is attaching to it a value
coórdinate with such a character as e. g. the membranous union of the hallux

m

* Prodromus, 1811, p. 274.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 173

with the inner anterior digit, which defines what we now recognize as the tribe
or rather suborder Totipalmi, embracing numerous families. Proceeding upon
this basis we should be obliged in like manner to form a tribe or suborder
* Linearinares " of what is now known as the family Laridæ, and erect its four
recognized subfamilies into as many families.

By Bonaparte* the order Gaviæ is made to consist of two tribes, the Toti-
palmi and the Longipennz ; the latter containing two families,— Laridz and
Procellariide—the differences between which essentially rest in the linear or
tubular form of the nostrils; for continuity or division of the corneous rostral
envelope does not always point to one or the other family, as the Lestridine of
the Laride have somewhat the features of the Procellariide in this respect. In
this arrangement an essentially brachypterous bird,—one truly a * diver"
rather than a “flyer” in the sensein which these words are technically ap-
posed—is classed among the Longipennines.

If a tubular rhinotheca be really the most essential feature, and at the same
time of no more than family value, then its modifications may with propriety be
held as indicative of three subfamilies Diomedeinx, Procellariine, and ZIalodro-
mine. But it is questionable whether such be indeed the case. An approach
to this feature is seen in the Lestridine, (of a family otherwise exhibiting
strictly linear basal nostrils, and an undivided rhynchotheca ;) in which the
so-called “cere” is really a segmentation of the corneous envelope and pro-
bably also indicative of tubulation of the nares. It is by no means proven
that the peculiar nostrils of the Procellariide as generally defined, should not
be held as subsidiary in importance to, or at least of no more than coórdinate
value with, other points of structure. Upon such an hypothesis the birds now
called Procellariidæ would be divisible into three familles, somewhat accord-
ing to the following schedule :—

I. Tridactyle.
A. Macropterous; “flyers; " the tubular nostrils disjoined,

noscidl AEA pte TEEE Ln CIEL Diomedeidz,
B. Braehypterous; “divers;” the tubular nostrils united,
RSET vertical. oi 0c ee cecccecocesceccccescer ioro enonsa rosaa Haor omde.

II. Tetradactyle.
Macropterous; “ flyers ; ” the tubular nostrils united, cul-
PRAM MRI O CA oso ER QC REDE CU TOT DOCCT E COE s$ssska Procellartide.

But this arrangement is as faulty as the others, in the presence of an incon-
gruous brachypterous element ; and we should moreover be obliged to recog-
nize à tribe or suborder for the three families thus collocated.

It will be evident, therefore, that so long as we regard a tubular rhinotheca
as a primary fundamental character, not permitting of a wide Separation of the
forms in which it is present, we shall bring into juxtaposition certain types
widely dissimilar from each other in most other respects ; and that we do not
obviate this difficulty when we make this character indicative of a suborder,
under which several families may be ranged, any more than in considering it
as of family importance, and forming our subfamilies upon its modifications.
In either case we are met by the same objection. It remains to be proven that
tubulation of the exteraal nares is not a feature of subordinate importance to
others, and as such, one which may ccéxist in types otherwise presenting a
widely diverse assemblage of characters. In which event, at least one genus
now held as Procellaridian will be found to constitute a family of quite a dif-
ferent suborder; and certain others will form at least a family distinct from
that of the Petrels proper. The test of anatomical investigation must be ap-
plied before the question can be definitely settled; for in one sense external
characters of every sort are but the indices, asit were, of fundamental struc-

9 Schema Systematis Ornithologiz, Compt. Rend. xxxvii. 1853.

1866.]

174 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

tural modifications ; and as such unavailable for the truly scientific definition
of groups of a higher grade than families.

In ealling attention to the foregoing considerations, I wish to be understood
28 offering no opinion upon the questions involved, and particularly as by no
means asserting that the Halodromes are not true Procellaridians. It is rarely
of use to exchange one doubtful opinion for another; and for the present I
shall follow the usually received classification. ‘But it is safe to affirm that by
the determination of the proper affinities of these birds the exact value of the
charaeter of tubulation of the rhinotheca is to be ascertained.

Subfamily DIOMEDEIN.E.

In a careful study of the Albatrosses, the interesting fact becomes evident,
that we have an easy and convenient means of accurate diagnosis of species in
the characters afforded us by the bill alone. All the known species differ from
each other by perfectly tangible and readily appreciable variations in the size,
shape and color of the bill; in the configuration of its several corneous ele-
ments, and in the outline of the feathers around its base. This latter feature,
conjointly with the shape of the corneous covering of the culmen in that por-
tion of its extent which is posterior to the nares, gives us such reliable data
that we need hardly enquire further. I shall, therefore, in the following pages
confine myself chiefly to detailed descriptions of the bill ; and it will be noticed,
as Supporting the foregoing assertions, that a synoptical table may be drawn
up solely upon the characters mentioned above.

As we shall study the bill somewhat in detail, I introduce, for convenience
of description, several words expressive of the different corneous elements
which cover it; the meaning of which will be obvious. I may remark thatthe
piece interposed between the inferior mandibular rami at the lower border of
their symphysis (bere called the *'interramicorn,") is a feature which also
definitely characterizes this group, as it is presentin no other. The presence
of a well defined membranous fringe on the extcrior toes is also highly charac-
teristic.

In the following pages I describe eleven species—one of them supposed to be
new—and indicate the possible existence of a twelfth. Of these one differs so
much from the rest that it may be properly made the type of a genus distinct
from Diomedea. . The remaining species have also been subdivided into several
genera, chiefly by Prof. Reichenbach. Such a collocation of species is cer-
tainly natural, regarded as simply expressive of the fact that certain of them
are more intimately allied to each other, than they are to the species of another
group; but the differences presented seem hardly sufficient to warrant our at-
taching generic import to them. The following will serve to explain the point
alluded to.

Group A. Comprising exulans, brachyura, nigripes, gibbosa. Of largest and
medium size. The bill is very broad, stout and heavy; and especially very
wide at its base, and is uniform in color. The colors of the plumage are white,
variegated with black, especially upon the wings; or uniform fuliginous. The
tail is very short. The nostrils are large, and wide. Hxulans may be consid-
ered as typical of this group. The length of tail reaches its minimum in bra-
chyura, upon which character Prof. Reichenbach founds his genus Phæbas-
tria.

Group B. Comprising melanophrys, Gilliana, n. sp. cauta, culminata, chloro-
rhyncha, olivaceirostris. Of medium and rather small size. Bill shorter, weaker,
and considerably compressed, usnally bright or parti-colored. White, with black
back and wings. Tail long, slightly rounded. Melanophrys may be taken as the
type of this group, which constitutes the genus Thalassarche Reich. Both mela-
nophrys and Gilliana differ from the other three species in the character of the
culminicorn, as will be hereafter more particularly elucidated.

So varying are the characters of shape of bill, outline of frontal feathers,
length of tail, etc. that I think they can hardly be made typical of distinct

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 1275

genera. D. fuliginosa itself would be hardly separable were it not for the pre-
sence of some features radically distinct from, and not merely a modification or
varying combination of those presented by Diomedea proper.

DIOMEDEA Linnzus.

Diomedea, Linneus, S. N. 1758, and of authors. Type D. exulans.
Phobastria, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. Type D. brachyura Temm.
Thalassarche, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. Type D. melanophrys Boie.

Under this head I shall consider all the species of Albatross except D. fuligi-
nosa. Its general characters have already been sufficiently elucidated. The
points of difference between it and Phæbetria will be found in the synoptical
table at the end of this article.

DIOMEDEA EXULANS Linneus.

Diomedea exulans, Linn. S. N. i. 1766, p. 214; and of authors. Pl. Enlum. No.
237.—Vieill. Gal. pl. 295.—Gould, B. Aust. pl. 38, etc.

Diomedea spadicea, Gmel. S. N. i. pt. ii. 1788, p. 568.—Lath. Syn. v. 1785, p.
308, No. 2.—Lath Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 790.—Lath. Gen. Hist. 1824, x.
p. 52, No. 2; (excl. Var. B.) Banks ic. ined. t. 25, fide Gray. Young.

Diomedea albatrus, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-As. ii. 1811, p. . Forster, Desc.
Anim. ed. Licht. 1844, p. 27.

? Diomedea adusta, Tschudi, Cab. Journ. f. Ornith. 1856, p. 157, sp. 7.

Habitat.—Southern Hemisphere at large; rangiug to a considerable distance
north in the Pacific.

The great size ofthis species renders it easy of recognition in any of its very
diverse plumages. I will confine myseif to a description of the bill, the gen-
eral features of which may be taken as the standard of reference for all the
species of the subfamily.

The frontal feathers form a rather obtuse angle on the forehead, whence they
run forward on the side of the upper mandible to a point a little posterior to the
root of the nostrils ; whence, with & slight backward obliquity, they extend to
the commissure. On the sideof the lower mandible they come forward far
beyond those on the upper, and have a very convex—almost angular—outline.
This latter feature is constant, and of great value in distinguishing small ezu-
lans from large brachyura when both are in fuliginous plumage. (Compare
outline as described under brachyura.) The point of greatest extension is
nearly opposite the middle of the nostrils. The frontal feathers form a more
reéntrant concavity on the forehead, and a more salient convexity on the side
of the lower mandible, than in any other species except fuliginosa.

By gentle maceration in warm water, into which a little potassa or soda has
been thrown, the various corneous elements of the bill readily separate from
it and from each other, so that we can advantageously study them.

The ‘‘culminicorn” is transversely broad a.d rounded, but may be some-
what compressed or even a little carinated; a great difference in these
respects being observable in a large series of bills. Its dorsal outline descends
in a nearly straight line from the base to the middle of the bill; whence it
more rapidly rises with much concavity to the base of the unguis. Its inferior
border is curved with a convex border from its distal extremity to the
nostrils; then a considerable concavity is formed by the cutting away of a
space for the emergence of the nostrils. Behind these, it again dips down with
a salient convexity to join the upper edge of the latericorn; their union, how-
ever, being rather a point than aline. The outline of the base corresponds
with that of the frontal feathers above given; and there are usually found a
few corrugations parallel with this outline. The distal extremity is more or
less fused with the superior unguicorn or dertrotheca, especially on the median
line of the culmen.

The *'latericorn " corresponds in its superficies with the shape of the mandi-

1866.]

176 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

bular ramus of the intermaxillary. Its superior border is nearly straight for its
whole length; no emargination existing opposite the nostrils, nor hardly any
decurvation in its terminal portion. A corneous ridge, incompletely fused with
it, separates its true superior border from the inferior border of the culmini-
corn—occupying the length of the sulcus from the nostrils to its termination.
Its inferior border is sharp and regularly curved in outline for its whole length.
Internal to the commissural edge, it extends as an exceedingly delicate, thin
lamina to line the roof of the mouth, fusing, anterior to the palatal fissure,
with its fellow of the other side; more posteriorly distinct, and descending to
cover the large swollen palatal bones, which latter make a prominent ridge on
either side of the roof of the mouth towards its posterior part. The basal
outline of the latericorn is that of the lateral frontal feathers, as above
described. It terminates in an acute angle anteriorly.

The *unguicorn" or dertrotheca is large and strong, in size, shape and
general appearance calling irresistibly to mind the claw of one of the large

‘elide. Itis much thicker, heavier and stouter than any other of the corneous
elements. The convexity of its dorsal outline is great, being more than the
quadrant of a circle. Its commissural edges are thin and sharp, very concave
in outline: usually with an obsolete tooth, or, at least, a slight lobe.

The * naricorn” or rhinotheca is an irregularly convoluted little scroll, very
thin, and delicate in texture. Its general shape is that of a turgid cone,
whose apex presents backwards, and whose obliquely-truncated, irregularly-
shaped base is anterior. This is simply inserted in the emargination of the
under edge of the culminicorn, above described. A corneous parietes is want-
ing on the side which lies towards the median line of the bill; and, more
anteriorly, there are numerous delicate convolutions, impossible to describe
intelligibly. The general effect of these, however, is to produce a division into
two parts of each nasal orifice, by a process which projects upwards and
inwards. When the naricorns are in situ, the outer of these divisions, irre-
gularly circular in shape, forms the most conspicuous part, and looks forward
and a little upwards. The inner is much smaller, and hidden under a project-
ing ridge ; and its aspect is quite lateral.

The * ramicorn” which covers the sides of the rami of the lower mandible is
chiefly noticeable for the peculiar outline of its base, which, as already stated,
formed the distinguishing feature of the under mandible of this species. It is
deeply concave in outline; the superior cornu of the semilune running as an
acute process, far upwards and backwards to the commissural termination.
Terminally, the fusion with the inferior unguicorn is very incomplete. Its supe-
rior border runs downwards with a long concave sweep from base to tip;
having posteriorly an obsolete groove for the reception of a ridge from the
upper mandible. Inside the mouth, more anteriorly, the inner face of the
ramicorn presents an elongated extensive ridge, whose superior aspect is con-
cave, both longitudinally and transversely. This ridge rises higher and
higher as it proceeds forward, till at its termination it is on a level with the
commissural edge. The ridge in the bone itself is slight in size, compared
with that produced by the folding over it of the heavy corneous covering.

The * inferior unguicorn” or myxotheca is subrectangular in its lateral
aspect, tbe antero-superior angle being rounded off, and its posterior margin a
little convex. Its tomial edges are sharp; and rise considerably above the
edges of the bone they cover.

The *interramicorn"' forms the gonal element of the bill. It is narrow, elon-
gated and subcylindrical in shape; anteriorly completely fused with the myx-
otheca; posteriorly extending on the median line a considerable distance into
the interramal space, running to a fine point, and very gradually merging its
corneous texture into that of ordinary dermal tissue.

The general shape of the bill appears sufficiently elucidated in the preced-
ing descriptions of its several elements. The features whereby it is differ-
entiated from that of any other species are these: [ts great size, (chord of

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. UTE

culmen 6:50 to 7°50;) its great breadth and strength; width and concavity of
the culmen ; huge, strong unguis; peculiar convolutions of the naricorn ;*
the outline of the feathers, particularly on the side of the under mandible ; and
the uniform, very light yellowish color. These points will always separate
from brachyura specimens of every variety of size and color.

The D. spadicea of Gmelin and Latham is now universally conceded to be
based upon the young of this species. Latham's spadicea var. B., however, I
consider to be the young brachyura, for reasons stated elsewhere.

Mons. R. P. Lesson, holding that spadicea is distinct from exulans, commits
the curious error of citing in support of his views & note sent him by Dr.
Garnot, which refers to Phabetria fuliginosa.t

Diomedeu adusta Tsch. seems hardly different from this species, to which it is
unhesitatingly referred by Dr. Schlegel.

DioMEDEA BRACHYURA Temm.

JDiomedea spadicea, var. B., Lath. Gen. Hist. Birds , 1824, vol. x. p. 52, No. 2,
var. B.; (cites Pl. Enl. 963).

Diomedea brachyura, Temminck, Pl. color. No. 554, adult. (cites Pl. Enlum.
963, as young.) Schlegel, Fn. Japon. pl. 66. (Young.) Gould B.
Aust. vii. pl. 89, and of authors generally: excluding “ brachyura juv.”
of Cassin and Lawrence, which is nigripes Audubon.

Diomedea epomophora, Lesson, Man. Orn. ii. 1828, p. 351.—Id. Traité d'Ornith.,
1831, p. 609. Tschudi, Cab. Journ. f. Ornith., 1856, p. 156. Bp. C. A.,
1855, ii. p. 185, [haud dubié.]

“ Diomedea chinensis, Temminck.”

Habitat.—Pacific Ocean at large. Abundant in the China Seas, and on the
west coast of North America to a quite high latitude.

As is the case with other species, this one is readily diagnosticable by its
bill alone. This is of the same fundamental character as that of exulans ; but
it is smaller, weaker, more compressed, with a vastly less concave culmen, less
elevated, robust, and more attenuated and decurved unguis; and there is a
very marked difference in the outline of the feathers around its base.

The frontal feathers embrace the bill in a nearly straight line as far as the
lateral sulcus; forming almost no concavity on the culmen. Along the base
of the latericorn, they run slightly obliquely backwards to the commissure.
On the sides of the lower mandible they extend but slightly further than on
the upper, having a scarcely convex outline.

The bill is stout, being especially wide at its base, which is large and heavy.
Anterior to the nostrils, the culminicorn is compressed, and sometimes obso-
letely carinated; posterior to them, it very rapidly flattens and widens, and
extends so far downwards on either side that there is allowed no projection of
the post-ro-superior corner of the latericorn. The latter, with the exception
of this feature, and of a straighter commissural edge, is much as in exulans.

The dertrum is comparatively small: hardly rises above the level of the
culmen; and is by no means so convex and hooked at the tip asin exulans.
The myxa is longer, narrower and more attenuated,

The straightness of the commissure as compared with that of ezulans; and
the different outline of the feathers on the side of the lower mandible, are the
main points wherein the outline of the ramicorus of the two species differ.

The nostrils are as in exulans, but smaller. The variations in plumage of

* Existing, but to a less extent, in some other species.

T Lesson, Man., 1828, ii. p 390.— * Cette espèce ”—spadicea—“ a eté regardée comme le jeune
Age du exulans; mais nous ne partageons pas cette opinion. A ce sujet nous imprimerons tex-
tuellement une note, que nous a remise M. le Docteur Garnot * * ils'exprime ainsi * * *
autour des yeux qui sont brun clair on voit un petite cercle de plumes blanches interrompu par
une tache noir à l'angle interne de l'oeil; le bec est noir; la mandibule inférieure presente sur seg
faves deux lignes blanches membraneuses,” etc., from which expressions it is palpable that a
specimen of fuliginose furnished the subject of the note.

1866.] 12

178 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

this species are quite parallel with those of ezulans, and need not detain us, as
they are well known. A shining rusty yellow suffusion of the feathers of the
head and neck is met with in perhaps the majority of adult specimens.

That this species is the spadicea var. B. of Latham, as above, when in the
fuliginous state of plumage, is evidenced, if not by Latham's brief description,
by his citation of Pl. Enl., No. 963, which gives correctly the outline of the
frontal feathers and other points, whereby it is distinguishable from the young
exulans. The same plate is also cited by Temminck himself as representing
the young brachyura.

À specimen before me, unquestionably brachyura, is in precisely the state of
plumage described under the name epomophora by Lesson in his works above
cited, and recognized as a valid species by Tschudi and Bonaparte. The
relative amount of black and white on the wings is very variable, the latter
color sometimes pervading all the coverts; and at others being restricted to a
small spot at the elbow, producing the appearance which suggested Lesson's
name.

The questions arising from the confounding of nigripes Audubon with this
species are discussed under head of the latter,

NoTEÉ.—] find in the Smithsonian Institution a skull of an Albatross, want- :
ing the lower jaw, in general features most like that of brachyura, (numerous
examples of which are before me,) but differing as follows :—

It is considerably narrower and smaller in nearly all of its dimensions; the
bill especially being slenderer, weaker and more compressed, with a less ele-
vated and smaller unguis. The frontal outline is decidedly more concave on
the median line. The culminicorn was narrower and less flattened basally ;
did not descend so low to meet the latericorn behind the nostrils, and was
more convex along its dors»l outline. The fronio-maxillary suture is nar-
rower. The palatal bones are smaller and narrower, and sink to the level of
the commissural edge much sooner.

A most marked difference is seen in the supra-orbital fossa for the lodgment
of the gland, whose secretion is poured into the nasal cavity. It is very
small, and particula:ly narrow; so that the least width between it and its
fellow is greater than in brachyura, although the skull is narrower. These
fosse have no floors whatever on their anterior halves.

Numerous other minor differences may be summed up as resulting from the
, smallness and narrowness of the skull, which is well illustrated by the follow-

ing measurements. It will be noted that the bill is absolutely longer, and
therefore still more comparatively elongated than in brachyura.

Dimension. D. brachyura.| D. leptorhyncha.
Fronto-maxillary suture to tip of bill................ 5:40 5-15
st 4t cig? CAOC " 2°75 2°37
Greatest widthiof billzs,. ecrane 1959909: 2-100222 0 92 1:37 1:08
T " '* skull (at post-orbital processes) 2:62 2°37
Width of fronto-maxillary suture...................... 1:00 0:93
Length of suprà orbital fossa ................. thie ee. 1:30 1:07

Upon these meagre, though decided data, I do not like to formally introduce
a species; and must, therefore, for the present, content myself with pointing
out the differences which exist in the specimen to which I have affixed the
above name of /eptorhyncha.

DIOMEDEA NIGRIPES Audubon.

Diomedea nigripes, Audubon, Orn. Biog. v. 1839, p. 327. Audubon, Birds
Amer. vii. 1842, p. 198. [West coast Amer.] Cassin, Illust. B. Cal. &
Texas, 1853, p. 210, pl. 35. [Cala.] Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 179

Bas, 1863, p. 33. [China.] Swinhoe, Ibis, 1863, p. 431. [China
Seas.

Diomedea Satie Cassin, Illust. B. Cal. & Tex., 1853, p. 291. Lawrence,
Baird’s B. N. Amer., 1858, p. 822.

Habitat.—North Pacific. Coasts of Asia and America.

Description.* Bill about a third longer than the head, slightly surpassing the
tarsus, equal to the middle toe without its claw: comparatively stouter, and
` basally wider, than that of any other species (except gibbosa?). The culmen
is perfectly straight to the middle of the bill; and has thence only a just
appreciable concavity to the unguis; which latter is weak and small, scarcely
rises above the level of the culmen proper, and is only moderately decurved
and acute. The culminicorn is moderately wide, and subcarinated beyond the
nostrils; posterior to them it is flatter and wider, spreading down so far on
either side as to overlap the upper edge of the latericorn. Its comparative
width is greater than in any other species. Although the basal outline is
essentially ronnded, as in brachyura, there is yet a slight angle formed on the
median line, readily perceptible, which is not the case in brachyura. The
great comparative width of the bill is produced chiefly by the turgid and pro-
tuberant latericorns, which give it an air of great thickness and solidity. Tne
lateral sulcus is nearly straight from nostrils to unguis, and thence is only
slightly decurved. The commissure is almost straight to the unguis. The
outline of the inferior mandibular rami is quite straight to the inferior unguis,
the point of which is somewhat elongated and decurved. The interramicorn
is small and short, though quite convex in outline. The feathers on the side of
the lower mandible extend further than on the upper ; their outline has a gentle
convexity. The nostrils are of moderate size; very short; rather obliquely
placed, presenting upwards and forwards; and the emargination of the cul-
minicorn, to allow of their protrusion, is very deep.

The tail is of moderate length, contained about three times in the wing from
the carpal joint; is nearly square, the feathers having but a slight graduation,
and all being broad to their very tips. (The tail ef brachyura is contained
about 3} times in the wing.)

The tarsus is less than the middle toe without its claw, about equal to the
inner without its claw; slender, moderately compressed. The outer toe is.
longer than the middle; the tips of the claws fall together. The tip of the
inner claw about reaches the base of the miadle one.

The plumage is dark chocolate brown ; lighter and rather tending to plum-
beous gray on the under parts generally. Some of the dorsal feathers, and:
most of the wing-coverts, have light grayish brown edges, as 1f faded; and a
few feathers on the elbow are whitish except terminally. The region all around
the bill is hoary white for a limited space; and then shades rapidly into the
prevailing color of the head. A streak over and behind the eye and a spot
just in front of it are nearly pure black. "The primary quills are black, with a
plumbeous cast on their inner vanes; their shafts bright yellow to near the
tips. Thetailis brownish black; paler below ; the shafts dull whitish except
apically. The long upper tail coverts which reach within one and a half
inches of the end of the tail, are lighter brown than the rest of the upper parts,
having sometimes a slight rufous tint. The feet and webs are black. The
bill in the dry state is dark brown, almost black on the nail; its basal por-
tions with a hoary glaucescence, its median portions tinged with reddish
brown.

Chord of culmen 4-00, its curve 4:60, from feathers on side of upper mandi-
ble to its tip 3:50; ditto lower mandible 3:20; height of bill at base 1:50 ;
greatest width 1:25. Tarsus 3:70; middle toe and claw 4:50, outer do: 4-50;.
inner do. 400. Wing 19 to 20. Tail about 6-50.

The preceding paragraphs are descriptive of a most excellent species of Al-

* Taken from several typical exainples from the coast of California in Mus. Smiths.

1866.]

180 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

batross, very abundant in the North Pacific. Itis readily distinguishable from
the young brachyura, to which it assimilates so closely in its plumage, by its
bill, which Dr. Schlegel has happily described as “très court, quoique gros."
The shortness of the bill; its great width, especially basally where the cul-
minicorn is so broad and descends so low as to overlap the latericorn ; the
general straightness of its several outlines, and its color; tbe relative propor-
tions of the wings and tail; and the proportions and color of the-feet, all fur-
nish data ample for its separation from brachyura. So far as now known, tbe
fuliginous plumage above described is its only one; but should it ever assume
a livery like that of brachyura, still the above points of form will readily char-
acterize it. The only question then is as to the name to be employed for it.
American writers have without exception identified the “ nigripes” of Audu-
bon with the young brachyura.

Unfortunately I cannot find the type specimen of nigripes among the many
types of other species of Mr. Audubon now in the Smithsonian Museum. Ihave
before me the types of his ‘‘chlororhynchos” and “fusca ;” buf ''nigripes
has been mislaid. We have therefore only his description as a guide; from
which we must determine whether he had in view the present sprcies or a
young brachyura, also found on the Pacific coast of North America. In the
latter event nigripes would become a synonym, and a new name be required for
the species now under consideration.

Examining the dimensions given by Audubon we find several discrepancies.
In general they may be stated as too large. The bill is by no means “five”
inches long,—especially along the edge of the under mandible. The tail is six
or more instead of “three” inches. The dimension given for the inner toe
(119) is doubtless a typographical error. By carefully measuring Audubon’s
specimen of “chlororhynchos,” I find that he took the curve of the culmen,
not its chord. Applying this test to the specimens before me they measure
4:50 to 4:75 inches ; which is sufficiently near the dimensions he states. But
five inches along the edge of the under mandible is too great, even for the
majority of adult brachyura; while three inches as the length of tail, is wide of
the mark for either species. Eliminating palpable errors however, there is
nothing in his description or measurements absolutely incompatible with the
present species, though much confirming a suspicion that he may really have
had a young brachyura in view ; and I therefore think it best, at least until his
type can be found, to accept his name, now well established, for this species,
especially as the necessity for a new one will thereby be obviated.

DIOMEDEA GIBBOSA Gould.

D. gibbosa, Gould, Ann. Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 361. Id. Introd. B. Aust.
1848, p. 115.

JHabirat.—*'* North Pacific."

Of this species, which ig autoptically unknown to me, Mr. Gould says: “It
differs from every other that has come under my notice in the peculiar swollen
and raised form of the upper mandible, which moreover rises high up on the
forehead ;" and further describes it as having the “face, ear coverts, chin,
abdomen, upper and under tail-coverts white: the remainder of the plumage
very dark brown approaching on the occiput, back cf the neck, and wings, to
black; bill yellowish horn color, becoming darker at the tip and at the base;
feet in the specimen dark brown, but doubtless of a bluish gray, inclining to
flesh color, in the living bird. Total length 30 inches; bill 4; wing 21 ; tail 7;

«arsi 4."

; This supposed species is by Mr. G. R. Gray placed as a synonym of nigripes
Audubon. The dimensions and description in general accord well; and cer-
tain points of difference of coloration may be dependant upon age. It is not
impossible that gibbosa is based upon the fully adult nigripes, in a plumage
unknown until described by Mr. Gould. But comparisons of specimens are

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 181

requisite to settle definitely, this point, upon which at present I have no opin-
ion to offer.

DIoMEDEA MELANOPHRYS Boie.

Diomedea melanophrys, Boie, Temm. Pl. Col. No. 456. Gould, B. Aust. pl. 43;
and of authors generally.

JHabitat.—Southera Oceans generally.

The bill is moderately compressed throughout, least so at the base where
itis very high or deep. The culmen is transversely rounded, non-carinated ;
its dorsal outline moderately concave, descending from the forehead nearly
in a straight line to near the middle of the bill, whence it gradually ascends
to the unguis. The latter is very convex and much decurved, though not
rising so high as in some other species. The culminicorn basally descends a
little on either side to overlap the roots of the nostrils, and to coalesce with
the latericorn; no space of soft skin being interposed. The lateral sulcus fol-
lows very nearly the curve of the culmen, to near the unguis, where it rapidly
decurves. The commissural edge of the upper mandible is lightly curved.
The outline of the rami of the inferior mandible is nearly straight; the inter-
ramicorn somewhat protuberant, and extending far into the submental space.
The inferior unguicorn is much compressed, not very deep, its apex rather
acute, but little attenuated.

The nostrils are short and small; quite different in this feature from those
of exulans or brachyura, They are subconical in general shape; being consid-
erably dilated anteriorly, and basally narrowiog to apoint; their orifices con-
siderably dilated, with thin margins ; suboval in shape, looking upwards and
forwards, This description of nostril is applicable to the other species of this
subdivision of the genus.

The frontal feathers embrace the base of the bill in a nearly straight line ;
having a slight forward obliquity, however, as they descend on the sides of
the upper mandible. On the culmen avery slightly reéatrant curve (not angle)
is formed. On the side of the lower mandible the feathers begin slightly pos-
terior to their termination on the upper; extending somewhat forward, and
with a slight convexity, as they go downwards.

The bill is yellow, more or less pure and uniform in tint; in immature birds
clouded with brown. Some portion of the unguis is usually dark colored.
The soft skin at the extreme base of the bill makes a narrow black line all
around.

White; back plumbeous black, more cinereous anteriorly, where it merges
gradually into the white of the neck. Wings and tail black; the latter with
a grayish or plumbeous tinge, especially basally. Shafts of quills yellowish,
becoming black terminally. Shafts of tail feathers white throughout. A ci-
nereous black transocular fascia. ‘Legs and toes yellowish white, the inter-
digital membrane and the joints washed with blue,” (Gould.)

Chord of culmen 4:25; height at base 1:75: width 1:00; from feathers on
side of lower mandible to its tip 3:75. Tarsus 3:25; middle toe 4:75; outer
4:50; inner 400. Wing 20:00; tail 9:00; its graduation 2:00.

DriowEpEA GILLIANA Coues, nov. sp.

Belonging to the group of white, black-backed Albatrosses of which melano-
phrys is typical, and with the characters of the culminicorn generally as in that
species. The shape of the bill, however, most nearly approaches that of cul-
minata; but the characters of the culminicorn posterior to the nostrils are
quite diverse from those of the latter species, as follows :—

Instead of continuing, between the nostrils and the forehead, no broader
than it is anterior to them, it there widens, descending on either side to over-
lap their roots, and to coalesce by a simple sulcus with the upper edge of the
latericorn. There is thus left no space to be filled by soft skin. Tue dorsal

1866.]

N

182 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

outline of the culminicorn is not 80 concave as in culminata; does not begin
to curve downwards so immediately from the forehead; does not dip so low
down at the middle of the bill; is less flattened and depressed on top, and has
a more decidedly rounded transverse outline. The culminicorn has considera-
bly more of lateral extension down wards before it reaches the lateral sulcus.

The outline of the frontal feathers shows an approach to the character seen
in fuliginosa ; the root of the culmen extending nearly as far up on the fore-
head as in ezulans. Still the outline is a simple concavity, not a sharp reént-
rant angle. On the sides of the lower mandible the feathers start a little pos-
terior to their termination on the upper and curve downwards and considera-
bly forwards with a decidedly convex outline.

The base of the culminicorn and latericorn are transversely rugose ; the cor-
rugations being mainly parallel with the outline of the frontal feathers.

The lateral sulcus is gently curved from base to unguis; and on its ungual
extent is less deflected than in any other species. The interramicorn is promi-
nent; and extremeiy elongated before it finally looses itself in the submental
space.

sii the dried specimen the bill presents none of the bright parti-coloration of
culminata, chlororhyncha, and cauta; while its color as well as its shape are
sufficiently diverse from those of melanophrys. It is a plain uniform olivaceous
brownish throughout; the ungues darker, and inclining to black ; the extreme
tip of the upper mandible yellowish. That this color is not an evidence of
immaturity is evinced by the plumage which is palpably that of a fully adult
bird.

Chord of the culmen 5:00 inches. Height of bill at base 1-75; at middle
slightly over one inch; at unguis 1:12. Width at base 1-45. Tarsus 3-00;
middle toe 4-75, outer toe 4-60, inner toe 4°00. Wing about 20 00; tail about
9:00.

The coloration of the plumage is that of melanophrys and the rest of this
group, with this exception: The whole under surface of the wings is concolor
with the upper; whereas in the other species a large area is white.

In carefully examining the superb series of Albatrosses in the Philadelphia
Academy, which contains examples of all known species except olivaceirostris
and gibbosa, I find a specimen of which the preceding paragraphs are descrip-
tive. It is unlabelled as to name, locality or donor; and Mr. Cassin has no
recollection whence it was obtained. I find it impossible to refer it to any
known species; and am therefore constrained, somewhat reluctantly, to regard
it as a previously undescribed one. Iam autopically familiar with all the re-
cognized species except olivaceirostris and gibbosa. The former of these is said
to have a bill ‘*3 inches and three-eighths long from the gape to the tip, and of
a uniform olive green, and in form more slender and elegant,” etc. ; with which
description the characters of our bird are totally discordant. There is no
‘peculiar swollen and raised form of the upper mandible” suggestive of the
name gibbosa, or rendering its reference to that species admissable.

From chlororhyncha, culminata, and cauta it is at once distinguished by the
color of the bill and especially by the lateral extension downwards of the base
of the culminicorn, and its coalescence with the latericorn, thus cutting off the
naked space which exists behind the nostrils of these species.

Agreeing in this latter respect with melanophrys, the shape no less than the
coloration of the bill, as well as the peculiar color of the under surfaces of the
wings forbid its reference to that species. Until these features are shown to
be accidental, or not incompatible with the variations to which melanophrys is
subject, the species must be regarded as a valid one; since there are no others
than those above compared, to which it bears any sort of resemblance.

I trust that this species may prove valid, if for no other reason than that it
may continue to bear the name I have fixed to it in pleasant remembrance of
years of uninterrupted friendly intercourse ; although Professor Theodore Gill
needs no such slight tribute from me, to enhance the enviable reputation to

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 183

which his extensive researches in almost every department of Zoology so
justly entitle bim.

DiowEDEA CAUTA Gould.

Diomedea cauta, Gould, P. Z. S. viii. p. 177. Id. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. xiii.
1844, p. 360. Id. B. Aust. pl. 40. Gray, Gen. Birds, (plate of bill),
&nd of authors.

-Habitat.—From the south coast of Van Diemen's Land.

A beautiful species having the colors of plumage of the melanophrys group ;
readily distinguishable from all other species by the following peculiarities in
tbe shape and color of the bill, and outline of the frontal feathers.

The frontal feathers lie in a straight or slightly convex outline across the
base of the culmen, and then descend perpendicularly to the commissure ;
forming a slight reéentrant angle on each side of the base of the culminicorn.
From exactly opposite their termination on the commissural edge of the upper
mandible those on tne lower start, and descend in a straight line with a
slight forward obliquity, forming a very obtuse angle with those on the upper
mandible.

The dorsal outline of the culmen descends from the forehead with a gentle
curve, to rise again on the unguis, but not so high as atthe forehead. The
point of greatest concavity is opposite the middle of the bill. Basally the
culminicorn agrees with that of culminata and chlororhyncha, and differs from
melanophrys, in not widening behind the notrils, nor descending to overlap
their bases and meet the upper edge of the latericorn; a narrow sub-
rectangular space thus left being covered only with soft skin.

The latericora is very broad throughout as compared with the culminicorn ;
i. e., the lateral sulcus is placed high up. The latericorn is exceedingly deep
at its base, running high up towards the sides of the base of the culminicorn,
and, in consequence of the strong upward inflection of the commissure
towards its base, the sides of the under mandible are also very deep basally,
&nd run high up to form an acute angle with the feathers at the commissure.

The nosirils present no discrepancies from other species of this group.

“ Bill light vinous gray or bluish horn color, except on the culmen where
it is more yellow, particularly at the base; the upper mandible is surrounded
at the base by a narrow belt of black, which also extends on each side of the
culmen to the nostrils; base of lower mandible surrounded by a belt of rich
orange, which extends to the corners of the mouth." (Gould.)

Chord of culmen 4:75; height at base 1:99; width 1:25; height at unguis
1:25; from feathers on lower mandible to the tip of its unguis 3:75. "Tarsus
3°25; middle toe 5:00 ; outer toe 4:75; inner 4:25; wing 22:00; tail 10-00.

The plumage is th it of melanophrys even to the transocular dark fascia ; but
this in the specimen before me extends quite to the bill, which is not the case
in the numerous specimens of melanophrys examined.

A suffusion of the head and neck with pearly gray is doubtless indicative
of immaturity, as is the case with other species.

This bird is superbly figured in Mr. Gould’s and Mr. Gray’s plates cited
above. The latter is an exceedingly accurate delineation of the bill.

DioMEDEA CULMINATA Gould.

Diomedea chlororhynchos, of Audubon’s Works; witness the tyne specimen it-
self. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. Birds, N. A., 1858, p. 822. (Excl. syn.)

Diomedea culminata, Gould, Ann, & Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 361. Id. B. Aust.
vii. pl. 41. Gray, Gen. Bds., 1849, pl. 179.

This species in color of plumage is quite identical with chlororhyncha, and
the bill, in its general characteristics of shape, most resembles that of the
latter species. But the bird is much larger, stouter and heavier, as will be
seen by comparing the dimensions given. The bill in general terms may be
stated to be heavier and stronger, though not longer than that chlororhyncha ;

1866.]

184 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

much less compressed ; deeper at the middle, notwithstanding that the con-
cavity of the culmen is much greater; and with other well-marked peculiar-
ities, as follows :—

The dorsal outline is exceedingly concave, dipping down rapidly from the
forehead, and then again being much elevated on the ungual portion. The
culminicorn is broad, flattened, depressed, with no trace of carination. Its
colored base, instead of being acutely pointed, (as in chlororhyncha,) con-
tinues of a uniform width past the nostrils to the feathers, where it is broadly
rounded with a geatle convexity. "There exists posterior to the nostrils a
naked space of soft skin ; but this is trapezoidal, not triangular in shape, in
consequence of the different shape of the base of the culminicorn, just
described.

The lateral sulcus is nearly straight to the unguis, where it is greatly
deflected. It runs high up along the bill; or rather the dorsal outline of the
culmen dips, towards the middle of the bill, so far down, that it almost lies
on a level with this sulcus. The culminicorn is thus allowed scarcely any-
thing of a lateral aspect ia the middle portion of its extent. The latericorn,
as a consequence, is very deep throughout, and its commissural outline is
decidedly less curved. The two ungues are stout, deep and short; with con-
siderable more convexity of outline, and less elongation and decurvation of
their apices than is seen in chlororhyncha.

The dorsal outline of the inferior mandibular rami is quite straight. The
interramicorn is prominent, but not so long as in chlororhyncha.

The outline of the feathers is almost exactly as in melanophrys; i. e., they
lie over the base of the culmen iu nearly a straight line, or with a slight con-
cavity ; and thence extend nearly straight down the sides of the bill. Tbere
is no trace of the reéntrant angles at the sides of the base of the culminicorn
seen in chlororhyncha, The feathers on the lower mandible have the same out-
line as those of melanophrys or chlororhyncha.

The colors of the bill are quite different from those of any other species,
though coming nearest to chlororhyncha. The culminicorn is clear light yel-
low ; (not bright orange ;) and the edges of the inferior mandibular rami for
three-fourths their extent are also yellow. There is no yellow line along the
sides of the base of the lower mandible at its junction with the feathers. The
rest of the bill is black. ‘In its youthful state the head and neck are dark
gray, and the bill is of an almost uniform brownish black, with only an indica-
tion of the lighter color of the culmen." (Gould.)

The plumage is quite the same as that of chlororhyncha. The color of the
back is darkest posteriorly, being anteriorly more plumbeous, and shading
into the grayish pearl which washes the neck and head of the majority of
specimens. Usually the feathers about the eyes are more or less dark-colored.

In young birds the whole head and neck is clouded with plumbeous gray ;
and the transocular fascia is more conspicuous.

Bill (chord of culmen) 4:50; height at base 1-75; at middle 1-10, at unguis
1:25; width at base 1:20. Tarsus 3:25 ; middle toe 5:00, outer toe 4:75, inner
toe 4:25. Wing 21:00. Tail 8 to 9.

I have before me Audubon's type of the “ chlororhynchos” of his works. It
is an example of culminata Gould; and was doubtless procured elsewhere
than ‘not far from the Columbia River," as falsely stated. This specimen
(No. 2726 of the Smithsonian Register) is also described by Mr. Lawrence,
l. c., under the same name.

I have a distinct impression of having seen, in some old work, a plate of
this species (as evidenced by the yellow along the ramus of the under man-
dible instead of at its feathered base) under the name of “chlororhynchos ;”’
but I cannot now call to mind the reference.

DIOMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHA Gmelin.
Diomedea chlororhyncha, Gm. i. 1788, p. 568. Lath. Syn. v. p. 309, pl. 94.

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 185

Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 790. Temm. Pl. Col. 468. Gould, B. Aust.
pl. 42, and of authors generally ; but not of Audubon and Lawrence.

Diomedea (Thalassarche) chlororhyncha, Bp. C. A. ii. 1855, p. p

“ Diomedea chrysostoma, Forst. Ed. Licht, 1844, p. 24. “ IJ. ic. ined. 100, 101,”
fide Gray.

'! Diomedea profuga, Banks, ic. ined. t. 27," fide Gray.

** Diomedea presaga, Brandt," fide Lawrence.

Habitat —Cape of Good Hope; and thence to Van Diemen’s Land. Ans-
tralian and South Pacific Oceans generally.

Tbe bill is compressed in its whole extent more than in any other species
except fuliginosa ; aud although somewhat stouter at the base, it is there very
high as compared with its width. Its dorsal outline is very concave, descend-
ing rapidly from a point a little anterior to the extreme base of tbe bill, to
about the middle; and not rising again very high on the unguis. Although
the culminicorn is narrow ani with compressed sides, itis not carinated along
its dorsal lin». It has a peculiar termination basally, quite unique iu the genus,
which single character separates it trenchantly from any other Albatross. The
culminicora does not (as in exulans, melanophrys, etc.,) spread downwards and
outwards behind the nostrils to overlap their bases, but terminates by rapidly
narrowing to an acute angle on the median line of the bill. Its hard, brightly
colored, pointed base does not quite reach to the feathers. There is thus left,
between the base of the culminicorn and the upper edge of the latericorn, a
somewhat triangular space of softish integument, not brightly colored ; and
corrugated in the dry state. $

The lateral suleus on the upper mandible does not extend further towards
the base of the bill than the nostrils : the soft skin just spokea of taking its
place thence to the feathers. Beginning then with the nostrils, it has a slight
downward convexity as far as the unguis; thence it is greatly deflected. As
usual, a slight ridge lies in this sulcus for its whole length. The commissural
edge of the upper mandible is strongly curved, its convexity looking down-
wards. The dorsal outline of the inferior mandibular rami is straight or very
slighily concave. The interramicorn is thin, not very prominent, but pro-
lunged far along the chin before it merges into soft skin.

The two ungues, taken together, are characterized by their slight compara-
tive depth and degree of convexity, and their extreme compression and
elongation; and by the acuteness and decurvation of their apices.

The nostrils are exactly as described under melanophrys.

The frontal feathers are peculiar in outline. They lie straight across the
base of the culmen, or even have a slight convexity, as far as the upper corner
of the base of thelatericorn. Thence they descend the side of the bill, with a
slightly convex outline, and some little obliquity forwards ; forming more de-
cidedly re&ntrant angles at the superior basal corners of the latericorns than is
found in any otber species. On the side of the lower mandible, beginning at a
point slighily posterior to their termination on the upper mandible, they de-
scend with an outline parallel to that of those on the upper mandible.

Chord of culmen 4 50; height of bill at base 1:50, at unguis 1:00; width
at bise 1-00. Tarsus 2:75; middle toe 4:25; outer toe 4:00; inner toe 3:75.
Wing about 19:00. "Tail 7:00.

White; including rump, upper tail coverts and under surfaces of the wings;
back and wings ashy brown, the latter darkest. Primary shaf's ligat brown
basally, black apically. Tail grayish or plumbeous black, lightest basally ;
its shafts chiefly white. Some part of the head and neck in the majority of
specimens is clouded with pearly gray. There is more or less of a grayish
plumbeous transocular fascia, as in melanophrys. The culminicorn is bright
orange yellow ; and a narrow line of the same color lies along the sides of the
base of the under mandible. The rest of tbe bill is blackish; there being no
bright color along the dorsal outline of the inferior mandibular rami, as seen
in culminata. The feet are livid flesh, or bluish white.

1866.]

186 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Some malapplications of the name of this species to culminata Gould, are
noticed under the head of the latter. I quote tbe names “ profuga Banks" and
^ presaga Brandt " respectively on the authority of Mr. Gray and Mr. Lawrence,
not having an opportunity of verifying these references.

DiowEDEA OLIVACEIROSTRIS Gould.

Diomedea olivaceorhyncha, Gould, Ann. Mag. N. H. 1844, xiii. p. 361. I4 Introd.
B. Aust., p. 115.
Diomedea olivaceirostris, Bonaparte, C. A. 1855, p. 185, correcting a hybrid name.

This species is based upon a bill only, which was in possession of Sir Wm.
Jardine, and supposed to come from the China seas. Mr. Gould states that it
“is three inches and three-eighths long from the gape to the tip, of a uniform
olive green, and in form more slender and elegant than that of the other mem-
bers of the genus,” which comprises the sum total of our knowledge concern-
ing the species.

PH@BETRIA FULIGINOSA (Gm.) Reich.

Dromedea fuliginosa, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. pt. ii. p. 568. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii.

1790, p. 791. Temminck. Pl. Col. 469. And of anthors generally.
Diomedea (Phebetria) fuliginosa, Bonap. Consp. Av., ii. 1855, p.
Diomedea spadicea, Lesson, Man. ii. 1828, p. 391; description. Not of Lath.
Diomedea palpebrata, Forster, “ic. ined. No. 102." Id. Ed. Licht, 1844. p.
Diomedea antarctica, Banks, “ic. ined. No. 26.”
Diomedea fusca of Audubon's works.

Habitat. Southern oceans at large.

The bill of this species is remarkable in its extreme compression ; its basal
outline; and the presence of a sulcus on the lower mandible.

The feathers retreat rapidly, with a gentle curve, from their point of great-
est development on the commissural edge of the upper mandible to form an ex-
ceedingly acute reéntrant angle on theforehead. Thoseon the side of the lower
mandible extend in an exceedingly acute salient angle, to a point much beyond
the termination of the nostrils ; their upper outline a trifle oblique to the com-
missural edge of the lower mandible ; their under more decidedly oblique to
the outline of the inferior mandibular rami.

The culminicorn is much compressed, with but slightly convex sides, and
a decidedly carinated ridge. The dorsal outline forms a gentle and continu-
ous curve from the very feathers to the base of the unguis. The latter hardly
rises above the level of the culmen proper: is rather the reverse of robust ;
its top moderately decurved, and only slightly overhanging the lower. The
curve of the superior lateral sulcus is intermediate between ezulans and
brachyura. The commissure forms a gentle and continuous curve from the
base of the unguis.

The commissural edge of the under mandible corresponds to that of the
upper. The dorsal outline of the rami is perfectly straight. The inferior
unguicorn is convex and protuberant, but extends only a short distance into
the mental space.

The median longitudinal lateral sulcus of the lower mandible terminates
abruptly at the unguis. Basally it divaricates to receive the salient feathers ;
the upper crus being the best marked, and forming the real continuation of
the sulcus. This groove is sometimes concolor with the bill; more often it
is brightly colored, being yellow or pinkish.

The nostrils are peculiar in their very small calibre, perhaps less than that
of any other species. They are almost buried between the culminal and late-
ral elements of the bill, the two meeting posterior to the nares. The orifice
is subcircular, presenting forwards and upwards with no lateral aspect.

The graduation of the lateral rectrices is enhanced in producing a cuneate
tail, by the elongation of the median pair which project beyond the next
ones, and are narrowly accuminate. The tips of the lateral feathers are

rounded.
[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 187

The bill is black, except its sulcus. The feet are flesh colored or dull
whitish, becoming yellowish in the dried state. The edges of the eyelids are
pure white except just at the anterior canthus.

The perfectly and uniformly fuliginous color (darkest about the face and on
the wings and tail) which is the ordinary plumage, sometimes gives way toa
much lighter, clearer and more cinereous color. Examples of this coloration,
doubtless due to age, are in the Philadelphia Academy and Smithsonian In-
stitution. The most extreme case I have met with is as follows: Neck all
around, upper part of back and whole under parts nebulated with ashy or
grayish white. Lower part of back, wing-coverts, scapulars, etc., light
plumbeous gray. Wings and tail ashy or plumbeous blackish, lightest on their
inner webs, their shafts chiefly whitish. On the face, crown and sides of
the head the fuliginous holds, deepest in tint immediately around the bill.
The nape and hind neck, and some of the wing coverts show traces of ferru-
gineous.

Chord of culmen 4 to 4:50, height of bill at base 1:50, at unguis 1:00, width
at base ‘15. From feathers on commissure to tip 3:50, from feathers on lower
mandible 2.50. Tarsus about 3:00 ; middle toe and claw 4-75, outer 4:50, inner
4:00. Wing 21:00, tail :10, its graduation 3:50 to 4-50.

I have examined the type of Diomedea fusca Aud. now in the Smithsonian
Institution.

The following is a synopsis of the genera and species of the Diomedeinz.

Family PROCELLARIID.E.

Sub-family DIOMEDEIN Æ.

Chs. The tubular nostrils are separated, and placed on either side of the
culmen. The hallux is absent. The exterior toes have a wide membranous
fringe.

Genus I. Diomedea. Bill stout, or moderately compressed. No sulcus on
lower mandible. Tail short or moderate, more or less rounded. Nostrils
large.

A. Bill very broad. Tail short; contained
nearly, quite, or more than three times in
die WIR Z aiaro DOR OOC IO dOCOCQCOO Ode cd decode Diomedea et Phebastria Reich.

1. D. exuuans L. (spadicea Gm. Lath. (juv.) albatrus Pall. Forst., adusta Tsch.
Bill 7 inches. Frontal feathers forming a deep concavity on the culmen ;
those on side of lower mandible extending to a point opposite middle of nos-
trils, with an exceedingly convex outline.

2. D. BRACHYURA Temm. (spadicea var. B. Lath. (juv.) epomophora Less.
Tsch. Bp.) Bill 5 to 6 inches. Frontal feathers embracing the bill nearly in
a straight line : those on side of lower mandible extending hardly further than
on upper, with a barely convex outline.

[2a? D. teproruyncua Coues. Doubtfully based upon a skull differing
somewhat in proportions from that of brachyura. See anteà.]

3. D. NIGRIPES Aud. (brachyura juv. Cass. Lawr.) Bill 4 inches; width at
base 1:25 ; height 1:50; very robust for its length. Frontal outline nearly as
in brachyura.

74. D. ersBosA Gould. “ With a peculiar swollen and raised form of the
upper mandible, which moreover rises high up on the forehead. Bill 4."
(Probably — nigripes Aud.)

B. Bill compressed. Tail elongated, rounded, nearly
half as long as the wing from the carpal joint.
White, with black back and wings. A transocular
"greet EL COH E QOO OOOCO oct EET E TO aee roceere (Thalassarche Reich.)

1866.]

188 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

a. The culminicorn widens and descends on either side behind the nos-
trils to coalesce with the latericorn.

5. D. Mezanopurys Boie. Temm. Frontal feathers with a slight reéntrant
curve on the culmen. Chord of culmen 4:25. Width of bill at base 1:00 ;
height 1:75. Bill uniform light yellow.

6. D. Gintiana Coues. Frontal feathers with a decided reéntrant curve on
the culmen (nearly as great as in exulans.) Chord of culmen 500; width of
bill at base 1:45; height 1:75. Bill uniform dark brown. (Essential charac-
teristics of culminicorn of melanophrys ; general shape of bill of culminata.)

b. The culminicorn does not widen and descend to coalesce with the
latericorn posterior to the nostrils, but continues narrow to the frontal
feathers.

T. D. caura Gould. Chord of culmen 4:75, Frontal feathers with a slightly
convex outline across the culmen: thence descending in a nearly straight
line. Bill gray or bluish brown ; the culmen yellowish ; a narrow belt of black
around base of upper mandible; one of orange around base of lower, the lat-
ter extending to the angle of the mouth.

8. D. conminata Gould. (chlororhyncha Aud. Lawr. nec. Gm.) Base of
culminicorn broad and rounded. Frontal feathers with a slightly concave
outline across culmen. Chord of culmen 4:50. Billblack ; culmen and lower
edges of inferior mandibular rami bright yellow.

9. D. cnronoRHyNcHA Gm. (nec. Aud. Lawr. chrysostoma Forst. ‘ profuga
Banks ;" “ presaga Brandt.") Base of culminicorn tapering to an acute angle.
Frontal feathers straight or with slight convexity across culmen: thence
downwards with some forward obliquity, and slight convexity of outline,
forming a sharp reéntrant angle at upper corner of base of latericorn. Chord
of culmen 4:50. Bill black. Culmen, and a narrow perpendicular line along
the sides of the base of the under mandible, bright yellow.

10. D. OLIVACEIROSTRIS Gould. Bill slender, uniform olive green, three and
three-eighths long from gape to tip.

Genus II. PmH&nETRIA Reich. Bill excessively compressed. A sulcus on
sides of lower mandible. Feathers forming a deep reéntrant angle on cul-
men; an acute salient on one side of lower mandible. Nostrils very
narrow. Tail elongated, cuneate.

11. P. FuLIGINOSA Reich, ex Diomedea fuliginosa Gm. (antarctica Banks ; pal-
pebrata Forst.; fusca Aud.) Height of bill at base 1:50, width -75. The cul-
men is carinated for its basal half.

Sub-family ZALODROMIN.E.

Some general remarks upon the fundamental characters of this interesting
group have already been given at the head of the present article. We may
at once proceed to the consideration of the single genus by which it is repre-
sented.

Genus PELECANOIDES Lacép.

Procellaria sp. Gmelin et auct. aliq.
Pelecanoides, Lacépède, Mem. de l'Inst. 1800-1, p. 517. Typus Proc. urinatriz Gm.
Haladroma, Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, p. 273. Typus idem.
Onocralus, Rafinesque, 1815 ; fide Bon. ;
Pufinuria, Lesson, Man. 1828, ii, p. 392: Id. Traité Ornith. 1831, p. 614. Ty-
pus P. Garnoti Less.
Concerning these numerous names which have been proposed for this genus

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 189

the preponderance of authority is in favor of the adoption of that of Illiger.
I can, however, discern no cause why Lacépéde's name should be superseded.
The reasons given by Illiger, in proposing Haladroma, and by Lesson in
founding Puffinuria, certainly seem invalid. To G. R. Gray is, I believe, due
the credit of restoring the rightful appellation of Lacépéde.

The type which represents the genus, although so curiously anomalous, is
so well known, that a detailed description would be out of place here. Only
a few of its more salient points need be noticed.

The perfectly vertical nostrils are surrounded by an elevated wall, whose
contour, in consequence of a slight emargination posteriorly, and a corres-
ponding protuberance anteriorly, on the median line, is somewhat cordiform.
The wall has considerable thickness basally ; but much bevelling superiorly
gives it an extremely thin edge. The internasal septum is moderately thick ;
and from either side a process projects transversely into the nasal orifice. In
shape each nostril is suboval; being somewhat elongated anteriorly, and a
straightening of its inner border being produced by their mutual appo-
sition.

The dertrum or unguis is long, reaching quite to the nostrils ; and, for this
family, is only moderately uncinated. Except at its extreme base it is dis-
tinctly carinated, and its sides are much compressed.

The myxa is unusually small and narrow, with a very acute tip, and ex-
tremely concave gonys. The sulciseparating the myxotheca from the rest of
the mandible, and the lateral one on the gnathidia are strongly marked.

The unusual amount of divarication of the concavo-convex gnathidia, which
causes so wide a submentum, is, in the upper mandible, accompanied by a
corresponding dilation of the lateral elements ; which latter are also turgid
and inflated.

The tarsus is excessively compressed, and at the same time very deep
antero-posteriorly ; giving to its transverse section a narrowly elliptical shape,
like that which obtains in the Colymbide. It is reticulated as in the Procel-
laridx, and also the majority of the Alcidæ, though Mergulus has anteriorly
transverse imbricated scales. The proportions of the anterior toes are as in
the other Procellariide.

In the wings and tail the urinatorial aspect is most decidedly marked.
The very short wings, with their stiff, falcate, subacuminate primaries hardly
reach to the end of the exceedingly abbreviated tail.

The plumage is essentially diverse from that of any other Procellaridian, in
its compact imbrication, and oily glossiness, which comes nearest to that of
the Loons; and is eminently adapted to resist the action of the water in
which the habits of this species cause them so constantly to be submerged.

Concerning the number of species *o be enumerated authors are greatly at
variance. To a comparatively recent date but a single one was supposed to ex-
ist. M. Temminck, in figuring the type of MM. Quoy and Gaimard's P.
Berardi, is of opinion that both wr/natrix and Garnoti should be referred to it.
M. Lesson, after describing Puffinuria Garnoti in 1826, doubtfully refers it to
Proc. urinatriz Gm.* Prince Bonaparte unites Garnoti and urinatrir, and con-
siders Berardii as distinct. Mr. G. R. Gray, and more recently, Dr. H. Schle-
gel, agree in regarding all three of the supposed species as valid. A sufficient
amount of material is not at my disposal to settle these doubtful points. In
a considerable number of specimens from various localities I can see what
has been called P. Berardi, differing in some respects from the ordinary type:
but have failed to detect tangible differences indicating three species. Very
possibly, however, none of the specimens before me indicate the true wrinatriz,
as distinguished from Garnoti.

The three supposed species are based entirely upon size: a varying degree
of length or robustness of bill: and coloration of the feet. Some specimens

* Traite d'Ornith. 1831, p. 720, No. 144.

1806 ]

190 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

before me are larger than is indicated by Dr. Schlegel as characteristic of
Garnoti : while the feet are colored as in the smallest species, Berardi. A
considerable amount of variation is found in examples of undoubtedly the -
same species; so that perhaps we might without great violence consider the
different species as extremes of a single very variable type.

I am mainly indebted to Dr. Schlegel's excellent article for characters
whereby to tabulate the supposed species with their synonyms. . This author
has had before him examples which he has considered as indicative of three
species: and for the present I rely upon his judgment.

1. PELECANOIDES GaRNoTI Gray ex Lesson.
Pufinuria Garnoti, Lesson, Voy. de la Coq. i. part ii. 1826, pl. 46.—(Bill and
feet black. Length 8}; extent 16; bill 1 2-12ths; wing 5; feet and
tail each 14.)—Id. Man. Orn. 1828, ii. p. 394.—Id. Traité d'Orn. 1831,
p. 730. (Queries urinatriz Gm. as syn.)
Pelecanoides Garnoti, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii. 1849, p. 646.
Haladroma Garnoti, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, p. 3T.
Haladroma urinatriz, Bonaparte, C. A. 1856, ii. p. 206. (Excl. syn. Nec Gm.
fide Schlegel, who has examined Bonaparte's types.)
Habitat.—W est Coast of South America.
Ch. Largest; 8 to 8) in length. Bill slender and elongated ; black; along
culmen *75; height at end of nasal case :25. Width near the base *:33. Tar-
sus blackish, 13 to 14 lines long; middle toe about one inch.

2. PELECANOIDES URINATRIX Lacép. ex Gm.
Procellaria urinatriz, Gmelin, S. N. 1788, i. part ii. p. 560, and of authors; not
Hal. urin. of Bp.
Pelecanoides urinatriz, Lacép. et Cuv. Gray, Gen. Birds, iii. 1849, p. 646.
Haladroma urinatriz, Illiger, Prod. 1811, p. 274. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus.
Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 37.
Puffinuria urinatriz, Gould, B. Aust. pl. 60.
Haladroma Berardii, Bonap. C. A. 1856, ii. p. 206; Excl. syn. (fide Schlegel ;
from examination of Bp's types.)
Procellaria tridactyla, Forst. Descr. Anim. Ed. Licht. 1844, p. 1849.
Habitat.— Australian Seas.
Chs. Of medium size; feet bluish; bill robust. Wing 4:50; tail 1:40. Bill
-66 ; its height or width :33; tarsus one inch. Middle toe eleven lines.

3. PELECANOIDES BERARDII Q. and G.

Pelecanoides Berardii, Quoy and Gaim. Voy. Uranie, pl. 37. Temminck, Pl.
Col. No. 517. Gray, Gen. Birds, 1849, iii. p. 646.

Haladroma Berardii, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 38; not of
Bonaparte.

Habitat.—Southern Oceans.

Chs. Smallest; bill short, intermediate in robustness between that of the
two foregoing; feet light colored, their membranes black. Length 7 inches ;
wing 440; tail l:50. Bill -55, its height or width about :30. Tarsus :80;
middle toe :90.

It will be observed that the differences between the size of the smallest and
largest of these supposed species is not great; that an intermediate form oc-
curs between the two extremes; that each is liable to considerable variations
in size; and that the colors of the plumage of all three are identical.

Recapitulation.

The following isa summary of the genera and species of Procellarude
treated of in the series of papers of which the present article is conclusive.
The numbers in the third column are those of species which I have recog-
nized, but which seem to require confirmation before their claims to validity
can be considered as fully established. It will be seen that more or less of
doubt attaches to 17 out of the 92 described.

[May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 191

Genera. Species. Doubtful Species.

Procellariinz

Hout rias Ata scare cceccesccacsne Era 2 6

JS DITE CU acasenseiisasaaseiccees 3 23 6t

Hor POTE ORPHEO TERCEROS 3 6 D

Procelinriee..........««» 5cocpa T 21 5|

PUMN EE sco see nce sees Beet en DM 5* 21 14
Diomedeine...... SREE ioke ES 2 12 2T
Halodromin.....u. eee eene 58 1 3 2**

EOLA sosse es 24 92 itn

Nore. The following supposed species are not given in the body of my
papers; and I only know of them by the descriptions.

Puffinus Rollandii Quoy and Gaimard, in Freynete, Voy. Antour du Monde ;
and Zool. Journ. iii. p. 271.

Procellaria lugubris, Tschudi, Cab. Journ. f. Ornith. 1856, iv. p. 185, (not of
Natterer.) “The whole body is dark brown; the back somewhat deeper col-
ored thau the belly; the tail wholly black; the innerside of the wing darker
than the outer. Bill and feet reddish; iris ashy gray. Surpasses in size ca-
pensis; also compressed in form. The description of P. antarctica is too in-
accurate to say with certainty if it be the species here described. Between
46° and 369." (Tschudi, ut suprà.) It is impossible to say from the descrip-
tion what species of Nectris or Pterodroma this is.

Procellaria maculata, loc. cit. “Island of Juan Fernandez; 33? S. Head,
breast and belly wholly white; the back bluish-white with darker spots, the
wings gray with bluish spots, the tips of the four longest primaries wholly
black. Tail fan-shaped, grayish blue. Bill and feet deep orange yellow. Iris
dark brown. About the size of the preceding species." Evidently an ZZstre-
lata ; but the description applies to no species with which I am acquainted.
It comes nearest to alba Lath, or Lesson? Garnot.

Procellaria bicolor, op. cit. p. 187. “Bill and feet black; neck, back, and
lesser wing coverts deep blackish gray, wing feathers and tail somewhat
lighter. Head and throat wholly black; belly pure white.” Doubtless a
young ZZsírelata ; but of what species the description gives no hint.

SUPPLEMENT.

Some few additions to, and corrections of my previous papers, which sub-
sequent investigation has brought to my knowledge, may with propriety be
inserted here.

Procellariex.

P. 79, line 25, for “size” read “length.” H. microsoma is rather smaller
than P. pelagica in actual size of body, though the length of wings and tail is

not less. This explains an apparent descrepancy in my statements on p. 79
and p. 90.

*Iweuld now unite Thiellus and Nectris with Puffinus, leaving but three genera to be recog-
nized.

f These six are Bulweria Macgillivragi and Procellaria Parkinsoni, Gray; P. neglecta and P.
incerta, Schl.; ZEstreiata grisea and Æ. gavia of my paper.

į Prion brevirostris Gould.

| Which are P. tethys Bp., P. lugubris Natterer, P. melitensis Schembri; Thalassidroma Segeths
Ph. and Labk.; Fregetta Lawrencii Bp.

2 P. sericeus Less.
4 D. gibbosa Gould, which may be nigripes Aud., and my D. leptorhyncha.

** Asjust stated, the three recognized species of Pelecanoides require additional evidence to
prove conclusively that they are not merely the extremes of a single variable species.

1866.]

192 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Pp. 80, 81, 90. There can be no doubt of the propriety of referring P. lugu-
bris Natterer, and P. melitensis Schembri, to pelagica L. Proc. tethys Bp., also
seems hardly distinct.

Pp. 81, 90. Thalassidroma fasciolata Tschudi has been recognized by other
writers as valid.

Pp. 84, 91. Oceanites segethi ex Ph. et Ldbk. is undoubtedly a synonym of
O. gracilis ex Elliot, as intimated in my paper.

Pp. 81, 91. Fregetta Lawrencii Bp. is probably a synonym of grallaria Bp.
ex Vieill. as Mr. Lawrence himself originally believed. The point cannot now,
however, be positively determined, as the specimen is lost.

Pp.88.91. Bonaparte's identification of Linnzus' Proc. fregata, which I fol-
lowed, is by no means proven; and in view of the uncertainty attaching to
Linnzus' diagnosis (which may refer to some species of the genus Fregetia) it
may be as well to take our specific name from Latham's unequivocal indica-
tion of P.marina; caling the species Pelagodroma marina after Reichenbach.

Puffnem.

Pp. 122,142, 143. Genera “ Thiellus” and “ Nectris." The points in which
these groups differ from Puffinus proper, are rege trivial, as I state in
my paper. Iam now indisposed to retain them, even on the plea of utility,
and would accordingly unite all their species under Puffinus.

Pp. 119, 141. Adamastor Bp. According to Mr. G. R. Gray the type
of the genus Priofinus of Hombron and Jacquinot is based upon the bird Bo-
naparte calls Adam. typus, and it has priority over Bonaparte’s designation.
If this be the case the three species should stand as Priof. cinereus, Priof.
gelidus and Priof. sericeus.

Pp. 118,141. Majaqueus Reich. If Proc. Parkinsoni Gray, (Ibis 1864) is a valid
species, it may belong to this genus rather than to the fuliginous group of
.#strelata under which I have considered it. Additional data concerning it are
greatly to be desired.

P. 121. Add Daption gelidum Steph. Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii. p. 245, to syno-
nyms of Adamastor gelidus.

P. 123. Puffinus fuliginosus. I have received specimens from the Pacific
coast of North America which I cannot distinguish from the common Atlantic
bird. It is quite different from the species I have named Puffinus amauriso-
ma, p. 124. By a misapprehension of a remark of Dr. Kuhl, I erroneously
state that fuliginosa Forst., Descr. sp. 18, is a species of JVectris ; whereas I am
now satisfied it is the same as Kuhl’s sp. 12, which is the Pterodroma atlantica
of Bonaparte. Compare my remarks under ZZstrelata fuliginosa in part iv. of
these papers. Kuhl’s fuliginosa sp. 27, after Banks’ tab. 23, is identified by Mr.
Gray with pacifica Lath.

P. 126. N. carneipes. On the authority of Dr. Schlegel I placed cinereus juv.
Smith, and gama Bp. as synonyms of this species. Mr. Gray considers them
as referring to a species of Neciris or rather Puffinus not recognized in my pa-
per, viz. : P. tristis Forst. I am entirely unacquainted with ‘this bird, if it be
a valid species. Bonaparte and Schlegel make it the same as tenuirostris
Temm.

Pp. 131, 144. A second specimen of Puffinus ereatopus has been received
from the same loc ality. `

Pp. 141, 144. Procellaria nugaz Sol. This unpublished specific name should
not take precedence over assimilis of Gould.

Fulmareæ,

Add Fulmarus antarcticus Steph. Shaw’s Gen. Zool. 1825, xiii. p. 236, to the
synomyms of Thalassoica glacialoides.
Add Daption antarcticum op. cit. p. 242, to synonyms of Thalassoica antarc-

(ica.
[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 193

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

It may be well to give in this connection a synopsis of the works of some
ofthe older authors, as far as they relate to the subject in hand. The earlier
authorities to be particularly consulted in a study of the Procellariid:* are
the following :—

Linnavus, Syst. Nat. ed. 10 (1758.)

In this edition, the first in which species are presented, there are named (p.
131) three species ; sc. pelagica, (type of genus Procellaria;) :quinoctialis and
capensis.

Lis, Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. (1766.)

1. Proc. pelagica, p. 212.

2. Proc. fregata, p. 212. I followed Bonaparte's authority in referring this
name to the species subsequently named marina by Latham ; but there seems
to be nothing in the Linn:ean diagnosis requiring this identification ; the name
being very probably based upon some species of the genus Fregetta as now re-
stricted.

3. Proc. glacialis, p. 213, — Fulmarus glacialis Leach.

4. Proc. xquinoctialis, p. 213, — Majaqueus xquinoctialis Reich.

5. Proc. capensis, p. 213, = Daption capensis Steph.

6. Proc. puffinus, p. 213,— probably P. anglorum (Ray,) Temm. Has been
identified also with P. Kuhlii Boie, and P. major Fab., and almost every other
Atlantic Puffinus.

GMELIN, cd, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. part. ii. (1788.)

7. Proc. obscura, p. 559. One of the smaller Puffini, the habitat of which is
given as * insula nativitatis Christi." Now universally applied to the common
bird of the Atlantic, called obscura by Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. p. 423, in 1817.

8. Proc. pacifica, p. 560. Not identified with any other known species. A
large Puffinus, from the island of Euopoa.

9. Proc. cærulea, p. 560, — Halobena cerulea Bp.
10. Proc. vittatus, p. 560, — Prion vittata Lacép.
ll. Proc. urinatriz, p. 560, — Pelecanoides urinatriz Lacép.

l. Proc. pelagica, p. 561. Variety B. is probably fictitious.
2. Proc. fregata, p. 561. Same as that of Linnzus.
12. Proc.furcata, p. 561, — Oceanodroma furcata Reich.

13. Proc. fuliginosa, p. 562. Based upon Latham's species of this name,
and not yet identified. A small species, eleven inches long, with a forked
tail; from Otaheite. Generally supposed to be a species of Thalassidroma.

14. Proc. desolata, p. 562. Now recognized as a valid species of ZEstrelata.

15. Proc. nivea, p. 562, — Pagodroma nivea Bp.

16. Proc. melanopus, p. 562. Notidentifiable, except opinionatively. Evidently
some species of ZZstrelata. Said to come from North America, which would
make it referrible to ZZ. hesitata. Description applies in most respects to
mollis Gould.

3. Proc. glacialis, p. 562, — Fulmarus glacialis Leach. The var. B. is the
Thalassoica glacialoides (Smith) Reich.

* The indications of the Diomedeinx are generally so definite that the consideration of them
may be here omitted.

1866. | 13

194 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

17. Proc. cinerea, p. 563. A stumbling block, concerning which authors are
greatly at variance. Usually employed by European authors as the name of
the species I describe as Puffinus Kuhlii Boie ; and applied by American writers
to P. major Fab. By Bonaparte identified with his Adamastor typus ( = hesi-
tata Forst. Gould, Reich. nec Kuhl, Temm. — Adamastor cinereus of my paper,)
in which opinion I entirely concur. According to Mr. Gray, the genus Prio-
finus Homb. et Jacq. is based upon this same bird, and antedates Adamastor of
Bonaparte. The proper name of the species in question would then be Prio-
finus cinereus.

18. Proc. gigantea, p. 563, — Ossifraga gigantea Reich.

19. Proc. brasiliana p. 564. Very dubious. May be the same as the pre-
ceding species; or the Graculus brasilianus, as identified by Bonaparte.

4. Proc. xquinoctialis, p. 564, and var. B., = Majaqueus s&quinoctialis Reich.

20. Proc. grisea, p. 564. Unidentifiable.

21. Proc. gelida, p. 564. Ithink that this name was based upon the species
subsequently named flavirostris by Mr. Gould, the proper name of which ap-
pears to be Priofinus gelidus.

22. Proc. alba, p. 565. Evidently a species of ZEstrelata, and probably some
one of the plumages of Æ. Lessoni.

LATHAM, Index Ornithologicus, ii. (1790.)

Of Dr. Latham’s three principal works this is the one usually referred to,
as being the only one in which Latin binomial names are used. Most of the
species given in this work have exactly the same import as those of Gmelin,
and need not therefore be noticed. The following are the chief points re-
quiring attention :—

6. Proc. alba, var. B., p. 822.—'' Norfolk Island Petrel.” A species subse-
quently named Proc, Phillippi by Gray, with which P. mollis Gould is consid-
ered as probably synonymous.

18. Proc. marina, p. 826.—First definite characterization of the type of the
genus Pelagodroma (Pel. fregata Bp. Pel. marina, Reich.)

21. Proc. Forsteri, p. 827, — Proc. vittata Gm.

23. Proc. pacifica p. 827. Same as that of Gmelin. The name is unidenti-
fiable, unless we regard it as expressive of a valid species. By Mr. Gray it is
so considered (Cat. Birds Pac. Isl.) and the following cited as synonymous:
Nectris fuliginosus (Sol.) Banks, ic. 23.— roc. fuliginosa Kuhl, sp. 27 ; (but not
Kuhl’s sp. 12!) P uff. pacificus Gray, Gen. Birds, p. 647. It i is a large Puffinus,

22 inches long, with flesh-colored bill and feet; from Euopoa.

24. Proc. obscura, p. 828, — that of Gmelin. By Mr. Gray this name is con-
sidered the same as that of Vieillot, (Nouv. Dict. xxv. p. 423, and Gal. Ois.
tab. 301;) and is made to include the Australian form (figured by Mr. Gould,
pl. 59 of the B. Aust. and named by him assimilis,) which is considered dis-
tinct by the majority of writers.

VigiLLoT, Nouv. Dict. d' Hist. Nat. xxv. (1817.)

The article ** Petrel” of this work is in general aclose copy of Gmelin and

Latham. Certain points, however, may be noticed.

Proc. pelagica, p. 416. Mentions under this head the “Petrel échasse” of
Temminck.

Proc. grallaria, Vieil. p. 418. First name of the species subsequently named
leucogaster by Gould; unless as is possibly the case /regata of Linnaws
be this species rather than the Pelagodroma marina.

Proc. fuliginosa, p. 418. Latham's Otaheite species, whatever that may be.

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 195

Proc. grisea, p. 419. Unidentified. — that of Gm. and Lath.

Proc. alba, p. 419. Mentions under this head the * Norfolk Island Petrel,”
subsequently named P. Phillippii by G. R. Gray.

Proc. puffinus, p. 421, = Puff. anglorum. Cites Pl. Enl. 962. The ** Proc. puf-
finus var. Lath. Pl. Enl. No. 39" may refer to Puffinus Kuhlii Boie.

Proc. pacifica, p. 422. Se trouve en Europe" by error for ** Euopoa."

Proc. xquinoxialis, p. 422. Refers as a variety of this species to the *' Kurile
Petrel ? of Latham and Pennant, from Kamtschatca ; a bird now general-
ly supposed to be some species of Nectris; which latter id-ntification re-
quires confirmation.

Proc. leucorhoa, Vieill. p. 422. First designation of the Thalassidroma Leachit
Temm.

Proc. obscura, p. 423. Is this the same as Gmelin's species? This reference
to Vieillot should rather be cited for the name of the common small At-
lantic Puffinus.

Hernricu KunL, Beit. Zool. u. Vergl. Anat. (1820.)

In this work there is presented a “ Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Procellari-
den" which is a very important contribution to the bibliography of the
family, marking perhaps the first decided advance over the writers of the
eighteenth century. The following species are given in this monograph:

1. Proc. furcata “ L.” p. 136. — Oceanodroma furcata Reich.
p

2. Proc. oceanica * Banks," p. 136. = Thalassidroma Wilsoni (P. pelagica
Wils.) of most ornithologists, now Oceanites oceanica mihi.

3. Proc. marina “ Lath.” p. 137. == Pelagodroma fregata Bp. and of my
paper; Zelag. marina Reich.

4. Proc. Leachii “Temm.” p. 137. = P. leucorrhoa Vieill. = Cymochorea

leucorrhoa Coues.

5. Proc. fregatta '* Banks," p. 138. = P. grallaria Vieill. nec Licht, (= leu-
cogaster Gould.) i

6. Proc. pelagina, p. 139. — P. pelagica Linn.

7. Proc. glacialis, p. 139. — Fulmarus glacialis Leach.

8. Proc. capensis, p. 140. = Daption capensis Steph.

9. Proc. gigantea, p. 140. — Ossifraga gigantea Reich.
10. Proc.cquinoctialis, p. 141. — Majaqueus œquinoctialis Reich.

11. Proc. hasitata “ Forst." p. 142. But not of Forster. Kuhl’s hasitata is
the same as that of Temminck, Pl. Col. 416, which is an Æstrelata. (Æst.
diabolica Bp. == Æst. hesitata of my paper.)

12. Proc. fuliginosa, p. 142. = fuliginosa Forst. nec auct. — Proc. atlantica
Gould. — Pterodroma atlantica Bp. — Æstrelata fuliginosa Mihi.
13. Proc. desolata, p. 143. — Æstrelata desolata Bp.

14. - Proc. turtur, “ Banks,” p. 143.—I prefer Mr. Gould’s identification of
this species to that of Dr. Schlegel. See remarks in my paper on Prioneæ.

15. Proe. grisea “ L.” (Gm.) p. 144.—Not of Gm. Lath. Examine Dr. Schle-
gel's identification of this species; which I follow.

16. Proc. eerulea ** Forst." p. 145. The cerulea of Gmelin, which Forster
calls ‘ similis.”

17. Proc. urinatriz ‘‘ Forst.” p. 145. The urinatrix of Gm. now Pelecanoides
urinatriz, which Forster calls Proc. tridatyla.

18. Proc. nivea, p. 145. — Pagodroma nivea Bp

19. Proc. antarctica p. 145. — Thalassoica antarctica.

20. Proc. lugens “Forst.” p. 145. Not positively identifiable. Dr Kuhl

1866.]

196 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

says that he “ thinks it is P. grisea L." which, according to his use of this
name, would make it the species described in my paper upon Dr. Schlegel’s
authority as Æstrelata grisea.

21- Proc. * Forst. tab. 20," p. 145. An undetermined species.
22. Proc. puffinus, p. 146. — Puffinus major Fab.
23. Proc. anglorum, p. 146. — Puffinus anglorum Temm.

: 24. Proc. obscurus, p. 147. = Vieillot's species.

- 25. Proc. cinerea, * L.” p. 148. Not of Linneus or Gmelin; but the Pufinus
uhlii Boie.
26. Proc. munda “ Banks, tab. 24," p. 148. = Quid?

21. Proc. fuliginosa ** Banks tab. 23," p. 148. Quite a different bird from
Kuhl's sp. 12. Unidentifiable by the description. By G. R. Gray identified
with Proc. pacifica Lath., whatever that species may be!

28. Proc. vittata p. 149. — Prion vittatus Lacép.

STEPHENS, Continuation of Shaw's General Zoology, xiii. (1825.)

This work closely adheres to Gmelin’s and Latham's authority. A few
points may profitably be examined.

Proc. oceanica, p. 223. Not the Oceanites oceanica (Thalassidroma Wilsoni) but
a species of Fregetta, probably F. grallaria. Author refers to Forster; to Pl.
Enl. 993 ; to Temm. Man. p. 520; and to Bp. Journ. Acad. Phila. v. iii. p. 8.
On the followiug page (p. 224) * Proc. Wilsoni” is presented.

Puff. cinereus, p. 227. Thesynonyms adduced are chiefly those of Adamastor
cinereus; description applies either to this latter or to Puffinus Kuhlii Boie ;
the description of the young would do for Puffinus major Fab.

Puff. exquinoctialis, p. 229. Cites Proc. pacifica Lath. as a queried synonym.

Puff. obscurus, p. 230, is Gmelin's species.

Genus Fulmarus instituted, p. 233.

Fulmarus antarcticus, Steph. p. 236, is based upon Proc. glacialis var. B. Lath.
Ind. Orn. ii. p. 823, ( — Var. A. sp. 9, p. 405, of Lath. Gen. Syn.) which is
the Thalassoica glacialoides. This synonym of the species was accidently
omitted in my paper on the Fuimarez, and the omission not discovered until
too late. $

Genus Daption instituted, p. 239, with capensis as type. The author * ven-

ures to attach the numerous Southern Petrels described by Latham thereto,"

producing a heterogeneous assemblage in which figure antarctica, nivea, deso-
lata, gelida, grisea, (of Linn. nec Kuhl, Schl.) alba, and fuliginosa ( = Latham's
Otaheité species.)

Genus Pachyptila “Ill.” adopted; under it are arranged, besides its type
vittata (here called “ Forsteri?) cærulea Gm., marina Lath., fregata Linn. and
furcata Gm., nearly all of which are typical of distinct genera.

Joan. Rein. Forster, Descr. Anim. etc. curante Henr. LICHTENSTEIN. (1844.)

The numerous species described and named by Forster have an important
bearing upon the bibliography of the Family. It is greatly to be regretted
that they were only published at a comparatively recent date: and that his
figures still remain inedited. Forster appears to have had very little regard
for priority in the matter of names; but his descriptions are in the main so
excellent, that nearly all his species are identifiable. The following is a list
of the species given by him :

Proc. capensis, p. 20.

Proc, vittata, p. 21.

Proc. fuliginosa, p. 23. = Proc. atlantica Gould. = Pterodroma atlantica Bp.
= Æstrelata fuliginosa of my paper. Not of Gm. Lath. Vieill. Not of
Strickland. Equals Kuhl’s sp. 12; but not his sp. 27.

[ May,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 197

Proc. puffinus, p. 23, Not of Linn. Gm. Lath. Some large Southern Pufinus,

Proc.
Proc.
Proc.
Proc.
Proc.
Proc.

Proc.
Proc.

Proc.

Proc.

Proc.
Proc.

Proc.

possibly the true P. mujor, Fab.

glaicalis, p 25. Not of L. Gm. Lath.; but the Thalassoica glacialoides
(Smith) Reich.

nigra, p. 26, — xquinoctialis L.

nivea, p. 58.

similis, p. 59. — Halobena cerulea, Bp. ex Gm.

antarctica, pp. 60 and 202.

gavia, p. 148. Not subsequently identified with any known species. By
Gray regarded as a valid species ; and so given in these papers.
tridactyla, p. 149. — Pelecanoides urinatriz Lacép. ex Gm.

fregata, p. 180. The grallaria of Lichtenstein ; not of Vieillot. Probably

the species subsequently named melanogaster by Gould.

inexpectata, p. 204. A somewhat doubtful species, coming nearest to
mollis Gould, with which I have identified it.

tristis, p. 205. (* Pr. fuliginosa, rostro fusco, pedibus anticé glaucis;
173 x 38; bill 2; its width 4; its depth $.") A southern fuiiginous
Puffinus, not identified with any known species. Mr. G. R. Gray (Ibis,
1862 p. 244) considers it as a valid species, and assigns the following
synonymy: Proc. grisea Forst. ic. ined. 94; (nec Gm.) Puff. major, Gray,
Ereb. and Terr. (nec Fab.) P. fuliginosus Homb. and Jacq. Voy. Pôle.
Sud. tab. 32, fig. 7. (nec Strickl.) Puf. cinereus A. Smith, Ill. S. Afr.
Bds. (nec Gm. nec Auct.) Nectris gama, Bonap.

leucocephala, p. 206. — Proc. Lessonii Garn. (ZEstrelata Lessoni Cass.)
hesitata, p. 208. — P. cinereus, Gm. Lath. Vieill. Lawr. — Adamastor
typus Bp. — Adam. ciner. or Priofinus einer. Cones. — Proc. Adamastor

Schlegel. etc. etc. The Axsitata of Gould and Reichenbach, but not of
Kuhl and Temminck, which is an Æstreluta.
ossifraga, p. 343. — gigantea Gm.

In bringing to a close the present series of papers, the author is deeply
sensible of their many defects; and can only crave for them a lenient judg-
ment in view of the very difficult nature of the task he attempted, and has
throughout conducted, with the sole desire of elucidating truth. Should the
undertaking prove a failure, and the meagre results incommensurate with

the time and labor bestowed,—at least it may be said of him, “

si non

tenuit, magnis tamen excidit ausis."

1866.]

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[From Tur Iers, July 1800. ]

FROM ARIZONA TO THE PACIFIC.
By ELLIOTT COUES, M.A., M.D.

Tue month spent in slowly passing over the five hundred miles
that lie between Fort Whipple, in Arizona, and the coast of
Southern California at San Pedro, afforded me a fine opportunity
of comparing the Ornis of the two regions, which, though pos-
sessing much in common, are yet in many points strikingly
contrasted with each other. A running commentary upon the
more marked ornithological features of the regions traversed
may be of interest; albeit the remarks that follow are little
more than a collection of the heterogeneous and disjointed notes
with which a travelling naturalist’s journal is always found
crammed.

From Fort Whipple to Fort Mojave, the nearest point on the
Colorado river, is a distance of 161 miles in a nearly straight
line a little north of west. The nature of the country is such
that hardly any change from the Whipple features are to be
noticed until the river is nearly reached. At Beale’s Springs,
a point rather more than halfway, I first noticed Pipilo aberti
and P. mesoleucus, two species abundant in the Colorado valley,
but never noticed at Fort Whipple, though found some twenty
miles south of that place. As we approach the river, we have
an unfailing sign that other species are soon to be encountered,
in the increased number and variety of Cactacee, and their
greater luxuriance of growth. And, sure enough, I found, on a
dry barren plain covered chiefly with Opuntia, Cerei, and other
cactuses, the rare and hardly-known Harporhynchus lecontii.
A fine specimen, procured September 30th, 1865, is the second
one known to naturalists, the type of the species (procured by
my friend Dr. J. L. Leconte, at Fort Yuma, California) having
remained unique up to the present time. I think it is a good
species, quite distinct from H. crissalis, to which it is most
nearly allied. Both inhabit the whole valley of the Colorado
and Gila rivers, and, though thus associating, seem constantly
to preserve their characters. They are shy and retiring birds,
frequenting the brush and thickets which, to a greater or less

extent, cover the dry plains, and keep much on the ground,
82

260 Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific.

where their large, stout legs enable them to run firmly and
rapidly. "Their flight is swift and desultory, performed with
quick, Jerking motions of their wings and flirting of their long
broad tails. I saw several other individuals, but was unable to
procure more than one. The irides were brown, the legs, feet,
and bill black.

Fort Mojave, on the Colorado river, in about lat. 35°, is in-
teresting to us as the locality whence were lately procured two
rare and curious new birds by Dr. J. G. Cooper, so well known
as an indefatigable and accurate naturalist, and by him named *
Athene whitneyi and Helminthophaga lucie. The Owl is a di-
minutive little species, about equal to Glaucidium gnoma in size,
but very widely different'in form. Dr. Cooper told me that he
hardly thinks it is a true Athene, though it comes nearer to that
genus than to any other North American one. I have just now
carefully examined the type specimen, and find my friend's views
fully confirmed. The bird is evidently generically distinct from
any other North American form, and I have elsewhere so published
it. The Helminthophaga is a queer little bird, nothing like any
of its congeners in its colours, which are rather those of a Poli-
optila than a Sylvicoline, being plumbeous-grey above and
white beneath, with a chestnut crown and rump. I had myself
rediscovered it during my stay at Whipple, and obtained several
specimens, among which was a fledgling just from the nest,
which differed notably in colour from the adult, wanting the
chestnut crown—though the rump was of that colour—and
having the wing-coverts edged and tipped with very light ru-
fous. Both of us have very full notes of the habits of this in-
teresting little bird.

While at Fort Mojave I gladly availed myself of a kind invi-
tation from the Commanding-General of the Territory to ac-
company him on a pasear down the Colorado river, as far as
Fort Yuma. This gave me exactly the opportunity I had been
desiring, of adding to my list the many water-birds to be found
in the Colorado basin. - The month of September was consumed
in passing down the river to the point where the Gila mingles
its waters with those of the larger stream, which is the extreme

* Proc, Californ. Nat. Hist, Soc. 1861, pp. 118 and 120.

Dr. E. Coues.— From Arizona to the Pacific. 261

south-west corner of Arizona, and in returning after a few days
spent at Fort Yuma. We were on the little steamer * Cocopah ;’
and by a singular coincidence her commander, Captain Robinson,
was the man who twelve years before had piloted Lieutenant
J. C. Ives and his party in the ‘ Explorer, the first steamboat
that ever passed over the shores and rapids of this difficult
river.

Sayornis. nigricans, a common species throughout Southern
Arizona, was perhaps, among the land birds, our most constant
companion. Perched, generally in pairs, upon the dense ver-
dure that in many places overhangs the river, it pursued its
constant vocation of securing the vagrant insects around it, ever
uttering its peculiar unmelodious notes. In all its motions the
Pewee of the Eastern States was unmistakeably reproduced. It
was, for a Flycather, rather shy and wary, which fact, joined
with the almost impassable nature of the thickets, is my only
and lame excuse for its absence from my collection. It is not,
apparently, a hardy bird, and I never saw it, even in summer,
about the Whipple mountains, though in the southern portions,
both of Arizona and California, it remains throughout the winter.
River-bottoms are but one of its resorts. Like S. fuscus, and
extremely unlike S. sayus, it also delights in deep mountain-
gorges and precipitous cafons, through which little streams may
flow, where upon a jutting bit of rock, or on the bare, flat sand,
it unites its sharp cries with the queer ringing laugh trilled out
by its neighbour and friend the little Catherpes mexicanus.

Often when breaking a toilsome way through next to im-
passable thickets, I was startled by a loud, clear, sharp chirp, de-
cidedly Fringilline, but far more powerful than usual. It was
the alarm-note of Pipilo aberti, which everywhere in the valley
is a most characteristic bird. Fort Yuma seemed to be its
headquarters. A retiring species, like all its congeners, it
keeps perseveringly in the most provoking undergrowth, and
would rarely find its way into collections were it not so
common. It seems to me more decidedly gregarious than
most of the genus, often collecting in flocks of a dozen or
more, wandering restlessly, yet in a cautious and subdued manner,
through the thickets. Associating freely with this species is

262 Dr. E. Coues.— From Arizona to the Pacific.

another, P. mesoleucus, which is little less numerous, and to
which my remarks upon P. aberti equally apply, except perhaps
that it has a less powerful note. During the long moult, which
lasts from July far into October, both these birds suffer much,
and are in such wretched plumage as to be hardly worth pre-
serving.

At Fort Yuma, in September, I was in time to catch Helmin-
thophaga celata on its southward journey. Jt was not very
rare, frequenting low trees, young willows and the like, as
well as brush-heaps and thickets ; I think that it is much less a
tree-species than are its Eastern congeners, and that it ap-
proaches Geothlypis in its habits. At this season the head is
perfectly plain, and the bird looks very much like an autumnal
Dendreca striata. It is partially gregarous at this season, and
its only note is a low, sharp “ tsip.”

All along the Colorado valley Lophortyx gambeli is singularly
abundant. This is a very easily pleased bird, and one by no
means fastidious in choice of a residence ; for it is equally at home
in scorched mezquite-thickets, dusting itself in sand that would
blister the naked feet (for the thermometer stood 117° Fahr. in
the shadewhile I was at Yuma!) ,and in the mountains of Northern
Arizona, where pine-boughs are bending under a weight of snow.
I have already enlarged on the habits of this bird [antea,
pp. 46-55], but I may now add that my friend Dr. Cooper, while
at Mojave, brought up young birds by placing the eggs under a
common hen, and that he found no difficulty in semidomesti-
cating them as they grew up, to the extent of their associating
freely with the barnyard fowls. The eggs, which are white or
yellowish-white, with brown spots, were hatched in twenty-four
days. From twelve to seventeen have been found in a nest,
which latter is a rather rude structure, about eight inches wide,
hidden in the grass.

One of the features of the scenery of Yuma is a bird known
as the “ Colorado Turkey." As the order to which it belongs
could never be guessed from this name, I must explain that it
is the Tantalus loculator of Linneus, though why called a
“Turkey” I know not. These birds are in sight at all times,
flymg over head with outstretched necks, uttering their rough

Dr. E. Coues.—F; om Arizona to the Pacific. 263

cries, or statelily promenading the banks of the little lagunas
and sequestered pools that fill the river-bottom. Unlike most
large Gralle, they do not much affect the open sandbars or even
the mud-flats of the river itself, but fairly deserve their common
name of “ Wood-Ibis,” by their partiality for densely wooded
pools and swamps. They have also a peculiar habit of congre-
gating in large numbers high up in the air, where with scarcely
any visible motion of their broad wings they circle in majestic
sweeps. Their pure white plumage and glossy greenish-black
wing-tips form a superb contrast ; and their beauty renders more
ugly by comparison the dull sombre hues of the Turkey- Buz-
zards, with which at such times they freely associate—though
the Vulture and the Wader may vie with each other in ease and
elegance of flight, each sailing and circling with that “ poetry
of motion” which only some longipennine Na/atores can surpass.

Here is a simple list of some other water-birds of the river,
named somewhat in their order of abundance. Such familiar
friends will be recognized in all of them, that I need do no more
than mention their names. Ardea herodias, Grus canadensis,
Garzetta candidissima, Herodias egretta, Butorides virescens, Re-
curvirostra americana, Himantopus nigricollis, Botaurus lentigi-
nosus, Ardetta exilis, Nyctiardea gardeni, Chroicocephalus phila-
delphia, Fulica americana, Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, Phalaropus
wilsoni, and Podilymbus podiceps.

I saw many Ducks, but only identified three species—Dajfila
acuta, Nettion carolinensis, and Querquedula cyanoptera. It was
a little too early in the season for the immense flights of Geese
and Ducks which a little later would cover the water. For the
first time in my life, I saw our two North American Kingfishers
(Ceryle alcyon and C. americana) together; I believe the latter
has not been before recorded from the Colorado river. It is
surprising that I did not meet with Auriparus flaviceps, since,
as Dr. Cooper informs me, it is abundant at Fort Mojave and
elsewhere in the valley. Melospiza fallax (at best doubtfully
distinct from M. melodia) is a common Sparrow here.

Before we finally bid good-bye to the river I must advert to
the immense numbers of Hirundo lunifrons that make its some-
times precipitous and rocky sides their breeding-places. So

264 Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific.

numerous are the nests at some points, that one spot has re-
ceived and still bears the name of * Swallow-nest Bend ;" and
not unfrequently in the midst of the colony of Swallows is
placed the rude nest of Ardea herodias, flat upon some project-
ing ledge of rock.

Leaving Fort Mojave, which I did on the 30th of October,
before us to the westward lies the Colorado desert—a barren
waste of sand and rock which stretches everywhere between the
river and the fertile and habitable portions of Southern Cali-
fornia. It would be difficult to imagine a region more uninviting
or more devoid of varied forms of animal life. It would bea pro-
fitless tract for an ornithologist expecting to find variety, though
still the few species found are interesting. For whole days hardly
more than the Ravens would relieve the monotony of wearisome
travel. I cannot forbear to quote from my friend Dr. Newberry,
who must have written under the inspiration of the surrounding
desolation. ** Even on the most sterile and inhospitable portions
_ of the central desert, where heaven withholds her genial showers
and earth refuses every tribute to beauty or comfort; where
stern and unrelenting sterility reigns supreme and barren sands
and rough and ragged rocks, bleached and burnt in the eternal
blaze of a cloudless sun, sear the eyeball; here, perched on
some blasted pine, the presiding genius of the surrounding de-
solation, the Raven always sat, and as we defiled past, over the
trackless waste, gave us the malediction of his discordant croak.”
Except the ubiquitous and omnipresent Ravens and an occa-
sional Anthus ludovicianus, hardly a bird was seen* for some
days after leaving the Colorado, until, erossing the Providence
Mountains, we encamped at Soda Lake, the “ Sink" of the
Mojave river, which, rising in the San Bernadino Mountains
of California and flowing in an easterly direction towards the
Colorado, is stopped by the Providence Mountains, and quietly
sinks in the sand of the desert. Its bed is usually nearly or
quite dry, except in spots, for many miles from its sink, and

* Dr. Cooper tells me that on this portion of the route he met with
Poospiza bilineata, P. belli, and Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus. The
latter, he says, is emphatically and almost exclusively a Cactus-Wren,
always found among, and breeding in, plants of this family.

Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific. 365

forms the most convenient and perhaps the only practicable
route from this portion of Arizona into California. Soda
* Lake" is, except at times, even less of a lake than the Mojave
is of river, being merely a flat muddy expanse, where the
ground for miles is white as snow from the thick deposit of
saline efflorescence, whence the spot derives its name. A more
desolate and forlorn spot can hardly be conceived; but to an
ornithologist it has attractions.

It has been ascertained that just here Lophortya gambeli and
L. californica find a neutral ground that they both may occupy.
Doubtless the western species follows the watercourse until
arrested by the desert: I have never heard of its being detected
in the Colorado valley, where L. gambeli holds undisputed pos-
session ; and I think it is exceedingly probable that the repre-
sentative Jays of the two countries (Cyanocitta woodhousii and
C. californica) may also both be found here; and perhaps the
same fact may hold good regarding some other species. Near
the sink of the river, Dr. Cooper found Centrocercus uropha-
sianus, which I believe is the most southern point at which it
has been discovered. I never saw one, nor, indeed, any other
species of Grouse, while in Arizona. The same gentleman ascer-
tained the presence of Trochilus alexandri on the river. In the
heavy rushes that formed clumps of various sizes I heard the
loud clatter of Rallus virginianus; and happening to be kept
awake all night by the unendurable torture of hosts of hungry
mosquitoes of a peculiarly large and vindictive species, I am able
to state that the Rail emits its unmusical noise as often during
the night as the day. Numbers of Cistothorus palustris and a
few Mallards finish the list of birds observed here.

Towards the head of the river, where the water became per-
manent, were immense quantities of Geese and Ducks. I pass
them over now, as in no way differing from those found at San
Pedro, of which I will speak presently.

With the first appearance of anything hke verdure, I found
myself again among Field-Larks. Arizona is most unaccount-
ably deprived, in a great measure, of these birds; I do not
think I saw a dozen during my whole stay there, though many
places seem perfectly adapted to their wants. Gallinago wilsoni

266 Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific.

is found in the moist meadows, and over the marshy.tracts of
the river the common Circus hudsonius may always be seen.

Leaving the Mojave at Lane's Crossing, we in one day got
through the Cajou Pass of the San Bernadino Mountains. This
pass is about the most eastern recorded locality for the beautiful
Oreortyx pictus; and, regarding the other Quail of California,
Lophortyz californicus, we need here have no fear that we shall ever
be puzzled with a supposed hybrid between it and L. gambeli;
for no suspicion of the latter's presence here 1s to be entertained.
Oreortyx and Lophortyx are so radically distinct in the nature
of the localities they frequent, as to be distinguished by the
people as the * Mountain" and * Valley? Quail.

Behind San Bernadino and the coast lies about eighty- five
miles of plain, open and flat, though by no means desert and
sterile, the continuity of which is hardly interrupted. Besides
the constant features of such plaims—— Eremophila cornuta and
Anthus ludovicianus—we find two very interesting birds in con-
siderable numbers. One of these is Athene cunicularia, which
I supposed to replace 4. hypogea in the regions west of the
Rocky Mountains. I must confess I have my doubts regarding
this strict distribution of the two, and also as to whether they
are really distinct, which, however, this is not the place to dis-
cuss. The Owls are very numerous, living in the burrows of ©
Spermophilus beecheyi, a Marmot-Squirrel exceedingly common
in Southern California, though I saw none of its “ towns” any-
thing approaching in size those of Cynomys ludovicianus that I
met with on the Arkansaw river. The other bird is ZEgialites
montanus, which seems to me most inaccurately named ; for, on
the many occasions I have met with the species, it bas always
been on open, dry, flat, sandy or grassy plains, and never on
mountains. It may possibly retire to these latter to breed, but
I do not think this is the case. Other naturalists support the
assertion that the species is exclusively confined to the plains.

It seems, too, to have no special inclination for the vicinity of
water, any more than has Grus canadensis, or, 1 had almost said,
Eremophila cornuta. It is a familiar and unsuspicious bird,
and, when not often disturbed, admits of a very near approach,
running rapidly and gracefully, with head lowered, often stop-

Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific. 267

ping suddenly and, drawing itself up to its full height, watching
the intruder with curious eye. Its voice is soft and low, and
very peculiar intone. The iris is dark brown, the legs and feet
leaden-blue*.

Among the Raptores here at San Pedro we find <Archibuteo
ferrugineus very common. It alights freely on the ground,
where I often observed it. At Fort Whipple, where it was
abundant, I never saw it except upon trees; and here it may be
making a virtue of necessity in thus choosing the bare plain.
Falco nigriceps and F. polyagrus are more uncommon. I shot
a specimen of the latter off the roof of my house; it had the
eyes brown, bill horn-blue, feet and legs light leaden-blue.
Tinnunculus sparverius, Circus hudsonius, and Accipiter mexicanus
are very common indeed. Other Hawks of Southern California,
near this locality, are Buteo elegans, B. cooperi, and B. zonocercus,
all of which have been detected by the tireless industry of Dr.
Cooper. The last named, an interesting new species originally
described from Guatemala by Mr. Sclater (Proc. Zool. Soe.
1858, p. 130), was first obtained within the limits of the United
States by Dr. Cooper; I myself rediscovered it on the Gila river
in Arizona.

Ayeleus tricolor is the common Blackbird of this region.
Familiar, tame, and unsuspicious, flocks of thousands continu-
ally eircle about our very heads, fill the streets of the little town,
and blacken the housetops. I am ashamed to say how many I
procured at a single discharge of my gun. I noticed that at
this season the two sexes keep in a great measure in separate
flocks. Of the many that I examined, not a single male was in
perfect plumage. I never saw an A. phamiceus or A. guber-
nator among them; but great numbers of Scolecophagus cyano-
cephalus are their constant and familiar companions.

The little Carpodacus frontalis had been my companion from
the Rio Grande to the Pacific; and here I found “ Linnets,"
as they are called, common enough. I was somewhat surprised
to find them in full plumage, singing volubly, and apparently

* This species is generically quite distinct from ZEgialites or any other

genus of Charadride with which I am acquainted. I have elsewhere
instituted a genus for it.

268 Dr. E. Coues.— From Arizona to the Pacific.

paired. But, then, it was not so astonishing after all; for in
the garden of Southern California, even in November, I plucked
ripe oranges and lemons from the trees, and ate figs and olives
and luscious grapes grown in the open air, while the atmosphere
was balmy as a May morning at home.

To my surprise and gratification, I was here enabled to study
no less than three species of the difficult group of Passerculi, all
of which I found very abundant. P. rostratus kept among the
thick weeds of the dry plain, being much on the ground, where
it runs as easily as a Pipilo, and often flying up into the bushes
and resting quietly so that it could be readily shot. It associates
freely with both the other species; and I have seen great num-
bers sunning themselves and catching flies on the piles of lumber
that lay on the wharf, when they were so tame that I could have
struck them with an ordinary cane. P. anthinus seemed confined
to the moist salt grass and sedgy weeds of the seashore itself.
When with difficulty it was flushed, its flight was very rapid and
irregular; and it would alight again almost immediately, and
run with great celerity among the roots of the thick grasses.
It was thus exceedingly difficult to procure. P. alaudinus was
common two or three miles away from the coast, but on the
seashore itself I never found one mixing with P. anthinus ;
it is a brush- and weed- rather than a grass-species. I found
it associating with Anthus ludovicianus and Zonotrichia coronata.

Regarding the specific relations of these Passerculi, I may
state that P. rostratus differs so widely as to almost merit
generic distinction. Of the two others, P. anthinus seems
tolerably distinct, in its much darker colours, bright yellow
about the head, and very numerous, distinct, dark-coloured
spots over nearly the whole lower parts, together with a some-
what differently shaped bill. P. a/eudinus is much greyer and
lighter-coloured generally, with a grey rather than yellow
superciliary streak, and few sparsely distributed light-grey
spots beneath. These points, taken into consideration with the
differences of habit above noted, and the fact that, though thus
found in the same localities, they constantly preserve their
peculiarities, are perhaps sufficient to establish specific diversity.
I must candidly confess, however, that I cannot satisfactorily

Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific. 269

distinguish P. alaudinus from the common Eastern P. savanna.
In large series of the latter, shot about Washington, I have
found fully as great differences as I have ever detected in com-
paring the eastern with the western forms.

The preceding birds are the characteristic species of the
immediate vieinity, and include perhaps a majority of the land
species. I cannot better give an idea of the number, variety,
and interest of the Waders and Swimmers that were all crowded
into the little bay of San Pedro, which is at the mouth of the
San Gabriel river, than by epitomizing a day that I spent most
delightfully sailing about with Dr. Cooper, whose hospitality I
enjoyed during my stay, and whose conversation was to me an
encyclopedia of interesting biographies of the birds of the
Pacific coast.

It was difficult navigation along the intricate channel of the
bay, even for our boat which did not draw a foot of water.
Most extensive mud-bars and flats were laid bare by the
receding tide, all crowded with Waders. Conspicuous among
them the large Numenius longirostris stalked with dignity about,
or flew by us in flocks uttering its loud cries. Associating with
each other, and with the Curlews, Symphemia semipalmata,
Gambetta melanoleuca, and Limosa fedoa helped the Curlews to
keep us from shooting any Geese by their incessant vociferations.
Sprinkled among these larger Waders, immense flocks of the
Pigmies, Actodromas minutilla and Ereunetes pusillus, left myriads
of little tracks in the soft mud for the next tide to efface.

Standing in the shallow water, often hundreds of yards from
visible land, the Herons crooked their necks and darted their
bills at luckless fish—Gurzetta candidissima, Herodias egretta,
and, towering above them all, the great Ardea herodias, the
latter tall enough to rear his whole neck above the tallest grass
of the sedgy flats. More hidden among the grasses and reeds,
numbers of Geese were feeding on succulent shoots; but they
are so much annoyed that it was hard to kill them. No less
than five species are to be seen—Anser hyperboreus, A. gambeli,
Bernicla hutchinsi, B. canadensis, and B. nigricans; and I
believe I have named them somewhat in the order of their
abundance, though perhaps Hutchins’s Goose is commoner than

270 Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific.

the two first. But over the bay, though we saw many Ducks
and Geese, they neither are so numerous as they are a little
way from the sea on the lagoons and marshes of the San Gabriel
river, or even (in the case of the Geese at least) on the dry
bare plains. There is one exception to this, in Pelionetta per-
spicillata, which never, I believe, leaves the sea and its estuaries ;
they were in sight all day, rising and falling with .the waves of
the ocean.

On the edges of the mud-flats sat rows of black uncouth-
looking birds, bolt upright, with drooping wings, apparently
enjoying the sun while digesting the mass of food with which,
I have no doubt, their stomachs were overloaded. Gastric
activity is usually, in birds as in man, in inverse ratio to mental
acuteness ; and these birds allowed themselves to be shot with a
nonchalance highly amusing and gratifying. Graculus dilophus
they were, in spite of their white breasts, which only indicated
that they were not yet a year old. When older they are
lustrous black, but still very different from G. penicillatus,
which, by the way, is also found here, though rather rare.
They have jealous (that is, green eyes), like all Cormorants; and
the brilliant orange gular pouch and sides of the bill contrast
finely with their dark plumage.

Speaking of these Totipalmi naturally calls to mind some
others of the tribe. Pelecanus fuscus is a constant feature of
the air, land, and water of this bay. Strange-looking birds,
* all bill and wings," as has been remarked of them, flapping
lazily along high over head, and with a queer twisting gyration
of the body, with stiffly extended wings and immoveable bill,
down they splash into the water with more “vims” than one would
imagine them capable of. They are concealed for a few
moments in the spray they raise; when they reappear, it is to
fly off if the dive has been bootless—to sit still, drain the water
from the pouch, and, with a toss of the head, Jerk the fish into
their capacious gullets if perchance they have been successful.
On the water their motions are easy gracefulness itself. Not-
withstanding the bulk of their bodies, and the long head and
neck to be supported, they sit on the water lightly as an egg-

shell.

Dr. E. Coues.— From Arizona to the Pacific. 271

We see how this is accomplished if we skin one. The hyper-
trophy of the subcutaneous cellular tissue (which is on the
lower parts an inch thick), and its connexion with the hollow
bones and air-tubes of the lungs, so that they can inflate it at
pleasure, makes them as light as a lifeboat. They fly by long
heavy powerful beats, which alternate with short sailings. Often
they do just as I have described of the Cormorants, and for
precisely similar reasons. At this season (November) their
necks are white, their heads and portions of the jugulum yellow.
The bill is brilliant carmine or pinkish-vermilion, which, in a
few hours after death, fades into reddish flesh-colour. The nail
is yellowish white, with a black base; the gular pouch dirty
ochraceous green. The space around the eye is pinkish flesh-
colour, and the soft base of the upper mandible is black.

While P. fuscus was thus so common on the bay, not an
individual of P. erythorhynchus was to be seen; but two or three
miles inland, on the freshwater ponds and lagoons, they are in
great plenty. And in these lagoons, with the White Pelicans,
let me mention, by the way, that Macrorhamphus scolopaceus is
very common. It does not seem to go on to the salt-flats at all.
I believe its habits are very similar to those of Micropalama
himantopus. The species is one that is rather. snubbed by
American ornithologists, and has hardly found a champion to
vindicate its distinctness from M. griseus, except Mr. Lawrence.
Neither Dr. Cooper nor I have any doubt of its validity as a
species.

Being on a sea coast, of course we anticipated Laride of
several sorts. Nor were we disappointed. Foremost among
the larger species stands “the Gull” par excellence of the
Pacific coast, L. occidentalis, so well marked by its huge bill
and dark mantle. It is a singular fact that, contrary to the
law so generally prevailing among Lari, this bird does not, in
winter, have the occiput and nape streaked with grey. I do not
say this is never the case; but of hundreds (perfect adults) that
I have closely examined—for it is not a shy species—not one had
any trace of grey, but the parts were as pure white as in summer.
At the same time all the other Gulls were thus marked. Pro-
bably the next common species was Larus delawarensis; and

272 Dr. E. Coues.—From Arizona to the Pacific. -

after that come L. californicus and L. smithsonianus. The latter,
first brought, I believe, from the Pacific coast by the United
States’ Exploring Expedition under Commodore Wilkes, is now
recognized as a regular inhabitant of that region. Blasipus
heermanni was common, as usual assiduously devoted in his
attentions to the Pelicans.

Connecting the Gulls with the Terns, came the little Chroi-
cocephalus philadelphia, everywhere so abundant, and here one
of the most common of the longipennines. Terns of several
species were dashing about over our heads; I could identify
positively only Thalasseus regius. But I think I also saw Sterna
acuflavida, which has not, to my knowledge, been as yet recorded
from the Pacific coast of North America, though Mr. Salvin has
it from Pacific Central America. A small Tern, not very com-
mon, was in all probability S. forsteri; and here I must make
the passing remark that the more I see of the immature stages
of this changeable species, the more thoroughly I am convinced
that Sterna havelli is not a valid species.

Our generally received impression regarding the Loons and
Grebes is that they are exceedinglv difficult to shoot, in conse-
quence of their wariness joined to unparalleled powers of rapid
diving. Now this depends, I think, altogether upon the extent
to which they are annoyed and persecuted. The tamest Ducks,
or even Coots, could not be more unwatchful and unsuspicious
than were tbe Loons and Grebes here at San Pedro bay. As
our boat sailed along they would rarely move off before. giving
me a fair shot; and I almost invariably killed my bird, since
they did not dive so quickly as to avoid the shot. And about
the wharf, and among the boats moored near it, they swam as
unconcernedly as tame Ducks. I remember once when I could
have struck a Colymbus pacificus with a boat-hook. And leaning
over the taffrail of some vessel, with several of these Loons
quietly disporting in the water below me, I felt that indeed I
was a favoured ornithologist; for how many of my brethren
have been able to study Loons in their native wilds, only a few
feet from the eye, and to note every motion, when in, or on, or
over the water? Their appearance when returning to the surface
after a long dive is peculiar; and really they look more like fish

Dr. E. Coues—From Arizona to the Pacific. 273

than birds. The bubbles of air clinging all over their backs
gives them a beautiful spangled appearance ; and when emerging
from the sea, with a slight shiver of the feathers these spangles
disappear ; the water rolls away too, and the feathers are as dry
as though they had not been submerged. A common habit
with all the Loons is to swim slowly about with the neck grace-
fully curved, and the bill thrust up to the eyes in the water.
What this is for I really do not know; certain it is I never saw
them take fish or other food in this way. They seemed to be
simply tasting the water.

The species we saw were C. torquatus (or glacialis, as Mr.
Sclater would contend), C. septentrionalis, and C. pacificus.
Concerning this last, there is now really no doubt, I think, that
it is a species exceedingly closely related to C. arcticus, and in
fact scarcely to be distinguished except by some differences of
dimension, as stated in my “Review of the Colymbide and
Podicipide”*. Mr. Lawrence’s types were young birds; but
dozens of mature ones, in breeding-plumage, which I have
examined, show precisely the pattern of coloration that obtains
in adult C. arcticus.

The Grebes we saw were Zchmophorus occidentalis and Podi-
ceps californicus, both of which were very common, the latter
the most so, on the lagoons back from the sea as well as on the
bay. ‘The first named is a splendid-looking bird on the water,
riding very lightly, its long neck held erect, the bill pointing
horizontally forwards. This length of neck makes the motion
during the act of diving a very peculiar one ; and not one of them
ever was quick enough to escape my shot. They fly with both
neck and feet outstretched. It is a pity the colours of some
parts change in drying; they are so very beautiful. The iris is
bright orange-red, with a shade of pink ; and on widelyseparating

* Vide Proc. Acad. Philad. April 1862, p. 28. Dr. Cooper has obli-

ingly furnished me, from his MS. notes, the following description :—
“ Adult female, San Diego, Cal, May 6. Differs from C. arcticus, as
figured and described by Audubon, in the smaller size; spots on wing-
coverts oblong, not round; outer edge of quill black, not grey ; tail black.
Purple of throat rounded below instead of pointed. No black and white

streaks on front of neck. Tarsi and feet black. The webs and outside of
the feet bluish in life."

274: Dr. E. Coues—From Arizona to the Pacific.

the eyelids, a narrow ring of pure white is seen encircling the
cornea. The bill is rather bright yellow, the culmen and gonys
more greenish; the hard parts of the mouth the same, the soft
fauces light purple or lavender. The insides of the legs and
soles of the feet are black ; the outside of the tarsus and dorsum
of the foot dull bluish-green ; the centres of each web yellowish
flesh-colour. I found their stomachs crammed with a species
of slender aquatic grass.

All these birds were around us while on the bay. A long
low sandy island lies across its mouth as a breakwater; and on
the sea-side of this the Doctor assured me I should see another
bird that does not ever leave the sea-beach itself, and withal so
rare in collections as to make the acquisition of good specimens
a matter of some consequence. It was the ZEgialites nivosus of
Cassin, first noticed, I believe, by Dr. A. L. Heermann, in the
Ornithological Report of Lieut. R. S. Williamson's Survey for a
Pacifie Railroad (1859, p. 64), under the name of * Charadrius
cantianus, Lath.," but very different, of course, from any other
North American or European Plover—so much so, indeed, that
Bonaparte places it in his genus Leucopolius. It was only a
few hundred yards from where we landed, on the bay side of
the island, to the shore of the **far-resounding sea;” but, by
racing at full speed through the heavy soft sand, Joined to the
exciting expectation of so soon seeing a new bird, I was quite
breathless, and my heart was thumping furiously by the time I
stepped on the moist sand. Yes! there they were sure enough,
a flock of snow-white little beauties, dallying so fearlessly with
the huge waves. I fancy my chagrin and disgust must have
partaken a little of the sublime when, after blindly blazing
away into the flock, I picked up a capful of—Sanderlings! Dr.
Cooper's cachinations nowise tended to smooth my ruffled mental
plumage. However, a few moments afterwards a flock of Æ.
nivosus alighted close by me; and, with a little patience and
strategy, I soon had a dozen of the lovely birds in my hands.
They are not at all shy, rather the reverse; but the hue of their
backs so exactly corresponds with that of the sand, that it is
next to impossible to see them until they move. I believe they
never leave the open sandy beach for lagunes or mud-flats.

Dr. E. Coues—From Arizona to the Pacific. 275

They are found in little flocks of from two or three to as many
dozen, and associate in the utmost intimacy with Calidris are-
naria. On approach they run swiftly, with lowered heads, only
taking flight when hard pressed; but they scatter and straggle
so much that it is difficult to kill many at a shot. At high tide
they are found in the loose, uneven, dry sand just above the
water-mark, but at other times feed in the wet sand and among
the weed-covered rocks, quite among the breakers. They fly
rapidly, in close flocks, wheeling so as to show alternately the
upper and under parts. Their note is a low mellow whistle.
Those that I shot were not very fat. In the winter plumage
the rufous-brown cap is wanting, the crown being nearly or
quite the same colour as the back. The billis black; the eyes
dark brown ; the legs pale livid blue; the feet blackish. Length
from 6:5 to 7 inches, extent of wings 18:5 to 14 inches.

I should like much to take my readers with me on the Pacific,
that we might study together such rare and interesting birds as
Cerorhina monocerata, Ptychorhamphus aleuticus, Brachyrhamphus
hypoleucus, and the numbers of little-known Petrels that enrich
the coast of Lower California. But the length of this paper
warns me that I must check my restless pen.

Washington, D. C., January 29, 1866.

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[From the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History,
Vou XII, October 7, 1868.]

Synopsis OF THE BIRDs or SoutTH CAROLINA. By ELLIOTT
Cougs, M. D.

1 The following list is believed to contain all the species occurring in
the State, whether as residents, migrants, summer or winter visitants,
or of casual appearance. Care has been taken to determine, as far
as possible, in every case, to which category the species belongs.
The ascertaining of the species that winter in the State is a matter
of especial interest in determining the range of migrants; and has
therefore been taken into particular consideration. An excellent idea
of the distribution of birds along the Atlantic States may be gained
by comparison of the present list and those mentioned in the accom-
panying foot note. A good list of Floridan birds would be an accept-

f able contribution.

1 Catalogue of the Birds found at Norway, Maine. With a list of the Birds

1868.] 105 [Coues,

The birds of South Carolina, with few exceptions, are the same as
those of the South Atlantic and the Gulf States at large (exclusive
of certain Texan birds). ‘These exceptions are the Florida Jay, and
the several species, not strictly North American, which visit the
peninsula of Florida alone, mostly from the West Indies. 1t is not
probable that South Carolina is the terminus of the autumnal migra-
tion of any Northern species. The lower swampy parts of Virginia
rather represent such terminus; and any species which passes this
boundary is likely to be found in winter any where in the South
Atlantic States, exclusive, of course, of such species as pass entirely
beyond the United States. And, although the Carolinas, in a general
way, limit the northward extension of the few typical species of the
South Atlantic States, the boundary may be more definitely placed in
Virginia, along the line where the swampy changes to the higher
country, which, as we have just seen, limits certain Northern species
in coming South.

Regarding the distribution of species within the State, it may be
said, in general terms, that the topography of the country has great
influence in determining the presence or absence of species in particu-
lar districts. Many birds that abound in the low swampy regions,
never reach the upper country; and the converse of this is also true,
though by no means of so extensive application. Some birds that
occur high up only in summer, are resident throughout the year in
the warmer parts; where, doubtless, certain Northern species, that
come South in winter, are rarely, if ever, found. "These and some
analogous facts that might be cited, are independent of those circum-
stances of distribution arising from the natural proclivities of species;
as e. g., the restriction of marine species to the coast, ete. As to the
true migrants,—those birds that neither breed nor pass the winter in
the State,—it may be stated that they appear a little earlier in the
spring, and later in the fall, in the low swampy parts, than in the
upper country.

found in Maine not observed at Norway. By A. E. Verrill. Proceedings of the
Essex Institute, III, 1862, p. 136.

Catalogue of the Birds of Springfield, Mass., with a list of Birds found in Mass-
achusetts not observed at Springfield. By J. A. Allen. Jbid, IV, 1864, p. 48.

Catalogue of Birds observed on New York, Long and Staten Islands, and adja-
cent parts of New Jersey. By George N. Lawrence. Annals of the Lyceum of
Natural History of New York, VIII, 1866, p. 279.

List of Birds ascertained to inhabit the District of Columbia, ete, By Elliott
Coues and D. Webster Prentiss. Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution,
for 1861, p. 399.

Coues.] 106 [October 7,

The non-resident birds of South Carolina, that pass through the
State during their migrations, appear, I think, fully two weeks earlier
in spring, and as much later in the fall, than they do at Washington,
D. C. The same is true of those species, common to the two locali-
ties, that breed or pass the winter in the State. "This is, of course,
to speak only of the general average.

The only article that I have been able to find bearing directly
upon the subject in hand, is a list in the appendix of Tuomey's Re-
port on the Geology of South Carolina, published in 1848. "This
appendix, entitled * Catalogue of the Fauna of South Carolina," was
prepared by Professor Lewis R. Gibbes, of the Charleston College.
The list of the birds, as the author states, is simply a compilation
from Audubon’s Synopsis. The writer enumerates 271 species;
among which Haliaétus Washingtoni, Vireo Bartrami, Ammodramus
Macgillivrayi, and Cygnus buccinator should, in all probability, not
have been admitted. The occurrence of one or two other species
contained in the list is extremely problematical. Prof. Gibbes indi-
cates, in the instances of the majority of the species, whether the
bird is resident, or a summer or winter visitant. The letter (G.) in
the following list indicates my indebtedness to Prof. Gibbes; in other
cases, the statements made are the results of my own investigations,
the past two years. *

o
d

chiefly conducted at Columbia durin

NoTE.—l use the following abbreviations ;—Res., resident; sum., summer, and
win., winter—both as either verb or noun; spr., spring; aut., autumn; migr., mi-
grant, migrate, migratory, migration, according to context; ab., abundant; com.,
common; N., north; S., south: the usual contractions for names of months. Spe-
cies characteristic of the South Atlantic and Gulf States are preceded by an aste-
risk. The classification made use of is the modification of Prof. Lilljeborg’s re-
cently adopted by the Smithsonian Institution; the nomenclature is, in general,
that of Baird's “ birds of North America."

PASSERES—(OSCINES).
Fam. 1.—TURDIDÆ.

1. Turdus mustelinus. Wood Thrush. Com.; res.; the greater
number go further N. to breed, and further S. to win.

2. T. Pallasii. Mermit Thrush. Com.; win., from Oct. to Mch.;
not known to breed.

3. T. fuscescens. Wilson's Thrush. Not ab.; chiefly spr. and
aut. mier.; some probably win.

4. T. solitarius. Olive-backed Thrush. As the preceding.

1868.] 107 [Coues.

5. T. migratorius. Robin. Ab.; win. from Oct. to Apr., partic-
ularly during Nov. and Feb.; a few doubtless sum.

In addition to the preceding, T. Alicic probably occurs, as a mi-
grant. ;

6. Harporhynchus rufus. Thrasher. Com.; res.

7. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. Catbird. Ab.; res.

8. Mimus polyglottus. Mocking-bird. Very ab.; res. Although
the Mocking-bird sometimes strays even to New England, it is not
common north of the lower parts of Virginia. In some parts of the
Carolinas it is perhaps the most abundant bird. It raises two or
three broods each summer; young birds may be found from April
until September; four eggs are oftener laid than either three or five.
The early broods are reputed to make the finest singers, and also to
be reared artificially with less trouble than those hatched later. The
birds sing more or less all the year; and, particularly during the
breeding season, at any hour of the night.

Fam. 2.— SAXICOLID E.

9. Sialia sialis. Bluebird. Ab.; res.; but most numerous in
win., from Oct. to Apr.

Fam. 3. — SYLVIDÆ.

10. Regulus satrapa. Golden-crested Kinglet. Com.; win.; from
Oct. to Apr.

11. R. calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Ab.; win. ; from Oct.
to Apr.; but most numerous in Nov. and Mch.

12. Polioptila cerulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Com.; chiefly
migr., Mch. 15 to Apr. 15, and during Oct.; some breed; none known
to win.

Fam. 4.— PARIDE.

13. Lophophanes bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. Com.; res.
14. Parus carolinensis. Carolina Chickadee. Com.; res.

Fam. 5. — SITTIDÆ.

15. Sitta carolinensis. White-bellied Nuthatch. Com.; res.

16. S. canadensis. Red-bellied Nuthatch. Rare; res. (G.)

17. *S. pusilla. Brown-headed Nuthatch. ‘This species is not so
common as one would be led to infer from the fact that it is one of
the characteristic birds of the South Atlantic States. Its habits are

Coues.] 108 [October 7,

the same as those of its better known congeners; its notes, however,
differ from those of S. carolinensis, and greatly resemble those of S.
pygmea. The birds are generally found in open pine woods, usually
in small straggling companies.

Fam. 6.— CERTHIID®.

18. Certhia americana. Brown Creeper. Not ab.; res.

Fam. 1. — TROGLODYTIDÆ.

19. Thryothorus ludovicianus. Carolina Wren. Com.; res.

20. T. Bewicki. Bewick’s Wren. Rare; res.?

21. Troglodytes edon. House Wren. Probably res.; but chiefly
migr. from Mch. 15 to Apr. 15, and during Oct. Prof. Gibbes omits
this species, giving, perhaps in place of it, T. americanus. The latter
I do not venture to include in the list..

22. Anorthura hyemalis. Winter Wren. Not com.; win., from
Oct. to Apr.

23. Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. Win. (G.)

24. Telmatodytes palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Com. in
certain situations; res., but the greater number pass N. to breed.

Fam. 8.— MOTACILLID.E.

25. Anthus ludovicianus. Titlark. Ab.; win., from Nov. to
Mch.; sometimes till Apr.

Fam. 9.— SYLVICOLID.

26. Mniotilta varia. Black-and-white Creeper. Com.; chiefly
migr., Mch. and Oct., but some breed; not known to win.

27. Parula americana. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler. Ab.;
migr., during Apr. and Oct.

28. *Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler. Rare; sum.
This is properly a bird of the South Atlantic States, though in the
interior it goes as far north as Kansas and Missouri; and it has even
been found (in one instance) in Maine. At Washington, D. C., I
never saw but one individual during several years’ collecting. It
winters in the extreme South, as well as in Central America and
some of the West Indies.

29. Helminthophaga celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. Either
the distribution of this species is very irregular, or we do not under-
stand it very well It is a common and regular migrant in the

1868.1 109 [Coues.

Western Territories; but east of the Mississippi it is believed to be
rare or casual. Audubon gives it as a common summer resident in
New England; but more recent ornithologists differ with him in opinion.
Mr. J. A. Allen, however, has lately found it at Springfield, Mass.
(Proc. Essex Inst. IV, 1864, p. 60; ibid. V, 1868, p. 271.) Nuttall
attests its abundance in Florida. Prof. Baird records it from Wis-
consin and Georgia. Prof. Gibbes marks it “win.” in his list. I
have myself never met with it except in Arizona and California. It
is known to breed in Arctie America, and to winter in Mexico.

30. H.ruficapilla. Nashville Warbler.

31. H. pinus. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler.

32. H. chrysoptera. Golden-winged Warbler.

33. H. peregrina. Tennessee Warbler.

These four species are all migrants, with much the same times of
arrival and departure; neither of them is abundant.

34. *H. Bachmani. Bachman’s Warbler. Very rare; sum.; chiefly
confined to the coast, and not recorded N. of S. Car. Prof. Lambeye
gives it as a bird of Cuba.

35. *Helmitherus Swainsoni. Swainson’s Warbler. Very rare;
sum. This is another highly characteristic species. also occurring in
Cuba.

36. H. vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. Not uncom.; most
numerous during its migr., in Apr. and Oct.; sum.

37. -Perissoglossa tigrina. Cape May Warbler. Rare; migr.

38. Dendreca pinus. Pine-creeping Warbler. Very ab.; res.
‘This is perhaps the most common warbler, and is the only resident
one. It breeds very early; I have seen fully fledged young before the
middle of April. It is found in all situations, but shows a preference
for the forests from which it takes its name; and is generally seen in
straggling companies, associating with Chickadees, Nuthatches,
Kinglets, etc.

39. D. coronata. Yellow-rumped Warbler. Very ab.; win.;
from latter part of Oct. until May; most numerous in Nov. and Mch.

40. D. palmarum. Yellow Red-poll Warbler. Com.; win. from
Oct. until late in Apr.

41. D. estiva. Summer Warbler. Com.; sum.; but most ab.
during its migr., as by far the greater number pass N.; not known to
win.

42. *D. dominica (pensilis s. superciliosa, auct.). Yellow-throated
Warbler. Com.; sum. This species should have the asterisk, as it is

Coues.] $ 110 [October 7,

essentially a southern one; but still it has been found at Washington,
D. C., (Coues and Prentiss, Smiths. Rep. for 1861, p. 408; Baird,
Rev. Am. Birds, p. 209), and at Cleveland, Ohio, (7. c.). Itis more
abundant in some parts of the State than is generally supposed. I
have seen several in one day in the streets of Columbia. It winters
very far south.

43. D.virens. Black-throated Green Warbler.
44. D. cerulescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler.
45. D. Blackburnie. Blackburnian Warbler.

46. D. castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler.

47. D. pennsylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler.
48. D. striata. Black-poll Warbler.

49. D. cærulea. Corulean Warbler.

50. D. maculosa. Black-and-yellow Warbler.

51. D. discolor. Prairie Warbler.

The foregoing nine species are all migrants, passing through chiefly
in April and Oct.—D. stria‘a being rather the latest. D. cærulea is the
rarest; D. discolor probably next most so; the other seven are common.

52. Seiurus noveboracensis. Water Wagtail. Not ab.; chiefly
migr. Some probably breed.

53. S. aurocapillus. Golden-crowned Wagtail. Com.; migr.;
some doubtless breed.

54. S. ludovicianus. Large-billed Wagtail. Rare; migr.; some
doubtless breed. Dr. Prentiss and I found it to be quite common at
certain seasons about Washington, D. C. (Smiths. Rep. for 1861, p.
407.) It is recorded by Mr. Lawrence from New York (Ann. Lyc.
Nat. Hist., N. Y., VIII, 1866, p. 284), and by Prof. Ba'»d from Penn-
sylvania and Michigan. (Rev. Am. Birds, p. 217.)

55. Oporornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler.

56. O. formosus. Kentucky Warbler.

These two species are rare migrants. I have found formosus in
Kansas, in May. This is, I believe, its most western United States
record. Both species proceed as far north, at least, as Southern New
England.

57. Geothlypis trichas. Maryland Yellow Throat. Com.; sum.;
most numerous during its migr., in Apr. and Oct.

58. G. philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. Very rare; migr.

59. Icteria viridis. Yellow-breasted Chat. Com.; sum.; but most
numerous during its migr.

60. JMyiodioctes mitratus. Hooded Warbler. Rare; migr.; some

1868.] 111 [Coues.

breed? This is rather a Southern species, whose range just reaches
the extremity of New England. It is known to winter in Central
America and the West Indies. :

61. M. canadensis. Canada Warbler. Com.; migr.; Apr. and
Oct.

62. M. pusillus. Wilson's Black-capped Warbler. Not com.;
migr.; Apr. and Oct.

63. Setophaga ruticilla. Redstart. Com.; migr.; Apr. and Oct.

Fam. 10. — HIRUNDINID X.

64. Progne subis. Purple Martin. Ab.; sum., from early in
Apr. through part of Oct. This is the most abundant bird of the
family about Columbia.

65. Hirundo bicolor. White-bellied Swallow.

66. H. horreorum. Barn Swallow.

These two species are chiefly migr. latter part of Mch, Apr. and
Oct., but some breed. I do not mae of the occurrence of H. luni-
frons, but there is reason to believe that it may pass through during
its migrations.

67. Cotyle riparia. Bank Swallow. Com.; chiefly migr.; Apr.

and Oct.; ‘‘sum.” (G.)
68. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. “Sum.”

(G-)
Fam. 11. — VIREONID;E.

69. Vireo olivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. Com.; sum.; but the
greater number pass N. in Apr., and return in Oct.

70. V. gilvus. Warbling Vireo. Not ab.; migr. in Apr. and
Oct.; few, if any, breed so far south.

71. V.flavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. Com.; sum.; Apr. to
Oct. 15.

72. V. solitarius. Blue-headed Vireo. Rare.; migr.

73. V. noveboracensis. White-eyed Vireo. Com.; sum.; but the
greater number go further N. ?

V. philadelphicus should undoubtedly be included in the list; but I
have no authority for so doing. Prof. Gibbes gives a certain “Vireo
Bartrami Sw.”; I do not know to what species he refers under this
name. (Examine, in this connection, Baird, Rev. Am. Birds, L.,

1866, pp. 334, 343.)

=

es. ERU

Eri a

Lr i

Coues.] 119 [October 7,

Fam. 129. — AMPELID.E.

74. Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar Bird. Res.; but most numerous
in win., from Nov. to Mch., during which months it is exceedingly
abundant at times and in certain places, in large, straggling, erratic
flocks. I have seen it in flocks through May.

Fam. 13. — LANIIDJE.

15. *Collurio ludovicianus. Loggerhead Shrike. Res.; ab., partic-
ularly in the lower parts of the State. A species highly characteristic
of the South Atlantie and Gulf States, being only known from North
Carolina to Louisiana (in the Gulf States only in winter, according to
Audubon), and also being rarely, if ever, found in mountainous dis-
tricts.

Audubon says (Orn. Biog. I, p. 301) : “I have never seen it attack
birds, nor stick its prey on thorns, in the manner of the Great Ameri-
ean Shrike.” Against this negative evidence I can bear positive
testimony, so far as the latter part of the statement is concerned.
At Columbia, where the Loggerhead is a very common bird, frequent-
ing the weedy streets and waste fields of the city, I have observed it
on numerous occasions, and once witnessed the following: a Logger-
head was busily foraging for insects m the Capitol yard; from its
observatory on the top of a tall bush, it pounced upon a large grass-
hopper and carried it to a tree near by, which was full of small, sharp
twigs. Firmly planting itself upon one of these, with the insect in its
beak, the bird, thrust the grasshopper upon a twig, pushing the latter
quite through the insect's body by repeated forcible movements.
After the grasshopper had been transfixed to the bird's satisfaction,
the latter hopped to another part of the tree, where it remained for
some minutes, apparently enjoying the writhings of the impaled in-
sect, or at least waiting to make sure that it was firmly secured.
This being evidently the case, the bird at length flew off, resumed its
former station, and commenced to hunt for more grasshoppers.
Within the next few minutes I saw it capture several more, all of
which it ate upon the spot.

ĮI have not seen any satisfactory explanation of this strange habit
of the Shrikes; nor am I prepared to offer any. Writers have
drawn largely upon their imagination in treating of the trait. The
facts at our command are conflicting, and do not furnish the basis for
any very consistent theory as to the why or wherefore, or, particularly,
the cui bono of such proceedings on the part of the bird. The com

1868.] 113 [Coues.

monly received doctrine, to the effect that Shrikes providently lay up
in this way a store for future emergencies, is hardly tenable. In the
case narrated above, the bird did not return to feast upon the grass-
hopper; for I purposely passed that way several" days afterward, and
saw the unfortunate insect still sticking there. Why did the bird
impale it at all? It was evidently hungry at the time, for, as above
stated, it at once recommenced foraging, and captured and devoured
several more insects on the spot; and, moreover, the thousands of live
grasshoppers that there were within a radius of as many yards, ren-
dered such special pains in securing that one on a twig quite unnec-
essary. It may be as well to confess that we do not know the reason
of this habit of the Shrikes; we can only say that it is **a way they
have."

Swainson long ago pointed out the remarkable similarity between
Shrikes and Mocking-birds—a resemblance not confined to physical
characters, though very striking in these respects, but also extending
to some points of habit, general appearance in life, etc., and amount-
ing to strong analogy, if not actual affinity. I have frequently seen
Shrikes and Mocking-birds playing together, and can affirm that it is
very difficult to tell the two birds apart at a little distance, without
very attentive observation. The Shrike is the smaller of the two
and is more heavily built, thick-set, with shorter neck, larger head
and heavier bill. Its motions are ordinarily less lively and varied;
its usual attitude, when perched, is stiffer; there is less of the quiver-
ing, tremulous motion of the wings and tail; the flight is less buoyant
and graceful, more firm and direct, and accompanied by a peculiar
jerking of the body at each beat of the wings. These remarks, how-
ever, do not apply to the spirited, dashing forays of the Shrike, when
in pursuit of its prey. But, ordinarily, the tournure of the Shrike
has that about it which gives an impression best expressed by the
word ‘‘top-heaviness.”

The Great Northern Shrike, C. borealis, may occasionally stray, in
winter, as far south as Carolina, but I have no record of its occurrence
beyond Washington, D. C.

Fam. 14. — TANAGRID&.

76. Pyranga estiva. Summer Red-bird. Ab.; sum.
71. P. rubra. Scarlet Tanager. Com.; sum.; but chiefly migr.
in Apr., Sept. and early Oct.

—— 1

Coues.] 114 [October 7,

Fam. 15.— ALAUDID&.

78. Eremophila cornuta. Shore Lark. Com.; in flocks, Nov. to
middle of Mch.

.

Fam. 16.— FRINGILLIDÆ.

Such hordes of sparrows enter the Carolinas in October, and pass
the winter, that one is almost tempted to believe that these States
form their winter quarters. The small streaked and spotted species—
the sparrows par excellence— mostly associated together, and are
sometimes seen in flocks to be numbered by thousands. During the
winter they frequent old corn, rice, and cotton fields, briery tracts,
hedgerows, ete. In the spring, for a few weeks before the great body
of them depart, they scatter in smaller companies through the woods
and feed extensively upon buds of trees, as well as insects. The
extent to which our small conirostrals feed upon these articles in
spring, is perhaps hardly recognized, except in the cases of such birds
as the Carpodaci, ete.

79. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. Com.; win.; from
Oct. until all the buds have expanded; stragglers at least through
greater part of Apr.

80. Chrysomitris tristis. Gold Finch. Ab.; res.

81. C. pinus. Pine Finch. Not com.; irregular; win. Nov. to
Apr.

We have no record of the occurrence of either Snow Buntings,
Crossbills, or Redpolls, so far south; but they may possibly occasion-
ally stray to the Carolinas in severe winters, as even the Snowy Owl
is known to do.

82. Passerculus savanna. Savannah Sparrow. Very ab.; Oct.—
Apr., in large flocks, with other species. In coming S. in the fall,
most of these birds do not stop short of the Carolinas, though a few
pass the winter at Washington, D. C. None breed so far S.

83. Poocetes gramineus. Grass Finch. Extremely ab.; win.,
Oct.—Apr.; a few possibly breed. The Grass Finches are particu-
larly fond of cotton fields; I have met with flocks of many hundreds
in such situations. When such a flock is startled from the ground, the
shadowy gray forms, inextricably confused in erratic flight, and the
continuous whirr of numberless wings conspire to a scene not easily
forgotten. The little birds soon after their arrival become extremely
fat, and when in this condition there are no more delicious morsels to
be found for the table.

1868.] Th [Coues.

84. Cofurniculus passerinus. Yellow-winged Sparrow. Com.;
res.; most numerous during the migr.

85. C. Henslowi. Henslow’s Sparrow. Rare; res.? “win.” (G.)
The known range of this rather Southern species has been recently
extended by its record in New England.

86. Ammodramus caudacutus. Sharp-tailed Finch.

87. A. maritimus. Sea-side Finch.

Prof. Gibbes gives these two species as resident. They are proba-
bly confined to the immediate vicinity of the coast, and are more
numerous in winter than in summer, as they scatter along our shores
to New England during the breeding season. “A. Macgillivrayi,
No. 110 of Prof. Gibbes’ list, is now well known to be the young of
maritimus.

88. Zonotrichia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. Not ab.;
win.; Oct. through part of Apr. I believe that most individuals of
this species do not come quite so far south to pass the winter. Its
migrations appear less regular and well defined than those of the fol-
lowing species. The birds probably scatter indiscriminately over the
greater part of the Atlantie States in winter; at least, I know of no
special localities that are indicated, by the abundance of the species,
as the favorite winter quarters of the great number that breed in
Labrador, etc.

89. Z. albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. Very ab.; win.;
Oct., through most of Apr. These birds sing more or less all winter;
and for a month before they leave in spring, the woods and fields are
voeal with their mellow music. Many hundreds pass the month of
March, and part of April, in the gardens in the city of Columbia;
during the winter the ‘birds mostly reside in thickets and fields, in
company with several other species.

90. Junco hyemalis. Snowbird. Very com., though rather less
ab. than in localities further N.; arrives latter part of Oct. (the time
varying somewhat, according to weather), and remains until Apr.;
stragelers may be seen throuch part of this month.

91. Spizella monticola. Tree Sparrow. Win.; Nov.—Mch. ; not
common, as the greater number winter in the Middle States, Mary-
land, Virginia, etc., and some as far north as New England.

92. S. socialis. Chipping Sparrow. Res.; but the numbers that
breed are insignificant compared with those that win. from Oct. to
Apr. They begin to flock upon their arrival, and remain in com-

Coues.] 116 [October 7,

panies, sometimes numbering hundreds of individuals, until the
greater part pass north to breed.

93. S. pusilla. Field Sparrow. Very com. ; res.; most numerous
in win., and particularly in Nov. and Mch.

94. Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. Very ab.; res.; but
most numerous in win., as great numbers pass N. to breed.

95. M. palustris. Swamp Sparrow. Com.; chiefly win.; per-
haps res., but the greater number breed further N. This is perhaps
the shyest and most retiring of our sparrows, the Ammodrami, even,
not excepted; and one that easily eludes observation. It is to be
found usually in such situations as the Song Sparrows frequent in
winter; but I have never found a locality where its numbers bear
any proportion to those of the latter. M. melodia is one of our most
commonly observed species, particularly when it is flocking.

M. Lincolni ought to occur in winter; but it has not, to my knowl-
edge, been observed in the State.

96. *Peucca estivalis. Bachman’s Finch. This, the only charac-
teristic sparrow of the Southern States, I have not been so fortunate
as to meet with. My friend, Prof. LeConte of the South Carolina
University, informs me that it occurs about Columbia, and elsewhere
in the State, frequenting open pine woods, old dry fields, ete. Prof.
Gibbes gives it as summering. It appears to be more abundant in
Georgia than elsewhere.

97. Passerella iliaca. Fox Sparrow. Com.; win.; Nov. to Apr.;
less numerous than most of the sparrows properly so called.

98. Euspiza americana. Black-throated Bunting. “Sum.” (G.)
It is an abundant summer resident at Washington, D. C.; a few
reach Southern New England. It must be a rare bird in the State.
Audubon says that it is “rarely observed to pass over South Caro-
lina," which statement accords with my own observations. Audu-
bon’s further remark, concerning its partiality for particular localities,
is well founded. Does this species winter anywhere in the United
States?

99. Guiraca cerulea. Blue Grosbeak. Not uncom.; sum.

100. G.ludoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Rare; migr.

101. Cyanospiza cyanea. Indigo Bird. Com.; sum.

102. *C. ciris. Painted Bunting. *Sum." (G.) This species is
probably confined to the lower country, and appears to be rare even
there. Ihave not met with it about Columbia. The Carolinas limit
its northern range.

1868.] 117 [Coues.

103. Cardinalis virginianus. Red Bird. Res.; com.

104. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Towhee Bunting. Ab.; chiefly
migr.; many win.; a few possibly breed in mountainous districts. It
is most numerous in Nov. and Mch.

Fam. 17. — IcTERID Xx.

105. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Reed or Rice Bird. Win.; but most
abundant during the migr.

106. Molothrus pecoris. Cow Bird. Probably res.; but chiefly
win., and most numerous in spring and fall.

107. Ageleus pheniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. Com.; res.,
but most numerous during the migr.

108. Sturnella magna. Meadow Starling. Com.; res.

109. Icterus Baltimorensis. Baltimore Oriole. Sum.; not. ab., as
the greater number pass N.

110. J. spurius. Orchard Oriole. Rare; chiefly migr.; some
probably breed.

111. Scolecophagus ferrugineus. Rusty G@ackle. Not uncom.; in
win. in flocks, from Nov. to Mch.

112. Quiscalus versicolor. Purple Grackle. Com.; res.; but the
greater number pass N. to breed.

113. *Q. major. Boat-tailed Grackle. Res.; chiefly confined to
the lower country. This is essentially a southern bird, though it
is said to stray as far north as Massachusetts.

Fam. 18.— Corvin.

114. Corvus carnivorus. Raven. “Res.” (G.) If really a resi-
dent of the State at presént, it must be an exceedingly rare bird. I
am under the impression that I once saw an individual at Columbia,
but cannot speak positively.

115. C.americanus. Crow. Com.; res.

116. C. ossifragus. Fish Crow. Res. Chiefly confined to the
lower country.

117. Cyanura cristata. Blue Jay. Very ab.; res.

PASSERES — (CLAMATORES).
Fam. 19. — TYRANNIDÆ.

118. Tyrannus carolinensis. Kingbird. Com.; sum., Apr. Ist,
through part of Oct.; but the greater number go further N.

=— -

Coues.] b 8 [October 7,

119. Myiarchus crinitus. Great crested Flycatcher. Com.; sum.
Apr, 15 to Oct.; but the greater number go further N.

120. Sayornis fuscus. Pewee. Probably res., most numerous in
Feb., Mch., Oct. and Nov. This bird is to be found so late in the
fall, and so early in the spring, that I have little doubt it passes the
winter in some parts of the State. The majority go further N. to
breed.

121. Contopus virens. Wood Pewee. Com.; sum.; middle of
Apr. to middle of Oct.

122. C. borealis. Cooper’s Flycatcher. Inserted on Prof. Gibbes
authority; I have never met with the species. It is probably a mi-
grant only. Its distribution is not very clearly defined.

193. Empidonax Traillü. Traill’s Flycatcher.

194. ŒE. acadicus. Acadian Flycatcher.

125. ŒE. flaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

126. E. minimus. Least Flycatcher.

These four species occur as migrants in April and September;
acadicus probably breeding. The latter is the only one contained in
Prof. Gibbes’ list.

STRISORES.

Fam. 20. — ALCEDINID&.

127. Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. Com.; res.

Fam. 21.— CAPRIMULGIDJ.

128. Chordeiles popetue. Nighthawk. Com.; sum.; but most
abundant in Apr., Aug. and Sept.

129. Antrostomus vociferus. Whippoorwill. Com.; sum.; Apr.
to Oct.

130. *A. carolinensis. Chuckwillswidow. Rare; sum. (G.) This
species is not known to occur north of the Carolinas. Audubon
gives it from Texas.

Fam. 22.— CypsELIDA.

131. Chetura pelasgia. Chimney Swift. Ab.; sum.; Apr.—8Sept.

Fam. 23.— TROCHILIDÆ.

* 132. Trochilus colubris. Humming-bird. Com.; sum.; Apr.—
Sept.

1868.] 119 [Coues.

ZYGODACTYLI.

Fam. 24. — CucuLip&.

133. Coccygus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Com.; sum.;
Apr. to Oct.

134. C. erythrophthalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo. Rare; sum.; but
chiefly migr., Apr.—Sept., as the greater number breed further N.

Fam. 25. — Picip®.

135. Campephilus principalis. Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Res.;
rare, and chiefly confined to the lower country.

136. Hylatomus pileatus. Pileated Woodpecker. Res.

137. Picus villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. Res.; not ab.

138. P. pubescens. Downy Woodpecker. Res.; com.

139. *P. querulus. . Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Res. (G). This
species is hardly known to occur north of the Southern States; and
though it be the borealis of Vieillot, —which is doubted by some—the
latter name is geographically inaccurate.

140. Sphyrapicus varius. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. Res.; ab.

141. Centurus carolinensis. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Res.

142. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. Res.;
ab., particularly in sum.

143. Colaptes auratus. Yellow-winged Woodpecker. Res.; ab.

Fam. 26. — PSITTACIDÆ.

144. Conurus carolinensis. Paroquet. This species is given in
Prof. Gibbes’ list, and appears to have been in former times a com-
mon bird; but its occurrence has not been noted of late years. It is
scarcely entitled to a place in the list.

ACCIPITRES.

Fam. 27. — STRIGIDA.

145. Strix pratincola. Barn Owl. “Sum.” (G.) Res.?
146. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. Res.

147. Scops asio. Screech Owl. Res.

148. Otus Wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl. Res.

149. JBrachyotus palustris. Short-eared Owl. Res.

Coues.] 120 [October 7,

150. Syrnium nebulosum. Barred Owl. Res.

151. Nyetale acadica. Acadian Owl. Res.

152. Nyclea nivea. Snowy Owl. Win. There are several
authentie instances of the occurrence of this species in winter. Prof.
Gibbes includes it.

Fam. 28.— FALCONIDJAE.

153. Falco anatum. Peregrine Falcon. Win. (G.)

154. F. columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. Win.; perhaps res.

155. F. sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. Res.; com.

156. Accipiter Cooperi. Coopers Hawk. Res.

157. <A. fuscus. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Res.; com.

158. Buteo borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. Res.; com.

159. B. lineatus. Red-shouldered Hawk. Res.; com.

160. Elanus leucurus. | Black-shouldered Hawk. Sum.; rare.
The Carolinas limit the northward extent of this species in the Atlan-
tie States.

161. Ictinia mississippiensis. Mississippi Kite. Sum. Along the
Atlantie coast this species has much the same range as the preceding.

162. Nauclerus furcatus. Swallow-tailed Kite. Sum. With much
the same distribution, in general, as the preceding, this species is more
apt to stray northward. It has occurred in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
Missouri, etc.

163. Circus hudsonicus. Marsh Hawk. Res.; ab.

164. Halictus leucocephalus. Bald Eagle. Res. Prof. Gibbes
also gives “H. Washingtoni.” Ido not know what this can be, un-

_less possibly he means the Golden Eagle, Aquila canadensis.

165. Pandion carolinensis. Fish Hawk. Res.; com.

In addition to the foregoing Falconide, two others, Buteo pennsyl-
vanicus, and Archibuteo lagopus probably occur, but I have no evidence
that such is the case.

Fam. 29. — VULTURID2.

166. Cathartes aura. Turkey Buzzard.

167. C.atratus. Black Vulture.

These two species are common, and resident. C. aura is more
generally distributed over the State, atratus being mostly confined to
the lower country; but both are, in most localities, found together.
At Charleston, atratus is by far the most numerous; at Columbia the

¢

1868.] 121 [Coues.

reverse is the case The two kinds associate freely together, upon
terms of perfect accord, and, as they often circle about in each
other's company, the observer has an excellent opportunity of noticing
the radical differences which exist in their mode of flight, and in the
outline of the body and wings.

PULLASTRÆ.

Fam. 30. — COLUMBIDÆ.

168. *Chamepelia passerina. Ground Dove. Res.; but mainly

confined to the lower country. I have never seen it as far inland as
Columbia.

169. Zenædura carolinensis. Turtle Dove. Res.; very ab.
170. Ectopistes migratorius. Wild Pigeon. Of irregular oceur-
rence.

GALLINÆ.

Fam. 31. — MELEAGRIDIDÆ.

171. Meleagris gallopavo. Wild Turkey. Res.; and still com-
mon in certain sections.

Fam. 32.— TETRAONIDÆ.
172. Bonasa umbellus. Ruffed Grouse. Res. (G.)
Fam. 33.— PERDICID#.

173. Ortyx virginianus. Quail. “ Partridge.” Res.; very ab.

GRALLZ.

Fam. 34. — CHARADRIIDA.

174. Charadrius virginicus. Golden Plover. Win.; chiefly dur-
ing its migr.

175. Squatarola helvetica. Black-bellied Plover. Win.; chiefly
during its migr.

176. Aegialitis vociferus- Kildeer Plover. Res.; but most numer-
ous during its migr. This species migrates chiefly by night; and,

Coues.] 1 99 [October 7,

particularly in April, when passing north, its loud cries constantly
break the stillness of the night.

177. <A. Wilsoni. Wilson's Plover. Res. This is essentially a
Southern species; but many reach, in summer, the coast of the Mid-
dle States, and some stray into New England. Exclusively maritime.

178. A. semipalmatus. Ring Plover. Win.; from Sept. to Apr.;

com. on the coast.
179. A. melodus. Piping Plover. As the preceding.

Fam. 35. — HÆMATOPODIDÆ.

180. Heematopus palliatus. Oyster-Catcher. Win. (G.) Only
on the coast.

181. Strepsilas interpres. 'Turnstone. Win. (G.) Only on the
coast.

Fam. 36. — SCOLOPACID E.

182. Philohela americana. Woodcock. Res.

183. Gallinago Wilsoni. Snipe. Win., but most numerous in
spring and fall.

184. Macrorhamphus griseus. Red-breasted Snipe. As the pre-
ceding. M. scolopaceus probably also occurs.

185. Tringa canutus. Knot. Coast in win.; not ab.

186. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling. Coast in winter.

187. Ancylocheilus subarquata. Curlew Sandpiper. (G-.)

188. Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. (G.)

Ihave no personal knowledge of the occurrence of these two spe-
cies; both are given by Prof. Gibbes without comment. They are
probably rare winter visitors.

189. Pelidna americana. American Dunlin. Coast in win.

190. Hreunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Coast in win.

191. Actodromas maculata. Grass Snipe. Win.

192. A. Bonapartei. (“Tringa Schinzii" of Gibbes’ list) White-
rumped Sandpiper. Coast in win.

193. A. minutilla. Least Sandpiper. Win.

These four species are most numerous during the migrations which
take place in Apr. and Sept.—Oct.

194. Symphemia semipalmata. Willet. Res.

195. Gambetta flavipes. Yellow-legged Tatler. Win.

196. G. melanoleuca. ‘Tell-tale. Win.

1868.] 123 [Coues.

197. Rhyacophilus solitarius. Solitary Tatler. Migr.; perhaps
win. Prof. Gibbes gives it as resident; this I scarcely credit.

198. Tringoides macularius. Spotted Sandpiper. Res.; but the
greater number pass N. to breed. ;

199. Actiturus Bartramius. Bartramian Sandpiper. Migr.

200. Tryngites rufescens. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Migr.

201. Limosa hudsonica. Hudsonian Godwit. Win.

202. L. fedoa. Marbled Godwit. Win.

203. Numenius hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. Win.

204. N. borealis. Esquimaux Curlew. Win.

205. N. longirostris. Long-billed Curlew. Res.

Three species of Phalarope may be expected to occur in winter,
but I have no authority for their insertion.

Fam. 37.— RECURVIROSTRID&.

206. Recurvirostra Americana. <Avoset. Res. ?
207. Himantopus nigricollis. Stilt. Sum. (G.)

Fam. 38. — GRUIDÆ.

208. Grus americanus. Whooping Crane. Win. (G.)
Fam. 39.— ARDEID;E.

209. Demiegretta ludoviciana. Louisiana Heron. Sum.

210. Garzetta candidissima. Little White Heron. Sum.

211. Florida cerulea. Little Blue Heron. Sum. This species is
more generally distributed than the preceding, not being confined to
the lower country. lt is the commonest heron about Columbia
toward the close of summer.

212. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. Res.; com.

213. Herodias egretta. Great White Heron. Sum.; com. in the
lower country.

214. Ardetta exilis. Least Heron. Res.

215. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. Win.; probably res.

216. Butorides virescens. Green Heron. Sum.; perhaps res.

217. Nyctiardea gardeni. Night Heron. Sum.

218. Nyctherodius violaceus. Yellow-crowned Heron. Sum.

Fam. 40. — TANTALID2.

219. Tantalus loculator. Wood Ibis. Res.
220. Ibis Ordi. Glossy Ibis. Sum.

Coues.] 124 [October 7,

221. bis alba. White Ibis. Sum.
The Tantalide are confined to the lower country.

Fam. 41. — PLATALEID.
222. Platalea ajaja. Roseate Spoonbill. Sum. (G.)
Fam. 42. — RALLIDÆ.

223. Rallus elegans. Fresh Marsh Hen. Res.

224. R.crepitans. Salt Marsh Hen. Res.

225. R. virginianus. Virginia Rail. * Res.” (G.), but chiefly in
spring and fall.

226. Porzana carolina. Sora Rail. Migr.; very ab.

227. P. noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. Migr.

228. *P. jamaicensis. Black Rail. Sum. This is essentially a
Southern species, but sometimes strays at least as far north as Wash-
ington, D. C. (See Coues and Prentiss, Smiths. Rep. 1861, p. 416.)

229. Gallinula galeata. Gallinule. Res. *

230. G.martinica. Purple Gallinule. Res.

This and the preceding species sometimes stray into the Middle
States, and even to New England.

231. Fulica americana. Coot. Win.; very com.

Fam. 43. — PH#NICOPTERIDA.

232. Phenicopterus ruber. Flamingo. Rare or accidental, in
summer? Inserted on Prof. Gibbes' authority.

LAMELLIROSTRES.

Fam. 44. — ANATIDJE.

233. Cygnus americanus. Swan. Coast in win. Prof. Gibbes
gives “C. buccinator, sum." ; but presumably upon erroneous data.

234. Anser hyperboreus. Snow Goose.

235. A. Gambeli. White-fronted Goose.

236. Bernicla canadensis. Wild Goose.

237. B.brenta. Brant Goose.

These geese occur in winter, chiefly along the coast. A. cwrules-
cens may very likely be also found. Prof. Gibbes gives the Canada
Goose as summering.

al

68.1 125 [Coues,

338. Anas boschas. Mallard.

239. A. obscura. Black Duck.

240. Dajila acuta. Pintail.

241. Nettion carolinensis. Green-winged Teal.

242. Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal.

243. Spatula clypeata. Shoveller.

944. Chaulelasmus streperus. Gadwall.

245. Mareca americana. Widgeon.
These Anatine are all winter visitants, both in the interior and
ong the coast, arriving in Oct., upon an average, and remaining

until April. Most of them are abundant; the Mallards and Widgeons
especially so; the Shovellers and Black Ducks are less numerous.

m

246. Aix sponsa. Summer Duck. Res.; ab.

247. Fulir marila. Big Black-head.

248. F. affinis. Little Black-head.

249. F. collaris. Ring-neck.

250. Aythya americana. | Red-head.

251. A. vallisnerid? Canvas-back.

252. Bucephala americana. Golden-eye.

253. B. albeola. Buffle-head.

254. Harelda glacialis. South Southerly.

255. Pelionetia perspicillata. Surf Duck.

256. Oidemia americana. Scoter.

257. Melanetta velvetina. Velvet Duck.

These Fuliguline occur only in winter; the first seven are of com-
on and regular occurrence; the last four are rare or casual so far

South.

258. Erismatura rubida. Ruddy Duck. Coast in win.

259. Mergus americanus. Sheldrake. Coast in win.

260. M. serrator. Merganser. Coast in win.

261. Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Merganser. Coast in win.

STEGANOPODES.

Fam 45. — PELECANID.E.

269. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. White Pelican. *Win." (G.)
263. P. fuscus. Brown Pelican. Res. (G.)

Coues.] 1 26 {October 7,

Fam. 46. — SULIDÆ.
964. Sula bassana. Gannet. Win. (G.)

265. S. fusca. Booby. Res. (G.)

Fam. 47.— TACHYPETID.

266. Tachypetes aquilus. Frigate Bird. Sum. (G.)

Fam. 48. — PHALACROCORACIDA.

267. Graeulus dilophus. Double-crested Cormorant. Coast in
win. Perhaps also G. floridanus.

Fam. 49. — PLOTIDEÆ.

268. *Plotus anhinga. Snake Bird. Sum. (G.)

LONGIPENNES.

Fam. 50. — PROCELLARIIDA.

269. distrelata hesitata. (Procellaria meridionalis Lawr.) This
species must certainly occur off the coast, as it goes as far north as
New York.

270. Oceanites oceanica. Wilson's Stormy Petrel. Off the coast.
71. Puffinus major. Greater Shearwater. Off the coast.

72. *P. obscurus. Dusky Shearwater. Off the coast. Sum. (G.)

Fam. 51. — LARID&.

273. Larus marinus. Black-backed Gull. Coast in win.

274. L. delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. Coast in win.

215. L. smithsonianus. Herring Gull. Coast in win.

276. Chracocephalus atricilla. Laughing Gull. Coast in sum.
C. philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull. Coast in win.

2l.

218. Gelochelidon anglica. Marsh Tern. Sum.

279. Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. “Sum.” (G.)

980. S. Forsteri. (*S. Havelli, Aud.," of Gibbes'list.) Win.

281. S. antillarum. Least Tern. Migr.; sum.?

282. S. paradisea. Roseate Tern. Coast in sum.
283. Thalasseus acuflavidus. Cabot’s. Tern. Mier. ?
284. T. regius. Royal Tern. Coast in sum.

1868.] t27 [Coues. ,

985. Hydrochelidon fissipes. Black Tern. Sum.
286. Rhynchops nigra. Black Skimmer. Coast in sum.

PYGOPODES. s

Fam. 52. — COLYMBIDÆ.

287. Colymbus torquatus. Loon. Win.
288. C. septentrionalis. Red-throated Diver. Win.
289. C. arcticus. Black-throated Diver. Win. (G.)

Fam. 53. — PODICIPIDÆ.

290. Podiceps holboélli. American Red-necked Grebe. Win.
291. P. cristatus. Crested Grebe. Win.

292. P. cornutus. Horned Grebe. Win.

293. Podilymbus podiceps. Dabchick. Win.

Fam. 54. — ALCIDÆ.

294. Pratercula arctica. Puffin. Win. (G.) I insert this spe-
cies on Prof. Gibbes’ authority; but South Carolina is much beyond
its ordinary range.

[From the American Naturalist, December, 1868.]

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS.
BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A.
ye OR

Brnps alone, of all animate beings, may be truly said to
"fall asleep" in death. When the silver cord of a bird's life
is loosened, the "windows of the soul" are gently closed by
unseen hands, that the mysterious rites attending the divorce
of the spirit from the body may not be profaned by prying
looks. With us, the first office rendered by sorrowing
friends to one departed, is to close the eyes, to hide from
view the mockery of life that looks out from between mo-
tionless lids. And when any mammal expires, the eyes
remain wide open. With all, the stony stare of the glazed
ball is the sign of dissolution. Only birds close their eyes
in dying.

This is one of the differences between birds and mammals.
Beautiful and wonderful as birds are in this respect, which
comes to the reflective mind fraught with significance, we
shall find them scarcely less beautiful and wonderful even
as regards the material, physical structure of their eyes. Let
us look into a bird's eye. "Though the flash and glow of life
be gone, and only dead tissues left, we shall still find more

than we can fully comprehend, and everything that we see:

will excite interest and admiration.

^

7 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

To commence by saying that all birds have eyes, might
appear at first sight to be superfluous. Yet this statement
expresses one of the characters of the class Aves; for it is
not applicable, without some qualification, to any other class
of Vertebrates. Some representatives of each of the other
elasses either have no eyes at all or else very rudimentary
ones. There are blind fishes and blind reptiles; and there
are mammals at least “as blind as a mole." Among birds,
the “wingless” species of New Zealand (Apteryx) are said
to have the smallest eyes of all, and also to want one of the
most characteristic structures of the avian eye-type,—the
marsupium, a peculiar organ inside the eye, of which we
shall learn something before we have finished our “ Views.”

We will examine first the accessory structures of a bird's
eye,—those that surround and defend it, produce its move-
ments, and keep it in working order; and then we will look
at the more exquisite mechanism within.

If we hold a dying bird in our hands, we observe that just
as the last convulsive shiver agitates its frame, the eyes close
by the uprising of the lower lid. In the primitive theatres
of classic days, the curtain was lowered from the top to dis-
close the stage, and drawn up when the act was over; now
these movements are reversed. Birds follow the classic
usage, when the curtain rises upon the last scene of their
life. Here at the outset is one difference between the eye
of a bird and that of a mammal: and differences will mul-
tiply as we proceed.

The movements of the upper lid, in almost all birds, are
much more restricted than those of the lower. There are
few exceptions to this rule, and these chiefly furnished by
the nocturnal raptores (Owls, Strigidw), and certain fissi-
rostres ( Caprimulgide, e. g., Whippoorwill, Night-hawk).
Both lids are composed of common skin externally, a mem-
brane internally (the palpebral part of the conjunctiva, to be
noticed presently), with a layer of fibrous tissue interposed
for greater strength. Besides these tissues, the lower lid

BIRD S-EYE VIEWS. 3

-

has also a smooth oval plate of cartilage to stiffen it. The
upper one is raised by a very small muscle, called levator
palpebre superioris, arising from the rim of the bony orbit,
and running to the edge of the lid. There is no special
lowering muscle; it is depressed by the action of part of
another muscle, the orbicularis oculi, that nearly surrounds
the eye, the chief office of which is to pull up the lower lid.
The latter has a small distinct muscle for its depression.

A bird's eye, when wide open, appears almost perfectly
circular; there are no well marked corners or angles (cent)
in front or behind, as in man and most mammals. Birds
have no true eyelashes, but some kinds have two series of
short modified feathers Fig. 1.*
along the edges of the
eyelids, that may be
considered to corres-
pond to the hairs found
in this situation in
mammalia.

Now let us separate
the lids and look at
the eye. Not yet! “In
the twinkling of an
eye” a third lid is dis-
closed inside the other
two, throwing a veil
over the ball. This
third inner eyelid is the nictitating membrane (membrana
nictitans), a very curious structure, both in its movements
and functions. It is a very thin, delicate, elastic membrane,
transparent, or nearly so, of a delicate pearly-white color.
While the other two lids move vertically, and have a hori-

* Fig. 1, right eyeball, seen from behind, showing the muscles. a, rectus superior;
b, rectus externus; c, rectus inferior; d, rectus internus; e, obliquus superior; f, ebli-
quus inferior; g, quadratus; k, pyramidalis, with its tendon, 7, passing through pulley
in quadratus (as shown by dotted line) to keep it from pressing on optic nerve i, then
running to the edge of the ball, around which it passes.

4 BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS.

zontal commissure, this one sweeps horizontally, or a little
obliquely across the front of the ball, from the side next the
beak to the outer one. When not in action, it lies curled
up in the lower anterior corner of the orbit: when wanted
for use it is pulled over the eye by the action of two mus-
cles that grow on the back of the ball. The mechanism of
its movements—the most perfect and ingenious that could
be imagined—may be clearly understood with the help of
the figure on the preceding page, which represents the back
of the right eyeball, with all its muscles. Two of these act
upon the nictitating membrane alone; g is the quadratus
muscle, so called from its somewhat squarish shape, arising
at the upper margin of the ball, and extending down on the
ball to the optic nerve, 7, where it ends in a broad flat trans-
verse tendon, not attached to anything, but perforated so as
to form a sheath or loop; / is the pyramidalis muscle, also
so-called from its shape, tapering into a very long thread-
like tendon, k, that first runs through the pulley-like sheath
in the tendon of the quadratus, and then curves downwards
and backwards over the ball, to the margin of the latter. It
winds around, gets in front of the ball, and goes to be in-
serted into the lower corner of the nictitating membrane.
If this slender tendon went straight along to the margin of
the ball, and across the front, it would be right in the line
of vision when the nictitating membrane, retiring to its cor-
ner, pulled it after. If it went directly under the ball to get
to the front, it would not have the right direction to draw
the membrane straight across the eye. So it must wind
around the optic nerve. But now it would press upon, and
interfere with the all-important functions of, the nerve, if
there were no provision for keeping it away from the nerve
when the pyramidalis exerts its force of traction. Here the
quadrate muscle comes into beautiful action ; it always con-
tracts simultaneously with the pyramidal, and carries the
tendon of the latter up out of the way of the nerve. Such
is the ingenious, concerted action, of these two muscles,

BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS. 5

which, though contracting in opposite directions, and mutu-
ally antagonistic as far as the nerve is concerned, eventually
exert their force in the same direction, and work harmo-
niously for a common purpose. When the tendon of the
pyramidalis is loosened by relaxation of the two muscles, the
nictitating membrane is set free, and returns to its hiding-
place by virtue of its own elasticity, just as the curtain of a
eoach window, after being forcibly drawn down, rolls itself
up again when the lever that sets a spring in action is
moved.

We understand the mechanism of the nictitating membrane
better than we do its use. Birds can wink with this one
eyelid alone, as might be expected from its name, wherein
they beat mammals, that cannot wink without moving both
lids. If we menace a bird’s eye with the finger, we see that
the nictitating is the first of the lids to rush to its defence.
But the membrane is believed to be chiefly subservient to
regulating the amount of light to be admitted to the eye.
"The eagle is, probably, able to soar aloft directly in the sun’s
rays, by drawing this covering over its eyes. Owls habit-
ually sit, in the daytime, with drawn curtains to shut out
the glare of light. It is also quite possible that many, or
most birds that are rapid flyers, make great use of this mem-
brane in guarding against various dangers to which the eye
would be exposed in their dashing career. <A screen is
placed before the eye, which, while not preventing sight, as
closure of the outer lids would, opposes the entrance of any
particles of matter.

Three lids of the casket that holds the gem have been
raised, and yet there is still another covering of the jewel
within. A very delicate filmy membrane, not very apparent
on ordinary inspection, is laid over the front of the ball,
from around which it is reflected over on to the inside of the
two outer lids. This is the conjunctiva, so-called because it
joins the lids to the ball. It is a highly vascular tissue, with
numerous tortuous blood-vessels ramifying all through it.

6 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

When these vessels become engorged with blood, as occurs
in congestion or inflammation of the conjunctiva, they are
very distinctly seen, and we have the state of things that is
ealled “blood-shot.”

Before examining the eyeball, which at length we have
reached, let us glance at some accessory structures that are
found lying with it in the socket. Properly speaking, birds
cannot be said to cry; their features are immobile, and
cannot wear an expression of grief; but they can shed
tears. The tears are elaborated by two small glands that
lie inside the eyelids, one in each corner. These are both
“lachrymal” glands; but the one that lies in the corner next
the beak is called the “Harderian gland." It is smaller than
the other, nodulated in shape, and deeply seated inside the
nictitating membrane, upon which it pours out a viscid or
glairy secretion through a small opening, the mouth of a
short duct that receives branches from all parts of the gland.
The nictitating membrane requires constant oiling to work `
easily ; the Harderian gland is an oil-can that can both make
the oil and apply it when needed. ‘The other, more truly a
lachrymal, or “tear” gland, pours its secretion into the pos-
terior or outer corner of the eye, near the juncture of the
two outer lids, which are thus kept soft and moist on the
inside. Tears, in the concrete, viewed anatomically or phys-
iologically, are very different things from tears regarded
abstractly as to their xsthetic relations; at any rate, they
subserve a much more useful and sensible purpose. The
“lachrymal duct," which is neither more or less than a
drainage-tube for the eye, to carry off superabundant tears,
or tears that have fulfilled their function and are worn out,
commences by two little openings in the anterior lower cor-
ner of the eye, and runs into the nose, which is thus made
a cesspool to receive the refuse waters of the eye. There
is, beside the two above-mentioned, a third gland about the
eye, very large and conspicuous in some birds, as the loons,
albatrosses, and other swimmers, in which it is lodged in a

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS. 7

deep semilunar groove in the roof of the bony orbit. But it
does not belong to the eye at all, and seems to be stowed
there for want of room elsewhere. Its long duct runs along
the top of the orbit into the nose, pouring out a secretion
that lubricates the mucous membrane (pituitary membrane)
of the nasal passages.

The lachrymal glands keep the eye's face clean, and relate
chiefly, if not wholly, to the movements of the eyelid. The
eyeball itself rolls about by the indirect aid of a different
tissue —the areolar, or cellular, as it is indifferently called,—
the interstices of which are filled with fat. Ordinarily, the
socket of an eye is much too large for the ball, and of a
conical, instead of globular shape, so that the ball can no
more fit or fill it, than can a marble dropped into a candle
extinguisher. A bird’s eyeball is more nearly fitted to its
socket than that of most mammals; still, it rests wholly or
in great part upon a bed of fat. This soft, yielding, elastic
substance gently presses the eye forwards, and holds it there
in place, accurately adapted to the lids, while at the same
time it allows the ball to rotate any way upon its own axis,
and also keeps it greased. We have a great deal of fat in
our own eye-sockets in health. The reason that people’s eyes
are sunken or “hollow” after a long illness, is because part
of it is wasted away. While there is so much fat all around
the eyeball, there is not a particle in the eye itself; this
comparatively clumsy and stupid material would be like a
bull in a china-shop in such a nervous quick-witted struc-
ture. à

Ducks are said to roll their eyes up in a thunder-storm,
and very likely they do, since all birds move their eyes about
more or less when they are not asleep. But the amount and
degree of motion that a bird's eye is capable of is small in
comparison with that enjoyed by most mammals’ eyes. This
results partly from the shape of the orbit, and partly from
the shape of the ball itself, which last is very singular, as
we shall see in the sequel. Nevertheless, there are as many

8 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

muscles in a bird's eye as in a mammal’s. They are six in
number; whereof four are called "straight" muscles (rect?)
and two "oblique" (obliqui); though for the matter of that,
they are all of them straight enough. The terms refer to
their line of traction. The four recti all arise near each other,
at the back of the bony orbit, around the hole ( foramen
opticum) that lets the optic nerve in from the brain; and go
to be inserted into the eyeball at four nearly equidistant
points around its margin. One (musculus rectus superior, a,
in Fig. 1) goes to the top; another (m. r. inferior, c) to
the bottom, antagonizing the first; the other two (mm. r.
internus, d, and externus, b) respectively to the front and
rear (or to what would be the inner and outer sides, if a bird's
eye were directed forwards like ours), and also antagonize
each other. The two oblique muscles arise farther forward
in the bony orbit, near each other, and then diverge, one
(m. obliquus superior, e) going obliquely upward, the other
(m. o. inferior, f£), obliquely downward: they are inserted
near the margin of the globe, close by the insertions, res-
pectively,of the upper and under recti muscles. Their action
appears to be very limited: the most notable thing about
them is that the superior one goes straight from its origin to
its insertion, whereas in mammals this muscle changes its
direction almost at a right angle, by passing through a fibrous
loop, forming a pulley, suspended from the inner upper cor-
ner of the orbit, very much as the tendon of the pyramidalis
changes its course by running through the sheath in the quad-
"atus. The six muscles serve as so many ropes to pull the eye
in different directions, and change the axis of vision; and all
taken together, as stays to steady it. In the figure they are
cut away from their origins at the bony orbit, and reflected
away from the eyeball, to give a fair view of the pyramidalis
and quadratus. The reader must mentally collect the six
dangling ends, and fasten them in the places above desig-
nated.

There are some other structures in the socket of the eye,

BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS. 9

besides those already described, and the ball itself. There
are nerves, arteries and veins. Of the first named, the
optie, or sight-nerve, is by far the largest, and is in fact the
only one that can be discerned without more trouble than
most persons would be willing to take to see it, and more
skilful dissection than most can make. It is described further
on, as it can be more conveniently studied in connection with
the ball itself. Other nerves go to the muscles of the eye.
The oculo-motor divides into numerous branches, which are
distributed to the inferior oblique, and all the recti except
the external. The latter claims a nerve of its own (the
abducens), and so, also, does the superior oblique, to which
the patheticus is exclusively distributed. These nerves all
come directly from the brain. We do not know why they
are so unequally distributed. There are some more nerves
in the socket which, however, do not particularly concern
the eye, and therefore need not concern us. There is little
to be said of the blood-vessels : they ramify everywhere, sup-
plying all the structures of the eye with food. The arteries
bring the nutritious fluid, and the veins carry it away when
the nourishment has been extracted for the repair of the
destruetion that constantly goes on in all living tissue, and
when it has become loaded with carbon, and other effete or
deleterious matter.

So much for the surroundings of a bird's eye,—the setting
of the precious stone: now we are prepared to look inside.
An eye is a perfect microcosm, in which we find almost
every kind of tissue that enters into the composition of the
rest of the body. If the reader's interest has been awakened,
as we hope it has, by what has gone before, we can, with
confidence, invite him to look deeper into a bird's eye, and
give him assurance that a far more beautiful “View” will be
presented to him.— To be concluded.

(2)

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS.

BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A.
tO
(Concluded from page 513.)

In our last "View" we saw all the appendages of a bird’s
eye; and now we come to look at the eye itself. “Eye-
ball” and “globe of the eye” are very convenient terms,
constantly in our mouths; but they are not strictly accurate
ones. Probably there are no perfectly spherical eyes. In
our own species, the eye is made up of a segment of a large
sphere, representing about five-sixths of its superficies ; the
other sixth is a smaller segment of a small sphere, joined in
front to the former. Most mammal's eyes are not very dif-
ferent in this respect from our own. Dird's eyes are much
further removed from perfect sphericity. The greater part
of the ball is saucer-shaped, — almost discoidal; and there is
a very convex prominence, more or less hemispherical in
shape, in front. The whole eye may be likened to an acorn
of one of those oaks that bear a fruit with a heavy broad
shallow eup, and short blunt kernel, or to a thick old-fash-
ioned watch with a very-convex crystal.

This shape is one of the distinguishing characters of a
bird's eye: the figure (Fig. 2) will give a better idea of it
than any description. It represents a vertical section through
the middle of an eye in profile, and shows nearly all the struct-
ures and organs that be demonstrated in the ball. Before
making use of it, however, the reader must be reminded
of the two following points: First, the distinctness of the
several membranes forming the ball is greatly exaggerated ;
for otherwise the different membranes could not be repre-
sented as such. Secondly, the ciliary processes, optic nerve,
and marsupium, do not fall wholly within the line of a ver-
tical section; they lie curving obliquely against the inside
of the walls of the hollow spheroid. But no idea whatever

10

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS. it

could be gained of them, were they merely represented at
the isolated points where they cross the vertical plane; and
they are therefore introduced somewhat artificially. The sac-
rifice of theoretical accuracy is more than compensated for
by increased perspicuity.

Recollecting that the “eyeball”—as we shall continue to
call it for convenience sake—is filled with fluid that presses
equally in every direction, we cannot at first make out how its

Fig. 2.* peculiar shape
is is maintained.
But the reason
why the ball
does not as-
sume a spheri-
cal shape really
is plain enough
when we come
to dissect its
coats. They
are partly bony.
They are splin-
ted, as it were,
with the bones
(A, h) that are packed alongside each other all around the
cireumference of one part of the ball.

The large discoidal segment of a bird's eye is mostly
made up of a membrane called the sclerotic, from its hard,
dense structure. It is a thick, strong, tough membrane, of
a glistening livid, or grayish blue color. Three sclerotic
coats or layers, differing from each other a little in texture,
may be demonstrated by careful dissection, though on super-

Fig. 2.* Vertical antero-posterior section through middle of eyeball. a, optic nerve;
b, sclerotic, outer coat; c, sclerotic, middle and inner coats; d, choroid; e, hyaloid; f,
marsupium; g, cornea; h, h, bony plates between layers of sclerotic; 7, 7, corrugations
of choroid, forming the ciliary processes; k, k, canal of Petit; l, l, iris; m, anterior
chamber; 2, capsule of lens; o, lens; p, posterior chamber. Neither the retina, nor the
peculiar sheathing of the optic nerve, is shown. The nerve, the marsupium, and the
ciliary processes, do not wholly fall within a vertical section through the middle of the
eye, and cannot be represented in this figure except artificially.

12 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

ficial examination the sclerotic presents itself as a single
homogeneous tissue. In the figure (b) is the outer coat, and
(c)the middle and inner ones combined. The osseous plates
just mentioned lie between the outer and middle sclerotic
coats, anterior to the greatest circumference of the eyeball,
and nearly or quite extend from the rim of the disk to the
edge of the central anterior transparent part of the ball —the
cornea. They are fifteen or twenty in number, of an oblong,
quadrate shape, broader behind, tapering toward the cornea,
and so disposed as to form a complete bony circlet around
the latter. Collectively, they enjoy some little motion, their
anterior margins advancing and receding with the varying
convexity of the cornea; but they cannot individually wab-
ble, being firmly bound to each other by the continuation of
the sclerotic coats between them.

The cornea (g) is the thin transparent membrane in front
that the bird looks through. It forms the anterior part of
the wall of the eye, and is, in one sense, a continuation of
the sclerotic ; but its texture is very different from that of the
latter. It is the prominent convex part of the eye,—the
hemisphere of the small globe that has been already men-
tioned. Its structure offers nothing peculiar, being essen-
tially the same as in mammals; but its shape is remarkable.
Always very convex, it is sometimes still more protuberant,
being elongated into a sort of cylinder, with a hemispherical
top. This tubulation is very great, for example, in the noc-
turnal birds of prey (Owls, Strigidw). The alteration of
shape that the cornea is capable of is next most singular, as
will be explained when we come to speak of the powers of
the eye as a whole. It is sufficient here to bear in mind the
unusual shape of the cornea, and its power of increasing and
diminishing its convexity.

The sclerotic coat is lined inside with a membrane of very
different tissue—the choroid (d). While the former is
tough and fibrous, with comparatively few blood-vessels, the
latter is more loosely woven of cellular tissue, replete with

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS. 13

interlacing blood-vessels, and painted pitch-black all over.
The deposit of pigmentary or black coloring matter is very
heavy, and serves to absorb those rays of light not needed
in vision. "The choroid membrane lines all the inside of the
eye as far forward as the edges of the bony plates, where it
splits into two layers. The inner of these turns away from
the wall of the ball, towards the axis or middle line of the
eye, and in so doing becomes gathered in plice, or folds,
much as the top of a bag is wrinkled by pulling the string.
These radiating folds come from all around, to collect to-
gether upon the rim of the crystalline lens (0), or rather of
the delicate capsule (n) that encloses the lens, and adhere
there. Their terminations form what are called the ciliary
processes (i, i). The outer layer also curls away from the
sclerotic, and starts to go transversely across the eyeball,
but ends at once in the iris.

The ¿ris (l,l) is the most exquisitely beautiful structure
in a bird's eye. It is the many-colored curtain that hangs
vertically between the two apartments of the eye. It is the
highly ornamented framework of the window of the eye,
uniting the offices of sash and blind. The crystalline lens is
suspended in the round hole punched in the centre of the
iris. Viewed in front, from the outside, the iris appears as
a colored circular band around the pupil. It seems to lie
directly on the surface. But this is not so, for the cornea and
its humors are between us and it. It is like the dial-plate
of a watch, that we look straight at without noticing the
crystal that is interposed. The central aperture through
which come the shafts that the hands are fastened to, may be
likened to the pupil. Everybody knows what the “pupil”
is, in a vague way. It is the round black spot inside the
colored rim of the iris; but few understand what the spot is.
The difficulty is, that the pupil is regarded as a material
thing—a tissue, structure, or organ—when it is not. It is
the absence of matter. The round black spot called the
pupil is not a “thing ;” it is a hole in a thing, —the hole in

14 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

the iris through which we look (the transparent crystalline
lens offering no obstruction to our view) directly into and
across the posterior chamber of the eye, and see the black
pigment on the choroid behind. Albino animals have pink
eyes, because the coloring matter of the choroid is wanting,
and the hue of the blood in its numerous fine vessels ap-
pears. And even if we look into a normal eye with the
ophthalmoscope, we have a reddish instead of a black field
of vision. The pupil takes its name from a very pretty
conceit. On looking straight at it, our image is reflected to
us, only so diminished that we are transformed into pigmies.
We find an expression of the same thing in other languages
beside our own. In Spanish, the liliputian photograph is
. called “ninacita del ojo ;" which means “little eye-baby."

But to return from this digression to the iris, which has
been all the time nervously quivering at our neglect. It is
essentially similar in structure to the choroid, being a deli-
cate tissue of fibres and vessels interlacing in every direc-
tion; but it has, in addition, a structure that is regarded as
muscular. The iridian muscles are mainly disposed in two
ways; there is a circular set running around, and a radiating
set that pass across from the inner to the outer border. By
means of these, which are mutually antagonistie, the iris is
contracted and expanded, and its aperture—the pupil—
correspondingly varied in size. In mammals, the movement
of the iris appears to be automatic, and to depend upon the
stimulus of light; and they are not so great, as a general
rule, as in birds. In the latter, they are extraordinary, not
only in degree, but in the rapidity with which they may be
executed. Although birds’ irides respond primarily, and
perhaps chiefly, to the action of light, their movements seem
to be partly, at least, subject to the will, and therefore volun-
tary. These conditions of mobility in the iris relate directly
to such exigencies as, for examples, the owl meets with in
the daytime, or the eagle encounters in his flight towards
the sun.

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS. 15

The iris of birds is copiously supplied with coloring mat-
ter; the tints vary with different species, and are often ex-
tremely brilliant. Some -shade of brown is, perhaps, the
commonest color. Yellow is very common ; red is often seen ;
blue and green are more rarely met with. The eyes of Cor-
morants are of the latter color. Sometimes the iris is black-
ish, or black, like the choroid; and it is frequently pure
white, as in the instance of one of our common birds, the
White-eyed Greenlet ( Vireo Noveboracensis).

The crystalline lens (0) is a transparent bi-convex disk,
just like a common magnifying glass. It apparently hangs
on the iris like a looking-glass in its frame, but is really set
a little further back. In birds, it is rather flatter, especially
behind, and also softer in consistency, than in some other
classes. It is enclosed in a very delicate transparent mem-
brane, its capsule (n), which is in turn set in between two
layers of a membrane, called “hyaline,” to be presently de-
scribed. Where the two hyaloid layers separate around the
rim of the capsule, to form its case, a small space is left,
that makes a circular tube all around, called the canal of
Petit (k, k). The lens is stationary as far as the axis of
vision is concerned; but is capable of being moved a little
forwards and backwards, by the pressure of the humors of
the eye, which is produced by the coóperative action of cer-
tain muscular and vascular structures, as we shall see before
we get through. This movement adjusts the focus for
vision, exactly as it is adjusted in a telescope, for instance,
by lengthening or shortening the tube.

We can understand, now, that the eyeball is divided into
two compartments, or “chambers,” as they are called, by the
inward reflection of the two choroid coats, the hyaloid, the
iris, and the lens, which together form a vertical wall. Both
of these chambers are filled with fluid, of different density
and consistence in each. That in the anterior division is
thin and watery, and therefore called the “aqueous humor ;”
that in the posterior one is more dense and glassy, and is for

16 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

this reason known as the “vitreous humor." There is much
less aqueous than vitreous, because the anterior chamber is
much the smaller of the two; but birds have more of the
former, compared with the quantity of the latter, than
mammals, because the size and convexity of the cornea is
relatively greater. The aqueous humor is enclosed in a
very delicate simple membrane, that cannot be demonstra-
ted without difficulty. The vitreous is contained in a more
palpable, as well as complex membrane—the hyaloid (e)
—which, besides lining the interior of all the back part of
the eye, and enclosing the lens as already described, sends
thin lamin, or layers, all through the vitreous humor, form-
ing partitions that serve to steady the glassy waters.

We may next turn our attention to the optic nerve (@)
that presents itself in the all-important character of the "soul
of the eye." It has many peculiarities in birds ; among them
one that constitutes the most characteristic feature of the eye
of these creatures. In mammals, as a general rule, the nerve
is a smooth cylinder that comes straight to the sclerotie, near
the middle behind, penetrates straight through the coats of the
eyeball, and then spreads out on all sides to form a disk on
the inside of the back of the eye. This circular saucer-like
expansion is the retina —the sensitive nervous plate, or mir-
ror, upon which images of things viewed are photographed,
to be transmitted along the nerve to the brain, and there
"perceived." Suppose the optic nerve to be an umbrella-
handle, the retina would then be the umbrella, blown inside
out by the wind. In birds the nerve acts very differently.
In the first place, though it is cylindrical, it is not smooth;
it has lengthwise folds and ridges. It is like a fluted column.
It comes obliquely towards the eye, which it strikes at a
point eecentric from the axis of the ball; and then, instead
of at once piercing all the sclerotic coats, and expanding
into a concavo-convex disk, it tapers gradually to a fine
point. This elongated extremity runs still obliquely, down-
wards and forwards, in a deep groove in the sclerotic, that

BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS. Wå

would be a perfect sheath were it not split lengthwise.
Through this slit, and through a corresponding one in the
choroid membrane, a fold or fluting of the nerve rises up,
finally attaining the inside of the eye. The retina spreads
out from all along the sides and extremities of this fold.
Only one other structure remains to be described— the
crowning anatomical peculiarity of a bird's eye. ‘This is
the marsupium, or pecten (f). Though attached at one end
to the optic nerve, it is not a part of the nerve at all, nor
composed of nervous tissue. It is a very vascular mem-
brane, most like the choroid in texture, and likewise painted
black. When fully extended, it is seen to be of an oblong
or rectangular shape; when lying naturally 2» situ, it is
much drawn up, and its sides are transversely wrinkled or
plieated. It is suspended in the vitreous humor, running
obliquely forwards a great part, or the whole of the way,
from the end of the optic nerve to the crystalline lens. In
the former case it appears attached anteriorly to some of the
laminz of the hyaline ; in the latter to the capsule of the lens.
Behind, it is always fastened to the optic nerve. It is called
the “marsupium,” because it does not in the least resemble
a purse or pouch; and the “pecten” because it does not
look anything like a comb. Anatomists have not agreed
upon what to consider as the function of this organ, nor upon
the guo modo of its operation. Some have thought that it
absorbs the superfluous rays of light that must often enter
the eye, because it is blackened with pigment. One who
adhered to this belief went further, considering that, from
its eccentric position, it absorbs mainly oblique rays, which
being taken away, objects placed in direct rays may be more
plainly perceived. Some, again, have regarded it, in con-
sequence of its vascular structure, as the organ that secretes,
or aids the choroid in secreting the vitreous humor ; an addi-
tional apparatus being needed for the elaboration of this
fluid, because it is used up so fast in the rapid and incessant

movements of the eye. But the theory now generally ac-
(3)

18 BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS.

cepted differs from all of these hypotheses, and makes out
the marsupium to be an "erectile" organ. Although no
muscular fibres have been shown to exist in it, yet it is
probably eapable of expansion and contraction much as if it
were muscular. It is a highly vascular structure, as we
have seen; and the increased or diminished turgidity of its
numerous blood-vessels* would, of course, alter its dimen-
sions. If it occupies a variable space in the vitreous humor,
it must affect the position of the lens, and by this means
change the focus of the eye. This seems to be the most
satisfactory explanation, both of the design of the marsu-
pium, and of the mode in which its design is carried out.
In this view, the organ is marshalled with several others
that we know contribute to the greatest physiological phe-
nomenon of a bird's eye, —the rapid adjustment of focus.

As anatomists, we have examined the structure, and posi-
tion, and appearance of the organs that make up a bird's eye.
But our study would be to little purpose if it ended here with
an inspection of dead tissues. We have seen some curious
things that, perhaps, have afforded us gratification, which is
well enough. as far as it goes; but curiosity is only laudable
when, disdaining amusement as an ulterior object, it is con-
tented only with a higher aim,—instruction. We must
look, as physiologists, at the operations of the eye, and the
mode in which its functions are conducted and accomplished.
All that has gone before is merely to prepare us to question
intelligently the structures we have examined, and find out
how they work.

Eyes are made to see with, of course; but how we see
with our eyes nobody knows. No one can tell us how an

* It is not apparent, at first sight, whence the marsupium gets its numerous vessels,
since it is not attached at all to the vascular membrane of the eye, —the choroid. Pro-
fessor Owen remarks on this subject: * Branches of the ophthalmic artery, distinct
from the vessels of the choroid, and homologous with the arteria centralis retine, enter
the eye between the laminz of the retina, along the whole extent of the oblique slit
in the sclerotic and choroid), and immediately penetrate the folds of the marsupial
membrane, upon which they form delicate ramifications.” (Anatomy of Vertebrates,
Vol. II, p. 139.)

BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS. 19

image formed on the retina is conveyed to the brain, and
transformed into a mental perception, capable of being
thought about. This is inscrutable; it is here the part of
wisdom to confess ignorance, and acknowledge bounds that
human reason cannot overstep. Nor have we need here to
go into the general optical laws applicable to vision; they
are well known, and moreover relate no more to a bird's eye
than to that of any other animal. What we want is to find
out the meaning of the structural peculiarities by which a
bird's eye differs from other eyes. What is the reason and
the purpose of the three eyelids? of the shape of the ball?
of the very abundant aqueous humor? of the movable lens?
of the marsupium? the tapering nerve? What special rela-
tion do these and other features bear to the sense of sight in
birds? In other words, why must a bird have just this sort
of an eye to be able to see perfectly? Some of these ques-
tions can be satisfactorily answered; others not. Some we
have already replied to as they arose in our mind invol-
untarily during our dissection. ‘Thus the third lid gives a
subdued light, without excluding light altogether; and also
protects the eye, which could not be otherwise protected
without closure of its outer opaque lids, and loss of sight
altogether. The very convex and highly refractive cornea
doubtless has some relation to a bird's ability to see straight
ahead, though its eyes look directly sidewise.

Perhaps no reason has been assigned for the singular
course and termination of the optie nerve. These have pos-
sibly no special optical relations; the cause may lie simply
in the relative situations of the brain and eye, which are
such, that the nerve would have to change its course ab-
ruptly to pierce directly through the sclerotic. We cannot
see through a crooked tube, any more than we can shoot
round a corner. Nerves are the railroads of thought. A
train of thought might run off the track if the curves and
grades were not easy. I believe that we find comparatively
few instances of abrupt angles in the course of nerves. If

20 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

we consider the marsupium as an erectile organ, we are not
content to understand how it erects itself, and what it ac-
complishes by erection; we want to know why it is neces-
sary or desirable that it should do what it does.

Putting together all that we do know of the operation of a
bird's eye; and from this inferring some things that we do
not know, we are irresistably led to the conclusion, that all
the essential peculiarities of a bird's eye conspire to produce
what we just now called its greatest physiologieal phenom-
enon —nstantaneous unerring adjustment of focus.

Study of the habits of birds makes the necessity of some
such faculty as this as evident as the fact of its existence.
This admirable provision relates in the most direct manner
possible to the rapid movements of birds in the air. As
they dash onward in their airy course, the eye accommodates
itself, if not with the speed of thought, at least with the
speed of flight, to ever-varying distances, and surrounding
objects, be they far or near, all alike rush into focus. With
our own eyes, we see at once a book before us, and a large
object in the distance. Push the book away by degrees ;
the letters run into words, words into lines, lines into para-
graphs, paragraphs into a solid page of dark, surrounded
by a white border; then ‘the edges of the cover gain a
film, the outlines soften, the thing becomes a spot, and
finally disappears. If a bird were in our place, it would
still see letters long after they had disappeared from our
view. Its eye would change in shape, and the structures
within alter in position, as the book moved off, slowly, grad-
ually, constantly, till the limit of its power was reached ;
and this limit it need not be said, far exceeds ours. Walk
towards the large object now indistinct in the distance.
How long we are in approaching it : how very slowly it takes
form as we advance, until it stands forth clearly in view!
Let a wild duck fly at the rate of ninety miles an hour,
towards the same object. How rapid must be the adjustment
of its eyes compared with ours! But these are among the

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS. 2d

moderate exhibitions of a bird's visual powers. Watch a
Humming-bird : it darts away so swiftly that our eyes cannot
follow it, and settles, light as a feather, upon a twig. We
do not know how far off it discovered the twig; but, at
whatever distance it was first brought into focus, the Hum-
ming-bird's eye adjusted itself during the fraction of a
second that the bird was flying: and the twig was in focus
at the instant the bird alighted upon it. Were we to move
with the same velocity, our eyes would fail us; they could
not accommodate themselves quick enough. See a Sparrow-
hawk dash through a thick clump of bushes in headlong
pursuit of its prey. Think you it rushes blindly, taking the
chances of escaping the close-set obstacles in its way? It
sees each stake and branch as it comes on, and avoids them
all. Had we a Sparrow-hawk’s power of flight we could not
follow him for want of his powers of vision.

Observe an eagle circling in the air. He is soaring aloft
higher and higher, till he becomes, to us, but a speck against
the blue expanse. As he turns towards the sun, a signal is
made, and quick as thought obedient servants obey the sum-
mons. ‘The nictitating membrane, asleep in its corner, starts
up and spreads over the cornea in an instant: the quivering
iris, ever on the alert, enfolds the crystalline lens in a close
embrace ; and the tranquility of the retina is undisturbed.
As he turns away, the enemy no longer harasses, and the
guards retire. Now the great bird prepares to scan the
ground below. His eye lies loosely in its socket; the mus-
cles relax; the marsupium lies torpid; the lens falls back ;
the cornea sinks ; the waters retire ; all are quiet. The retina
alone glows and thrills with excitement. He is now far-
sighted ; he descries an object on the earth smaller than him-
self, even from this vast height; and makes ready for the
fearful plunge. He poises a moment; the word is given; as
trusty sailors to their posts to save the good ship in a storm,
so' rush the sentinels of the eye into action. Down he
swoops; the muscles tauten, and the waters rush forward ;

22 BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS.

the cornea feels the pressure within, and starts out; the
marsupium stands erect, swelling and bristling all over, and
the lens leaps forward, while the iris flaunts the flag of
battle. Guided by such an instrument as this, the bird
comes down with unerring aim upon his quarry; he seizes it
in his talons; and now, become near sighted, well can he
see to perform the bloody work before him.

There is, perhaps, as much to be seen in a view of a bird’s -
eye, as ever lies within the bounds of a " bird's-eye view."

EN

of Natural cie ces of Philadelphia, Jan., 1868. }

us

EHE ALCID XE.

BY

= ELLIOTT COUES, A. M., M. D.

(ASS'T. SURGEON U. S. ARMY.)

PET A DAE E P HELAS
MERRIHEW & SON, PRINTERS,
No. 243 Arch Street,

A MONOGRAPH

OF

EHE ALCID A.

BY

ELLIOTT COUES, A. M., M. D.

(ASS’T. SURGEON U. S. ARMY.)

PHATE AD E EL P ETAN
MERRIHEW & SON, PRINTERS,
No. 243 Arch Street,

1868.

A Monograph of the ALCIDE.

BY ELLIOTT COUES, A.M., M.D.
Assistant Surgeon United States Army.

* Hine bonus Moehringivs, boni Brissonivs, Kleinivs, Linnaé cet. sed in medio in omnes
veritas et Naturz ordo "— Pallas.

The Alcidæ contained in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington; the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; the Society of
Natural History, Boston; the Essex Institute, Salem; and in the private cabi-
net of Mr. Geo. N. Lawrence, of New York, have been examined in the prepa-
ration of the present memoir. The writer tenders his acknowiedgements to
the officers having immediate charge of these collections, for numerous favors
shown him, in a variety of ways, during the prosecution of his researches.

Nearly all the known species of the family are represented in the several
collections above named; and the libraries of these Institutions contain all
needed works of reference. Being based upon such ample data, this monograph
ought to embody all that is known of the Alcidæ in a technical point of view,
and constitute a fair exponent of the same. The writer ventures to indulge
the hope that it may not be found to fall far short of this standard.

Before proceeding to the proper matter of the subject, it may be well to
glance at what has already been done in this family of birds. Following is a
list, in chronological order, of the principal works in which Alcidæ are made
more or less of a specialty, with remarks upon each. It is obviously by no
means a bibliography of the family; only those works being noticed in which
some special point is presented. It may pass, however, for a reviewing sketch
of the literature of the subject, and as such may be valuable and helpful to the
student. Consultation of most of the works mentioned below is absolutely
necessary to a correct understanding of the subject, except in so far as it may
be obviated by perusal of the text of the present paper.

I. Review of the Literature of the Family.

Certain species of Alcide made their appearance in the very earliest ornitho-
logical writings of which we have any knowledge, long before the establish-
ment of the science upon any fixed and recognized basis. However desirable
it may be—as well in justice to early authors, as tending to bring the whole
subject in the strongest light—to collate and identify, as far as possible,
the older names of these species, the attempt to cite as authoritative names
and descriptions which antedate the foundation of the binomial system
of nomenclature would be at once embarrassing and profitless. There must
be a fixed initial point for the commencement of authority in the matter of
names in the existing system of zoological nomenclature; otherwise a writer
might adopt names at pure caprice; in which event the species he treats of
would be recognizable only by synonymy adduced, or descriptions appended,
and names would fail of their proper purpose by becoming simply indices of the
extent of his philological research. The date of the tenth edition of the Sys-
tema Natura furnishes an unobjectionable starting-point, beyond which in-
vestigation need only extend from motives of curiosity ; and is on several ac-
counts more eligible than the date of the twelfth edition.

Moehring, a mononomial author whose work appeared in 1752, has very fre-
quently been quoted as authoritative, notably, among European authors, by
Gray, and among American by Cassin, Baird, Bryant and others, including the
present writer. Five genera of Aleidæ are instituted in this work of Moehring's :
(al Chenalopex, based on Alca impennis ; (2) Spheniscus, upon Fratercula arctica ;
(3) Arctica, upon Mergulus alle; (4) Vria (sc. Uria), upon U. grylle; and (5)
Cataractes, upon Lomvia troile. Of these five, Arctica and Cataractes have never

4

come into use, except in an isolated instance or two; Uria is in universal em-
ploy, accredited, however, as it should be, to a later writer ; Spheniscusis used,
in an entirely different acceptation, for a genus of Penguins; and Chenalopex
for an Anserine genus. These names, though all positively identified, will not
be countenanced in their Mcehringian acceptation, for reasons just mentioned.

(1758.) Linnmus, Syst. Nat., ed. x.—The Linnean genus Alca at this date
comprehended six species, to wit: impennis, torda, “ pica," arctica, lomvia, alle.
Two Guillemots—grylle and froile—are presented under the genus Colymbus.
Excluding from these eight species Alca “ pica," which is the winter plumage
of torda, we have at the outset of authoritative records seven Linnean names,
for as many valid species, representing as many distinct genera. The twelfth
edition (of 1766) gives us nothing new.

1760.) Brisson, Ornithologia.—This author gives excellent descriptions of
the then known species, but adds no new valid ones, though several stages of
plumage are characterized under distinctive names. He was a polynomialist
—to our lasting regret, and his great misfortune—and therefore not authorita-
tive in the matter of species. With those, however, who quote him for genera,
his Fratercula will stand as the name of the genus of which Alea arctica Linn.
is the type; and his Uria for that one typified by Uria grylle.

(1764.) Brunnicu, Ornithologia Borealis.—This author was a strict binomi-
alist ; the question of the adoption of his names only hinges upon the accepta-
tion of Linnzus at 1758 or at 1766. Brünnich's names are in general employ,
as they should be. The chief point of this work, regarding the Auks, is the
characterization of Uria ringvia, which, though known long before, had been
usually referred to troile. Brünnich describes the young or winter plumage of
Utamania torda under the names *unisulcata" and “ balthica ;” the young
Fratercula arctica as ** Alca deleta ;" the albino Mergulus alle as “Alca candida;"
various plumages of Uria grylle as “ grylloides," “balthica,” and (No.
116). Brünnich's “ Uria lomvia " is Colymbus troille Linn. ; his “ Uria troille ”
and “ Uria svarbag " are both Alca lomvia Linn.; his * Uria alga” is ringvia
Brünn. in winter plumage. His descriptions, though brief, are all recognizable.
(Species now eight.)

(1769.) Pautas, Spicilegia Zoologica, fasc. v.—Among the writers of the 18th
century, no one contributed so much to a knowledge of the Alcidæ as Dr.
Pallas. He introduced more new valid species than any other writer, and gave
us our first knowledge of some of the curious forms from the North Pacific.
His works claim the high eulogium, that every one of the species they contain
are identifiable from the descriptions, and that a species is very rarely twice de-
scribed as new. In the Spicilegia four species are for the first time described:
Alea cirrhata, A. psittacula, A. cristatella and A. tetracula. A white state of
plumage of Uria grylle (or possibly of U. columba) is described as “ Cephus
lacteolus." The four species above mentioned are well described, and illus-
trated by plates. (Species now twelve.)

(1785.) PENNANT, Arctic Zoology.— Although the author used only vernacular
names, his work must be here considered, since in it four species are for the
first time presented. These are the “ Antient Auk” (for which the author is
indebted to Dr. Pallas’ MS.), the * Labrador Auk," the * Pigmy Auk,” and the
* Marbled Guillemot." The second and third of these are very dubious spe-
cies, which have never been located to the entire satisfaction of ornithologists
(cf. infra, under head of Fratercula arctica and Simorhynchus pusillus) ; the first
and fourth are good species. In this work the future Uria columba is hinted
at, but not named, (Species now fourteen.)

(1788.) GMELIN, Systema Nature.—In this compilation by the professional
plagiarist nothing new is given, but some points require notice. The genera
Alca and Colymbus retain, in general, their Linnean signification. Pennant’s
four species, above noticed, appear in proper Latin garb, as Alca antiqua, A.
labradorica, A. pygmea and Colymbus marmoratus; Pallas’ four species are

5

continued. “ Cepphus lacteolus" Pallas re-appears as “ Colymbus lacteolus."
Linneus’ “ Colymbus ” troille is repeated, of course; but the other two species
of Murre, though having already made their débüt, are discontinued, unless
one of them is intended by a certain * Colymbus minor" Gm., for which
Brünnich's Nos. 110, 111, are cited. Alca * pica" and A. “ balthica” are
perpetuated. (No additions; species still fourteen.)

(1790.) Larnam, Index Ornithologicus.—This is the one of Dr. Latham's seve-
ral works in which species are binomialized, and it is therefore the authorita-
tive one. Except in adopting Uria (after Brisson), the Index is nearly a repeti-
tion of Gmelin. Wehave nothing new, except the first unequivocal indication
of Uria columba in Latham's “ Uria grylle Var. B, from Aoonalaschka ” (* fascia
alarum gemina alba," which was “grylle Var. A” of Latham’s Synopsis, vol.
ii.) “Alca candida” Brünn. and “ Cepphus lacteolus " Pallas—both of which
are merely albinos—still hold their ground; but the nominal species based
upon the plumages of Utamania torda, hitherto rampant, subside into “ varie-
ties.” (Species still fourteen.)

(1790.) BONNATERRE, Encyclopedie Methodique, Orn.—Genus Pinguinus insti-
tuted, with Alca impennis L. as type. A certain “ Uria nivea” is named, for
which the author quotes Pallas, Spec. Zool. v. p. 33 (“ lacteolus ”; — albino
grylle or columba).

(1794.) Donnporrr (Jonan AuGusT), Beyträge Zoologische, zweyter band,
erster theil.—The great synonymist of the eighteenth century, as he fairly de-
serves to be called, gives no descriptions, but laboriously collates astonishing
lists of synonyms. In the cases of some well-known birds, the citations stretch
over several pages, giving one such an idea of the extent of the ornithological
literature of the last century as could hardly be gained from any other work.
Donndorff follows Linnzus in his reference of the Auks to two genera, Alca
and Colymbus ; the now sub-family Urine composing his“ Colymbi mit dreyze-
higen Füssen," as distinguished from the four-toed Divers proper. With this
author Alea “pica” and “balthica” revive; A. *labradorica" and A. “ pyg-
mea” continue in their original significance ; Pallas’ four species remain, and
also his nominal species *lacteolus ;" five varieties of grylle are enumerated,
of which Var. “ B" is columba. By the names ** Colymbus minor " and “ troile?
the author probably intends to distinguish two species of Murre, but his syno-
nyms are inextricably confused. The var. “y” of troile is, however, unmis-
takeably rengvia of Brünn.

Such was the general status of Alcidine literature as it came from the hands
of the writers of the eighteenth century. We have fourteen well-known valid
species, and indications of the fifteenth ( Uria columba).

(1801.) Leprcuin, Nova Acta Petrop. xii.—Alca camtschatica described.
(Species now fifteen.)

(1811.) PALLAS, Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica.—Dr. Pallas for the second time
comes forward to take a long step in advance of his contemporaries, with nu-
merous new species from the North Pacific, and with a more extensive sub-
division of the family. Six valid new species are described : to wit, “ Cepphus "
columba, “ Cepphus " carbo, * Alca” monocerata, “ Uria” aleutica, * Uria ” dubia,
and * Uria" pusilla. Four known species are re-named: the Antient Auk
being called “ Uria senicula," the Camtschatkan Auk “ Uria mystacea,” the
thick-billed Guillemot “ Cepphus arra," and the marbled Guillemot “ Cepphus
perdix” “Cepphus lomvia,” Pallas, equals “ Uria lomvia,” Brünnich, equals
“ Colymbus ” troile, Linneus. As in 1769, Dr. Pallas calls the Guillemots all
“ Cepphus;” all the other Auks are consigned to “ Uria” except the Puffins, for
which the generic name “ Lunda ” (after Gesner) is employed. Alca psittacula
is ranged in this genus. (Species now twenty-one.)

(1811.) ILLIGER, Prodromus.—Genus Mormon instituted for the Puffins.
(1816.) VIEILLOT, Analyse.—Genus Mergulus (after Ray) adopted for Alca alle

6

Linn. Genus Larva instituted for the Puffins. Genus Alca “ Linn." adopted
fer cristatella.

(1818.) Transactions of the Linnzan Society, xii.—Sabine re-names the thick-
billed Guillemot, as “ Uria Brünnichii ;" Leach, a few pages further on, bestows
another name on the same bird,—-'* Uria Francsii.”

(1819.) Murrem.—Genus Simorhynchus instituted, with Alca cristatella Pallas,
astype. (Fide G. R. Gray.) y

(1820.) Temmincx, Man. Orn., ii.—Genus Phaleris instituted, with psittacula
Pall. as type; containing this species and cristatella Pall.

(1821.) Naumann, sis, p. 779, pl. 7—The three known species of Fratercula
(* Mormon," Ill.) are reviewed, with figures of the heads. A fourth species,
Mormon corniculatum, is added. (Species now twenty-two.)

1823.) LICHTENSTEIN, Verzeichniss, etc.—Alca camtschatica Lepechen is re-
named *Mormon superciliosum." A certain * Uria Mandtii" is established,
which is frequently quoted as a synonym of Uria columba, but appears to be
rather an imperfect state of plumage of grylle.

(1824-5.) STEPHENS. Continuation of Shaw's Gen. Zool., xii., xiii.— The species
of the sub-family Urine are all included in the genus Uria; the type of the
genus—grylle—is re-named “scapularis.” Phaleris Temm. is adopted for the
Starikis, comprehending psittacula, tetracula, cristatella and “pygmea,’ the
latter being the same as Gmelin’s species of that name. Fratercula Briss. is
adopted for the Puffins, though SyntMiboremphus antiquus is included in the
same genus. F. glacialis Leach appears.* Ray’s specific name for Mergulus
alle—melanoleucus —is adopted. Utamania n. g.,f based upon A. torda, is in-
stituted ; Alca “ pica" is also ranged under it as a valid species,—making its
last appearance upon the ornithological stage. (Species now twenty-three.)

(1827.) Bonaparte, Zoological Journal, iiiiAlca monocerata Pall. redes-
cribed as “ Phaleris cerorhynea."

(1828.) BoNAPARTE, Syn. Birds U. S. in Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. ii.—Alca
monocerata Pall. redescribed as ‘Cerorhinca occidentalis." In a foot note,
under head of “ PAaleris cristatella Temm.," Bonaparte quotes: “Alca cristatella
et pygm:a, crested or flat-billed Auk, Lath. syn. iii. pl. 95, fig. 4. Phaleris
cristatella Pl. Color. No. 200.{ Alca cristatella Vieill. Gal. Ois. p. 297.” (!)

(1828.) Vicors, Zoological Journal, iv.— Uria brevirostris” named. This is
undoubtedly the young of a previously known species of Brachyrhamphus, but
has never been positively identified. It is usually regarded as the young B.
marmoratus.

(1829.) ESCHSCHOLTZ, Zoological Atlas.—Genus Chimerina instituted upon
Alca monocerata, Pall., and the species called * Chimerina cornuta.” Genus
Ombria instituted upon Alca psittacula, Pall.; upon which Temminck had pre-
viously based his Phaleris.

(1829.) Kaup. .—Genus Cyclorrhynchus instituted upon Alca psittacula
Pall. (Fide G. R. Gray.) .

(—?) TEMMINCK, Planches Coloriées. (No. 579).—“ Uria” Wurmizusume des-
cribed and figured. (Species now twenty-four.)

(1837.) Branpt, Bull. Sc. Acad. Imper. St. Petersburg, ii.—During the time
between the close of Dr. Pallas! labors and the appearance of Prof. Brandt's
paper, there was a great deal of subdividing a nd re-arranging of the A/cidz, and
much sawing of the air in a variety of ways; but, beyond the addition of three
species, nothing new or specially noteworthy was put forth. Prof. Brandt
originates a new classification of the Auks, (the first one which lays claim to
any truly scientific character), institutes several new genera, and describes four
new species, besides re-naming some others.

* This species must have been previously named elsewhere, since Naumann has it in
the Isis in 1821; perhaps in the Trans. Linn. Soc. of 1818, or thereabouts.

+ Named in 1816.

t Pl. Color. No. 200 represents camtschatica Lepechin, not cristatella Pallas.

7

The Auks are primarily divided into two “tribes,” called “ Pterorhines" and
* Gymnorhines." Under the former are ranged the true Auks, the Guillemots,
and the Sea-dove ; the latter comprehends all the rest of the family. The cha-
racter is found in the feathering or nakedness of the nostrils. This scheme is
spoken of more at length further on, and therefore need not be here criticised.

The new genera are numerous. Of these Brachyrhamphus, (type marmoratus,)
Lomvia, (type troile,) Synthliboramphus, (type antiquus,) and Ptychoramphus,
(type aleuticus,) are all valid, and were much needed. On the contrary, Tylo-
rhamphus, (type cristatellus,) Ceratoblepharum, (type arctica,) and Gymnoblepha-
rum, (type cirrhata,) were not called for, being antedated respectively by Simo-
rhynchus Merrem, (1819,) Fratercula Brisson, (1760,) and Lunda Pallas, (1811.)

The founding of a subgenus, Apobapton, upon the type of Brachyrhamphus, is
out of order. In the choice of names for the two subdivisions of Uria the au-
thor is unfortunate in taking the specific designation of the types of these ge-
nera, particularly in the case of Lomvia, which must stand for the genus of
which ¿roile is typical, necessitating a change in the specific appellation of one
species of that genus, whose synonymy was already overburdened.

The four new species are Phaleris microceros, Brachyrhamphus Wrangelii, B.
brachypterus, and B. Kittlitzii. Of the three last, Wrangelii is only to-day iden-
tified ; the other two remain unknown, except by Brandt's description. Brachyp-
terus is said to have the tarsi longer than the middle toe, which distinguishes
it from all the known species of the genus. Avttlitzii is evidently a young bird,
and probably nota valid species. It is very near Uria brevirostris, Vigors, if
not the same, and may be the young either of marmoratus or Wrangelii. The
present monograph does not recognize it as valid, leaving only three really
new species to be attributed to Brandt's paper.

Brandt identifies and retains Uria dubia Pall. under name of Phaleris dubius ;
Alca pygmea Gm. as Uria pusilla Pall., under name of Phaleris pygmea. Uria
Wurmizusume Temm., Pl. Color. 579, is renamed Brachyrhamphus (Synthlibo-
ramphus) Temminckii. Alca monocerata Pall. is renamed Cerorhina “ orientalis,"
probably through a lapsus calami for occidentalis Bp. (Species now twenty-
seven.)

(1836.) BONAPARTE, Geographical and Comparative List.—Phaleris microceros
Brandt is renamed as Phaleris “ nodirostra."

(1839.) Vieors, Zool. Voy. Blossom.—Alca antiqua Gm. is renamed as “ Mer-
gulus cirrhocephalus."

(1839.) AvpvBow, Orn. Biog. v.—Colymbus marmoratus Gm. is renamed
* Uria Townsendii.”” Audubon’s figure of the supposed adult bird may be
really Brachyrhamphus Wrangelii Brandt. His figure of the supposed young is’
really the adult B. marmoratus.

(1845.) GAMBEL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phila.—Uria aleutica Pall. is renamed
as * Mergulus Cassinii."

(1849.) Gray and MITCHELL, Genera of Birds, iii—A great blemish is the
inclusion of the Penguins as a subfamily of the Alcide, coming in between the
Starikis and the Murres. Otherwise the arrangement here adopted of the Al-
cide is as faultless as any ever proposed. Three subfamilies are recognized :
Alcine for the true Auks and the Puffins; Phaleridine for the Starikis; and
Urine, for the Guillemots. (This arrangement is noticed further on in con-
nection with Prof. Brandt’s paper, under head of the general characters of the
family). Fratercula Briss. is adopted for the Puffins; Phaleris Temm. for all
the Starikis, except Alca monocerata Pall., for which Cerorhina Bp. is used;
Brachyrhamphus Brandt, in the same acceptation as used by its founder; Uria
Briss. forthe Guillemots ; and Arctica Moehring, for the Sea-doves. Under the
head of the latter, besides alle, are ranged cirrocephalus, Vigors, and Cassinii,
Gambel, with the exception of which, the lists of species are very accurate
and very full. Alca pygmza Gmel. is identified with Uria pusilla Pallas;
Uria Mandtii Licht. is used for Cepphus columba Pallas.

(1851.) BONAPARTE, Proc. Zool. Soc. London.—A new genus and species

8

described—Sagmatorrhina Lathami, with which Alca labradoria Gm. is
identified. (Species now twenty-eight.)

(1856.) BowaPanTE, Comptes Rendus, xlii.— That portion of the Tableau
Comparatif des Pelagiens which regards the Auks represents very nearly the
classification now most in vogue, founded by Mr. G. R. Gray. The family is
divided into three subfamilies-- A/cinz, embracing only two species; ORhaleridine,
comprising all the Starikis; and Urinæ, including the Guillemots. Itis thus
the same as Gray's arrangement, except in excluding the Penguins; but in its
minor details it is unique in several features. The genus Pinguinus, Bonna-
terre, is adopted, and Alca left for torda. Simorhynchus, Merrem, is taken for
its type, (eristatellus) and Phaleris, Temminck, for its type. (psitfacula;) the
other small Phaleridines are ranged under 7ylorhamphus Brandt, except micro-
ceros, which is put under Ciceronia, Reichenbach. Uria is subdivided into
Lomvia Brandt for the larger species, and * Cephus" Pallas for the smaller
ones. Mostof these points are tenable, but some are not. Some very obvious
improprieties are evident in the handling of the species. Thus Bonaparte in-
sists on retaining “occidentalis” and “ nodirostra,” two names of his own
that he knew were antedated, one by monocerata Pallas, and the other by
microceros, Brandt. Uria columba is ranged as a synomym of grylle, while
Mandtii is allowed to take its place. The Uria “unicolor” Benicken,
which, according to the best authority, is only a state of plumage of grylle,
is given as a valid species, and referred to a different subgenus. In this
paper, as in others written towards the close of the life of the great ornithol-
ogist, may be discerned an inclination to lead opinion by the mere weight of a
name, or force of personal authority.

(1858.) Cassin, in Baird's Birds of North America.—Bonaparte’s article just
spoken of is made the basis, in a general way, of Mr. Cassin’s paper, but with
some important modifications. Only two subfamilies are admitted, A/cinz and
Urinz, the former comprehending the Auks proper and the Starikis. Chenalo-
pex Moehring is used as a subgeneric appellation for Alca impennis. Mormon
Illiger is used for the Puffins, with Lunda Pall. and Fratercula Briss. as sub-
generic divisions. Phaleris Temm. is employed generically for the majority of
the Phaleridine forms, with Sémorhynchus Merrem, Tylorhamphus Brandt, and
Ciceronia Reichenbach, as subgeneric divisions. The erroneous assignment of
Tylorhamphus is the same as that made by Bonaparte. The forms not included
under PAaleris are each given independent generic rank. A new species of
Cerorhina is described—C. Suckleyi—for a discussion of which the reader is re-
ferred further on. Among the Urine, the genus Uria Moehring is subdivided,
after Keyserling and Blasius, into two subgenera—Uria proper and Cataractes
Moehring. Brachyrhamphus Brandt is adopted for the Murrelets,* with Apobap-
ton Brandt as a subgenus.

This article treats of all the known species of the family, and is, in fact, a
monograph of the subject, at once very accurate, and, as far as it goes, com-
plete. Excellent descriptions, in most cases original, are given, together with
many synonyms, lists of specimens in the museum of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution and Philadelphia Academy, and critical and explanatory remarks.
Although the present writer does not endorse all of the opinions maintained
in this article, he considers it as by far the best that has ever appeared in
print. (Species now twenty-nine.)

(1859.) Xantus, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phila.—Brachyrhamphus hypoleucus,
a new species, described. (Species now thirty.)

(1861.) Bryant, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. ITist.—‘ A monograph of the genus
Cataractes Moehring,” with full lists of synonyms, and very accurate descrip-
tions. The family is named ^ Plautide ” after Klein. The genus is considered
in its restricted sense, including only ¿roile Linn., ringvia Brünn., and lomvia

* The present writer proposes this English name for the species of Brachyrhamphus.

9

Linn., to which a new species, C. Californicus, is added. This is a very valua-
ble contribution. (Species now thirty-one.)

(1862.) Newron, bis, Oct. From among the many contributions to the
Natural History of the Great Auk, this admirable paper is selected for special
mention, both as embodying about all that was known upon the subject pre-
vious to its publication, and as containing the results of the diligent and care-
ful researches of the author and Mr. J. Wolley, in Iceland. It is probably the
best article upon the subject extant; to which the reader may refer in full
confidence that he will find an epitome of our present knowledge. Mr. New-
ton is of opinion that the Great Auk may still live. He attributes the extinc-
tion to which itis surely doomed, mainly to direct human interference. The
paper is again referred to, and quoted, in the present memoir.

(1867.) SocenurEGEL, Catalogue of the Museum of the Pays-Bas, livraison ix.
The article ** Alca” is in one sense nearly a monograph of the subject, since
the greater part of the species of the family are represented in the Museum of
the Pays-Bas, and therefore admitted as valid by the author. Unfortunately,
however, the author's ultra-conservatism, on matters specific as well as
generic, does not allow him to keep pace with the progress of science, and as
a consequence, his system of nomenclature and classification is simply curious.
One seeks in vain to divine the reason for the maintenance and expression of
such peculiar views, unless it be the author’s intention to administer a sort of
counter-irritant as a remedy against Brehmomania, or to launch a severe
satire against the “furor genericus,” and other crying evils of the day. Such
extreme views, if discreetly indulged for either of the charitable purposes just
suggested, are perhaps excusable ; the only question is, whether the remedy is
not worse than the disease.

Aside from its value as a Museum Catalogue, the present article is chiefly
useful for its accurate indications of different stages of plumage, of differences
in dimensions of variable species, and as affording some interesting data in
the way of locality. The “genus Alca” is made to hold all the A/cinx and
all the Urine. The Starikis appear under the genus Simorhynchus; the Puffins
under Lunda. It is impossible to subject this arrangement to criticism, since
in it there is nothing approaching a classification, and arbitrary illogical
opinion is not to be brought under critical review. The common Guillemot
appears as “ Alca lomvia,” though no point of synomymy is more incontestible
than that its proper specific name is troile. .R/ngvia is considered as a variety
of the same. Uria columba is not regarded as valid, apparently because the
wing-patch of Uria grylle is well known to vary in its characters. Alca
pygmea Gm., Uria pusilla Pall. and Phaleris microceros are thrown together
under the common name of “ Simorhynchus pygmeus.” Alca fetracula Pall.,
and Uria dubia Pall., are both regarded as the young of eristatellus. Sagma-
torrhina Lathami, Bonaparte, and Cerorhina Suckleyi, Cassin, are both referred
to Alea monocerata, Pallas. Mormon glacialis leach is not recognized. The
Brachyrhamphi are not included; but the highly characteristic remark occurs,
(p.21) “Il convient d'étudier de rechef les oiseaux décrits sous les épithètes
de Kittlitzii, Wrangeli et brachyptera, et méme l'Alca marmorata ” !

(1867.) SALVADORI, Descr. Alt. Nuov. Uce. Mus. di Torino.— Uria Craveri
described. This a new Brachyrhamphus from California, closely allied to B.
hypoleucus. (Species now thirty-two.)

Of the thirty-two species noted in the preceding paragraphs, and held to be
valid, twenty-eight are contained in the various American collections to which
the writer has had access, and are in the present paper identified and described
directly from the specimens themselves. The four species not examined are:
“Uria” dubia Pallas; Brachyramphus brachypterus Brandt; Sagmatorrhina
Lathami Bonaparte ; and “ Uria” Craveri Salvadori. Of the two last the writer
has received some information through private channels, beyond that con-
tained in the published papers; of the two first he knows nothing, except from
the original descriptions.

10

A new and very curious species of Simorhynchusis described in the following .
pages, making a total of thirty-three.

II. Of the characters of the Family, and its sub-divisions.

The Auks form a very natural family of birds, distinguished by marked and
unmistakable characters from any other. With a single exception,* there is
no bird found to present in any notable degree a leaning towards the pecu-
liarities of the Alcidæ; and the members of the family, without exception, pre-
serve intact those characters which define the group so trenchantly, showing
in no single instance a tendency to aberration. The rigidness with which it is
possible to circumscribe the A/cidz is in the highest degree satisfactory, in a
class of animals in which the recognition and definition of subordinate groups
is peculiarly difficult. ,

The natural place of the family in our ornithotaxis appears as definite as the
characters which separate its forms from other birds. By common consent,
the Alcidæ are regarded as next to the lowest of birds. The degradation of the
type or ideal bird which the Auks represent is only carried further in one
family—the Spheniscide. From the latter, which is at the bottom of the scale,
we ascend one step to Alcidx; another brings us to the Colymbidz and Podici-
pide. These four families constitute the order Pygopodes, or the Brachypterous
Natatores. The position occupied by the Auks in this order is so evident as
not to admit of question

It is only necessary to allude to the wings of the Spheniscidæ, without dwell-
ing upon the point, to separate this family from the Auks. The tetradactylous
feet of the other two families distinguish them with equal facility. Auks are
brachypterous, brachyurous, tridactylous natatores, with lateral nostrils. This
expression is a perfect diagnosis.

The Auks are confined to the northern hemisphere. Some representatives
have been found as far north as explorers have penetrated. The great major-
ity live in more temperate latitudes. A more or less complete migration takes
place with most species, which stray southward, sometimes to a considerable
distance, in the autumn, and return north again to breed in the spring. A few
species appear nearly stationary. The most southern recorded habitat of any
member of the family is about latitude 219? N., on the Pacific coast of North
America, but this israther exceptional. The species are very unequally divided
between the two oceans. The Atlantic has but few representatives compared
with the Pacific. On the northern coasts of the latter the family reaches its
highest developement; the greatest number of species, of the most diversitied
forms, are found there, though the number of individuals of any species does
not surpass that of several Atlantic species. Comparatively few species are
common to both oceans. All the members of the family are exclusively ma-
rine.t They are decidedly gregarious, particularly in the breeding season,
when some species congregate in countless numbers. Usually one, often two,
rarely if ever three eggs are laid, either upon the bare rock or ground, or in
crevices between or under rocks, or in burrows excavated for the purpose.
Auks are all altrices, and are believed to be chiefly monogamous. The young
are at first covered with long soft wooly down; rarely stiffish hairs appear on
some parts. The moult is double. The young of the year usually differ from
the adults; the latter usually differ in their summer and winter plumages. A
very prevalent feature is the possession of crests or plumes, or elongated fea-
thers of a peculiar shape on the sides of the head. All the species walk badly ;
some scarcely walk at all. The position of the legs with reference to the axis
of the body necessitates an upright position when standing. The birds appear
to rest on their rumps, with the feet extended horizontally before them, most

* The genus Pelecanoides, of the Halodromine (Procellariidz), in all details of external
form, except those of the bill, is essentially like Mergulus.

T Uria grylle is found on the southern shores of Hudson's Bay; but this fact ean hardly
furnish an exception to the statement.

11

of the tarsus touching the ground. The Puffins, however, and a few others,
stand well on their feet. All the species but one, fly well, with rapid vigorous
motion of the wings, in a straight, firm, well-sustained course. All progress
on or under the water with the utmost facility. They are very silent birds ;
the voice is rough and harsh ; the notes are monotoned. They feed exclusively
upon animal substances procured from the water.

The uniformity of structure which obtains throughout the family has already
been mentioned ; the following paragraphs describe this structure in a general
way, so far as the details of external form are concerned :*

The general form is stout, compact and heavy. The body is depressed, flat-
tened underneath. The neck is short and thick. The head is large and heavy,
usually oval in shape, more or less flattened laterally, more or less drawn out
anteriorly, and sloping gradually on all sides to the bill, but sometimes ending
abruptly. The plumage about the head is very soft, dense, and short, except
those feathers which constitute the peculiar crest or lateral plumes already
mentioned. That of the upper parts is very closely imbricated ; that of the
lower is very thick, compact, elastic, and otherwise eminently fitted to resist
the action of water.

The bil, though constantly preserving certain characteristics, varies to a
remarkabie degree in the details of its shape. The broad statement may be
made, that no two species] of the family have bills identical in shape. So un-
ending is the variation in the bill, that in some cases great differences in shape
seem of scarcely more than specific consequence, as is especially the case in
the genus Simorhynchus. The bill in the great majority of species is more or
less compressed, sometimes excessively so ; it is frequently, however, nearly as
wide as high at the base, and more or less subulate. The contour of the bill
in many instances deviates from an ordinary staudard so much that the shape
may almost be called monstrous. A striking peculiarity of the bill in several
genera is the presence of supernumerary elements or accessory pieces, taking
the form of salient protuberances. These are usually developed on the culmen ;
in one instance on the gonys; in one at the angle of the rictus; in several
along the feathered base of the bill. Besides these appendages, there are often
found grooves and ridges on the sides of one or both mandibles. The culmen
is always more or less convex; in one instance it is bi-convex. The tomial
edges of the mandibles are more or less sinuate; sometimes nearly straight ;
usually decurved at the tip, and slightly notched; in one instance recurved.
The rictus is ample. The mandibular rami approach each other with a very
narrow angle, and soon join, producing a long gonys, which is usually nearly
straight. One genus has a very convex gonys; in two others the gonys runs
the whole length of the bill, there being no mandibular rami proper. The bill
is entirely horny, except in two species, in which a soft membrane overlaps the
base of the upper mandible; and in a third, where a peculiar knob is not
strictly corneous.

Tlie nostrils are basal, lateral, marginal, impervious; usually linear, or nar-
rowly oval; in a few instances placed further from the commissural edge of
the upper mandible, and nearly circular. The nasal fosse? are usually very
evident; are sometimes hidden by feathers; at others are wholly wanting.
The extension of the feathers into the nasal fossæ varies in degree, when it
occurs. In just about half the species the nostrils are naked; these usually
have no true nasal fosse. In the other half fossz occur; entirely obtected by
feathers in three genera; partially covered in the rest. The significance of
these features will receive further attention below.

"el cor hopes to bring forward, at some future time, a memoir on the anatomy of
e family.
T Cf. Nitzsch's Pterylography for pterylosis of Utamania torda.

i Is Uria ringvia specifically distinct from VU. troile?

In two genera, in which the excessive compression of the bill produces a very con-
Lune PR its amplification is provided for by means of a dilatable skin at the angle
of the mouth,

12

The wings are short. In no instance do they, when folded, reach to the end
ofthe tail. In one species they are so undeveloped in their terminal segments*
that the power of flightis abrogated. The first primary is always longest; the
rest rapidly and regularly graduated ; all taper to a sufficiently fine point. The
secondaries are very short, and broadly rounded. The primary coverts are
very long, reaching much more than half-way from the carpus to the end of
the first primary. The first row of secondary coverts reach nearly to the end
of the secondaries. The under wing coverts are very long. The axillars are
short or wanting. The wing as a whole is convex above, concave below, nar-
row, sharp, stiff, somewhat falcate. These points of structure are constant
throughout the family.

The tailis very short; its length is contained, on an average, about three
times in the length of wing from the carpaljoint. It is usually slightly round-
ed, sometimes nearly square, in a few instances pointed ; in a few more the
central rectrices are slightly shorter than the next pair. The individual feathers
are usually very obtuse at the end. Both sets of coverts are long; the inferior
usually reach nearly or quite to the end of the tail.

The feet are small, and placed far back, as has been said. The thighs are
contained within the general skin of the body. The legs are feathered nearly
or quite to the tibio-tarsal joint. "The tarsus is short, sometimes excessively
abbreviated, rarely equal to the middle toe without its claw, never (?+) longer.
It is usually much compressed, is sometimes almost as sharp as that of Colym-
bus, is frequently nearly as broad laterally as antero-posteriorly. Its covering
varies with different genera. It is usually reticulate behind and laterally, with
a row of scutelle in front, which rarely, however, if ever, extend its whole
length. In some genera it is entirely reticulate ; in others, the scutellation
extends on one or both sides. The tarsal envelope varies so much that it is
not available as a character for subdivisions higher than generic. The toes
are very long; the outer and middle always of nearly the same length; the
inner shorter, its claw just reaching the base of the middle claw. There is no
hind toe. Dissection reveals the rudiment of a hallux, which, however, is never
developed sufficiently to make even a well-marked prominence. The webbing
of the toes is complete. The claws are all moderately arched, compressed and
acute; the inner edge of the middle is more or less dilated; the middle is al-
ways the largest, except in two genera, which present the peculiarity of having
a very large semi-circular inner lateral claw, which, moreover, lies horizon-
tally instead of vertically.

That rigid adherence to the type of structure just described which all the
species maintain, while facilitating the recognition of the family as a family, is
a serious obstacle in the way of defining its subdivisions with precision. With
no very abrupt transition from one form to another, and without any very
marked modification of general features, the minor groups seem to be formed
mainly by the varying combination of the few differences in structure which
obtain in the family. The assemblage of characters, rather than the presence
or absence of particular features, in most cases determines the genera; andno
two species are absolutely alike in all points of form.

“Facies non omnibus una,
Nee diversa tamen, qualis decet esse sororum.”

In one of the ablest papers that has appeared upon this subject, Professor
Brandt divides the Alcide into two subfamilies: those with feathered, and
those with naked nostrils. In this arrangement the Guillemots stand next to
the typical Auk—A. torda. Viewed from any other standpoint the two forms

* Cf. Mr. A. Newton’s article in the “Ibis” for October, 1862. As there stated, the hu-
merus of Alca impennis is of normal size; the antibrachium, carpus and metacarpus, and
their quills, are shortened. :

, tBrachyrhamphus brachypterus is said by Brandt to have the tarsus longer than the middle
0e.

18

appear to represent the extremes of structure in the family; particularly in
regard to the bill, cultriform in one, subulate in the other. The two types are
by most authors placed at opposite ends of the generic chain, and separated
by all the Starikis. Attentive consideration of all the bearings of the case
may very likely result in the opinion, held by the present writer, that the dif-
ference between the views of Prof. Brandt and other writers is rather apparent
than real. It should be borne in mind that the Alcidæ are a family very rigid-
ly circumscribed, and one showing no tendency to aberration, or to connect
itself intimately with the families standing next to it on either side. Whether as
cause or consequence of this, the fact is indisputable, that the genera of Alcidx
are not strung along in a chain whose ends seem as it were to be linked with
the genera of other families; they tend, on the contrary, to aggregation in a
circle about a common centre. We may take any genus—it matters not
which—we shall find its closest ally to the right and to the left; and the cir-
cuit shall be complete when all the genera have been considered. To illustrate
this point: Prof. Brandt, like all other writers, takes the typical Alca as his
starting point. With the feathering of the nostrils as a fundamental feature,
Uria and its subdivisions must come next, then Jrachyrhamphus ; this leading
through Mergulzs into the true Phaleridines, by means of Ptychorumphus. Be-
ginning with those Phaleridines with the simplest bills, he progresses to those
with more complex bills, ending with Ombria, which last, through Cerorhina,
conducts to Fratercula, which ends the series. There is nothing strained or
forced in this; the succession of the genera is perfectly natural. But it so
happens that Fratercula is as closely, or even more closely, allied to Alca pro-
per than Uria is. We cannot disturb in any essential degree the generic series
of Prof. Brandt, but we could with entire propriety go directly from Alca to
Fratercula, and thence backwards over the same track, ending with Uria,
which would then be at the opposite extreme of the series. It is asserted,
without fear of reasonable contradiction, that to begin anywhere in this natural
series of genera and progress through it, is to be brought back to the starting
point

It is not, perhaps, possible to divide this generic circle without the exercise
of some arbitrary jurisdiction. If there be included in it two or more sub-
families capable of precise definition, the fact has eluded the writer’s research.
There are, however, in the series two places where a dividing line may be
drawn. Prof. Brandt drew but one, relying upon the single character which he
found to apply so well, albeit it may be an arbitrary one. Other writers have
made likewise but two subfamilies, differently framed however; the Alcinz, in-
cluding the true Auks, together with the Phaleridine forms, united because of
their short, stout, high bills; and the Urnz, separated on the ground of their
long, slender subulate bills. Others again, particularly Mr. G. R. Gray and
Prince Bonaparte, have drawn two lines, recognizing three subfamilies; and
this course appears to be the one that holds closest to nature, provided the
family be really susceptible of subdivisions higher than generic. By simply
reducing Prof. Brandt’s fundamental character to the level of one drawn from
the general structure of the bill, three subfamilies stand forth with tolerable
distinctness. The Alcinw have feathered nostrils and cultriform bills; the
Phaleridine, naked nostrils and cultriform bills; the Urine, feathered nostrils
and subulate bills. This certainly appears to be a distinction with a difference,
and will be so held in the present paper.

The arrangement of the Alcide here submitted is a modification of Professor
Brandt's, providing for the recognition of three in place of two subfamilies.
In this particular it is substantially the same as Mr. Gray's, but the sequence
of the genera is entirely different, and is nearly that of the first mentioned
author. Beginning with typical Alca it passes to Fratercula, and ends with
Lomvia, instead of passing to Lomvia and ending with Fratercula. But in
either case the collocation of the genera is essentially the same. It is believed

14

that this sequence of genera cannot be broken in upon to any considerable
degree, without the rupture of a natural series as a consequence.

Family ALCID.JE.

Cu.—Tridactylous, brachypterous, brachyurous Natatores, with lateral
nostrils.

A.—Subfamily Ancin#.—Not crested; with feathered nostrils; compressed
cultriform bill, much higher than wide at base, without appendages, but
grooved on the sides; tail pointed.

1. Alca.—Wings rudimental, not admitting of flight.
2. Utamania.—Wings fully developed, admitting of flight.

B.—Subfamily PHALERIDINÆ.—UÜsually crested, or with elongated feathers
on head; with naked nostrils; bill variable, always compressed, higher than
wide at the base, often with appendages; tail nearly even.

3. Fratercula.—Inner lateral claw very large, semi-circular, acute, hori-
zontal; bill excessively thin, its base ridged, its culmen simple, with one
curve; under mandible grooved; no crest; palpebral appendages; a furrow
in plumage behind eyes; tarsi anteriorly scutellate.

4. Lunda.—As in Fratercula; culmen with an accessory piece, and two
curves; under mandible smooth; long crests; no furrow in plumage ; no
palpebral appendages.

5. Ceratorhyncha.—Inner lateral claw normal; bill without a basal rim;
base of upper mandible with a prominent upright horn ; rami of lower man-
dible with an accessory piece; head with elongated feathers; tarsus ante-
riorly scutellate.

6. Sagmatorrhina.—Base of upper mandible overlapped by a soft mem-
brane ; no accessory piece on lower mandible ; otherwise as in Ceratorhyncha.

7. Simorhynchus.—Bill variable, usually with irregular outline or with
appendages; head with a crest or elongate feathers; tarsi reticulate.

8. Ptychorhamphus.—Bill stout, conico-elongate, wide at base, acute at tip;
base of upper mandible with transverse strie; upper border of nostrils
dilated, flaring ; no crests.

C.—Subfamily Urivm.—Nostrils more or less completely feathered; bill
elongated, more or less slender and subulate, without appendages or vertical
grooves; head not crested, (except in one species.)

9. Mergulus.—Nostrils nearly circular, not completely feathered; bill
stoutest and shortest in this section; tail much graduated; tarsi scarcely
compressed, anteriorly broadly scutellate.

10. Synthliborhamphus.—N ostrils broadly oval, incompletely feathered ; bill
stoutish, but much compressed; tail nearly even; tarsi excessively com-
pressed, anteriorly and internally scutellate.

11. Brachyrhamphus.—Nostrils oval, feathered; bill small, very slender;
tail short, little graduated; tarsi reticulate, very small and slender, not
compressed,

12. Uria.—Bill about equal to tarsus; gonys half the culmen ; nasal fossæ
wide and deep, not entirely filled with feathers; upper mandible with no
groove at tip; outer lateral claw grooved; tail contained 23 times in the
wing; tarsi reticulate; no furrow in plumage of head.

13. Lomvia.—Bill much longer than tarsus; gonys much more than half
the culmen; nasal fosse long and narrow, completely feathered; upper
mandible with a groove at tip; outer lateral claw smooth; tail contained
3% times in wing; tarsi anteriorly scutellate; a furrow in plumage behind
the eyes.

15

III.— Descriptions of Genera and Species.
1. Subfamily ALCINGE.
ALCA, Linnzus.

Chenalopez, Moehring, Av. Gen. 1752, p. 65, No. 68.
Alca, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. 1758 ; and of authors.
Pinguinus, Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn. 1790, p. 28.

Size largest in the family. Form heavy, compact, robust. Head large,
ovate, produced forwards. Neck moderately long, thick. Wings morpho-
logically perfect, teleologically rudimental, not admitting of flight, in length
from carpal joint to end of longest primary scarcely twice as long as tail ; when
folded not reaching the tail. Tail short, pointed. Legs short and stout.
Webs broad and full. Tarsi compressed; their anterior ridge and superior
surfaces of toes scutellate, lateral and posterior aspects reticulate, the plates
on the latter very small. Tibiz feathered nearly to the joint. Bill about as
long as the head, large, strong, very deep, exceedingly compressed. Upper
mandible with culmen about straight for half its length, then regularly con-
vex, tip obtuse, declinate, scarcely overhanging; a deep groove on its side at
base, parallel with the outline of feathers; its side then perfectly smooth for a
space, then deeply impressed with six to ten oblique curved sulci. Gape very
large, rünning far back; line of commissure nearly following that of culmen.
Eminentia symphysis slight; gonys nearly straight. Lower mandible two-
thirds as deep as upper, its sides impressed with six to ten straight, vertical
sulci. Feathers about base of mandibles short, very compact; extending
downwards from base of culmen, a little forwards, to commissural edge of
upper mandible; reaching much further on sides of lower mandible; wholly
covering the moderately long, very narrowly linear, impervious nostrils, which
are situated just above the commissure.

It is unnecessary to compare this genus with any other. Utamania, most
closely allied, is at once distinguished by its teleologically perfect wings,
though nearly identical with Alca in other points of structure. The only
known representative of the genus is remarkable, both for its large size, and
for not possessing the power of flight, in consequence of which it may be said
to represent, in the Northern Hemisphere, the numerous Penguins of the
Southern. By many ornithologists it is believed to have very recently become
nearly or quite extinct.

Rigid adherence to the law of priority would necessitate the use of a differ-
ent name for this genus. “Alca” was first applied by Linnzus, in 1744, to the
genus of which the bird now called Fratercula or Mormon arcticus is typical ;
and even as used by Linneus in 1758 it has torda as its recognized type, ac-
cording to that rule which regards the species first mentioned as type, when
none is otherwise indicated ; so that it cannot, with strict propriety, be used
atallin this connection. But the name has become so firmly established by
common consent and long usage, that it would be ruthless, as well as profit-
less, to attempt its supercedure by Chenalopex of Moehring, 1752 ; particularly
as this latter word has come into extensive employ for an Anserine genus.
The genus Alca, as framed by Linnzus in 1758, included both torda and im-
pennis; and when restricted, by the generic separation of these two types, there
seems no good reason why the first mentioned should be regarded as more
peculiarly typical of the genus than the last. Should Alca be reserved for
Fratercula arctica, or for Vtamania torda, it will be apparent that numerous un-
warrantable innovations necessarily follow; while its employ in connection
with impennis entails no such consequences.

ALCA IMPENNIS Linn.

Chenalopez, Mcehring, Av. Gen. 1752, p. 65, No. 68. “Rostrum conoides,
conuexum, ad latera compressum, aliquot sulcis transuersis canalicula-

16

tum,” etc. Quotes Anser magellanicus, Clus. Worm. Raii, Will. Orn. 242,
and Alcæ species, Linn. ed. vi, gen. 52.

Alca (Chenalopex) impennis, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 900.

Mergus americanus, ** Charleton, Onom. Zoic. p. 96, No. 10." ** Nieremb, Exot.
lib. 10, c. 27,” fide Donndorff, Not Mergus americanus Cassin, 1853.

Alca major, Brisson, Ornithologia, vi, 1760, p. 85, pl. 7.

Alca impennis, Linnzus, S. N. ed. x, 1758,p. 130, No. 2. Id. ibid. ed. xii, 1766,
p.210, No. 2. Quotes Alca major Briss. and Mergus americanus Clus. Exot.
103. Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 26, No. 105. Gmelin, S. N. 1788, i, pt.
iij p. 550, No. 3. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 791, No. 1. Donndorff, Bey-
träge Zoologische, ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 817. Sander, Grösse u. Schónh. Natur.
i p. 243. Hermann, Tab. Aff. Anim. p. 150. Temminck, Man. Orn. ii, 1820,
p. 939. Stephens, Sbaw's Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 51. Bonaparte, Synop-
sis, 1828, p. 432. Audubon, Orn. Biogr. 1838, iv, p. 316. Brandt, Bull.
Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 345. Flemiug, Hist. Brit. Anim. 1842, p. 129.
Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 637. Thompson, Nat. Hist. Lreland, 1851, iii,
p. 238. Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, 1852, ii, p. 359. Steenstrup, “ Vi-
densk. Middell. for Aaret, 1855; Kjóbenhavn, 1856—57, pp. 33—116."
Newton, Ibis, 1862, p. , (Historical.) Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-
Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 13.

Pinguinus impennis, Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn. 1790, p. 29. Bonaparte,
Consp. Gv. Comptes Rendus, 1856, p. 774.

Description (from the specimen in the Philada. Acad.)—The white spot be-
tween the eye and bill is ovate in shape, its upper border a little straightened,
its small end towards, but not quite reaching, the bill, its large end extending
to, but not around, the eye; the width of the black space between it and its
fellow is rather more than half an inch. The back is dusky-black; other dark-
colored parts with a good deal of clear brown, especially on the head. The
under parts, including the tail coverts, are white, this color running far up on
the front of the neck in a narrowly acute angle. The under wing coverts are
ashy-gray. The secondaries are narrowly but distinctly tipped with white.
The bill is deep black, its sulci dull white. The feet are dark, their precise
color at present undefinable.

Dimensions.—“ Length about 30 inches;" wing 5:75; tail about 3:00; bill
along gape 4:25; chord of culmen 3:15; greatest width of bill -66; greatest
depth of upper mandible 1:00, of lower -66 ; tarsus 1°66; middle toe and claw
3:25; outer 3:00; inner 2:25.

The occurrence of this species on the coast of North America has not been
authenticated of late years. Perhaps the last instance on record is that given
by Audubon on page 316 of the fourth volume of ‘ Ornithological Biography."
“The only authentic account of the occurrence of this bird on our coast that I
possess, was obtained from Mr. Henry Havell, brother of my engraver, who,
when on his passage from New York to England, hooked a Great Auk on the
banks of Newfoundland, in extremely boisterous weather." This specimen was
not preserved. * When I was in Labrador," continues Audubon, “ many of
the fishermen assured me that the * Penguin,’ as they name this bird, breeds on
a low rocky island to the south-east of Newfoundland." The present writer
received similar assurances when in Labrador in 1860—the place designated
being the “ Funks." Audubon also states that “an old gunner residing on
Chelsea Beach, near Boston, told me that he well remembered the time when
the penguins were plentiful about Nahant and some other islands in the Bay."

Two specimens only are known to exist in any American museum. One is
in the Philadelphia Academy; its history is uncertain. The other, in the
Vassar College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., is the original of Audubon's plate and
description, as stated in the following note from Prof. Sanborn Tenny, favored
in reply to questions regarding it: * The Great Auk, presented to Vassar Col-
lege by J. P. Giraud, Jr., Esq., is in a perfect state of preservation. This spe-
cimen is the one from which Audubon made his drawing, and it was presented

B

to Giraud by Audubon himself. Neither Giraud nor myself has further know-
-ledge of it than what is contained in Audubon's works."

Concerning Mr. Audubon's specimen, Mr. Cassin remarks (B. N. A., p. 901),
that it was * obtained by him (Mr. A.) on the banks of Newfoundland ;" upon
which statement Mr. A. Newton (Ibis, Oct., 1862) observes: *In 1857 I was
assured by Mr. Bell, the well-known taxidermist at New York, who knew Mr.
Audubon intimately, that he never possessed but one specimen of this bird ;
and if we turn to Prof. MacGillivray's ‘ History of British Birds’ (vol. v. p. 359),
we find him saying that he never saw but two examples of the species, one in
the British Museum, and ‘the other belonging to Mr. Audubon, and procured
by him in London," This serves to throw some little light on the history of
the specimen now in the Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

In the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for 1864, p. 235, is given, by
Mr. Robert Champley, “a list of the present possessors of the birds, skeletons
and eggs of the A/ca impennis ;" this gentleman being cognizant of the exist-
ence of twenty-seven skins, six skeletons, and fifty-three eggs. Dr. G. Hart-
laub (Bericht üb. d. Leist. in d. Naturg. der Vögel for 1864) remarks upon this
enumeration: * Es ist dieses Verzeichniss indessen sehr unvollstindig. So z.
B. geschicht des schónen Exemplares der Bremer Sammlung so wie des pracht-
vollen Ei's im Museum zu Oldenbung keine Erwähnung.” Mr. A. Newton,
on the subject of existing specimens, has (l. c.) the following: “If all the
stories we received can be credited, the whole number would reach eighty-
seven. I should imagine sixty to be about the real amount ;" and again: “It
is pretty evident that most of the specimens of the Great Auk and its eggs,
which now exist in collections, were obtained from Eldey between the years
1830 and 1844.*

Two eggs are contained in the Philadelphia Academy's collection.

Mr. Alfred Newton's paper in the “Ibis” for October, 1862, entitled “ Ab-
stract of Mr. J. Wolley's Researches in Iceland respecting the Gare-Fowl or
Great Auk (Alca impennis, Linn.)," is exceedingly valuable, being one of the
most complete and satisfactory histories of the bird ever published; and may
be consulted with the greatest pleasure and profit. The writer is at special
pains to correct the very prevalent erroneous impression, that the Great Auk
is a bird of high latitudes. His researches warrant his belief that * the Gare-
fowl has probably never once occurred within the arctic circle." Mr. Selby's
statement (Brit. Orn., ii. p. 433) of its occurrence in Spitzbergen is shown to
be unfounded; and notices of its occurrence in Northern Norway and in Green-
land are proven to be not wholly worthy of confidence. Mr. Newton brings
his extremely interesting history of the bird, as an inhabitant of Iceland, down
to the year 1844, when the last birds known to have occurred were caught and
killed; and as these may be regarded by some as the last of their race, he gives
ihe particulars of their capture. Mr. Wolley and himself obtained many spe-
cimens of bones, but found no traces of the living birds, though he says: “I
think there is yet a chance of the Great Auk still existing in Iceland."

UTAMANIA Leach.

Alca, Linneus, Syst. Nat. 1758 ; and of most authors. Type A. torda L.
Diomedea, Scopoli, 1777, fide G. R. Gray. Not of authors.
Torda, Duméril, Zool. Anal. etc. 1806. Same type.
Utamania, Leach, “Syst. Cat. etc. 1816;" Steph. Cont. Shaw's Gen. Zool.
xiii. 1825; and of many authors. Same type.
Size moderate ; form stout, compact, heavy ; head moderate, anteriorly pro-
duced, neck thick. Wings of moderate length, but fully developed, admitting

*“Tists of these, which are in the main correct, though I know ofa few that are omitted,
have lately appeared in the ‘Zoologist’ for the present year [1862], pp. 7853 and 7386, and
almost simultaneously in the ‘Field’ newspaper (Nos. 423 and 424, pp. 93, 114). Further
remarks on them will be found in the former journal (pp. 7387 and 7438).”—Newton, l. c.

2

18

of flight, reaching when folded beyond base of tail; more than twice as long
as tail from carpal joint to end of longest primary. ‘Tail rather short, pointed,
of somewhat stiffened, acuminate feathers, of which the central pair are elon-
gated and tapering. Legs short, stout; tibi: bare for a short space above joint ;
tarsi compressed, anteriorly with a single row of scutellz, posteriorly and late-
rally finely reticulate, shorter than the middle toe. Toes long, outer nearly
equal to middle, inner much shorter; interdigital membranes broad and full ;
claws short, stout, obtuse. Bill about as long as head, densely feathered for
half its length ; feathers on upper mandible extending beyond middle of com-
missure, nearly as far as those on lower mandible. Bill greatly compressed,
its sides flat, with several transverse sulci, its culmen ridged, regularly con-
vex; tip of upper mandible declinate, rather acute ; its base encircled by a pro-
minent ridge; gonys about straight ; commissure straight to tip, then sudden-
ly deflected. Nostrils just above cutting edge of bill, in its feathered portion,
just posterior to basal ridge, impervious, narrowly linear.

Comprising a single species, upon the varying plumages of which numerous
nominal species were established by the earlier authors. The employ of the
present name for the genus, instead of Alca of Linnzeus, 1758, is perhaps de-
fensible, npon the grounds alluded to ; although the reason for the non-accept-
ance by authors of Torda of Duméril as a generic designation is not apparent.
It would be easy to find, among the synonyms of the species, a trivial name
to replace Torda, should it become necessary to use this as a patronym.

UTAMANIA TORDA, (L.) Leach.

Alca torda, Linnzus, S. N. ed. x. 1758, i. p. 130, adult. Id. ibid. ed. xii. 1766,
i.p. 210; adult. Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 25, No. 100; adult. Gmelin,
S. N. i. pt. ii. 1788, p. 551. Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 793, No. 5. Donn-
dorff, Beytr. Zool. ii. pt. i. p. 819. Scopcii, Bemerk. Naturg. i. p. 81, No.
94. Müller, Zool. dan. Prodr. p. 16, No. 136. Pallas, Zoogr. R.-A. ii. 1811,
p.360. Temminck, Man Orn. ii. 1820, p. 936. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828,
p.431. Audubon, Orn. Biogr. iii. 1835, p. 112; v. p. 428, pl. 214. Gould,
B. Eur. v. 1837, p. pl.401. Brandt, Bull. Acad. St.-Petersb. ii. 1837, p.
345, Peabody, Rep. Nat. Hist. Massach. 1840, ii., Birds, p. 401. Fleming,
Hist. Brit. Anim. 1842, p. 130. Gray, Genera Birds, iii. 1849, p. 637. Thomp-
son, Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii. 1851, p. 235. Bonaparte, Consp. Gav. Comptes
Rend. 1856. Bryant, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. May, 1861, p. 73. Schlegel,
Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, p. 13. Samuels, Ornith. and Oól. of New
England, 1867, p 564.

Alca ( Utamania) torda, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 901.

Pinguinus torda, Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn. 1790, p. 29.

Utamania torda, Leach, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825, p. 27 ; quotes
* Alea Hoieri, Ray, Syn. 119." Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, ii. 1852, p. 346.
Coues, Pr. A. N. S. Philada. Aug. 1861, p. 249. Boardman, Pr. Bost. S. N.
H. Sept. 1862, p. 131. Verrill, ibid. Oct. 1862, p. 142. Verrill, Proc. Essex
Inst. iii. 1863, p. 160.

Alca pica, Linnzus, S.N. ed. xii. i. 1766, p. 210; immature or winter plumage.
Pallas, Spic. Zool v. 1769, p. 12. Fabricius, Fn. Groen, 1780, No. 51. Gme-
lin, S. N. i. pt. ii. 1788, p. 551. Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 793, No. 5;
var. 6 and y. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii. pt. i. 1794, p. 818; quotes “ Mergus
Belloni, Johnston, Av. p. 225." Müller, Zool. Prodr. p. 17, No. 138.
Hermann, Tab. Affin. Anim. p. 225. Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. 1811, ii, p. 361.

Pinguinus pica, Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn. 1790, p. 30.

Utamania pica, Leach, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825, p. 30.

Alca balthica, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 25, No. 101; immature, wanting
white line from eye to bill. Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii. 1788, p. 551. Müller,
Prodr. Zool. p. 17, No. 137. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii. pt. i. 1794, p. 819.

Alca unisulcata, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 25, No. 102; young, not having
obtained full size and markings of bill.

19

Alea minor, Brisson, Ornithologia, vi. 1760, p. 92, No. 3, pl. 8, fig. 2.
Alea glacialis et microrhyncha, Brehm.

Habitat.—European and American coasts of the Atlantic, from the higher
latitudes, in summer, to the 40°, or thereabouts, in winter. Very abundant.
Specimens in all the American museums, and most private collections. Breeds
in great numbers on the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and on the coasts
of Labrador and Newfoundland; in winter strays south to New Jersey. Arctic
seas of both hemispheres Rare, or accidental in the North Pacific. Japan!
(Sehlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas.)

Adult, in summer.—1lris bluish. Mouth chrome yellow. Bill, feet and claws
black; the former with a conspicuous curved vertical white line occupying the
middle sulcus of both mandibles, continuous from one to the other. A straight,
narrow, very conspicuous white line from eye to base of culmen, composed of
a series of very short stiff setaceous feathers, sunk below the level of the others.
Secondaries narrowly but distinctly tipped with white. Head and neck all
around, and entire upper parts black; this on the sides of the head, chin and
throat lustreless, velvety, tinged with fuliginous or brownish; on the upper
parts glossy and more intense in color. Inner webs of primaries light brownish-
gray at base. Entire under parts from the throat, including under surfaces of
wings white.

Adult in winter.—Upper parts lighter, duller, more brownish-black ; the white
of the under parts extending to the bill, and on the sides of the head and neck,
sometimes quite to the nape.

Young, first winter —Similar to the preceding; smaller, the bill weaker,
shorter, less elevated, less decurved at the tip. the culmen, rictus : nd gonys
straighter, the sides of both mandibles smooth, except in the presence of one
suleus; bill brownish-black, the sulcus white. Legs and feet reddish or
brownish-black.

Fledgelings.—Billvery small and slender; body clothed with smoky brown or
black down, lighter, or tending more or less to grayish- white below.

The white stripe from the eyes to the bill is very variable, though present in
the great majority of individuals. It always exists in the adults in summer
plumage, bnt is sometimes absent in specimens, apparently perfectly adult, in
winter plumage. Its presence does not seem to be amenable to any very gene-
ral or constant law: since it may be very evident in very young birds, not yet
fully fledged, and again absent in apparently mature specimens, as just stated.
In winter specimens it is frequently interrupted and irregular, wanting the
sharpness of definition which it has in all cases of adult specimens in summer
vesture.

Dimensions: Adult.—Length (average) 18:00, extent about 27-00,wing 7-75, tail
3:50, difference between outer and inner feathers 1:25 ; tarsus 1:25 ; middle toe
and claw 2-00, outer do. the same, inner do. 1-40; chord of culmen 1:30, its
curve 1:50; rictus 2:25 ; gonys 75; nostrils to tip :85; greatest depth of bill,
(just anterior to nostrils,) -90; greatest width of the corneous portion :30.

Young.—Length 15:00; extent 22-00; wing 7:00; tail 3:00; tarsus 1-00;
chord of culmen 100; rictus 1:75, gonys -60; greatest depth of bill -60;
greatest width :20.

No one of the many synonyms of this species involves any doubtful point,
all being based upon. the winter plumage, or upon the absence of the white
line, or upon an undeveloped condition of the bill. * Alca pica" was the
most firmly established of these, having held its ground until 1825 or there-
abouts.

2. Subfamily PHALERIDINZE.
FRATERCULA, Brisson.

Alca, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. 1744; and in part of subsequent editions; and of
the older authors.

20

Spheniscus, Moehring, Av. Gen. 1752. Not of authors.

Fratercula, Brisson, Ornith, 1760; and of many authors.

Lunda, Pallas, Zoog. R-A. 1811; in part.

Mormon, Illiger, Prodromus, 1811; and of most authors. Type Alca
arctica L.

Larva, Vieillot, Analyse, 1816. (Type Alca arctica L. fide Gray).

Ceratoblepharum, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Imper. St. Petersb. ii. 1837, p. 348. Type
Alca arctica L.

Bill rather longer than the head, or than the middle toe and claw nearly as
high at the base as long, exceedingly compressed, the sides nearly vertical, the
base of the upper mandible with an elevated horny ridge, entirely surrounding
it; the basal moiety of the upper mandible with its sides perfectly smooth,
forming an elongated oblique triangle with two curved sides ; terminal moiety
with three or four deep very oblique curved grooves, from commissure to
culmen, their convexity looking forwards. Under mandible without a basal
ridge, the basal moiety smooth, the terminal with grooves, in continuation of
those of the upper mandible. Culmen commencing on a level with the fore-
head, thence regularly declinate, very convex, with unbroken curve, its ridge
sharp, the tip acutely pointed, overhanging. Rictus perfectly straight, except
at the end; the angle of the mouth occupied by a circular callosity of mem-
branous tissue; gonys ascending, slightly sinuate, the keel sharp, terminating
posteriorly in a thin, elongated, almost hamular process. Nostrils placed just
over the commissure, linear, long, reaching nearly across the base of the
smooth triangular space of the upper mandible. No nasal fosse; both eyelids
furnished with prominent callosities, in one species developing into a slender
acute process. No crest; a peculiar furrow in the plumage behind the eyes,
as in Lomvia. Wings of ordinary length and shape. Tail contained two and
three-fifths times in the wing; the lateral feathers slightly graduated, the cen-

ral pair shorter than the next ones. Tarsus very short, only equal to the inner
toe withoutits claw ; stout, scarcely compressed, covered with minute reticu-
lations, except for a short space in front, which is scutellate. Outer toe about
equal to the middle; its claw shorter than that of the middle; middle claw
much dilated on the inner edge; middle and outer claws slightly curved, not
very acute, upright; inner claw very large, greatly curved, forming a semi-
circle, exceedingly acute, usually lying horizontal, not upright.*

A very peculiar, though well known genus of Alcide, without an intimate
ally except Lunda. The essential characters lie in the structure and config-
uration of the bill, the rictal and palpebral appendages, and the shape and po-
sition of the inner claw; although there are other features involved. Lunda
is crested, with no furrow in the plumage, no palpebral appendages, and a
very differently shaped bill.

Three distinct species represent the genus, as far as known. They are
all peculiarly boreal birds, not coming far south even in winter. One is ex-
tremely abundant on the shores of the North Atlantic; another inhabits the
North Pacific exclusively ; another is more particularly a denizen of the Arctic
Ocean at large. "lhey may readily be distinguished as follows:

Species, (3).

I. A slender acute upright horn on the id EM Black of
throat extending to bill: ...2...c2cccseescsstooee E l. corniculata.

* The peculiar position, no less than unusual shape of the inner claw of this genus is a
strongly-marked character, not found in any other except Lunda. The great curvature
and extreme sharpness of the claw could not be maintained were it vertically placed like
the other claws, as it would be worn down by constant impaction against the rocks which
the birds habitually alight upon. Butin the usual attitudes and movements of the birds
it lies perfectly flat on its side, and is so preserved intact. The birds make great use of
this claw in digging their burrows or in fighting; and the preservation of the instrument
forthese purposes is evidently the ulterior design of the peculiar direction of its axis.
The birds have the power of bringing it, on occasion for use, into a vertical position.
These facts, mayhap, are not generally known. See Pr. A. N. S., Phila., 1861, p. 254,

21

II. A short blunt process on the upper eyelid, A black ring
around the neck, not extending to bill.

Bill moderate; chord of culmen 2:00, the curve 2-10,

the ordinate 30; depth at base 1:40 (average), wing

6*50. s Gina deioacicesinesvarse s eeensssasssopesso coss soascossosooo 2. arctica.
Billlarge; chord of culmen 2-40, the curve 2:60, the or-

dinate 45; depth at base 1-70 (average), wing 1:25... 3. glacialis.

FRATERCULA ARCTICA (L.) Steph.

Alca arctica, Linneus, S. N. x. ed. 1758, i. p. 130, n. 3. Linneus, S. N. xii,
ed. 1766, i. p. 211, n. 3. Quotes Anas arctica, Clus., Lunda, Gesner,
Pica marina, Ray, Psittacus marinus, Anders. Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1164,
p. 25, No. 103. Gmelin, S. N. i. pt. ii. 1788, p 549, No. 4. Latham, Ind.
Orn. ii. 1790, p. 792, No. 3. Blumenbach, Handb. Naturg. p. 228, No. 1.
Müller, Prodr. Zool. p. 17, No. 140. Hermann, Tab. Affin. Anim. p. 150.
Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii. pt. i. 1794, p. 815.

Lunda arctica, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. 1811, ii. p. 365, pl. 83. Schlegel, Urinatores
Mus. Pay-Bas. livr. ix. 1867, p. 28. (In part. Confounds glacialis Leach
with the present species.)

Fratercula arctica, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii. 1825, p. 37. Quotes
“labradora Gm. Lath.” as syn. Fleming, Hist. Brit. Anim. 1842, p. 130.
Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii. 1851, p. 221. Gray, Gen. Birds, iii. 1849,
p. 637.

Fratercula (Ceratoblepharum) arctica, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii.
1837, p. 348.

Mormon arctica, Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, p. Naumann, Isis. v. Oken, 1821, p.
183, pl. 7, figs. 5, 6, 7. Audubon, Orn. Biog. iii. p. 105, pl. 213. Oct. Ed.
vii. pl. 464. Nuttall, Man. Orn. ii. 1834, p. 548. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828,
p. 430. Peabody, Rep. Nat. Hist. Mass. 1840, ii. Birds, p. 401. Macgillivray,
Hist. Brit. Birds, 1852, ii. p. 365. Coues, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. Aug. 1861, p.
251. Boardman, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. Sept. 1862, p. 131. Verrill, Proc.
Bost. Soc. N. H. Oct. 1862, p. 142. Verrill, Proc. Essex Inst. iii. 1864, p. 160.
Samuels, Ornith. and Ool. of New England, 1867, p.566.

Mormon (Fratercula) arctica, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, Apr. 1856, p. 774.
Cassin, Birds N. A. 1858, p. 903.

Mormon fratercula, Temminck, Man. Orn. ii. p. 933. Gould, Birds Europe, v.
1837, p. pl. 403.

Mormon polaris et Grabz, Brehm.

Alea deleta Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 25, No. 104. Young.

Alea labradorica, Gmelin, S. N. i. pt. ii. 1788, p. 550, No. 6. Based upon the
* Labrador Auk " of Pennant, A. Z. 1785, ii. p. 512, No. 428 ;* and Lath.
Syn. iii. i.p. 318, No. 4. “Hab. in terra Labrador; Arctice magnit. 12 fere
poll.long. Rostr. angustum, mand. sup. obscuré rubra, inf. albida nigro
maculata; tempora obscure alba, gula, ale, et cauda brevis obscure, pedes
rubri.” Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn. 1790, p, 33. Donndorff, Beytr.
Zool. ii. pt. i. 1794, p. 817.

Alca labradora, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 793, No. 4. Same basis as that
of Gmelin. “ Rostro carinato, mand. inf. gibba, ad apicem macula nigra,
oculorum orbita temporibusque albidis, * * color corporis feré ut in
arctica,” etc.—Not Sagmatorrhina labradora Cassin, which is S. Lathami Bp.

Spheniscus, Moehring, Av. Gen. 1752, p. 62, No. 64. Based on * Colymbi species
et Alez species” of Linneus’ sixth edition. ‘ Rostrum subouatum, lateri-

* The following is Pennant’s description :—“ With the bill an inch and a quarter long,
much carinated at top, not very deep, a little convex ; upper mandible dusky, lower whitish,
marked with a black spot, and angulated like that of a gull; crown and upper part of the
body, wings and tail, dusky; lower part white; legs red. Size of the former,” (Arctica.)
* Inhabits the Labrador coast ?—Br. Mus."

22

bus angustissime et perpendieulariter compressis, cutis callosa dura in basi
mandibuli superioris. Ad supercilia cornu breue;" etc.

Coasts and Islands of the North Atlantic, very abundant. Rare in the North
Pacific, (Pallas,) where replaced by F. corniculata. In winter, south on the
American Coast to Massachusetts. Breeds on the islands in the Bay of Fundy,
(Boardman). Numerous specimens in all American Museums. |

Adult (breeding plumage.)—lris hazel brown. Eyelids vermillion red, the
fleshy callosities bluish ash. Base of bill and first ridge dull yellowish, the
smooth contained space bluish, rest of bill vermillion red, the tip of the lower
mandible and the two terminal grooves yellowish. Legs and feet coral red,
claws black. Crown of head grayish black, the edges of which are sharply
defined against the color of the sides of the head, chin and throat, and the pos-
terior edge of which is separated by a very narrow but distinct transnuchal
stripe of ashy from the color of the back. Sides of head, with chin and
throat ashy white; nearly white between the eyes and bill, and with a max-
illary stripe or area of blackish ash on either side of the throat. A narrow,
distinct line of white along the anterior edge of the antibrachium. Entire
upper parts glossy black, with a bluish lustre, continuous with a broad collar
of the same around the sides and front of the neck. Under parts from the
neck pure white, the elongated feathers of the flanks and sides blackish. Under
surface of wings pearly ash-gray ; inner webs of primaries and secondaries
dull gray-brown, the shafts brown, blackish at tip and whitish towards the
base.

Length 13:50, extent 24-00, wing 6:50, tail about 2:25; tarsus 1:00; middle
toe 1:40, its claw *40; outer toe 1:40, its claw -30; inner toe 1-00, its claw “40;
bill—chord of culmen 2:00, its curve 2-10; depth of bill at base 1:40; rictus
1:25; gonys 1-45: greatest width of bill (which is at base of nostrils) -60;
length of nasal slit -35.

Young.—Bill much smaller and weaker than in the adult; without the basal
ridge, and with only slight indications of the warty callosities at angle of ric-
tus; the terminal grooves wanting, or faintly indicated; the culmen much
less convex ; the gonys convex and ascending posteriorly, without the sharp
hamular process at base. Such are the general characteristics of the young,
though full-grown bird. Birds not grown have their bill much smaller still,
entirely without grooves or ridges, acute at the apex, the culmen and gonys
perfectly straight; the lateral aspect of the billis almost an equilateral trian-
gle. Bill basally blackish ; terminally yellowish. Legs and feet reddish yellow,
obscured with dusky. The eyelids want the fleshy processes. In colors of
plumage the young birds are almost exactly like the parents, except that the
ashy of the sides of the head is tinted with sooty black, more or less directly
continuous with the black of the crown, and lightening into a dusky ash on
the auriculars and lower parts of the sides of the head.

Nestlings are covered with blackish down, becoming whitish on the under
parts from the breast backwards.

This species presents little variation in any respect from the conditions as
above described. The dimensions do not vary much, and even the bill is very
constant in size, shape and colors. The plumage of the adults scarcely pre-
sents appreciable variation.

The protuberance on the lower eyelid is horizontal, and occupies the whole
length of the lid. That on the upper eyelid is nearly perpendicular, and
higher than broad; but is short, obtuse and never developed into an acute

rocess.
1 There is absolutely no difference between American and European speci-
mens. The footnote on page 251, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. for 1861, is to be can-
celled as wholly erroneous.

No bird of the family of Alcide is better known than the present species. It
is the type of the Linnzan genus Alea of 1744, but not of 1758, nor of subse-

23

quent editions of the “System.” Though so long known, it has few synonyms
beyond those resulting from its reference to divers genera. Alca “ deleta ”
Brünnich, is the young bird. So also, beyond a doubt, is the Alca “ labra-
dorica" of Gmelin, which has been so differently interpreted by various
authors. Bonaparte even says it is certainly his Sagmatorrhina Lathami, though
he does not adopt the name labradora, as it would imply a geographical error.
Mr. Cassin, however, uses it in connection with the Sagmatorrhina. It is based
upon the * Labrador Auk" of Pennant. The diagnosis of this author, and
that given by Gmelin and Latham, are reprinted above, for facility of reference.
If the reader will take the trouble to study these three descriptions, he will
not be likely to regard them as diagnoses of Sagmatorrhina Lathami.

This species is the type of Moehring’s genus Spheniscus ; and a person ad-
dicted to iconoclasm in the matter of nomenclature might cut a fine dash on
the strength of this fact.

FRATERCULA GLACIALIS, Leach.

Mormon glacialis, “Leach,” Naumann, Isis, 1821, p. 782, pl. 7, fig. 2. Not of
Audubon and Gould, who figure and describe corniculata. Newton, Ibis,
1865, p. 212. Malmgren, Cab. Journ. f. Ornith. xiii, 1865, p. 394; critical
discussion of relationships to arctica.

2 Mormon glacialis, Bonaparte, Synopsis B. U. S. 1828, p. 429. Probably only
arcticus. Boardman, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. Sept. 1862, p. 132; and Ver-
rill, Proc. Essex Inst. iiij 1864, p. 160. Grand Menan, Bay of Fundy.
These two authors rely for the locality upon Audubon's authority, very
questionable in this instance.

Fratercula glacialis, Leach, Stephen's Cont. Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 40,
pl. 4, fig. 2. Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 637.

Mormon (Fratercula) glacialis, Bonaparte, Tab. Comparatif Pelagiens, Comptes
Rendus, xlii, 1856, p. 774. Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 903.

Lunda arctica, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, ix. livr. 1867, p. 28, in part;
* Specimina aliquantulum majora ex insula Spitzbergen."

Coasts of the North Atlantic; but a more boreal species than F. arcticus ;
Arctic Ocean. Spitzbergen. Near Port Foulke, Greenland, (Mus. Smiths. Inst.),
** Europe," Greenland, (Mus. Acad. Philada.) Notauthenticated as occurring
on the coast of Maine.

(No. 24,302, Mus. Smiths., near Port Foulke, Greenland, Aug., 1861; adult ;
Dr. I. I. Hayes.) With the colors, and much the general aspect of F. arcticus.
Larger than that species. Protuberance on upper eyelid more decidedly aci-
cular; in fact intermediate in size and pointedness between that of F. arctica
and F. corniculata. Bill much larger, comparatively and absolutely, than that
of arctica, and differently shaped; its colors about the same. Bill very deep
at the base, the basal ridge rising high on the forehead; culmen much arched,
towards the end dropping nearly perpendicularly down wards, so great is its
convexity. Upper mandible with four decided grooves; the lower with three,
being one more on each than is usual in arctica. Gonys more convex in out-
line, yet not produced posteriorly into so acute a hamular process. Length
14:50; extent about 26:00; wing 7:25; tail 2-25; tarsus 1:20; middle toe
and claw 1-90, outer do. 1:90, inner do. 1:45; bill: chord of culmen 2-40, its
convexity 2:60, ordinate of the curve :45; depth of bill at base 1-70, length
along rictus 1:50, along gonys 1:60; greatest width of bill -65; length of nasal
aperture :40.

The developement of the bill, changes of plumage, and individual variations
of this species are doubtless identical with those of arctica. Young birds of
the two species might not be satisfactorily distinguishable.

Though this species is so very near arctica it is probable that the majority
of authors would accord to it specific rank. It is apparently larger in all its
parts ; the callosity on the upper eye-lid tends in shape towards that of corni-
culata; the bill is not only much larger every way than that of arctica, but has

21

a decidedly different shape, owing chiefly to its greater depth at base, as com-
pared with its length, and much greater convexity of culmen. The only ques-
tionable relationship is with arctica; the bird is certainly not corniculata.

This species is usually cited by New England writers as occurring off the
coast of Maine in winter. (Grand Menan, entrance of the Bay of Fundy.) In
this, however, they only quote Audubon's authority, which is not reliable in
this instance, as he himself says that he “ rather supposed than was actually
certain that the birds observed were large-billed Puffins." "The case is ren-
dered stil! more problematical by the fact that Audubon's * Large-billed
Puffin, Mormon glacialis Leach," is really the corniculata Naumann, described
and figured from specimens procured in London, from Mr. Gould, who also, in
the “ Birds of Europe," mistakes the true glacialis Leach for corniculata Nau-
mann Subsequent writers will do well to expunge the name of this species
from their local lists of the birds of New England. It is exceedingly improb-
able that the true corniculata occurs on the New England coast.

This species is usually cited as having been introduced in Stephens' Con-
tinuation of Shaw's General Zoology (1825); but must have appeared some
years previous, since Naumann quotes * Mormon glacialis Leach,” in the Isis,
1821. It was probably named by Leach about 1816-18.

FRATERCULA CORNICULATA, (Naumann), Gray.

Mormon corniculata, Naumann, Isis v. Oken, 1821, p. 782, pl. 7, figs. 3, 4.
(Kamtschatka.) Cassin, Pr. A. N. S. Philada. 1862, p. 324. (Behring’s
Straits.)

Mormon (Fratercula) corniculata, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, p. 774.
Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 902.

Fratercula corniculata, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 637, pl. 174.

Fratercula (Ceratoblepharum) corniculata, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii,
1837, p. 348. Quotes “ Mormon corniculatum, Kittlitz, Kupfer, i."

Mormon glacialis, Audubon, Orn. Biogr. iii, 1835, p. 599, pl. 293, fig. 1. Id. B.
Amer. vii, p. , pl. 463. Not of authors. Gould, Birds Eur. v, 1837, pl.
404. Not of authors.

? Fratercula glacialis, Vigors, Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, Ornith. p. 33. Prob-
ably not true glacialis.

Lunda corniculata, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 28.
Coasts and Islands of the North Pacific and Arctic oceans. Kamtschatka,

(Mus. Acad. Phila.) Sitka, (Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas.) Kotzebue Sound, and

St. Michael's, Russian America, (Mus. Smiths. Inst.) Southern extension on

west coast of America not determined. Not recorded from the North Atlantic.
Adult, breeding plumage. (No. 46,503, Mus. Smiths., St. Michael's, Russian

America, June 27, 1866; H. M. Bannister.) Bill very large, especially high at

the base for its length, the height being about equal to the chord of the cul-

men, exclusive of the width of the basal rim; base of culmen and angle of
gonys both produced far backward, giving a greatly curved outline to the base
of the bill along the feathers of the sides of the head; sides of the bill not dis-
tinctly divided into two compartments ; nearly plane and smooth in their entire
length, with only three faintly pronounced short grooves ; culmen exceedingly
convex, regularly arched in the arc of a perfect circle; the tip of the upper
mandible acute, moderately overhanging, the basal rim broad and prominent;
rietus (not including the part beyond the basal rim of the upper mandible)
very short, only equal to the height of the upper mandible at base; gonys
sinuate, at first convex in outline, then slightly concave; its length but little
less than the chord of the culmen.*

Appendage of the upper eye-lid produced into a long, slender, acutely pointed

* The lower mandible in this specimen is so thin near the angle of the gonys as to be
transparent. Ordinary type can be read through it.

25

upright spine; that of the lower eye-lid much as in other species of the
enus,

s Form otherwise as in F. arctica and glacialis. Larger than the former, about

the size of the latter.

Crown of the head deep grayish black; the patch of this color triangular in
shape, narrowing anteriorly to a point at the base of the culmen. Sides of the
head white; the furrow in the plumage behind the eye, and the sides of the
lower jaw tinged with dark ash. A narrow distinct line of white along the
edge of the fore-arm. Entire upper parts very glossy blue-black; a duller,
more fuliginous shade of black encircling the neck before, and running for-
wards on the throat and chin quite to the bill. Other under parts pure white,
except a few elongated blackish feathers on the sides and flanks. Under sur-
face of wings dark pearly ash. Legs and feet orange red, the webs tinged
with vermillion. Claws brownish black. Palpebral appendages apparently
ashy black. Bill yellow, tioged with red, the terminal portion blackish, Ric-
tal callosities brilliant yellow orange.

Length 14:50; extent 24:50; wing 7-25; tail 2:75; tarsus 1-10; middle toe
and claw 2:00; outer do. 1:90; under do. 1.35; bill: chord of culmen 2:00,
its curve 2-25 ; rictus from basal rim to tip 1-20; gonys 1:75; depth of bill at
base 1:80 ; its greatest width -60; length of nasal slit -40; length of superior
palpebral appendage :35.

This interesting species may be recognized at a glance by the prominent
horn over the eye, and the extension of the black collar on the throat to the
bill. The bill also differs from that of either of the other species in its short-
ness, compared with its great depth at the base, and the nearly smooth sides,
which are not distinctly divided by a ridge or groove into two compartments.
The bill is also comparatively thinner than that of the other species, and dif-
ferently colored.

Prof. Naumann first described this species from Kamtschatka in his valu-
able memoir on the genus in the Isis, as above cited. It has been occasionally
confounded with glacialis Leach, which is quite a different bird. It is a North
Pacific and Arctic species, not recorded from the Atlantic. Excellent speci-
mens are contained in the Philadelphia Academy and Smithsonian Institution ;
one of those in the collection of the last named is probably the original of
Audubon's plate of “ glacialis."

LUNDA, Pallas.

Alea, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v, 1769; in part; and of some older authors.

Lunda, Pallas, (ex Gesn.) Zoog. R.-A. 1811. Type Alca cirrhata, Pallas.

Mormon, Illiger, Prodrome, 1811; in part; and of most authors.

Fratercula, Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825; in part; not of Brisson.

Gymnoblepharum, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Imper. St. Petersburg, ii, 1837, p. 349.
Type Alca cirrhata, Pallas.

With somewhat the general aspect of Fratercula. No horny appendages to
the eyelids. No furrow in the plumage behind the eyes. An extremely
elongated crest on each side of the head. Upper mandible with only an indi-
cation of a basal ridge along its sides; the culmen divided into two parts,
whereof the basal is surmounted by a prominent widened ridge, ending ab-
ruptly; sides of upper mandible with three well marked curved grooves,
widely separated, whose convexity points backwards, Under mandible with
its sides perfectly smooth, and its base very convex, not concave. Rictus very
sinuate; gonys slightly curved. Feet, wings and tail as in Fratercula.

The above diagnosis indicates only the principal features wherein this
genus—or subgenus, as might be contended with some reason—differs from
Fratercula. Except in the bill, eye-lids and crest, the genus is exactly Frater-
cula, but the differences in these points seem sufficient to warrant generic
separation.

26

LUNDA CIRRHATA, Pallas.

Alça cirrhata, Pallas, Spic. Zool. 1769, v, p. 7, pl. 1, and pl. 2, figs. 1, 2, 3.
Quotes Steller, Nov. Comm. Petrop. iv, p. 421, pl. 12, fig. 16. Gmelin, S.
N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 553. Quotes Pennant, A. Z. ii, p. 513, No. 432. Latham,
Ind. Orn. ii, 1799, p. 791, No. 2. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, p. 822, No.
10. Quotes Anas arctica cirrhata, Steller. Sander, Grósse u. Schónh. in
Natur.i, p. 244. Hermann, Tab. Aff. Anim. p. 150; and of the other early
authors. E

Lunda cirrhata, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 363, pl. 82. Schlegel, Urina-
tores Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, p. 27.

Mormon (Lunda) cirrhata, Bonaparte, Comptes Rend., 1856, p. 774. Cassin,
Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 902.

Mormon cirrhata, Bonaparte, Syn. 1828, p. 429. Audubon, Orn. Biogr. iii,
1835, p. 36:, pl. 249, figs. 1, 2. (Kennebec R., Me.) Audubon, B. Amer.
vii, 1844, p. ——., pl.—. Boardman, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1862, p. 132.
(Maine). Verrill, Proc. Essex Inst. iii, 1864, p. 160. (Maine). Heermann,
Pac. R. R. Rep. x, 1859, Route to California, Birds, p. 75. Cooper and Suck-
ley, Pac. R. R. Rep. xii, pt. ii, 1859, p. 283.

Mormon cirrata, Naumann, Isis, 1821, p. 781, pl. 7, fig 1.

Fratercula cirrhata, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 40. Vieillot,
Gal. Ois. ii, 1825, p. 240, pl. 296. Vigors, Zool. Voy. Blossom, Ornith. 1839,
p.33. Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 637. Cassin, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. 1862,
p. 324.

Fratercula (Gymnoblepharum) cirrata, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837,
p. 349.

Arctic Ocean; Coasts and Islands of the North Pacific; on the American
side south to California; of occasional occurrence on the Atlantic Coast of
North America, (Kennebec River, Audubon: spec. obtained; Bay of Fundy,
in winter, Verrill,) Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., Mus. Smiths., Cab. Geo. N.
Lawrence, author's Cab., etc.

Bill very large and heavy, much longer than the head or middle toe and
claw, its depth at base three-fourths its length; excessively compressed, the
sides nearly perpendicular, except at base of upper mandible, where they bulge
a little. Upper mandible divided into two portions; the basal part with its
sides perfectly $mooth, bounded along the base by a slight oblique ridge of
subcorneous tissue, which is scarcely, however, elevated above the common
plane, and is minutely studded with points; bounded above by a prominent
wide ridge formed of an accessory corneous piece which surmounts this por-
tion of the culmen; bounded below by the nasal slit; bounded anteriorly by
a deep groove whose convexity looks backwards; these four boundaries en-
closing a subtrapezoidal space. The terminal part smooth, except in the
presence of three widely separated, oblique, curved, deep grooves, whose con-
vexity looks backwards. Lower mandible with the sides perfectly smooth, the
base convex, the convexity looking backwards, with slight indication of a
ridge of punctulated subcorneous tissue. General outline of culmen convex ;
this convexity, however, interrupted near the middle by a notch, forming a re-
entrant angle between the two parts of the culmen, each of which, taken
separately, is convex in outline—the anterior part the most so. Rictus exceed-
ingly sinuate, the tip of the upper mandible being almost perpendicularly hung
over that of the lower; the angle of the mouth occupied by a large fibrous
or membranous excrescence, nearly circular in outline, turgid in life; in the dry
state shrunken and minutely punctulated. This peculiar warty excrescence
seems of nearly the same structure as the base of the bill itself, with which it
is directly continuous. Nasal slit short, linear, subbasal, placed close to the
commissural edge of the upper mandible. Palate and floor of mouth both
deeply excavated ; the cutting edge of both mandibles exceedingly sharp.

The eyelids are naked along the edge, but present no thickening or unusual

27

fleshiness. The crest springs chiefly from what would otherwise be a naked
linear groove in the plumage from the eyes to the extreme occiput. Some of
the feathers begin to grow much above, if not a little anterior to, the eyes.
The crest in perfectly adult birds is more than four inches long. The feathers
have exceedingly slender, delicate shafts, and loose, entirely disconnected,
though quite lengthy fibrillæ ; and a peculiar silky glossiness. |

The wings are of the usual size and shape in this family. The tail is com-
paratively somewhat longer, perhaps, than in any other Alcidine bird; the
lateral feathers a little graduated; the central pair shorter than the next, pro-
ducing an emargination. The legs are as in Fratercula. The claw of the inner
toe presents the curious character which has already been dwelt upon in con-
nection with F. arctica.

Adult.—Bill orange-red; the basal moiety of both mandibles livid horn or
enamel color; the punctulated basal ridge, and rictal callosities more yellow-
ish. Legs and feet obscure reddish ; the webs bright coral red; claws brown-
ish-black. Edges of eyelids red; ‘iris pale blue.” Crests pale straw-yellow ;
some of the posterior feathers, which grow from the black part of the head,
black at base. Face pure white, abruptly defined. This white occupies the
lores and sides of the head to the base of the crest, and encircles the bill,
broadly on the sides, narrowly above and below. The black of the crown
comes down the forehead to within a fourth of an inch of the culmen ; just fill-
ing the crown between the crests, and ending with a directly transverse out-
lime. The white on the side of the lower jaw extends to within about the same
distance from the under mandible. A narrow, very distinct pure white line
along the anterior edge of the fore-arm. Entire upper parts, and under tail
coverts glossy black ; sides of head and neck, and throat and breast fuliginous
brownish-black ; other under parts the same, but more grayish ; under surfaces
of wings smoky gray. Wings and tail black; the inner webs of the feathers
brownish-black ; the shaft of the first primary whitish on its under surface to-
wards its base.

The preceding description is taken from an unusually fine specimen (No.
46,494, Mus. Smiths. <j‘, Sitka, May, 1867), representing the very highest con-
dition of maturity. The crest is more than four inches long. It is not often
that such very perfect specimens are met with in collections.

Length between 15-00 and 16:00; wing 7:75; tail about 2:00; tarsus 1-30;
middle toe 2-00, its claw -50 ; outer toe 1-80, its claw -40; inner toe 1-25, its
claw :50; bill: greatest depth (a little in front of extreme base) 1:90; greatest
width (at angle of mouth) -90; chord of culmen 2-40, of which the terminal
portion is 1:40; rictus about 1:90; gonys 1:60; greatest depth of upper mandi-
ble 1-15; nostrils :25 long.

Young (full grown).—Bill smaller than in the adult, and not so deep at the
base; sides of terminal moiety of upper mandible perfectly smooth ; chord of
culmen 2:00; depth of bill at base 1:40. No crest; slight indications of it in
some short yellowish filamentous feathers on the auriculars. White line on
fore-arm imperfect. White about head as in the adult; but the black reaches
nearly or quite to the base of the culmen and gonys. Otherwise like the adult ;
the under parts rather more grayish. The bill and feet appear to have been
less brightly colored.

This strange bird fairly disputes with Phaleris psittacula the claim to be re-
garded as the oddest of the odd species of this family. The peculiar configura-
tion of the bill strongly characterizes it at all ages, independently of its re-
markable head-markings. Though known for about a century, it has received
no specifie synonyms from any of the writers whose works have been examined
in the preparation of the present memoir. Specimens are contained in nearly
all the American collections. The bird is authenticated as occurring on the
coast of Maine.

28

CERATORHYNCHA, Bonaparte,

Alca, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, in part; not of authors.

Phaleris, Bonaparte, Zool. Journ. iii, 1827 ; not of authors.

Cerorhinca,* Bonaparte, Syn. U. S. Birds, 1828. Type C. occidentalis, Bp. — A.
monocerata, Pall.

Chimerina, Eschscholtz, Zool. Atlas, 1829. Type C. cornuta, Esch. — A. mono-
cerata, Pall. /

Uria, Audubon, B. Am. vii, 1844, in part; not of authors.

Simorhynchus, Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, livr. ix, in part; not of Merrem.

Base of upper mandible with a large upright horny protuberance. Under
mandible with an accessory corneous piece interposed between its rami, near
their symphysis. Bill shorter than the head, stout, very deep at the base,
tapering rapidly to the tip, much compressed, the sides erect, smooth, the cul-
men very convex, the rictus gently curved, the gonys nearly straight, except at
symphysis, where it is bulging. Nostrils short, linear, subbasal, marginal,
impervious. Eye small; no palpebral appendages. No crest; no furrow be-
hind the eyes; slender elongated feathers on each side of the head. Inner
lateral claw of usual size, shape and position. Other details of form almost
exactly as in Fratercula. Size large; general form robust.

This curious genus may readily be distinguished from all others of the family
by the characters indicated in the two first sentences of the above diagnosis.
The intercalation of an accessory corneous element at the mandibular sym-
physis is an entirely unique feature in this family. It seems very much like
the * interramicorn," as the writer has elsewhere called it, which is found in
the albatrosses, as one of the characters which distinguish those birds from
other Procellarüdz. In the present instance, it is a feature of especial import-
ance and value, as it helps greatly to distinguish this genus from Sagmatorrhina,
or, to be more explicit, to separate S. Suckleyi from C. monocerata in every stage
of growth.

The affinities of this genus are decidedly with Fratercula, after Sagmatorrhina,
of course. Aside from the peculiarities of the bill, it agrees with the former in
most points of structure, except the eyes and inner lateral claw. It does not
require comparison with any other genus. It is represented by only a single
Species, according to the writers way of thinking,—Swekleyi falling most
naturally, as well as can be judged at present, in Sagmatorrhina.

CERATORHYNCHA MONOCERATA (Pall.) Cass.

Alea monocerata, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 362, No. 411.

Cerorhina monocerata, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p.905. Cooper and Suck-
ley, Pacific R. R. Rep. xii, pt. ii, 1859, p. 284.

Simorhynchus monoceratus, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr.ix, 1867, p. 26.
Cites Saymathorina [lege Sagmatorrhina] Zathami Bp. and Cerorhina Suckleyi
Cass. as young.

Phaleris eerorhynca, Bonaparte, Zool. Jour. iii, 1827, p. 53.

Cerorhinca occidentalis, Bonaparte, Syn. Am. Birds, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. iv, 1828, p.
428. Nuttall, Man. ii, p. 538. Vigors, Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, Ornith.
p. 33.

Ceratorhyncha occidentalis, Bonaparte, Comp. List, 1838, p. 66. Bonaparte, Consp.
Gav. Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 744.

Ceratorhina occidentalis, Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1839, v, p. 104, pl. 402, fig. 5.

Cerorhina occidentalis, Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 639. Heermann, Pac.
R. R. Rep. x, 1859, Route to California, Birds, p. 75.

Uria occidentalis, Audubon, B. Am. vii, 1844, p. 364, pl. 471.

* This word is spelled in a great variety of ways, both by Bonaparte himself, and other
authors. We find Cerorhina, Cerorrhina, Ceratorhina, Ceratorrhina, Cerorhinea, Cero-
rhynea, Cerorhyncha, Ceratorhyncha, Ceratorrhyncha, etc. The orthography above cited
is that apparently first given by Bonaparte, but is obviously erroneous.

29

Cerorhina orientalis, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St.-Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 348. By a
lapsus calami for “ occidentalis."
Chimerina cornuta, Eschscholiz, Zool. Atlas, 1829, iii, p. 2, pl. 12.

American and Asiatic coasts and islands of the North Pacific. Japan (Perry's
U. S, Expl. Exped.), Kamtschatka (Mus. Acad., Philada.), Pacific coast of N.
A. from Russian America to Farralone Islands, Cal. (Mus. Smiths. Inst.) Breeds
as far south as Japan and California.

VA

Fig. 1.— €. monocerata, Fig. 2.—C. monocerata.
Nat. size. Adult female. Nat. size. Young scarcely fledged.

Adult, breeding plumage, (No. 46,517, Mus. Smiths. 9, Sitka, May, 1866).—Bill
orange-yellow, culmen and base of upper mandible dusky ; horn dull yellowish.
Feet apparently dusky yellow ; below, with the tarsi posteriorly, blackish ; claws
black. Crown of head, back of neck, and entire upper parts glossy blue-black .
Sides of head and neck, and of body along under the wings to the flanks, with
chin, throat and upper part of breast, and under surfaces of wings, clear gray-
ish ash, pretty trenchantly defined along its line ef junction with the black.
Under parts frem the breast pure white; this color shading insensibly into the
ashy en the breast and sides. A line of white along the edge of the fore-arm.
Exposed portions of wing and tail feathers black; their inner webs greyish-
brown, basally lighter, the shafts of the primaries dull whitish at base. A
series of elongated, stiffish, acicular feathers on the side of the head from the
rictal angle ; another similar series from the eye backwards to the sides of the
nape, pure white. The individual feathers are about an inch, more or less, in
length ; the length of the white stripes produced by them collectively is about
two inches.

Length 15-50; wing 7:25; tail 2:50; tarsus 1:20; middle toe and claw 1:85,
outer do. 1:70, inner do. 1-40; chord of cuimen, excluding width of horn, 1:00,
including it 1:40; rictus 2:00; gonys, including length of accessory piece, 1:10 ;
height of bill from tip of horn to protuberance at symphysis 1:25 ; from culmen
at base of horn to same :80; nostril to top of horn -75.

Immature, bat with a perfectly developed horn, and accessory symphyseal
piece (No. 23,391, Mus. Smiths., Straits of Fuca).—OColors somewhat as in the
preceding ; but the white of the under parts everywhere obscured by ashy-gray,
which tinges the tips of the feathers, giving a marbled aspect te the parts,
lightest on the middle of the belly, shading insensibly on all sides into the
uniform ashy-gray of the other under parts. Black ef upper parts, especially
on the head, with a decided brownish tinge. Only traces of the acicular white
feathers on the sides of the head. Bill smaller than before; the horn, how-
ever, perfectly developed, rising nearly half an inch above the culmen, Rather

90

smaller than the preceding ; length between 14 and 15 inches, wing barely 7,
bill along rictus 1:60, its depth at base, exclusive of height of horn, :65.

Young. (No. 23,392, Mus. Smiths., Straits of Fuca).—This specimen is just
not quite fully feathered, patches of down adhering here and there. The bill
is small and weak, hardly more than half the size of that of the adult; its
general shape, however, is nearly attained. The base of the upper mandible
is covered with a soft skin, about as far as the end of the nostrils. That part
of the culmen formed by the ridge of this skin is sunken below the level of the
rest, Unmistakable indications of the future horn are present, in a small knob
on the ridge of this skin. In the present dried state this knob is shrunken,
presenting the appearance represented in the plate. In life it was probably
a small full rounded protuberance, rising a little above the level of the culmen.
Between the mandibular rami, at the symphysis, there is a slight fold or ridge
of skin, evidently the matrix of the future accessory corneous element. The
upper mandible is mostly blackish ; the lower dull obscured reddish. Thelegs
and feet appear to have been colored much like thoseof the adult. The colors
of the plumage are precisely those of the specimen last described ; the patches
of down are smoky brown. There is no trace of white about the head.

Nestling, about 52 inches long. (Farralone Islands. Mus. Acad. Phila.)
All over smoky brown, lighter and more grayish below.

The horn of this bird, always present in the adult, and always indicated,
even in the scarcely feathered young, as we have just seen, varies a great deal
in the details of its size and shape. It is usually nearly upright, but fre-
quently projects a little obliqely forward. Its average height is between
four and five-tenths of an inch, measuring from the level of the culmen at
the anterior edge of the root of the horn. The real roots of the horn begin a
little above the nasal aperture; the nostril opening just beneath the lower
edge. Thehorn is thus bifurcated, as it were, at the base, and saddled on the
base of the upper mandible. The anterior outline is usually straight, or
slightly curved, the apex rounded, and the posterior border irregular in out-
line. The figure represents what is perhaps an average horn. It would be
impossible to indicate all the variation in detail; scarcely two horns are pre-
cisely alike.

The frontal feathers ascend a very little way up the back of the horn in
the majority of instances; sometimes, however, they end abruptly at its base.
From their foremost point they sweep downwards and backwards along the
side of the upper mandible with a gentle regular curve, to the rictal angle,
leaving the tomial edges of the upper mandible bare. The chin feathers begin
at the accessory symphyseal piece, rise quickly on the sides of the under man-
dible, and reach its tomial edge in advance of the rictal angle.

The symphyseal piece, which is developed from the skin at the apex of the
interramal space, is, when fully formed, as hard as the rest of the bill. Anteri-
orly it is directly continuous with the mandibular symphysis. On its sides, a
groove indicates its line of cohesion with the mandibular rami. The horn,
when mature, is perfectly corneous and hard to its extreme base ; there being
no soft skin even about the nostrils. Its main shaft is hollow; a tubeis dis-
closed when the top is worn off or broken off.

The white feathers on the side of the head differ from those of other Phaleri-
dines (except S. Suckleyi) in not being very slender, filamentous and wavy.
They are straight, short, acutely pointed, stiffish, standing discreet from each
other, like so many narrow spear-points.

The very large series of this bird examined warrant the belief that the horn
is always present, accidents of course not considered ; that it begins to be ap-
parent even before the bird is fully fledged, as a slight knob. That, in like
manner, the accessory symphyseal piece is always developed; and that its be-
ginning may be detected at a very early age. These facts must be borne in
mind in discussing the unusually interesting points connected with Sagmator-
rhina as compared with the present genus. The opinion relative to the season-

81

al or sexual character of the horn (page 905, Birds of N. A.)* would probably
not have been expressed, had the writer enjoyed the opportunity of examining
such an extensive series as have been at command in the preparation of the
present monograph.

This species was first named Alca monocerata by Pallas in 1811. Prince Bo-
naparte called it * Phaleris occidentalis" in 1827; which name has been
usually adopted, Pallas’ description being overlooked or disregarded. Brandt
appears to have accidentally misquoted Bonaparte's name in calling the bird
* Qerorhina orientalis, Bp." Eschscholtz called it * Chimerina cornuta” in
1829. "These are the only synonyms which the writer has been able to collate,
except, of course, those resulting from, the reference of the bird to diverse
genera, as has been already noted.

SAGMATORRHINA, Bonaparte.

Sagmatorrhina, Bonaparte, P. Z. S. Lond. 1851, p. 202. Type S. Lathami, Bp.

* Bill twice as long as high, upper mandible straight at the base, covered
with a very large cere, incurved at the tip; lower mandible ascending imme-
diately beyond the middle, forming an obtuse angle; nostrils linear, margi-
nal."—Bp. l. c.

The above is a translation of the diagnosis of a genus framed by Bonaparte
for the reception of a bird he calls S. Latham. It apparently differs from
Ceratorhyncha in the contour of the bill, the presenee of a soft cere saddled on
the base of the upper mandible in the place of a horn, and, it may be pre-
sumed, in the absence of the peculiar accessory corneous element at the man-
dibular synphysis, as no mention is made of such a character. The type and
apparently only known specimen is in the British Museum.

The possession of a soft flat cere in place of an upright horn, and the want
of the aecessory mandibular piece are precisely the features which characterize
Cerorhina Suckleyi Cassin ; and in fact are about the only ones by which the
latter can satisfactorily be distinguished, specifically, from C. monocerata. It
therefore seems a procedure of obvious propriety to refer Suckleyi to the pre-
sent genus. At the same time Suckleyi can by no possibility be confounded
with Lathami; nor is the latter by any means a young C. monocerata, as some
authors have ventured to hint, and others have boldly assumed. An inspec-
tion of the figures accompanying the present memoir ought to set all doubts at
rest.

Species—(2.)
* Length 16inches; wing 7:50 ; bill 2 long, 1 high, five-eighths

"etie gin WS Ie ecocono EDS TCOO DUO XCEO DO coa uoootooosoG coo l. Lathami.
Length 14:50; wing 6:50; bill along culmen 1:30, depth at
base *60, width at base four-eighths.............-.--«» e «ese ee 2. Suckleyi.

SaAcMATORRHINA LATHAMI, Bonaparte.

? ?? Alca labradoria, Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 550. Very doubtful.
Rather referable to Fratercula arctica, which see.

Sagmatorrhina labradoria, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 904.

Sagmatorrhina Lathami, Bonaparte, P. Z. S. London, 1851, p. 202, pl. 44.
“Largest among its allies; blackish, beneath pallid fuliginous: bill and
feet red ; cere and webs black. Length 16 inches; bill 2 inches long, 1 inch
high, five-eighths wide at the base, three-eighths in the middle; wing 74
inches; tail 34; tarsi 11; longest toe 2 and 3-eighths inches.

Hab.—* North-west Coast of America.

* Spec. No. 10698, there enumerated, seems to have called forth the remark above allu-
ded to. This specimen, however, is believed to be the adult of S. Suckleyt, of which only
the young bird was at that time recognized.

32

* This species is the largest of the subfamily, which is well known to con-
tain the dwarfs of the water birds; it is one-third larger than Ceratorrhina
monocerata, of which it has precisely the coloring, wanting only (at least in
the state we have it) the little white feathers above the eye and at the corners
of the mouth. The proportions of the wings, tail, feet and toes are the same ;
the bill and toes must have been reddish ; the cere and membranes black.
Like the Ceratorrhina, it seems to be confined to the north-western Arctic
region of America; and we are led to believe it does not extend to the Sibe-
rian shores, from the circumstance of its not having been noticed by Russian
naturalists.”

Fig. 3.—Sagmatorrhina Lathami, By. Nat. size.

The preceding is Bonaparte’s notice of the species, containing all that is
known about it by American ornithologists. The writer takes pleasure in
acknowledging his indebtedness to Dr. pia Sclater, of London, for the accom-
panying figure, drawn from the type specimen in the British Museum. Dr.
Sclater says very positively that the bird is a perfectly valid genus and species,
and the figure evidently warrants the assertion. Independently of the differ-
ence between the cere and the horn, the shape of the bills of C. monocerata and
S. Lathami are quite diverse. The dimensions of the latter are much larger
than those of the former.

SAGMATORRHINA SUCKLEYI, (Cass.) Coues.

Cerorhina Suckleyi, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 906. Based on spec. No.
4579, Mus. Smiths. Young. Puget Seund. Cooper and Suckley, Pacific R. R.
Rep. xii, pt. ii, 1860, p. 284. Refers to same specimen.

American and Asiatic Coasts of the Pacific. Spec. in Mus. Smiths Inst —
Young, (type of the species, Puget Sound;) adult, breeding plumage (San
Diego, Cal. ) Adult, (Hakodadi, Japan.)

Adult! breeding plumage! (No. 31908,* Mus. Smiths, 9, San Diego, Cal.
Feb. 3, 1862, J. G. Cooper.) *' Iris white ; bill black and orange; feet pale
yellow, black below,” (label.) Bill now obscure yellow, the culmen and basal
membrane blackish. Feet dull whitish ; tarsi behind and feet below blackish ;
claws black. Colors of the plumage almost precisely as in the adult monoce-
rata; white feathers on sides of head exactly the same. Breast rather deeper
grayish-ash, the color extending a little further, and more abruptly defined
against the white of the other under parts.

* eurad in » Elliot's Birds of North America.

33

Fig. 5.—S. Suckleyi, Juv. Nat. size.
Fig. 4.—S. Suckleyi, Adult. Nat. size. Cassin’s type specimen.

No vestige of a horn at base of upper mandible; this being covered with a
soft skin, overlapping the culmen, extending to the nostrils, which open be-
neath its lower border. That part of the bill occupied by tie membrane is
depressed below the level of the rest, both on the ridge and sides. The mem-
brane is shrunken and shrivelled in its present state. There appears to have
been a slight tumidity, in the fresh state, of this membrane, just on the ridge,
which may have elevated it to the level of the rest of the culmen, and which
could possibly even have been inadvertently called a ** knob” by one who re-
garded it as the beginning of a horn. No trace of an intercalated piece be-
tween the mandibular rami, which have thin, sharp, smooth edges, and come
together in a fine point at the symphysis. Bill much smaller, weaker, and
particularly less deep at the base than that of C. monocerata; but not much
shorter, nor comparatively even so much compressed as in the latter bird.
Culmen regularly decurved from base to tip ; the latter moderately overhang-
ing; rictus at first nearly straight, then gently declinate ; gonys nearly straight,
slightly concave ; outline of mandibular rami about straight.

Decidedly smaller than monocerata ; the wing comparatively longer. Length
about 14-00; “extent 25:50," (label); wing 7 25; tarsus 1-10; middle toe and
claw 1:90, outer do. 1-80, inner do. 1:45 ; bill: chord of culmen 1-30, of which
the membranous part is -30; rictus 1:85; gonys.75; depth of bill at base -6€ ;
its width at same point -45.

Young. (No. 4579, Mus. Smiths. Fort Steilacoom, W. T. Jan. 8, 1856.
Dr. G. Suckley. Mr. Cassin’s type of the species, as described Z. c.) * Membrane
at base of upper mandible grayish dusky black; middle of both mandibles
dingy orange, their tips dusky ; iris pale hazel; under surface of the webs of
the feet, and the posterior aspect of the tarsi dusky black; upper surface of
the toes bluish white, darker about the articulations; nails black." (Suckley,
l.c.) The colors of the plumage are precisely as described for the young C.
monocerata; possibly a shade darker, with rather more white on the under parts
than in the corresponding age of the other species.

Much smaller than the adult; length “about 12.50; extent 24.00 ;" (Suck-
ley, l. c.): wing 6:50; tail 2-00; tarsi 1:00; bill along culmen 1-20, of which
the membranous portion is 30; along rictus 1:60; along gonys :60; its depth
at base 40. The bill is small and slender; its general shape calls to mind the
bill of a young gull of one of the smaller species. The several outlines, par-
ticularly that of the culmen, are straighter than in the adult; the tip is less
decurved. ‘The bill is much longer, relatively and absolutely, than that of the
corresponding age of monocerata ; it is comparatively more slender. There is
no trace of a knob ;* the membrane has precisely the same characteristics as

* Dr. Suckley (l. e), speaking of this specimen, uses the word “knob” in connection
with it. His expression is to be taken as indicating merely the turgidity of the soft
membrane during the life of the bird; which raises the membrane to or above the level
ofthe rest of the culmen. The membrane, being very soft, shrinks and shrivels in dry-
ing, and the prominence disappears.

94

that of the adult bird above described. There is no trace of an accessory
piece between the rami.

The bird above described was first indicated as a distinct species by Mr.
Cassin in 1858; that gentleman founding his specific characters mainly upon
the small size, somewhat darker colors, and much smaller, slender bill, as com-
pared with monocerata. The species has always been looked upon with con-
siderable mistrust, and very generally regarded as only a young monocerata.
At the time of the introduction of Suckleyi, C. monocerata was not known in all
its ages and stages of plumage, as it is at present. The horn which charac-
terizes it was believed to be frequently wanting, particularly in the young
bird. The accessory symphyseal piece had not received attention. These
facts, together with the almost perfect identity in plumage of the two birds,
very naturally led to the suspicion above mentioned; seemingly borne out,
too, by the fact that the type of Suckleyi was a very young bird, the adult of
which was unknown, or at least unrecognized. But it has been shown in the
preceding article that indications both of the horn and of the accessory inter-
ramal element appear in monocerata even before it is fully feathered, and that
these two distinguishing features are preserved in all ages, at all seasons,
with both sexes. The discovery of Suckleyi in perfectly adult breeding plum-
age settles the question of its identity with monocerata. Specimen No. 31,908,
above described, has no trace of a horn or accessory symphyseal piece; and is
smaller, and otherwise conspicuously different from monoceraia, though of
almost precisely similar colors of plumage.

There is something highly interesting, very singular, and, with our present
information upon the subject, totally inexplicable, in the fact that the plumage
of the two birds is so nearly identical as not to be satisfactorily distinguished
in any particular; while the bills differ in such radical characteristics. The
suspicion comes unbidden, that the whole truth in the matter of C. monocerata,
and S. Suckleyi—and S. Lathami, too—remains to be developed; while it is
certain, at the same time, that nothing but the truth appears upon these pages.

In the reference of this species to the genus Sagmatorrhina, the writer is
guided simply by Bonaparte’s diagnosis, and by the figure of the head of S.
Lathami, kindly furnished by Dr. Sclater. The dimensions of S. Lathami and
the form of the bird are sufficient to distinguish S. Suckleyi from it.

SIMORHYNCHUS, Merrem.

Alea, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v, 1769, in part; and of some authors.

Uria, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, in part.

Lunda, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, in part.

Simorhynchus, Merrem, , 1819. Type Alca cristatella, Pall. Fide G. R.
Gray. (Where is this genus named ?

Phaleris, Temminck, Man. Orn. ii, 1820. Type Alca psittacula, Pallas. (Also
includes cristatella.) And of most authors.

Mormon, Lichtenstein, 1823, in part. , (M. superciliosa = camtschatica, Lep.)

Ombria, Eschscholtz, Zool. Atlas, 1831. Type Alca psittacula, Pallas.

Cyclorrhynchus, Kaup, 1829. Type Alca psittacula, Pall. Fide G. R. Gray.

Tylorhamphus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Imper. St. Petersburg, ii, 1837. Type Alca
eristatella, Pall.

Ciceronia, Reichenbach, 1853. Type Phaleris microceros, Brandt.

Of moderate and very small size; general form stout. Usually with a crest,
or with elongated feathers about the head. Bill variable: sometimes simple,
oftener irregular in form, with various elevations and depressions, often with
nodules or other accessory elements; always stout, compressed, shorter than
the head, the culmen very convex, the tip acute. Nostrils entirely unfeathered.
Wings and tail of the ordinary shape and length. Feet small and short; tar-
sus compressed, entirely reticulate, shorter than the middle toe. Toes long,
outer.and middle about equal in length, the claw of the latter largest. Claw

95

of inner toe reaching base of middle one. Claws much arched, compressed,
acute, the inner edge of the middle one scarcely dilated.

The genus as above defined is framed to include a number of species, all more
orless closely allied, yet presenting differences from each other in form in
almost each instance. The various species are all nearly identical in the
structure of the wings, feet and tail; in the bill no two entirely agree. Each
presents sux speciei characters in the shape of the bill; but the very fact that
this organ varies so much seems to indicate that the differences are no more
than of specific consequence. A glance at the synonyms above adduced will
show what forms have been made indicative of genera. Psittacula is perhaps
the species which has been most generally separated from the others, in view
of its oval upper, and falcate under, mandible. But if this bird is to be gen-
erically distinguished, so also must cristatedlus; for the latter differs in still
greater degree, in the presence of an anomalous accessory element in the bill.
This one being taken out, what to do with camtschaticus, so very closely allied?
It is almost identical with erístatellus in all points of structure, except in the de-
tails of the configuration of the bill, and in these points it stands intermediate
between this species and some others. Then microceros and pusillus would have
to stand by themselves. So also would tetraculus and Cassini. These two, par-
ticularly, differ more from all the rest, in their short, simple conic bills, than
any of the rest do from each other. In fine, if psittacula be allowed generic rank,
so also must eristatellus, and pari passu must no less than three more genera
be recognized. It seems much the most philosophical to group all these forms
together in a single genus, regarding the differences in the bills as specific.

In such an acceptation, the genus comprises eight species, which may be
thus analysed:

Species—(8.)

I. Phaleris Temm. Upper mandible oval, under mandible
falcate ; rictus curved upwards. No crest.
Blackish ; white below from the breast; a white spot
Below tlie eye... .0:5»5. epu oce o odes EEG EA a 1. psittaculus.

II. Simorhynchus, Merrem. Upper mandible triangular,
under mandible nearly straight; rictus horizontal,
sinuate. A long recurved crest.

Angle of the mouth with a supernumerary corneous

piece. Sides of under mandible unfeathered. One

series of white feathers on the head ........ ..... e 2. eristatellus.
Unknown. (See Pallas’ description, infrà)........... 3. dubius.
Angle of mouth without a supernumerary piece.

Sides of under mandible feathered. Three series

of white feathers on! head...) stii 4. ese eere es o entities 4. camtschaticus.

III. (Unnamed subgenus.) Bill very small, short, conic,
simple, destitute of any irregularities whatever.

Large; bill moderately compressed; a long re-

curved crest; fuliginous black above, fuliginous

gray below. Wing 5:50; rictus -70; width of

bill at base :30 ; tarsus, middle toe and claw to-

SRC TO erocosodded obo dO TODO RIO OOo o saree 5. tetraculus.
Small; bill excessively compressed; no crest (?);

uniform plumbeous, lighter below, whitish on the

abdomen. Wing 4:25; rictus :60; width of bill

at base :15! Tarsus, middle toe and claw to-

Eee, PAU) asocia dadocodagoSodgoCod OC ouonucoo os 0909 O 6. Cassini, n. s.

IV. (Ciceronia, Reich.) Smallest of the genus. Short
white hair-like feathers over the forehead.

96

Length about 6:50; height of bill at base :30. Up-
per mandible with a basal knob; bill stout and
wide for its length. No decided white patch on
Henpularsyecst udon ste aaee Sa seastenaemeateates secs sie n. T. microceros.
Length about 5:50; height of bill at base :20. Up-
per mandible without a knob; bill slender and
narrow for its length. esc ui white patch
OUMSCAPULATS 2.2259. 52.0 227: - 1209 0.0.1 20e 2e essa cer EDD 8. m
The first distinctive name of this genus is said, by Mr. Gray, to be Simorhyn-
chus of Merrem, with cristatellus as type. This genus is not in general employ.
The present writer does not know where it is instituted, but adopts it upon
the authority just mentioned. Phaleris of Temminck is usually adopted. This
genus was framed, in 1820, to include both psittaculus and cristatellus : the char-
acters as laid down apply best to the latter; the former is mentioned first. It
cannot be used for eristatellus, however, being antedated by Merrem's name.
If psittaculus is separated from the present genus, it must be called PAaleris,
Temm., which antedates Ombria Esch., though the latter is usually applied to
that bird. Zylorhamphus Brandt is simply a duplication of Merrem's genus ;
Cyclorrhynchus Kaup merely repeats Temminck’s. Ciceronia Reichenbach is
based upon the smallest species of the genus—section four in the preceding
analysis. Section three of the foregoing synopsis, comprehending fetraculus
and Cassini, is really the most distinct of any, and is the best entitled to
generic rank. The chance to run in a name is left open to any one who may
be ambitious in that line.

SIMORHYNCHUS PSITTACULUS, ( Pall.) Schl.

Alca psittacula, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v, 1769, p. 13, pl. 2, and pl. 5, figs. 4, 5, 6.
Gmelin, S. N. i, pt ii, 1788, p. 553. (Based on Pallas and Pennant.) Latham,
Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 794. (Same basis.) Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i,
1794, p. 822. Quotes Steller, Nov. Act. Petrop. iv, p. 426, pl. 13, figs. 25,
26; and other authorities.

Lunda psittacula, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 366, pl. 84.

Phaleris psittacula, Temminck, Man. Orn. i, 1820, p. 112. Stephens, Shaw's
Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 44. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828, p. 426. Gray,
Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 638. Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Ombria psittacula, Eschscholtz, Zool. Atlas, 1831, iv, p. 3, pl. 17, Brandt, Bull.
Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 348. Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 910.
Elliot, B. N. Am. 1866, part i.

Simorhynchus psittaculus, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, livr. ix, p. 24.

Asiatic and American coasts of the North Pacific; Aleutian Islands ; Kamt-
schatka, (Mus. Acad. Philada.); Russian America, (Mus. Smiths. Institution) ;
Behring’ s Sea, (Schlegel, Mus. Pays- -Bas.); Japan?

Bill moderately large, much ccmpressed,
densely feathered for some distance at base
of upper mandible and sides of lower. Up-
per mandible almost perfectly oval in its

>) lateral aspect, its culmen gently curved,

and its tomial edges more decidedly con-

vex, the former descending, the latter rapid-

ly ascending to meet at an obtuse angle.

Lower mandible extremely slender, falci-

form in shape, strongly curved upwards,

its tip very acute, its tomial edges concave,

corresponding to the convex tomia of the

Fig. 6.—Simorhynchus psittaculus (Pall. Upper mandible; the gonys much and
Nat. size. regularly curved. Nasal fosse long and

wide, but rather shallow; the nares rather broadly linear, or narrowly oval,
overhung by a slightly projecting scale. Frontal feathers embracing culmen

37

in a slightly reéntrant angle, thence descending about perpendicularly to the
very edge of the upper mandible. Feathers on side of lower mandible not
extending quite so far as those on side of upper. Interramal space fully
feathered, but in consequence of the peculiar shape of the rami, there is a
small pit or fossa between them, just at their junction, which is unfeathered.
Wings and tail.of the usual length and shape; the length of the latter con-
tained about three and two-thirds times in the length of the former from the
carpai joint to the end of the longest feather. Tarsus shorter than the middle
toe without its claw.

Adult —Without a crest. A series of elongated very slender filamentous
white feathers from the eye backwards and downwards, white. Entire upper
parts, with chin, throat, breast, and flanks, fuliginous or brownish-black,
lighter or grayer below than above; other under parts pure white, pretty
trenchantly defined against the darker color of the breast. Bill orange or
coral red, becoming enamel yellow at the tip, and along the cutting edges.
Legs and feet dull greenish, darker posteriorly, (in the dried state.)

The above is the state of plumage of apparently most mature birds;
but is much more rarely met with than the succeeding: Upper parts as
just described, but no whitish feathers below and behind eye. Entire under
parts white, marbled on the throat, breast and sides with dusky or blackish ;
this color usually occupying chiefly or wholly the tips of the feathers, whose
bases are white. The mottling is thickest on the breast, most sparse on the
abdomen; but it varies in degree with almost every specimen. A state of
plumage is described as that of the young, in which the white occupies nearly
the whole under parts, and is scarcely mixed with dusky, even on the throat
and breast. This stage is not represented in American Museums. The ten-
dency of the mottling, as the bird grows older, seems to be to increase on
the throat, breast, perhaps on the sides and flanks, and to disappear from the
other under parts, leaving the latter pure white, in marked contrast. The
under wing coverts are always dark ashy brown; the short tibial feathers
the same.

Length about 9:00; wing 5:40 to 5:75; tail 1°50 to 1:60; tarsus (average)
1:00; middle toe 1-10. Bill: chord of culmen :60, chord of gonys just about
the same; depth opposite posterior end of nostrils :45 ; width at same point
:30; rictus nearly or about 1:00.

This very curious species may be instantly recognized, in whatever state of
plumage, by the remarkable configuration of the bill; the rictus being
strongly curved upwards, the upper mandible oval, obtuse, the lower falci-
form, acute. Itis one of the longest and best known ofthe North Pacific
representatives of the family, and is apparently a very common bird, though
specimens do not occur in collections so often as might be expected. It
seems to be decidedly boreal in habitat, and is not recorded, on the Ameri-
ean coast, so far south as the United States, though occurring at Sitka, R. A.,
and probably off the coast of British Colombia. It has no specific synomyms,
though it has been referred to several different genera. It is one of Dr.
Pallas’ species. It is the type of M. Temminck’s genus Phaleris.

SIMORHYNCHUS CRISTATELLUS, (Pall.) Merrem.

Alea cristatella, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v, 1769, p. 20, pl. 3, and pl. 5, figs. 7, 8, 9.
Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 552, No. 7. Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p.
194, No. 6. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 821. Vieillot, Gal.
Ois. ii, 1825, p. 242, pl. 297.

Uria cristatella, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 370, pl. 86. — Erroneously
cites as synonymous Alca camtschatica, Lepechin.

Simorhynchus cristatellus, Merrem., Bonaparte, Tab. Comp. Pelag. Comptes
Rendus, xlii, 1856, p. 774. Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix,
1867, p. 25. (Considers U. dubia and tetracula Pall., young of this species.)

Phaleris cristatellus, Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 47, pl. 5. Not

98

of Temminck, Pl. Color. 200, which is Alea camtschatica Lepechin. Bona-
parte, Synopsis, 1828, p. 426.—Id. Compt. and Geog. List. 1838, p. 66.
Vigors, Zool. Voy. Bloss., 1839, Orn. p. 33. Gray, Gen. B., iii. 1849, p. 638.
Phaleris (Simorhynchus) cristatella, Cassin, Baird’s B. N. A. 1858, p. 906.
Tylorhamphus cristatellus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1867, p. 348.
Phaleris superciliata, Audubon, Orn. Biog. pl. 402; oct. ed. pl. 437. Not
Mormon superciliosa Licht., nor Phaleris superciliosa Bonap., which refer to
Alca camtschatica Lepechin. j
Asiatic and American coasts and islands of the North Pacific, to Behring’s
Straits ; perhaps into the Arctic Ocean. Kamtschatka and Behring’s Straits,
(Mus. Acad. Phila.) Japan, and north-west coast of America, (Mus. Smiths.
Inst.) Not known to occur on the American coast so far south as Washing-
ton Territory, U. S.
Bill surpassing that of all other Spe-
cies of the genus in the extent and di-
versity of the irregularities of its sur-
face and contour; these irregularities
chiefly centered in the base and com-
missural edges, and produced by the
©) addition of a supernumerary corneous
: element to the base of the upper man-
dible just at the angle of the rictus, as
well as the expansion and projection
upwards and outwards of the sides of
the lower mandible towards and at its
base. Bill, except in the length of its
unfeathered commissure, rather short
and wide, the length of culmen.scarcely
surpassing the width of E at E
i 7 ; ase. Upper mandible with the cul-
Mc ev pd dian, dor aug eg ee
from base to tip, which latter is rather acute, and slightly overhangs the
lower mandible; its tomial edge extremely sinuate and irregular, lightly
notched just behind the tip, at the base widened and somewhat everted, for
the reception of the cutting edge of the lower mandible ; lower mandible not
nearly so deep as the upper, somewhat ascending towards the tip, which
latter is slender and acute; the gonys short, perfectly straight, moderately
ascending, the sides of the lower mandible elongated, everted, their tomial
edge elevated and dilated at the base, posteriorly corresponding in contour to
the antero-inferior outline of the superuumerary piece. The latter is a sub-
circular or subquadrate corneous plate, slightly concavo-convex, wedged in
between the bases of the tomial edges of the two mandibles, and forming the
angle ofthe rictus; in color and texture it resembles the rest of the bill, of
which it is a true component element. Nasal fossæ small and inconspicuous,
not deeply furrowed, filled in by cerneous substance like the rest of the
upper mandible; the nostrils small, short, linear-oblong, placed close by
the tomial edge of the mandible, overhung by an arched and much dilated
corneous scale. Feathers extending on culmen to a point opposite the angle
of the gonys, thence descending perpendicularly along the sides of the bill,
just past but not touching the posterior exiremity of the nostrils ; thence fol-
lowing the sinuosities of the commissural edge of the upper mandible to the
supernumerary piece, and around the border of the latter,* but not encroaching
upon it. Interramal space of lower mandible densely feathered; but no
feathers encroach upon the sides of the lower mandible, contrary to the usual
rule in this group.

——————— es eee

* This supernumerary corneous element is not attached by its whole surface to the sub-
cumbent bone; but a part of its upper border is free and projects a little away from the
skull. The fossa down behind this free raised border is fully feathered.

99

Wings and tail of the usual shape and structure of this group ; the length
of the latter contained three and a half times in the length of the former
from the carpal joint to the end of the longest primary. Legs short, stout,
little compressd. Tarsus entirely reticulate, shorter than middle toe without
claw ; outer toe as long as the middle one; its claw shorter and smaller than
that of the middle one. Inner lateral toe extremely short, the tip of its claw
falling far short of the base of the middle claw.

Adult.—An elongated crest of twelve to twenty slender feathers springing
in à bundle from one point at the extreme forehead, far in advance of the
angle of the rictus, and curving over forwards in the greater part of a circle.
These feathers are not truly filamentous, having well developed, though short
barbs, and appear narrower than they really are, from the slight obliquity of
the barbs from the shaft. A slender bundle of filamentous feathers from the
posterior canthus of the eye over the auriculars and sides of the neck. A
very few shorter filamentous feathers forming a sparse interrupted superciliary
series. Allthese filamentous feathers white or whitish; the crest concolor
with the plumage of the upper parts. General color of the crown, nape,
wing, tail, and whole upper parts glossy blackish, with a good deal of a fuli-
ginous or brownish (not plumbeous or cinerous) tint; under parts a diluted
shade of the same, or much more brownish gray, tending on the abdomen
and posterior under parts genefally to ashy gray. Under surfaces of wings
and tail like abdomen. Bill and appendages orange or vermillion red,
yellowish towards the tip. Feet dusky greenish, an undefinable color, in the
dried state.

Length about 9:00; wing 5:25; tail 1:50; tarsus 9:00; middle toe and
claw 1:35 ; outer toe and claw about the same, or slightly less; inner toe and
claw 1:00; bill: chord of culmen :45; tomia of upper mandible, excluding
supernumerary piece :70; greatest width of the latter -25; tomia of under

mandible 90; gonys 40; depth of bill opposite posterior end of nares 45;
width at same point :35.

Young.—Similar to the adult, except in the following points:—The bill is
smaller, weaker, less irregular and sinuous in outline, less brightly colored,
wanting the expansion and eversion of the tomial edges of the two mandi-
bles near their base, and with little or no trace of the supernumerary piece
atthe angle of the mouth. Even in the youngest specimens the bill shows
unmistakable signs of its fuiure character, and cannot be confounded with
thesimple conic bill of tetraculus, etc. The crest and white setaceous feath-
ers are wanting, or only traces of them are apparent. The color is less
blackish, more inclining to a fuliginous dusky above, and to a light dull
brcwnish gray below.

“his species never acquires a distinct parti-coloration like that of most
species of the genus. With the exception of the whitish filamentous feathers
onthe head, the colors are uniform over the whole body, varying in shade
ondifferent parts; and the transition from the darkest, that of the upper
pats, to the palest on the lower is effected by imperceptible degrees. The
brilliantly colored bill is a conspicuous feature. The color of the feet cannot
beaccurately defined in the dried state; but the tints are probably not very
stiking. The crest only makes its appearance after the bird is full grown,
isat least nearly a year old, and has acquired pretty much the perfect shape
ofthe bill The same is true of the white supra- and post-ocular filaments ;
aid generally among the Phaleridine birds, the presence of these peculiar
h:ad-ornaments may be relied on as indices that the bird is adult, and that
is bill has acquired its mature form. It is just possible, however, that these
rmarks may not apply to the setaceous frontal feathers of S. microceros and
Qusillus. The crest of S. cristatellus first appears as a little bundle of short
traight feathers shooting out backwards from the plumage of the fore-
tead. These plumes, in an early state of their growth, are much broader,

40

that is, with more distinct barbs or fibrillæ, than subsequently ; considerable
time elapses before they begin to curl over forwards, and they may continue
straight until they are an inch or rather more in length. When full grown,
they are nigh unto two inches long, curve until they almost make a circle,
drooping gracefully, helmet-wise, upon the bill itself. The crest of this and
other species is doubtless moved by peculiar muscles, and entirely subject to
the control of its wearer, like the very similar crests of the birds of the genus
Lophortyz.

Simorhynchus camtschaticus is obviously the species most likely to be con-
founded with the present. In fact, such has been its fate at its hands of so
distinguished an ornithologist as M. Temminck. It would be wasting words
to institute a comparison between the adults of the two species at this late
day. In the youthful condition, before the distinctive head-ornaments are
apparent, and even before the bill has attained its perfect form, so character-
istic in each case, the two species may be distinguished with equal facility.
In camtschatica, the basal moiety of the sides of the lower mandible is always
feathered ; in eristatellus this part of the bill is in its whole length always per-
fectly bare of feathers. This latter feature is, in fact. the most excellent
diagnostic character of eristatellus; by the aid of which alone the species
may always be recognized, be it in never so immature condition, with never
so undeveloped a bill. The relationships of this species to dubius and tetra-
culus need not be noticed here, as they are given in all necessary detail under
the head of these species respectively.

This species was introduced into the records in 1769, by Dr. Pallas, who
fortunately gave it a binomial name, thereby securing it from appropriation
by Gmelin, who contrived to filch so many species from Pennant, Latham,
and other contemporaneous writers. Dr. Pallas first described it as an Alca,
but afterwards removed it to the genus Uria—a very unwarrantable proce-
dure. It is the type of Merrem's genus Simorhynchus, and of Brandt's genus
Tylorhamphus ; but not, as generally supposed, of Temminck’s genus Phaleris,
which is based upon Alca psittacula Pall. Though thus referred to so many
different genera, it has hardly a specific synonym, unless the name on
Audubon’s plate 402 be regarded as such.

Numerous excellent specimens of this bird are in the collections of the
Philadelphia Academy and of the Smithsonian Institution, from the various
localities quoted at the head of this article. It is decidedly a boreal spedes.
not recorded from the coast of the United States, though occurring onthe
Asiatic shores as far south, at least, as Japan.

SIMORHYNCHUS DUBIUS, (Pallas) Coues.

Uria dubia, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 371, pl. 87. “U. rostro fco
simplici, crista frontis pennacea recurva, * * sexu vel etate tantun a
precedente [cristatella] videtur deferre, licet deficientes ad oris anguos
calli carnei, et rostrum minus hiulcum differentiam insignem constituant.
Cum precedenti in mari extra Awatscham portum observatur. lrides cin-
didz. Rostrum sanguineo-fuscum. Pedes coerulescentes. Ceterum A.
cristatellæ magnitudine et colore simillima."

Phaleris dubia, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 347. Gray, Gin.
Birds, iii, 1849, p. 638. |
Tylorhamphus dubius, Bonaparte, Tab. Comp. Pelag. Comptes Rendus, 1816,
xlii, p. 174. |

This species, if it be really such, appears appropriately named, since thee
is nothing to distinguish it from eristatellus beyond certain differences in tle

bill which might with propriety be attributed to an immature condition f

the specimen upon which the species was based. And yet the mention of à

recurved crest of feathers upon the forehead by Dr. Pallas militates againg

the supposition that his specimen was not adult. The greatreliability whicl
the scientific writings of Dr. Pallas claim, and justly deserve, from thei

41

uniform excellence and accuracy, necessitates no small degree of caution in
a decision against the validity of one of hisspecies. It will be evident upon
the least reflection that, for example, such a perfectly valid species as tetra-
culus, might be so described, in a few sentences, that no striking impression
of its difference from cristatellus should be conveyed. It is aiso to be borne
in mind that Prof. Brandt, probably unsurpassed by any one in the accuracy
and extent of his knowledge of the Alcidæ, and particularly well fitted to
judge of Dr. Pallas’ works, admits the species in question as distinct. And
in the present instance it seems preferable to coincide with the views of these
naturalists, and to allow the species to hereafter stand upon its own merits,
until the proof that it has none is forthcoming, notwithstanding Dr. H.
Schlegel's summary assignment of it (as well as of tetraculus) to eristatellus.

There is no specimen purporting to represent this species in any American
Museum ; and the only information regarding it which can be furnishedat pre-
sent writing is embodied in the above citation from the ‘‘ Zoographia." It is
hardly, if at all, noticed by other writers than those here cited. Mr. Cassin,
however, queries it as a synonym of cristatellus.

SIMORHYNCHUS CAMTSCHATICUS, (Lepech.) Schl.

Alea kamtschatica, Lepechin, Nova Acta Petrop. xii, 1801, p 369, pl. 8.

Phaleris camtschatica, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 347. Gray,
Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 638. Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 908.

Tylorhamphus camtschaticus, Bonaparte, Tab. Comp. Pelag. Comptes Rendus,
1856, xlii, p. 774.

Simorhynchus camtschaticus, Schlegel, Urin. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867. livr. ix, p. 25.

Uria mystacea, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 372, pl. 89. Quotes Alca camt-
schatica Lepechin, having just previously cited it for cristatella.

Phaleris cristatella, Temminck, Pl. Color. No. 200. Not of authors.

Mormon superciliosum, Lichtenstein, Verzeich. 1823, p. 89.

Phaleris superciliosa, Bonaparte, Comp. and Geog. List, 1838, p. 66.

North Pacific Coasts. Unalaschka, (Pallas.) Kamtschatka, (Mus. Bost, Nat.
Hist. Soc.) North-west coast of America, (Mus. Smiths. Inst.)

Bill much smaller, simpler, and differently
shaped from that of S. cristatellus, though not
distantly resembling the juvenile undeveloped
condition of the latter. Width at nostril
very slightly less than depth at same point,
about two-thirds of the length of culmen ; bill
regularly > shaped in lateral outline ; culmen
very convex, regularly arched from base to
tip; gonys nearly straight, rapidly ascending ;
commissure slightly sinuate, a little curved
upward at tip; apices of both mandibles acute,
fairly meeting each other on the level of the
commissure ; tomia of upper mandible slightly
nicked near the tip of the bill. Wings and
tail of usual shape for this genus; the length
of the latter contained about three and a half
times in the length of the former from the car-
pal angle to end of first primary. Tarsus
Fig. 8.—Simorhynchus camtschatteus, much shorter than middle toe and claw;

(Lep.) Nat. size. middle toe a little shorter than outer toe;
middle toe and claw just as long as outer toe and claw; inner toe and claw
a little shorter than middle toe without its claw.

The form of the bill alone is characteristic; the other details of structure
are shared by the rest of the Simorhyncht.

A very long recurved crest of exceedingly slender, delicate, filoplumaceous

42

feathers, six (to ten?) in number, springing from the anterior part of the
forehead, about opposite the anterior edge of the orbits, brownish-black; a
single series of slender filamentous feathers from each side of the base of the
culmen, and thence to the superior border of the orbit; a second similar but
shorter series from the edge of the commissure, and thence along the lower
part of the side of the jaw; a third similar series from the posterior can'hus
of the eye, and thence adown the side of the neck; yellowish white. Body
colors almost uniform; brownish black, sometimes with more of a grayish,
sometimes with more of a fuliginous hue; the wings and tail most intense in
color, frequently nearly black ; the under parts, particularly the belly, lighter
and more grayish brown, inclining to mouse color. Bill orange red, its apex
salmon color, or more decidedly yellowish. Legs (in the dried specimen)
posteriorly dark brown, anteriorly lighter, more reddish-brown; feet dull
brown; claws reddish-brown.

Length of body (approximately) 8:00 inches; wing 5:60; tail 1:60; bill:
chord of culmen :45; depth at base :28, width at base nearly the same;
length of rictus :95; tarsus 1:00; middle toe 1:25, its claw :35; outer toe
1:30, its claw :30; inner toe and claw 1-10; length of outstretched crest 1:40;
length of longest whitish feathers over eye 1:00.

Os hyoides examined: The apohyals are slender cylindrical bones :6 long,
slightly knobbed at the end, devaricating at an angle of about 40°. The
ceratohyals are absent in the specimen. The urohyal is a delicate style for
:10 of an inch, then suddenly expands into a broad, flat, very thin spatulous
lamina, subrectangular in shape, or rather cordate, transversely concavo-con-
vex. This lamina is as long as the rest of the urohyal, and its breadth is
rather greater than the length of the stylous portion. The basi-hyal is :15
of an inch long, slender and cylindrical; bearing upon its apex an exceed-
ingly thin, expanded, somewhat cochleariform glosso-hyal. No opportunity
has presented itself of examining the tongue bones of other species of the
family.

The present is a long and well known species. First made known, at the
beginning of the present century, by Lepechin, (see above) it was redescribed
as Uria mystacea, iu the Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica, by Dr. Pallas, whose ex-
pression ‘ * * pennulis setaceis albis elongatis superciliaribus mysta-
ceisque,” leaves no room for doubt as to the species he had in view. It was
redescribed in 1823 by Prof. Lichtenstein, under the name of Mormon super-
ciliosum. Unfortunately, it furnished the subject of Planche Coloriée, No.
200,at the hands of M. Temminck, under the palpable pseudonym of Phaleris
cristatella ; which event might have been the occasion of confusion and un-
certainty, were the bird a less strongly characterized species. As it is,
there is no difficulty in detecting and correcting M. Temminck’s error. S.
camtschatica is so very distinct from cristatella, that no special comparisons of
the two are required. It is only necessary to point to the configuration of
the bill, and the presence of superciliary and maxillary filoplumes, for their
ready discrimination. For the rest, the present is a much smaller species
than cristatellus; and the plume is perhaps longer, certainly less recurved,
usually composed of fewer feathers, which are rather more filamentous. The
setaceous feathers are essentially arranged, as may be seen above, in three
distinct sets or bundles; one from the side of the bill along the commissure
and lower part of the cheeks; one from the culmen over the eye, and a third
from the posterior canthus of the eye backwards over the auricular region
and side of the neck; though the first and last sets may appear more or less
directly continuous with each other. It is possible that the plumage described
above may not be the most perfect one ; still, the perfect development of the
crest and other ornaments warrants the belief that the bird from which it
was taken is an adult. Authors speak of the under parts, particularly the
abdomen, as being frequently nearly white; which may be the coloration of
those parts in very mature or very old birds.

\

43

At present writing only one perfect specimen of this species is known to
exist in any American Museum. The Boston Natural History Society possess
this one ; No. 9209 of the Museum Register, No. 8135 of the Fresnaye collec-
tion, now owned by the Society. The Smithsonian Institution has a mutilated
specimen, (ah ead only), from the north-west coast of America, presented by
Mr. John Gould. As far as can be judged, it belongs to a bird rather more
perfectly plumaged than the Boston Society’s specimen.

SIMORHYNCHUS TETRACULUS, ( Pall.) Coues,

Alca tetracula, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v, 1769, p. 23, pl. 4, and pl. 5, figs. 10, 11,
12. Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 552, No. 8. Quotes Dusky Auk, Pen-
nant, Arct. Zool. ii, p. 515, No. 435. Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 794, No.
7. Quotes Pallas, Spic. Zool. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 821.

Uria tetracula, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 371, pl. 88.

Phaleris tetracula, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 46. Brandt, Bull.
Acad. St. Petersb, ii, 1837, p. 347. Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 638.
Elliot, B. N. A. 1867, part iii.

Tylorhamphus tetraculus, Bonaparte, Tabl. Comp. Pelag. Comptes Rendus,
1856, xlii, p. 774. Erroneous assignment of Brandt's genus Tylorhamphus,
which is based upon cristatellus.

Phaleris (Tylorhamphus) tetracula, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 907.

Asiatic (and American?) coasts of the North Pacific. “In mari orientali,
presertim Unalaschka,” (Pallas.) Kamtschatka, (Mus. Acad., Philada., and
Mus. Smiths. Inst.) Bay of Yedo, Japan, (Mus. Smiths. Inst.)

Bill small, short, much com-
pressed, regularly conical from
& lateral view, simple, being
without decided sulci, ridges,
caruncles or other irregulari-
ties of surface ofany sort; cul-
men narrow, regularly moder-
ately convex from base to tip ;
commissure and gonys perfect-
ly straight in their whole
length; the tip of the bill
turned neither up nor down,
but the points of both man-
dibles almost meeting on the
level of the commissure. Nasal
fossæ scarcely discernible as
such, the upper border of the
small, basal, linear nostrils
being flush with the rest of the
bill. Frontal feathers extend

Fig. 9.—Simorhynchus tetraculus (Pall. Nat. size. forward with an _ obtusely
counded outline on the culmen, then rapidly recede backwards as they pass
downward in a straight line just past the posterior end of the nostrils to the
commissural edge of the upper mandible ; those on the side of the lower mandi-
ble extending not quite so far, but the interramal space fully feathered. Wings
rather longer than usual in this group; legs, feet, and tail as in other species
of the genus, the legs perhaps a little longer, comparatively, than in other
species. A crest of ten or more slender elongated feathers with loosened
fibrille springs from the middle of the forehead, just before the eyes, and
curves forward in the greater part of a circle to near the tip of the bill. A
very few filamentous feathers on the sides of the head, the slender series be-
ginning at the posterior canthus, and thence extending downwards and back-
wards. A small white spot just below the eye. Everywhere dull blackish,
or dusky; deepest on the back, becoming more of a smoky or brownish-gray

44

on the under parts; under wing coverts like the rest of the under parts; crest
colored like the back. Bill an undefinable dusky* in the dried specimen ; legs
and feet livid gray, (probably greenish or bluish in life); membranes black ;
claws black.

Dimensions.—(Spec. in Mus. Acad., Phila.) Length about 8:50; wing 5:50;
tail 1-60; chord of culmen :35; gape :60; gonys ‘25; greatest height of bill
:33, greatest width :25; tarsus 1:00; middle toe and claw 1:50, outer 1:40,
inner 1:25. |

Another specimen, (No. 22,258, Mus. Smiths. Inst.) Wing 5:60; tail 1-75:
chord of culmen :40; gape:80; gonys -40; height at base of bill 40; width
at same point 30: legs and toes as in the preceding specimen.

Three specimens of this species examined: one in the Philadelphia Academy
from Kamtschatka, which served as the subject of Mr. Cassin's description in
the * Birds of North America;" another in the Smithsonian Institution, (No.
22,258,) received from the Bremen Museum, labelled * Phaleris cristatella,
(Pall.); Winterkleid; Kamtschatka ;” another also in the Smithsonian, (No.
15,805,) labelled “ Phaleris cristatella; Bay of Yedo, Japan; Apr. 1854; eye
gray; iris black; Rodgers’ North Pacific Exploring Expedition." The last
mentioned specimen is in a very poor state of preservation, and is a young
bird, as evidenced by the short straight crest, directed backwards ; though the
bill is nearly perfect in size and shape, aud the geueral aspect of the bird is
precisely that of the adult. The other two specimens are in fine condition,
and represent the perfectly mature state. These three include all that are
known to exist in any American Museum. It is not a common bird in collec-
tions, and is frequently mistaken for the young cristatellus, to which species,
however, it bears only a distant and superficial resemblance.

The bird here described is indubitably the “Dusky Auk” of Pennant, a
Species more perfectly aud satisfactorily described and figured by Dr. Pallas
as Alca tetracula. It is a strongly marked species, not distantly allied to,
and somewhat resembling cristatellus in everything but the bill, which is of a
radically different formation, as will be impressed upon the mind by a
perusal and comparison of the descriptions given under head of these species.
Tetraculus requires no special comparison with eristatellus or with camtschaticus
for the substantiation of its distinctness. S. Cassini of this paper is the most
closely allied species, and might just possibly be confounded by a careless or
ignorant observer. The differences will be found under head of the latter.

The diagnostic points of this species lie chiefly in the small size and pecu-
liar shape of the bill (cf. descr.); the length of the wings, proportionally
greater than in any other species of the genus ; and the greater length of the
feet and toes. The wings, tail, feet and toes are about of the same absolute
dimensions as those of cristatellus, although tetraculus is rather a smaller bird.
The various shades of the dark color of the plumage are produced by admix-
ture of black, brown and gray; there is no pure cinereous or plumbeous on
any part of the plumage.

This is a species which entered at a very early day into ornithological
literature, notwithstanding which it has not. a single accredited synonym.
Its claims to recognition as a valid species, distinct from cristatellus, have not
been impugned, except by the learned Director of the Museum of the Pays-
Bas. It has been the occasion of no confusion or conflict of opinion among
writers, except in those few instances in which it has been erroneously sup-
posed to have furnished the subject of Audubon's plate of cristatellus. The
most cursory examination of the plate will convince the mind upon this
point. Mr. Pennant, in virtue of his “Dusky Auk," which is this species,
would have been entitled to the proprietorship of the bird, had he given it a
binomial name; but as it is, Dr. Pallas stands as its lawful sponsor, having
christened it Alca tetracula in 1769.

* Pallas gives its color as “ fusco-rubrum ;" Gmelin, as “ex fusco-lutescens ;” Latham,
as “luteo-fuscum.”

45

SIMORHYNOHUS Cassini, Coues, n. sp.

Phaleris Cassini, Coues, mss.

DrAG.—58. rostro parvo, breve, valdé compresso, longitudine vix altitudinem
excedente, latitudine dimidii altitudinis; feré triangulare a spectu laterale ;
simplice, nec ullis additamentis corneis instructo ; culmine leviter declinato-
convexo, rictu recto, carina feré recta, a scendente; suprà nigro-plumbeus,
vertice, alis caudáque nigerrimis; subtus griseo-plumbeus, abdomine ceris-
soque sensim albicantibus; longitudo tota corporis 7:75 (poll. Ang.); ale
4:25; caude 1:40 ; tarsi ‘80; digiti medii cum ungue 1:20; rostri +40, alt. ‘30,
lat. 15! rictüs :60.

Typical and unique specimen, No. 46,564 of the Smithsonian Museum; a
male (adult?) collected Aug. 3, 1866, at Ounimak Pass, Russian America,
by W. H. Dall.

Bill very small and short,
only half as long as the tarsus;
extremely compressed, being
hardly more than half as wide
as high at the base; its height
at base three-fourths the length
of culmen; lateral aspect of the
bill nearly triangular; culmen
regularly lightly convex in out-
line; rictus perfectly straight ;
gonys almost straight, ascend-
ing; tip of bill rather obtuse ;
no tubercles, sinuosities, or
other irregularities of surface
or of contour. Nasal fosse
well marked, oval in outline,

Fig. 10.—Simorhynchus Cassini, nov. sp. Nat. size. reaching the culmen at its base,
separated by a ridge from the commissural edge of the upper mandible; nos-
trils low down in the fossa, small, short, narrowly linear. Frontal feathers
laid straight across the base of culmen, descending nearly perpendicularly
along the posterior edge of the nasal fossz, just attaining the posterior end of
the nostrils, then retreating obliquely backwards and downwards. Feathers on
side of lower mandible extending to a point opposite those on culmen; some-
what further into the interramal space, which is densely feathered. Wings
and tail of usual size and shape. Feet small, tarsi moderately compressed,
much shorter than the middle toe and without its claw; only two-thirds the
middle toe and claw; outer toe as long as, or slightly longer than the middle,
its claw much smaller than that of the middle; tip of inner claw just reach-
ing base of middle claw.

Entire upper parts blackish-cinereous, or very dark lead color, deepest and
very black on the crown, wings and tail. Entire under parts much lighter
and more grayish plumbeous, insensibly bleuding with the color of the upper
parts on the sides of the head, neck, and body, fading very gradually into.
whitish on the abdomen and under tail coverts. Inner webs of primaries,
secondaries and tail feathers dusky gray ; the outer glossy black ; under sur-
face of wings dusky gray, nearly black along the edge. Bill dusky, tinged
with red; tarsi behind and toes below black; rest of feet an undefinable
color in the dried state; perhaps reddish in life. ‘Eyes white and black,”
(collector’s label).

This is a very strongly-marked species, differing to a remarkable degree
from any other of the family. The chief peculiarity of form lies in the bill ;
so small, simple, extremely compressed, destitute of appendages, and otherwise
unique, as will be seen by the description, and still more clearly by the dia-
gram. As regards color, the tinge of clear plumbeous which pervades the
uniform dark color is very characteristic. There is no trace of a crest, nor

46

of elongated filiform feathers about the head, Their absence, however, is
not to be regarded as a specific character, since it cannot be positively
affirmed that the specimen is fully adult.

The affinities of the species are clearly with S. tetraculus, which it resem-
bles in the small simple compressed bill. But it is unnecessary to compare
the two and point out the differences. A glance at the dimensions will alone
suffice to show specific distinction. There is no other bird in the family that
S. Cassini in the least resembles.

SIMORHYNCHUS MICROCEROS, (Brandt,) Coues:

2 Alca pygmæa, Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 555, No. 12; and of the older
authors. Based on the Pigmy Auk of Pennant. Not identifiable.

Simorhynchus pygmeus, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, livr. ix, p.
23. Identifies A. pygmea Gm. as Phaleris microceros Brandt or P. nodirostra
Bonap., and Uria pusilla Pall. as young of the same.

Phaleris microceros, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 346.

Phaleris (Ciceronia) microceros, Cassin, B. N. A. 1858, p. 908.

Ciceronia microceros, Reichenbach.

Phaleris nodirostra, Bonaparte, Comp. and Geog. List, 1838, p. 66. Equals
microceros Brandt. Audubon, Orn. Biog. v, 1839, p. 101, pl. 402. Audu-
bon, B. Amer. vii, 1844, pl. 468. Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 644.

Ciceronia nodirostris, Bonaparte, Consp. Gay. Comptes Rend., 1856, xlii. p. 774.

“2 Phaleris corniculata, Eschscholtz,” (Gray.) Doubtful citation.
Fratercula corniculata? or Cerorhina monocerata ?

Asiatic and American coasts of North Pacific; Kamtschatka; Kurile
Islands; Plover Bay; Sitka; Japan. Numerous specimens in the Mus. Acad.,
Philadelphia, and Mus. Smiths. Inst., from various localities. Not known to
occur as far south as Washington Territory, U. S., though found in the
Japan Sea.

Perhaps

Smallest of the Auks with the ex-
ception of S. pusillus. Bill very short,
not half as long as the head, stout,
deep, wide, little compressed, obtuse
at the tip; its width at base nearly

©) equalling its heighth at the same

point, and but little less than the

length of culmen. A small but con-

spicuous globular tubercle arising

from base of culmer, beyond which

the culmen is strongly arched, very

regularly convex, rapidly descending,

its tip not very acute, obsoletely

notched on the tomia, very slightly

overhanging the tip of under mandi-

Fig. 11.—Simorhynchus microteros, (Brandt). ble. Commissure almost straight its

Nat. size. whole length, the extremity very

slightly ascending. Gonys short, rapidly ascending, very slightly convex.

Nostrils in a short but wide and deep fossa, placed rather higher up above

the commissure than in some species ; narrowly linear, not reached by the

frontal feathers. Frontal feathers extending to the node on the culmen,

then retreating obliquely backwards as they descend alongthe sides of the

upper mandible; feathers on side of lower mandible extending farther than on

upper mandible. Proportions of wings, tail, legs and feet as in other species
of the genus.

Adult.—Forehead and lores conspicuously marked with delicate hair lines
of white, produced by numerous short, stiff, but very slender white setaceous
feathers scattered thickly thereover; a few of which filaments, more elon-
gated and thread-like than the frontal ones, stretch adown the sides of the head

47

to below the level of the jaw; and a few more excessively delicate ones
reach from the posterior canthus of the eye some distance along the sides of
the occiput and nape. Entire upper parts, including the forehead, vertex,
occiput, and sides of head, (with the exception of the white feathers just
described) sides of neck, and wings and tail, glossy black. Inner webs of
the primaries dusky gray. Under wing coverts, (except the smallest row
just along the antibrachium and metacarpus,) white. Region about base of
under mandible blackish plumbeous, and a few feathers along the sides
under the wings and on the flanks blackish; all other under parts white,
mottled, especially on the breast and sides, with black, the throat alone re-
maining immaculate. Bill red, tubercle and base of upper mandible dark
bluish. Legs and feet an undefinable dusky in the dried state; the anterior
border of the tarsus, and superior aspect of the toes dull greenish.

Length about 6:50; wing from carpus 3:75; tail 1-25; tarsus -70; middle
toe and claw 1:00; outer do. the same; inner do. ‘85; bill: chord of culmen,
(including width of knob) +40; along rictus 60; gonys ‘25; height at base
:30; width at base slightly less.

The preceding is a description of the perfect plumage of this species,
which is of comparatively unfrequent occurrence. The usual state of plum-
age of the bird as met with in collections is much as follows :—Bill as de-
scribed above; filamentous feathers much as above described, but rather
shorter and more sparse, and scarcely appearing behind the eye and along
edge of side of lower jaw. Upper parts plumbeous black, sometimes slightly
interrupted in its continuity by a few whitish feathers about the scapulars ;
the primaries grayish black, paler on their inner webs ; secondaries grayish
white at their tips. Under parts white, as before, but very sparsely marbled
or waved with dusky; least so on the abdomen, most so on the sides and
breast, where the blackish so increases in amount as to appear more or less
continuous with that of the upper parts. Chin and sides of jaw as above de-
scribed, but throat white, immaculate The dusky mottling varies greatly in
amount and in intensity with different specimens. Sometimes it is reduced
to a few isolated touches here and there, and again it is found to give the pre-
vailing color to the under parts. That specimens in this mottled condition
are not immature, is proven by the fact that the bill is fully grown and pro-
vided with a well developed tubercle; and that the forehead is thickly
covered with white setaceous feathers. The mottling, however, is confined
to the tips of the individual feathers, whose bases are pure white; and is
thus apparently of a temporary and transient character, like that so frequently
met with in young or winter specimens of gulls and petrels. It may be a
seasonal feature, or one only found in birds of a certain age; and yet nu-
merous facts tend to indicate it asa character of perfectly mature birds.
Were one to examine a specimen with the usual moderate amount of mottling
on the under parts, and notice the fact that the blackish occupies only the
tips of the feathers, he could not fail to be impressed with the analogy just
now hinted at, and to conclude that with advancing age the mottling would
grow less and less, and finally disappear, leaving the under parts pure white,
as in pusillus. Such, however, appears not to be the case. Specimens whose
age is attested by a fully developed bill and well formed tubercle, are those
most mottled below with blackish. And yet, no specimens have been found
with the breast or any other part of the under parts uninterruptedly black,
trenchantly divided from white areas. The peculiar kind of mottling exhib-
ited by this species is so unusual as a condition of perfect maturity, that the
suspicion arises that the very highest state of plumage is not yet known.

Young.—Entirely similar in plumage to the bird as just described ; but the
under parts white, scarcely relieved by mottling; and the white extending
far around on the sides of the neck, leaving only a narrow median dorsal line
black; the bill smaller than that of the adult, and the tubercle wholly want-

48

ing, or very imperfectly developed; its place on the culmen being occupied
by a soft skinny covering like that on the nasal fosse.

Specimens frequently occur in this condition. An understanding of its
precise import is somewhat complicated by the fact that, although the tuber-
cle is entirely wanting, and the bill otherwise obviously undeveloped, the
head is well provided with the whitish setaceous feathers. Birds in such
condition might be confounded, on casual inspection, with S. pusillus. But
more careful examination will result in the observation, that the bill is far
too large, thick, and heavy to be that of pusillus ; that there is no conspicuous
white patch on the scapulars; that the size of the whole bird exceeds that of
pusillus : which points, in connection with some others which might be enu-
merated, will serve to distinguish the two species. "Their relationships are
dwelt upon more at length in the succeeding article.

When old birds of this species are moulting, in the fall, the glossy black
of the fresh feathers on the back is interrupted with dull grayish black
patches, formed by the old feathers whieh have not yet been renewed; and
the old worn primaries and secondaries are dull grayish, fading almost into
grayish white at their tips and along their edges. A specimen in such a con-
dition, (No. 46,563, Smiths. Mus.) though palpably an old bird, has no trace
of a caruncle on the bill.

It may not, perhaps, be exceeding due bounds, to hint at the possibility
that the nodule on the bill may be temporary in character, assumed after a
certain age, at a certain season, and then lost, wholly or in part, by absorp-
tion, to be again resumed at the same period of the following year, probably
during the season of reproduction. This suggestion presents itself to the
observer without straining on his part, and, in fact, is rather forced upon his
attention, after examination of specimens, apparently adult, in which no
trace of the tubercle is to be found. The tubercle is in essential character-
istics an extrinsic formation upon the bill, differing radically in its structure
from the rest of the organ. No good reason appears to forbid the supposi-
tion that its growth and subsequent re-absorption, may be periodical. Argu-
ments for such a belief might readily be adduced in the periodical hyper-
trophy and atrophy of the combs, wattles, caruncles, and the various other
fleshy or cutaneous or semi-corneous growths about the head and bill of very
many birds, which enlarge during the breeding season, and afterwards
diminish or entirely disappear. It is also within the limits of possibility
that caruncles of this species is a sexual characteristic. The specimen above
mentioned, (No. 46,563,) is marked female. However close to, or remote
from, the truth either or both of the foregoing suggestions may be, it is cer-
tain that observed facts relating to the rostral knob of this bird are at vari-
ance with generally received doctrines about it, and are explicable by the ap-
plication of one or the other of the preceding hypotheses. At present we are
very much in the dark in the matter.

Various ages, conditions of plumage and bill, of this species are well
represented by the numerous specimens in the Museum of the Philadelphia
Academy and of the Smithsonian Institution, from various localities along
the coasts and among the islands of the North Pacific. No specimens are
contained in any other American collection.

The only questions of syaonymy which arise in this case are connected
with the identification of Alca pygmea, Gm., and are treated of under head
of S. pusillus. Prof. Brandt's name has priority over that of the Prince Bona-
parte, although the latter has come into more general employ than the former,

SIMORHYNCHUS PUSILLUS, (Pallas) Coues.

? Alea pygmæa, Gmelin. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 555, No. 12; "rostro nigro,
vertice, cervice, dorso, alis, caudà pedibusque obscuris, jugulo et pectore
glaucis, abdomine sordide albo. * * alce minor, T poll. longa,"
etc.—Based upon Pigmy Auk, Pennant, Arct. Zool. ii, p. 513, No. 431.

49

Habitat between Northern Asia and America. Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790,
p. 790, No. ii. Same as Gmelin's species. Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn.
1790, p. 33. Same as Gmelin's species. Donndortf, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, p.
825. Quotes Pennant and Latham.

? Phaleris pygmea, Stephens, Shaws Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 48. Same as
Alca pygmæa, Gm. Lath,

Phaleris pygmea, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 347. Quotes
both Alea pygmæa Gm. and Uria pusilla Pall., which he considers as synony-
mous. Gray, Genera Birds iii, 1849, p. 638. Quotes Uria pusilla, Pall.

Tylorhamphus pygmeas, Bonaparte Consp. Gav. Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii. p.
774, Same as pusilla, Pall.

Uria pusilla, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 373, pl. 70, haud dubié. “Fronte
brachiisque albo-notatis."

Phaleris pusilla, Cassin, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. 1862, p. 324. Elliot, B. N. Am.
1867, part vi.

Paaleris (Ciceronia) pusilla, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1868, p. 909.

Asiatic and American coasts of the North Pacific. Kamtschatka, (Pallas.)

Semiavine Straits (Mus. Smiths. Inst.) N. W. coast of America (Mus. Smiths.

Inst.) Sitka, Russian Amer. (Mus. Pays-Bas, teste Schlegel.)

In size the least of its genus,

and the smallest known nata-

torial bird. Length, (approxi-

rit mately correct) 5:50 inches; ex-

X. © tent of wings ——, wing from

carpus to end of first primary

3°50; tail 1:10; tarsus ‘75, mid-

dle toe and claw 1:10; outer toe

and claw 1:00; inner toe and

claw °85; bill along culmen

:40; along rictus, :65; along

gonys ‘30; height at base :20;

width at same point the same

or slightly less. (Compare these

measurements, particularly of

Fig. 12.—Simorhynchus pusillus, (Pallas.) the bill, with those of S. micro-
Nat. size. ceros. )

With the usual form of the genus, except as to the bill, the shape of which
is specific. Bill without tubercles, or other irregularities of contour ; straight,
comparatively slender, compressed ; height at base much less than length
along culmen ; width at base the same, or rather less than, height at same
point; the apex more acute than that of microceros ; the outline of culmen
at first straight, then slightly convexo-declinate ; commissure almost straight,
a little ascending anteriorly, still not sinuous in any part of its length; gonys
lengthened, at first convex in outline, then rapidly ascending in a straight
line. Nasal fossa large, extending along the basal moiety of the bill, reach-
ing from the culmen nearly to the tomia; not deeply excavated; nostrils
small, narrow, linear, one eighth of an inch long, basal, lying just above the
commissural edge of the upper mandible. Frontal feathers running forward
some distance in a rather narrow angle on the culmen, retreating very rapidly
obliquely backwards and downwards on the sides of the upper mandible ; ex-
tending on sides of the lower mandible a little further than on upper. (It is
to be gathered from this description, more particularly, that the bill of pusil-
lus, compared with that of mucroceros, is fully as long; but slenderer, more
acute at the tip, less convex along culmen and gonys, more compressed in its
whole extent, and non-tuberculate.)

Adult—Entire under parts pure white; entire upper parts pure black,
only relieved as follows: The humeral and scapular feathers are, all of them

4

50

or most of them, white or whitish in some portion or the whole of their
extent ; producing two patches of this color, not inaptly comparable to the
similar patches on the scapulars of Brachyrhamphus Wrangeli, or Collyrio
borealis, in size, shape and general appearance. Abouthalf the secondaries, the
innermost ones, are quite conspicuously white on the tips of the outer web
for a fourth or a third of an inch. The forehead and lores, from the base of
the bill to the eyes and vertex, are lineated (exactly as in microceros) with
sparse, distinct, very slender white setaceous feathers; none are apparent,
among several specimens, behind the eye, or from the commissural angle of
the bill. Pallas tersely summed up these points of coloration of the upper
partsin saying * Fronte brachiisque albo-notatis ;" and the white about the
* arms" is a strong distinctive feature of the species in comparison with
microceros. The white of the under parts reaches far around on the side of
the neck; on the side of the head it only extends on a level with the com-
missure ; it does not quite attain the base of the lower mandible, being cuf
off from the bill by a small blackish-lead-colored area. There are indica-
tion of a small whitish spot just above and below the eye, formed of feathers
of the ordinary texture. The under wing coverts are wholly white, except
just along the edge of the forearm. The short tibial feathers are dusky
gray. Bill black, (as nearly as can be determined from the dried specimens,)
the base, gonys and tip of lower mandible yellowish. Posterior aspect of
tarsus, and inferior surface of toes and webs, blackish ; rest of legs and feet
a dull undefinable greenish-dusky (in the dried specimens.)

The changes of plumage of this species are not known ; no other condition
than the one above described is represented by the specimens in the Smith-
sonian Institution, and none are contained, as far as known, in any other
American museum. No. 21,320 of the Smithsonian collection, obtained from
Capt. John Rodgers' expedition to the North Pacific, collected at Semiavine
Straits by Dr. Wm. Stimpson, is the one above described. No. 21,321, from
the same locality, is a younger bird, but entirely similar to 21,520, except that
it has a rather weaker bill, and only slight traces of the white setaceous feath-
ers on the forehead. No. 46,562, collected Sept. 9th, 1866, at Plover Bay, by
W. H. Dall, of the Western Union Company's Overland International Tele-
graph Expedition, a young bird, as shown by the soft feel of the feathers and
other features needless to detail, is referrible, with some degree of doubt, to
this species. The scapulars are very conspicuously white; the secondaries
plainly tipped with white; the under parts pure white, unspotted as in
typical pusillus. The black of the upper parts is tinted, especially about the
head, with gray or plumbeous, and there are no traces of whitish setaceous
feathers on the forehead ; both of which features are to be attributed to the
juvenility of the specimen. The doubt in the case centres in the bill. This
organ has no trace of a tubercle, and is very small and weak, as usual in the
young pusillus ; but it seems to be deeper, and especially wider at the base,
compared with its length, than is the case with typical pusillus; in these
points of shape approximating to microceros. But “seems to be” is the most
definite expression to be used in this case, for in the preparation of the spe-
cimen, or its subsequent drying or packing for transportation, the bill has
been injured, and so much distorted, that its true form cannot now be de-
termined with desirable precision.

It cannot be denied that the relations that this species bears to microceros
are extremely intimate. So closely, in fact, does it approach the latter, that
its specific validity might fairly be called in question by one of conservative
views ; especially in consideration of the well-known fact, not to be disputed,
that the bills of all young Alcidæ are much smaller and weaker, and even in
more striking points of form, conspicuously different from those of adult
birds ; and that a long time is required for their perfect development. This
remark applies with especial force to the formation of the various knobs,
ridges, sulci, rictal callosities, and the other irregularities of surface. The

51

mere presence or absence, therefore, of the node upon the base of the culmen,
cannot be allowed to constitute a specific character in the present case, and
may be left out of consideration, as may be, also, the color of the bill. Too
much stress should not be laid upon the presence of white scapulars and of
white tips to the secondaries, since in some specimens of undoubted microce-
ros unmistakable traces of the former are to be found, and the ends of the
inner secondaries are decidedly lighter than the body of the feathers. All
the observable differences in the quantity and distribution of the whitish se-
taceous feathers upon the forehead and oiher parts of the head might readily
enough depend upon a difference in the age of specimens. The pure unin-
terrupted white of the under parts of pusillus stands in apparently strong con-
tradistinction to the black mottling of the same parts of microcerus; but it is
to be remembered that the coloration in this respect of the latter species is
very variable, ranging from a very sparse and scanty marbling to a nearly
uniform black, particularly upon the breast, and is therefore not to be too
implicitly relied upon, at least until it is more definitely ascertained than at
present whether the black mottling tends to decrease or to increase with ad.
vancing age. If microceros grows more and more marbled with black as it
grows older, we might with entire propriety presume upon the existence of a
youthful state of plumage, in which the under parts are entirely white, like
those of pusillus. Such is very likely the real state of the case; for the
youngest examples of microceros examined—those which have no trace of a
tubercle—are nearly white below, only very sparsely and indistinctly mottled
with blackish. Still, aside from all these varying and therefore uncertain
points, there appear good grounds for separating the two species, as will be
observed on comparing the descriptions given in this and in the preceding
article.

As the case stands with our present information upon the subject, P. pusil-
lus is to be separated from P. microceros: first, by certain differences posi-
tively known to occur: a, in size, which is decidedly less, as evidenced by
the measurement of all its dimensions ; 5, in form of bill, which is slenderer,
more acute at the tip, not so deep at the base, particularly not so wide at the
base, yet not shorter, than that of microceros ; secondly, by certain differences
very constantly observed, yet not proven to always hold good: a, absence of
tubercle; 5, conspicuously white scapulars and tips of secondaries; c, pure
white under parts, uninterrupted by blackish mottling, and extending around
on the sides of the neck; d, shortness and scantiness of the white setaceous
feathers on the forehead ; e, color of bill, mostly black, not mostly red.

It only remains to notice the synonymy of this species, and all that is to
be said on this score relates to the identification of Alca pygmæa Gm. This
name is founded upon the “Pigmy Auk” of Pennant,—a small species first
described very loosely and imperfectly by the latter writer, whose account
Gmelin merely renders into Latin, in applying a binomial name. There is
no doubt that the bird was one of the little Auks of the North Pacific, as its
very name, and the dimensions assigned (seven inches), clearly indicate, but
there is no possibility, at the present day, of identifying it with precision. It
was very possibly based either upon the present species or the preceding
(microceros), and should these two ever be united, as young and old of the
same, the name pygmæa might without undue violence be assigned to the
Species so constituted. So long as they are regarded as distinct, the name
pygmexus must not be applied to either of them. As far as we can judge by
the description, particularly the expression *jugulo et pectore glaucis,"
pygmea may not impossibly have been based upon Ptychoramphus aleuticus.
But Mr. Cassin's supposition is perhaps as near the truth as any that could be
advanced: “Itis possible that the Pigmy Auk of Pennant, which is Alca
pygmea Gmelin may be the young of this species [microceros], but it is more
probable, judging from the descriptions cf Gmelin and Latham, that several
small species have been confounded under this name." The same gentleman

52

also calls attention to the fact, that some of the expressions in the diagnoses
of the old authors have no basis in the characters of any Alcidine bird. Under
the circumstances, it behooves us to ignore the name pygm«a altogether, since
it cannot be identified ; and to accept pusillus of Pallas, to which no possibil-
ity of doubt attaches, as the proper name of the present species.

PTYCHORHAMPHUS, Brandt.

Uria, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. 1811, ii, p. 370, in part; not of authors.
Piychorhamphus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Sc. St. Petersb.ii, 1837, p. 347. Type

Uria aleutica, Pall.

Mergulus, Gambel, Pr. A. N. S. ii, 1842, p. 266, in part; not of Ray, Vieill.
Arctica, Gray, Genera, iii, 1849, p. 638; in part; not of Mchring.
Simorhynchus, Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, livr. ix, p. 26, in part; not of

Merrem.

Size moderate; general form stout; not crested, nor with any elongated
feathers about the head. Bill about two-thirds as long as the head, three-
fourths as long as the tarsus, very stout, straiglit, somewhat conical in shape,
slightly if at all compressed, without nodes or irregularities, the tip acute;
culmen very moderately declinato-convex in outline, the ridge broad, more or
less corrugated transversely at the base; the sides of upper mandible bulg-
ing, the tomial edges inflected; sides of lower mandible nearly upright, flat,
longitudinally grooved for the greater part of their length, their tomial edges
somewhat inflected; rictus straight; gonys straight, or nearly so, very long.
Nasal fosse long and wide, shallow, filled in with soft skin; that of the two
fosse meeting over the base of the culmen, and there corrugated as just đe-
seribed; nostrils rather long, narrowly oval, subbasal, opening at the lower
border of the fossz, the edge of the membrane that overhangs them elevated,
flaring. Frontal feathers in a nearly transverse line across the base of the
culmen, thence descending a little obliquely backwards, just behind the nos-
trils, to the commissure; those on lower mandible extending, in the inter-
ramal space (which they completely fill), to a point rather beyond a perpen-
dicuiar from those on culmen; then, encroaching very little on the sides of
the lower mandible, they retreat in a straight line rapidly backwards and
obliquely upwards. Wings moderately long, narrow, pointed, the primaries
somewhat falcate, narrowing rapidly at the tip to an acute point, first longest,
rest equably graduated. Tail short, broad, rounded, contained about three
and a half times in the length of wing from the carpal joint; the feathers .
«broadly rounded at their tips. Ta:sus much shorter than the middle toe
without its claw; about two-thirds as long as the middle toe and claw;
greatly compressed, covered with small, very irregularly shaped polygonal
reticulations ; no large transverse scutelle. Outer lateral toe as long as, or
slightly shorter than the middle; its claw not reaching the tip of the middle
claw. Tip of inner claw reaching base of middle one. Claws compressed,
acute, moderately arched, the inner edge of the middle one dilated.

This genus was instituted in 1837 by Prof. Brandt, for the reception of the
Uria aleutica of Pallas, its type and only species. It is strongly characterized
by the bill, which is of a shape not even approximating towards that of any
other Alcidine bird. Its points of structure in other respects are shared by
the majority of the family.

PrycHoRHAMPHUS ALEUTICUS, (Pall) Brandt.

Uria aleutica, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 370. “Corpore suprà fusco,
subtus albo liturato, rostro producto, triplici plica inter nares."

Ptychorhamphus aleuticus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 347. Bo-
naparte, Tabl. Comp. Pelag. Compt. Rend., 1856, xlii, p. 774. Cassin, Baird's
B. N. A. 1858, p. 910. Heermann, Pac. R. R. Rep. x, 1859, Route to Cala.
Birds, p. 75. Elliot, B. N. Am. part iv, 1867.

Phaleris aleutica, Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 638.

53

Simorhynchus aleuticus, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, ix livr. 1867, p. 26.

Mergulus Cassinii, Gambel, Pr. A. N. S. Philada. ii, 1845, p. 266. Id., Journ.
A. N. S. Phila. 2d series, ii, 1850, pl. vi.

Arctica Cassinii, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 638.

Pacific coast of North America, south to San Diego, California. Breeds on
the Farralone Islands. Aleutian Islands (Pallas), Russian America, and whole
west coast of the United States. (Mus. Smiths. Inst. and Acad. Philada.)

Adult.—Bill black, base of lower mandible whitish or yellowish. Legs
anteriorly, and toes superiorly bluish; legs posteriorly, and toes inferiorly,
with the membranes, blackish. A slight touch of white about the eyes. En-
tire upper parts blackish-plumbeous, the head, wings and tail nearly black.
This color, gradually diluted until itis much more grayish-plumbeous, ex-
tends around the under parts and sides of the head, the throat, upper part of
the breast, and whole sides of the body under the wings. Greater part of
breast, with abdomen and under tail coverts pure white; the grayish plum-
beous of the upper breas§ merging very gradually into the white of the belly.
Under surface of wings dark lustrous gray.

Young.—Very similar to the adult; differing chiefly in being more decided-
ly blackish on the upper parts.

Moulting specimens have the upper parts much duller and grayer,'the old
wing and tail feathers faded, especially towards their tips, into light brown-
ish-gray.

Pench 8:00 to 9:50; extent 16:00 to 18:50; wing 4-75 to 5:25; tail 1:50 to
175; tarsus about 1:00; middle toe and claw 1:40; outer do. 1:30; inner do.
1:10; culmen :75; rictus :90; gonys:60; depth of bill opposite posterior ex-
tremity of nostrils :40; width -30.

As regards color, this species is remarkably constant. Hardly any other
differences than those first noticed are to be found, after examination of exten-
Sive series; and they may all be summed up as merely varying shades of the
same color, and slight variation in its extent downwards upon the breast. The
bill at all ages and seasons presents its peculiar parti-coloration. These re-
marks, however, probably do not apply to fledgelings. As regards size, the spe-
cies is perhaps unusually variable, as may be seen by the measurements given
above, which represent extremes in those cases where two sets of figures are
given, and the average in other measurements. The bill, in particular, is
liable to great variation both in length and in stoutness. Some bills are very
large and robust, nearly as wide as high at the base, rather obtuse at the tip,
and with decidedly curved culmen and gonys; others are longer in proportion
to their transverse dimensions, decidedly compressed throughout, acutely
pointed, with almost straight culmen and gonys. The corrugations about the
base of the upper mandible are sometimes nearly obsolete, and when present
are very variable in character. Very likely they are hardly, if at all, apparent
in life; for they seem to be produced mainly by the shrinking in drying of the
skin covering the nasal fosse and base of the culmen. All the variations ex-
hibited by the numerous specimens seem to be merely individual differences,
and are not sufficient to excite a suspicion that more than one species is repre-
sented in the series.

Mergulus Cassinii Gambel (Arctica Cassinii Gray) is now well known to be
this species, first described by Pallas, as above quoted. The species has no
other synonyms of consequence. Its striking peculiarities suffice to prevent
misconception regarding it.

Subfamily URINÆ.

MERGULUS, (Ray) Vieill.

Mergulus, Ray, Syn. Av. Vieillot, Analyse, 1816, and of authors. Type Alca
alle, Linn.

54

Plautus, Klein, Prod. Av. p. 140. In part.
Arctica, Moehring, Av. Gen. 1752, p. 65. Type Plautus columbarius, Klein, Gray,

Genera, iii, 1849, p. 644. Type Alca alle, Linn.

Alca, Linnzus, S. N., i, 1758. In part.
Uria, Pallas, Zoog. R. A. 1811, ii. In part.

Bill very short, culmen only three-fourths the tarsus, very stout, scarcely
compressed, obtuse at the tip, as wide as high at the base, the sides of both
mandibles convex or vaulted, the tomial edge of the upper greatly inflected, the
culmen very convex in outline, with a broad flattened ridge, the rictus ample,
much decurved towards the end, the gonys straight, very short, the inferior
mandibular rami correspondingly elongated, widely divaricating, the interra-
mal space very broad, the nasal fosss short, wide, deep, partially feathered.
Nostrils subbasal, short, more broadly oval, or more nearly circular than in
any other genus except SyntAliborhamphus. Wings rather longer than usual in
this family, acutely pointed. Tail of ordinary length, much rounded, the fea-
thers rather narrow and subacuminate at tip. Feet small and weak; tarsus
scarcely compressed, anteriorly broadly scutellate, posteriorly finely reticulate.
Toes of the usual proportionate lengths. Size very small; general form very
compact, stout.

A peculiar genus of the Alcidz, the most essential characters of which, as
usual in this family, are found in the bill, though the other members offer some
appreciable, if not salient features. The squat bunchy shape of the single spe-
cies is very noticeable.

This is the genus through which a certain type of structure found among the
Longipennes inosculates with the Pygopodes. The relationship of Pelecanoides
urinatriz to Mergulus alle is one of strong analogy, if not of actual affinity, as
has been elsewhere already pointed out by the writer.* Aside from the obvi-
ously Procellaridian characters of the bill, Pelecanoides (representing the sub-
family Halodrominz) is strictly a Pygopodous genus, and is very nearly iden-
tical with Mergulus in all the details of external structure, and has much the
same general habitus. It is certainly the connecting link between the ma-
cropterous and brachypterous natatores, holding so strangely anomalous a
position betwixt the two, that it cannot be with much propriety included under
either. It seems entitled to the rank of a family, to take place between the
Procellariidz and Alcidæ.

MERGULUS ALLE, (by) Vieill.

Mergulus melanoleucus, Ray, Syn. Av. p. 125. Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii,
1825, p. 345. Brandt, Bull. Acad. St.-Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 347. Brewer, oct.
ed. Wilson’s Orn., with notes by Jardine, 1840, p. 658, fig. 315. Fleming,
Hist. Brit. Anim. 1842, p. 135. Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii, 1851,
p. 218.

Columba grænlandica, * Albanus, Av. p. 81, pl. 85. Gunn., Act. Nidroff, i, p.
206, pl. 6."

Plautus columbarius, Klein, Prod. Av. p. 146, No. i.

Alca alle, Linneus, S. N. ed. x, i, 1758, p. 131, No. 6. Id. ibid. ed. xii, 1766, i,
p.211, No. 5. Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 26, No. 106. Hermann, Tab.
Affin. Anim. p. 149. Müller, Zool. dan. Prodr. p. 17, No. 142. Latham, Ind.
Orn. ii, 1790, p. 795, No. 10. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 823,
No. 5.—Donndorff's Var. B is candida Lath.—Wilson, Am. Orn. ix, pl. 74,
fig. 5. Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, ix livr. 1867, p. 20.

Ura alle, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 369. Temminck, Man. Orn. ii, 1820,
p.928. Bonaparte, Obs. Wils. 1826, No. 238. Audubon, Orn. Biog. v, 1838,
p. 304, pl. 339.

Uria (Mergulus) alle, Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828, p. 425.

* Of, Pr. A. N. 8. Philada. May, 1866, pp. 17 2, 189.

55

Mergulus.alle, Vieillot, Analyse, 1816, p. 66. Id., Gal. Ois. 1825, p. 236, pl.
295. Gould, Birds Eur. v, 1837, pl. 402. Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, ii,
1852, p. 341. Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774. Cassin,
Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 918. Boardman, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. Sept. 1862,
p.131. Verrill, Proc. Essex Inst. iii, 1863, p. 160. Samuels, Ornith. and
Ool. of New England, 1867, p. 570.

Arctica alle, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 644.

Alca alce, Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 544, No. 5.

Alca candida, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 26, No. 107. In pure white plu-
mage; probably albino.

Mergulus arcticus, Brehm
E:ropean and American coasts of the North Atlantic. On the United States

coast, in winter, south to New Jersey. Numerous specimens in Mus. Acad.

Philada., Smiths. Inst., Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Essex Inst., Cab. G. N. Lawrence,

author's Cab., etc.

Adult, summer plumage.—Head and neck all around, and entire upper parts
glossy black, with a beautiful metallic lustre of a shade of blue, when in high-
est plumage; scapulars edged with white; shafts and inner webs of primaries
brown, lighter at base; secondaries tipped with white; under surfaces of the
wings brownish-gray; under parts from the breast pure white, with a few
elongated feathers of the sides and flanks varied with black on the outer webs;
bill black; legs and feet posteriorly blackish, anteriorly flesh-colored (dull
yellowish in the dried state).

Adult in winter.—As before; the white of the under parts extending on the
neck and throat to the bill, on the sides of the head to the level of the rictus,
on the sides of the nape ovcr the auriculars (where it is somewhat marbled
with black), or even to the middle of the nape, more or less confluent with
that of the other side

Young, first winter.—Recognizable by its smaller and weaker bill, by the
duller and more brownish black of the upper parts, almost wanting in gloss,
and by the greater extension of the white upon the sides of the hind head and
neck. The scapulars and coverts are conspicuously marked with white, as in
the adult, The feet are mostly dusky.

Length 8:50; wing 4:75; tail 1:50; tarsus :80; middle toe and claw 1:20,
outer do. 1:15, inner do. :85; bill along culmen -50, rictus 1:00, gonys :20; its
depth at base :35, its width at same point about the same.

When in mature plumage, this is a very beautiful species. No other Alci-
dine has such lustre of the dorsal plumage, traces of which are even found in
adult winter specimens. In the latter the extent of the black upon the throat
is indicated by a dusky clouding of the bases of the feathers of the parts. The
species is ordinarily subject to only moderate variation in size or colors. The
condition of albinism has been described.

The first chronicles of this species are of great antiquity. It appears to have
shared for a time with Uria grylle the soubriquet of ** Columba gronlandica."
Since its description as Alcu alle by Linnzus, it has been the basis of very few
synonyms. Alca candida of Brünnich is this species in the albino state. Mer-
gulus melanoleucus, Ray, is adopted by many authors. Mr. G. R. Gray adopts
Moehring's generic appellation.

SYNTHLIBORHAMPHUS, Brandt.

Alca, Gmelin, S. N. i, 1188, p. 554, and of the older authors, in part.

Uria, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, and of some authors, in part.

Fratercula, Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, in part.

Synthliborhamphus, Brandt, Bull Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837. (Type Alca anti-
qua, Gm.) Subgenus of Brachyrhamphus, Brandt.

Mergulus, Vigors, Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, in part.

56

Arctica, Gray, Genera, iii, 1849, in part.
Anobapton, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii. p. 774, in part.

Size moderate or rather small; general form stout, compact; head with or
without a crest; bill somewhat as in Brachyrhamphus, but much stouter, and
shorter for its depth; much compressed throughout, depth at base about half
the length of culmen, culmen and gonys moderately curved, gonys straight,
ascending; nasal fossæ small and shallow; nostrils subbasal, broadly oval or
nearly circular, as in Mergulus, feathered; feathers extending to about the same
distance on culmen and keel; on both mandibles retreating rapidly backwards
from the point of their furthest extension; those on the upper passing just by
the nostrils, but not covering the latter. Wings of usual size and shape in this
group ; secondaries very short, as in Brachyrhamphus, the tip of the longest not
reaching much more than half-way from the carpal joint to the end of the first
primary in the closed wing. Tail of usual length, short, broad, nearly square,
or very slightly rounded, the feathers very broadly rounded at tip. Tarsi much
compressed, anteriorly and laterally transversely scutellate, posteriorly reticu-
late; about as long as the middle toe without its claw. Outer toe as long as
orratherlonger than the middle; its claw smaller than that of the middle;
tip of inner claw reaching base of middle. Claws smail, short, compressed,
moderately curved and acute, the inner edge of the middle one somewhat di-
lated.

With the general appearance of Brachyrhamphus, this genus differs from the
latter in the bill and feet. The bill is deeper at the base, and more compressed
throughout; the feet are still more different, having very broad transverse scu-
tellation on the anterior face of the tarsus, instead of polygonal reticulation ;
and are larger, both relatively and absolutely, with longer, much more com-
pressed tarsi than in Brachyrhamphus. The type of the genus is the old Alea
antiqua Gm. A second species occurs, which differs from the type, as far as
form is concerned, in a slenderer bill, and in the presence of a conspicuous
crest.

Species.—(2.)

Not crested; bill stout, depth at base more than half the length
of culmen ; white on sides of vertex not extending in ad-
vance of the eyes......... ES 749132) 40445 -9- 207-298 1,944: po de antiquus.

Crested; bill slender, depth at base about equal to half the
length of culmen ; white on sides of vertex extending along
sides of forehead nearly to the bill.............. csoscsses eene. WUTMIZUSUME,

SYNTHLIBORHAMPHUS ANTIQUUS, (Gmel.) Brandt.

Alca antiqua, Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 554, No. 11. Based upon Antient
Auk, Pennant, Arct. Zool. 1785, ii, p. 512, No. 430. Latham, Ind. Orn. ii,
1790, p. 795, No. 9. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii. pt. i, 1794, p. 824. Schlegel,
Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 21.

Fratercula antiqua, Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, p. 42.

Uria antiqua, Temminck and Schlegel, Fn. Japon. 1845, pl. 80. Audubon,
Orn. Biogr. v, 1839, p. 100, pl. 402, fig. 12. Id. B. Amer. vii, 1844.

Brachyrhamphus (Synthliborhamphus) antiquus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb.
ii, 1837, p. 347. Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 916.

Brachyrhamphus antiquus, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 644.

Anobapton (Synthliborhamphus) antiquus, Bonaparte, Consp. Gav. Comptes Ren-
dus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Uria senicula, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 369, pl. 85.

Mergulus cirrhocephalus, Vigors, Zool, Voy. Blossom, 1839, Birds, p. 32.

Arctica cirrhocephala, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii. 1849, p. 644.

Əl

American and Asiatic Coasts of the North Pacific. Kamtschatka, Japan
Seas. Sitka, Russian America, (Mus. Smiths. Inst.) Mus. Acad. Philada.

With the form, etc., typical of the
genus, as above described.
© Adult, high breeding plumage, (No.
46558, Mus. Smiths. Sitka, R. A.) Bill
whitish, or yellowish, culmen and base
of both mandibles abruptly black ; legs
and feet anteriorly apparently whitish,
or yellowish ; posteriorly, with both sur-
faces of the webs, black. Head all
Fig. 13.—Synthliborhamphus antiquus, (Gmel.) around, and throat, black; pure and
Nat. size. intense above, on the sides below, chin
and throat, tinged with fuliginous brown. A conspicuous stripe of pure white
beginning over each eye, and extending backwards over the sides of the occi-
put, connected across the nape by some white feathers, and spreading on the
sides and back of the neck, as a large disconnected series of trenchantly de-
fined white streaks. Trace of white on each eyelid. Entire upper parts clear
dark plumbeous, blackening on the upper tail coverts and tail. Upper surface
of wings the same, or rather darker, the edge of the wing all along from the
elbow, and the exposed parts of primaries, blackish ; entire under surface of
wings white, except just along the edges where it is mottled with dusky ; the
basal portion of the inner webs and shafts of primaries whitish ; secondaries
like the wing coverts, or rather darker, their bases whitish. Sides of the body
under the wings pure velvety black, in marked contrast to the clear plumbeous
of the upper parts and white of the lower. These black feathers are poste-
riorly greatly elongated, reaching quite to the tail, and overlying the sides of
the rump and the flanks, which latter, however, are seen to be pure white on
raising the elongated supercumbent feathers. This black along the sides
extends anteriorly in front ofthe wings, and, still strongly contrasted with the
plumbeous of the interscapulars, continues on as a band quite to the nape,
which it crosses to become confluent with its fellow of the opposite side. On
the sides of the neck it is thickly marked with the pure white streaks already
described. The fuliginous black of the chin and throat is continuous with that
of the sides of the head as far as the auriculars ; further on it merely extends
as a point along the middle of the throat, being separated from the black of
the sides of the nape by a large white area, an extension to the auriculars of
the white which is the color of the whole under parts except the sides under
the wings, as already described.
Length 9-50 to 10-50; extent 16-75 to 18:25; wing 5:50; tail 1-60; bill
along culmen :60, along rictus 1-20, along gonys :40, depth at base :20, width
:20; tarsus 1:00 ; middle toe and claw 1:25, outer do. 1-15, inner do. 1:00.

Younger.—Bill and feet as above described. ‘Iris brown,” (label). Upper
parts as in the adult, but darker, the plumbeous being obscured by dusky,
especially on the wing and tail coverts, and lower back. Forehead, crown,
nape, and back of neck, sooty black, entirely unrelieved by white streaks,
or with only traces of the latter on the sides of the occiput. Eyelids some-
times largely white. No black on the throat or chin; traces of it in a dusky
mottling about the base of the bill. White of under parts extending on sides
of head below and behind nearly to the eyes, and far around on the sides of
the nape, so that only a median nuchal line is left blackish. Sides of body
under the wings not pure black, but merely dusky plumbeous, and this not
continuous on the feathers over the flanks, these being in some part white,
producing a white and plumbeous variegation. The line of this dusky plum-
beous hardly extends in front of the wings to the sides of the neck. Under
parts white, as before, the bases of the inner webs of the primaries rather more
white than in the adult,

58

The above described differences between the adult and young are very de-
cided, and might suggest a distinction of species, were not various means
between the extremes forthcoming. Beyond these variations in plumage the
Species is very constant in characters, with the exception of the bill. This
differs a good deal as to its size and shape ; but nevertheless usually preserves
the specific characters which distinguish it from that of Wurmizusume. Thus
the difference in length between the bills of two perfectly mature examples,
absolutely identical in plumage, and in all other respects, save length of bill,
amounts to a tenth of an inch along the culmen. This difference being
unaccompanied by a corresponding difference in depth and width, gives a
readily appreciable difference in shape of the bill.

The only species to which the present bears any special resemblance is
Wurmizusume. The comparative characters of the latter are dwelt upon at
length in the article immediately succeeding.

Itis barely possible that two distinct species may be confounded in the
synonymy adduced at the head of this article, and that the bird here described
is not the veritable Alca antiqua, Gm., (4 Antient auk" of Pennant.) In the
description of these authors the upper parts are said to be dusky or sooty
black, whereas, as will be seen by the description, the subject of the present
article has these parts clear plumbeous. But we have just seen that the young
of the present bird has the upper parts decidedly darker and duller than the
adult; in fact tending, especially upon the wings and lower back, to dusky.
The limits within which the species is known to vary in this respect are suffi-
ciently wide to allow its reference to the bird of Pennant, Latham and Gmelin ;
especially when it is remembered that the particular descriptive terms used by
these authors may not have been critically correct. Jt seems unnecessary, and it
would be, perhaps, unjustifiable to attempt to discriminate the present species
from Alca antiqua, upon the grounds just mentioned. They had best be re-
garded as the same, at least until suites of specimens may determine the exis-
tence of two species, differing in the particulars above mentioned. No indica-
tions of a distinction of species can be found in the extensive series of speci-
mens at present contained in American collections.

This species, in the condition here described as that of the adult, is the
Uria senicula, Pallas; and should bear the name of Synthliborhamphus seniculus
in the event of its not proving the same as Alca antiqua, Gm. Mergulus
cirrhocephalus, Vigors, (Arctica cirrhocephala, Gray,) is the same bird, in the
same condition of maturity. The species has no other synonyms of conse-
quence, except those resulting from its reference to several different genera.

In breeding plumage it is a very handsome bird, being in fact—with the ex-
ception of Wurmizusume—the handsomest of the Urine. It is of frequent
occurrence along the coast and among the islands of the North Pacitic ; extend-
ing, on the Asiatic side, to Japan, and on the American, to Washington Terri-
tory, U. S. It apparently migrates southward in winter. It breeds in the
vicinity of Sitka, R. A. Itis well represented by numerous specimens in the
collections of the Philadelphia Academy and of the Smithsonian Institution.
It has been figured by Temminck and Schlegel, and by Audubon.

SvNTHLIBORHAMPHUS WuRMIZUSUME, ( Temm.) Coues.

Uria Wurmizusume, Temminck, Pl. Color, No. 579. Temminck and Schlegel,
Fn. Japon, 1845, pl. 79.

Anobapton (Synthliborhamphus) Wurmizusume, Bonaparte, Tab. Comp. Pelag.
Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Brachyrhamphus (Synthliborhamphus) Temminckii, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Pe-
tersb. ii, 1837, p. 347. Cassin, Baird’s B. N. A. 1858, p. 916.

Brachyrhamphus Temminckii, Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849, p. 644. Cooper and
Suckley, Pac. Rr. Rep. xii. p. ii, 1860, p. 287. Elliot, B.N. Am. part vi, 1867.

Alca Temminckii, Schlegel, Urinat. Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 22. (Japan.)

59

Asiatic and American Coasts
ofthe North Pacific; south to
Japan and Washington Terri-
tory, U. S. Specs. in Mus.

Acad. Philadelphia, and Mus.
Smiths. Inst.

Bil more slender and elon-
gated than in the type of the
genus, the depth at base less,
and the compression not so
great, the sides of the bill being
less vertical; rictus nearly

Fig. 14.—Synthliborhamphus Wurmizusume, (Temm.) straight. Rather larger than $.
Nat. size. antiquus.

Adult.—Bill decidedly yellow, (in the dried state,) the ridge of upper mandi-
ble alone black. Feet dull livid bluish, the webs dusky, (feet dusky yellowish
in the dried state ) * Eye brilliant gray, iris black " (label). A large con-
spicuous crest springing from the extreme forehead of a dozen, (more or
fewer) slender elongated features, not recurved, but extending straight back-
wards quite to the occiput. A large conspicuous series of white feathers on
each side of the top of the head, extending from the base of the crest, on the
forehead far in advance of the eyes, to the side of the nape; there more or
less confluent with each other, and then dispersed as isolated white streaks
over the sides of the neck to the shoulders. In many specimens, however,
apparently quite adult, these white stripes are hardly, if at all, apparent
beyond the nape. Rest of head, including chin and upper part of throat
sooty or fuscous blackish, sometimes with a cinereous tint; this color extend-
ing as far as the interscapular region, from which point the upper parts are
more decidedly plumbeous, only the wings and tail being somewhat darker and
more fuscous. Sides under the wings plumbeous black quite to the flanks ;
this color also extending forward in front of the wings and continuous with
that of the sides of the neck and head. Under surface of wings pure white,
except a little dusky clouding along the edge; bases of primaries, and the
greater portion of their inner webs white, deepening very gradually througha
continuously deepening shade of brownish gray, into dusky at the tips.
Entire under parts (except the sides, as just described) pure white.

Length 10-50 to 11:00; extent 18-00 to 18:50; wing 5:50; tail 1-75; tarsus
1:00; middle toe and claw 1:25, outer 1:20, middle 1:00 ; bill along culmen -70,
rictus 1:10; gonys -40; height at base:25 to :30, width about the same.

Younger.—Bill and feet as above ; (bill sometimes, however, wholly blackish.)
Without a crest; no white feathers about head, or only slight traces thereof.
Face, including region just about the base of the bill, both above and beiow,
crown and sides of the head to the level of the commissure, with nape and
back of neck, plumbeous dusky; other upper parts, particularly the wings,
the same, but most of the back with a more decided tint of plumbeous. Under
wing coverts and primaries as in the adult. Sides under the wings narrowly
fusco-plumbeous, the lengthened feathers over the flanks variegated with
white. Entire under parts otherwise white; this color extending far around
on the sides of the upper neck, nape and occiput.

Considerable variation in plumage as well as in size, and to a degree, in
shape of bill, is exhibited by the numerous specimens examined. The differ-
ences in the bill are chiefly those of size, the relative proportions of the
various measurements being pretty constantly preserved. The bill is always
slenderer, and usually longer than that of antiquus, approaching in this respect
the bills of the true Brachyrhamphi. The size of the whole bird varies some-
what, but not to any remarkable degree. In apparently equally adult speci-
mens, the two series of white feathers, which form conspicuous stripes on the
sides of the vertex and nape, vary much in length. Sometimes they spread

oU

out on the sides of the hind-neck to almost as great an extent as is witnessed
in the most highly plumaged specimens of antiquus; again they may stop
abruptly on the occiput, or at least on the nape. The comparative amounts
of dusky and plumbeous on the upper parts is various, as is also the intensity
of either of these hues. Thusa specimen, (No. — Phila. Acad., from Japan,)
has the upper parts including the wing coverts bluish ashy, or bluish plumbe-
ous, light enough to form a marked contrast with the band of nearly black
which erosses the nuchal region, and descends on either side under the wings.
In this specimen, also, the bill is blackish, although it is evidently an adult bird,
having a crest an inch long. There is sometimes much white on the eyelids,
sometimes none. The outline of the white on the sides of the hind head and of
the neck varies; the younger the bird, the more the white encroaches on these
parts.

It is not ascertained positively that the crest which so strongly characterizes
perfect specimens of this species as a constant feature, that is, obtained at a
certain age, and ever afterwards worn. Very possibly, it is only assumed
during the breeding season ; and falls off afterwards, so that perfectly adult
winter specimens may be without it. It is at all events not to be enumerated
among the infallible diagnostic points of the species.

Compared with S. antiquus, the species is at once distinguished, when in adult
breeding plumage, by the presence of a crest, and the different extent of the
white stripes and streaks upon the head, nape and neck. (Consult descriptions
above given.) These differences aside, it is a larger bird, on an average,
though some specimens do not exceed in size some examples of antiquus. The
bill is slenderer, though not necessarily longer, more acute at the tip, com-
paratively not so deep at the base, and rather less compressed, the culmen,
rictus and gonys straighter. The identification of very young birds, however,
is sometimes attended with difficulty ; and some specimens in the present col-
lections cannot, in fact, be satisfactorily determined. This state of affairs,
however, is by no means unparalleled in other cases of perfectly distinct spe-
cies; and by no means militates against the belief in the specified distinction
of the two birds now under consideration. The adults cannot by any possi-
bility be mistaken for each other.

This species is well represented in all its variety, by numerous specimens in
the collections of the Philadelphia Academy and the Smithsonian Institution ;
though not contained, as far as heard from, in any other American cabinets.
It is of frequent occurrence on the coasts of the North Pacific, and appears to
be particularly abundant in the vicinity of Japan, whence most of the speci-
mens described or recorded have been obtained. Its occurrence on the coast
of the United States is open to question. Several specimens of S. antiquus (at
least of the bird described in this paper under this name) are in our collec-
tions from Washington Territory, labelled * Brachyrhamphus Temminckii,"
and these appear to represent the species whose habits, etc., are alluded to by
Drs. Cooper and Suckley, volume twelve, part ii, of the Pacific Railroad Re-
ports, (Nat. Hist. Wash. Terr. p. 287, above cited) under the name of Brachy-
rhamphus Temminckit. But the description there given is that of the true
Temminckii, having been copied from Mr. Cassin's article on the “ Birds of
North America."

The name which heads this article has priority over * Temminckii" of
Prof. Brandt, and is therefore to be adopted, though its barbarous character is,
assuredly, a matter of regret. It varies in orthography with different writers.

BRACHYRHAMPHUS, Zrandt.

Colymbus, Gmelin, S. N. i, 1788; in part ; not of authors.

Uria, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790; in part; not of authors.

Cepphus, Pallas, Zool. R. A. ii, 1811, in part.

Brachyrhamphus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersburg, ii, 1837. Type Colymbus
marmoratus, Gm.

Apobapton, Brandt, l.c. Same type.

Anobapton, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, xlii, 1856. Same type.

61

With the general habitus of Iria proper, but of much more delicate build,
different pattern of coloration, and very small size. Bill small, slender, much
shorter than the head, not longer than the tarsus, greatly compressed, acutely
tipped; culmen gently curved, its ridge sharp, rictus nearly straight, gonys
Straight; tomial edge of upper mandible greatly inflected towards the base,
notched near the tip. Nasal fosse small and shallow, nearly filled with
feathers, which mostly cover the extremely minute oval nostrils. Wings of
ordinary length, very narrow, pointed, falcate, the secondaries extremely short.
Tail of ordinary length, almost square, the feathers obtusely rounded. Feet
very small, short, slender, and weak ; tarsus scarcely compressed, variable in
length, never longer than the middle toe without its claw (except in brachyp-
terus ?) Outer and middie toes equal in length; the claw of the former much
smaller than that of the latter; the inner very short, its claw not reaching
the base of the middle claw. Claws small, weak, moderately curved, very
acute.

The genus which comprises the Murrelets—to coin an English word, needed
for the Brachyrhamphi,— is a very natural and strongly marked one. It comes
nearest to Uria proper, from which, however, it is sufficiently distinguished, ag
will be seen by the above diagnosis. It contains four or five species, all inhab-
itants of the North Pacific, and more particularly of the west coast of North
America. These may readily be diagnosticated as follows :—

Species :—(5.)
I. Tarsus much shorter than the middle toe without its claw.
Upper parts blackish and chestnut, lower parts blackish

Punt veil ütlitesdeooeoanneenacoonedacodceaodoedoc ono c coca OO COC HODEEGE . 1. marmoratus,
Upper parts cinereous and white, lower parts pure
Don E T T E COCEOOCO oco choc Seer 4 Gooete . 2. Wrangeliü.
Il. Tarsus just as long as the middle toe without its claw.
Under surtace of wings White) ...........sessaecaseucansennceren « 3. hypoleucus.
Under surface of wings dusky.........ccccsccccaccecee-scecesen . 4. Craveri.
III. Tarsus longer than the middle toe without its claw, (teste
ISPTEPOID Ne semasincages daisies cacccseanqese jslee -O*cccoocr3ocmon deccoc e 5. brachypterus 2

BRACHYRHAMPHUS MARMORATUS, ( Gm.) Brandt.

Colymbus marmoratus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 1758, p. 583, No. 12. Based on the
marbled guillemot, Pennant,* Arct. Zool. ii, p. 517, pl. 22, and Latham, Syn.
vi, p. 336, pl. 96. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 870.

Uria marmorata, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 799. Stephens, Shaw's Gen.
Zool. xii, 1824, p. 249. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828, p. 423.

Brachyrhamphus (Apobapton) marmoratus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersburg,
ii, 1837, p. 346. Cassin, Birds N. A. 1858, p. 915; in part. Description
of supposed adult is that of B. Wrangeli.

Brachyrhamphus marmoratus, Gray, Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 614. Cooper and
Suckley, Nat Hist. Wash. Terr. 1860, p. 286, in part. Not the description
of supposed adult, which is that of B. Wrangeli.

Anobapion ( Brachyrhamphus) marmoratus, Bonaparte, Tabl. Comp. Pelagiens,
Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Cepph is perdiz, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 351, pl. 80.

Uria Townsendii, Audubon, Orn. Biogr. v, 1839, p. 251, pl. 430; octavo ed. vii,
1844, pl. 475. The figure of the supposed young is the adult; that of sup-
posed adult may be really B. Wrangelit.

* “ With a black bill; crown dusky; throat, breast, and belly mottled with black and
white; back and sides very glossy,and marbled with black and rust-eolor; wings dusky ;
proa coverts edged with white; tail black; legs yellow; webs black. Length 9 inches.”

ennant, l. ce. From Prince William Sound. Of this species, Vieillot, (Nouv. Dict. xiv,
1817, p. 36,) not exhibiting great sagacity, remarks, that it is “ une jeune guillemot grylle,
qui commence à prendre la livrée de l'adulte P

62

? Uria brevirostris, Vigors,* Zool. Journ. iv, 1828, p. 357, and Zool. Beechey's
Voy. Blossom, 1839, Ornith, p. 32. Evidently a young bird ; may be of this
species, or of B. Wrangeli.

? Brachyrhamphus Kittlitzii, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Sc. St. Petersburg, ii. 1837, p.
346. Young bird; may be of this species, or of Wrangeli, or a distinct

species.

Coasts and Islands of the North Pacific. On the American side, south in
winter to California; breeds as far south as Vancouver's Island, Numerous
specimens in Mus. Acad. Philada., Mus. Smiths. Inst , Cab. G. N. Lawrence.

Form typical of the genus as just described. Bill along culmen just the
length of the tarsus, tarsus scarcely three-fourths the middle toe without its
claw.

Adult, breeding plumage. (Description from No. 49655, Mus. Smiths. Inst., cj,
June 9, 1867, Vancouver's Island f Bill black. Tarsi posteriorly and both
surfaces of the webs blackish ; legs anteriorly and toes superiorly livid flesh
color, or dull bluish gray. Iris brown. Entire upper parts brownish black,
everywhere transversely barred with chestnut brown, or bright rust color,
except on the wings, which are uniform brownish black, the primaries darkest,
their inner webs brownish grey towards the base. Under surface of wines
smoky brownish black. A few whitish feathers variegated with chestnut and
dusky on the scapulars. Entire under parts, including sides of head, neck
and body, marbled with sooty brownish black and white. The feathers are
white, with the tips of the dark color. The white rather predominates on the
middle of the breast and belly, the dusky on the other parts; the latter color
being nearly uniform across the throat, and on the long feathers of the sides
and flanks.

Specimens vary a great deal in the precise amount of rusty brown on the
upper parts, and of dusky mottling on the lower; but, so far as known, are
never without this distinctive coloration in some degree; and it becomes
heightened at the breeding season..

Length about 10:00; extent about 18:00; wing 5:00; tail 1-50; tarsus -70;
middle toe 1-00, its claw :20; outer toe and claw 1:15, inner do. :90; bill along
culmen -70, along rictus 1:35, along gonys :55, heighth opposite base of nos-
trils -25, width at same point :20.

This species was originally described by Pennant as the Marbled Guillemot,
whence Colymbus marmoratus, Gm. His description is that of the adult, in
breeding plumage, but has been almost universally supposed to refer only to
the young; and a very different species has been usually held to be the adult,
as shown in the next article. It is also evidently the Cepphus perdix of
Pallas.

* *U. suprà griseo-fusca, capite, dorsoque albo notatis; subtus alba, fusco undulatim
maculata, reetricibus albis, duabus mediis fusco-notatis, rostro brevi, gracili—Alz suprà
et infra, tectricesque inferiores fusce. Rostrum nigrum. Pedes flavi, membranis ungui-
busque brunneis. Longitudo corporis 9; rostri ad frontem le, ad rictum 1, ale 54;
caudee 1; tarsi 4.” Vigors,]. e. From San Blas.

}“ Sapra cinerea nigricante et pallide e fusco-flavescente undulata et submaculata.
Subtus alba, subfuscescente tenuissime lavata, nigro et quidem in pectore frequentius un-
dulata. Alc e cinerascente et fusco nigree. Rostrum brevissimum, capitis longitudinis
tertiam partem circiter adequans. Tarsi digito medio breviores. Longitudo a rostri
apice ad caudæ apicem 9. Patria Kamtschatka."— Brandt, l. c.

i The following is an extract from a letter to Prof. Baird, from J. Hepburn, Esq.. dated
Victoria, Sept. 5, 1867, which accompanied a lot of specimens of which No. 49655 was one.
It confirms the views maintained in the present paper,and gives some interesting facts:
“You will find in the box a specimen of B. marmoratus. On comparing itwith Mr. Cassin’s
description, (in Birds N. A.) I find it is what he calls the young bird. In this he is mista-
ken. In the first place, if such were the case we should see some red birds among the
large numbers that are to be found here, whereas till this year I never saw but one speci-
men, * » In the next place, when I fellin with them last May, every bird was in
the red plumage, including the one which, as I told you, would have laid an egg in two
or three days; and lastly, proof conclusive, I have shot the young bird, two-thirds grown,
in the winter plumage of the adult, except that the breast is more thickly barred than in
any specimens I have seen in the winter, and at the very time the adults were in their
red plumage." 1

63

Audubon’s figure and description of the supposed young of this bird, under
the name of Uria Townsendii, is really that of the adult. His figure of the
Supposed adult appears rather to represent Wrangeli.

It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to determine Uria brevirostris Vigors. This
is evidently, as far as can be judged by the description, a young bird. It be-
longs to the short-legged group of the present genus; but whether it is the
young of marmoratus or of Wrangeli, is a point which cannot be decided. The
expression “capite dorsoque albo-notatis,’ and the absence of any mention
of rust-color in the description, would lead one to assign it rather to
Wrangeli.

Brachyrhamphus Kittlitzii, Brandt, is another bird which has not been identi-
fied since its original description. Like U. brevirostris, it is evidently a young
bird, of the short-legged group; and the expression “ fusco-flavescente undu-
lata” induces the presumption that it is really only a young marmoratus. But
it is possible that both it and B. brevirostris may be the young of the same spe-
cies, or of two different species, which yet remain to be identified. It is not
probable, however, that either of these names represent valid species, distinct
from each one of those recognized in this paper.

BRACHYRHAMPHUS WRANGELI, Brandt.

Brachyrhamphus Wrangelii, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersburg, ii, 1837, p.
344. “Rostrum capitis dimidii circiter longitudine. Caput supra, nucha et
dorsum e nigricante grisea. Ale et cauda nigre. Relique partes, nec non
stria longitudinalis supra alam, albæ. Tarsi digito medio breviores. Longitu-
dine a rostro apice ad caude apicem 93. Patria Insule Aleutice.” Cassin,
Birds N. A. 1858, p. 917. Copies Brandt's diagnosis.

Brachyrhamphus marmoratus, Cassin, B. N. A. 1858, p. 915, in part. Descrip-
tion of supposed adult marmoratus is that of Wrangeli.

Aleutian Islands, and north-west coast of America; south to Puget’s Sound,
and perhaps further. Numerous specimens in Mus. Smiths. Inst. (No. 11,457,
perfectly adult, Puget’s Sound, in February; No. 46,547, just fully fledged,
Sitka; and others from same locality in various stages of adolescence; No.
46,542, Sitka, in January.)

Description (from No. 46,541, Mus. Smiths., perfectly adult male, Sitka,
March, 1866).—With the size and proportions of the several members as in mar-
moratus; the bill absolutely shorter, relatively rather stouter. Bill scarcely as
long as the tarsus. Tarsus much less than middle toe without claw.

Adult.—Entive upper parts, except the scapulars, very dark cinereous, the
centres of the feathers, particularly on the back and rump, blackish, causing
these parts to appear obsoletely waved with blackish and cinereous ; the crown
of the head, the wings and the tail, almost black, the larger wing coverts just
appreciably white-margined ; scapulars almost entirely pure white, forming two
conspicuous broad longitudinal bands. Under wing ceverts dusky brown;
inner webs of the primaries the same, not fading, even at their extreme bases,
into whitish. Entire under parts pure white, immaculate, except some dusky
streaks on the long feathers of the sides and flanks. This white on the sides
ofthe head invades the lores to the level of the top of the orbits, and extends
into the nasal fossz ; then lowers a little, so that the eyes are left in the dark
color of the top of the head; then on the nape extends almost to the median
line, across which a few white feathers extend to the white on the other side,
forming an imperfect nuchal collar; then extends in a straight line down the
middle of the side of the neck. On the sides of the rump the white extends
around so far, that the cinereous is only left as à band an inch wide. This
white on the sides of the rump is as apparent upon the upper surface as that
on the scapulars; it is directly continuous with that of the under parts, but on
the flanks the long overlying cinereous feathers appear to separate it. Bill
wholly black. Tarsi posteriorly and toes inferiorly blackish; rest of the feet,

64

including both surfaces of the webs, probably flesh-colored in life; dull yellow-
ish-white in the dried skin.

Length “ 10:00, extent 18-00” (collector's label); wing from carpus 5:00;
tail 1:50; tarsus -70; middle toe without claw :92, its claw :20; outer toe and
claw 1:10; inner do. :88; bill along culmen ‘60, along rictus 1:25, along gonys
'45, its height at base of nostrils *22, its width at same point ‘19.

Young. (No. 46,547, Mus. Smiths., Sitka, July, 1866; just fully fledged ; the
bill has still the white horny knob at tip of upper and under mandible, show- -
ing the juvenility of the specimen).—Bill very small, weak, short, imperfectly
developed, about a third as long as the skull; -45 along culmen; tarsus :55;
middle toe and claw 1:00; wing only 425. Entire upper parts blackish, much
darker than in the adult, with only a just appreciable shade of cinereous; the
scapular white present, but restricted in extent, and interrupted by imperfect
bars of dusky across the feathers. Entire under parts white. Everywhere, ex-
cept on chin, middle of abdomen, and under tail coverts, thickly marked with
delicate waved lines of dusky, most numerous across the throat, largest on the
sides and flanks, where some of the longer feathers are mostly dusky, finest on
the lower breast. The whitish on the sides of the head does not extend so far,
and merges insensibly into the dark color; on the nape a delicate line of
white feathers almost forms a collar. The under wing coverts are as in the
adult. Bill blackish. Legs and feet anteriorly more dusky than in the adult.

Another specimen (No. 46,542, Mus. Smiths.), taken in January, marked
female, and evidently hatched the preceding summer, has the size of the adult,
and the colors generally as in the young bird just described. But the upper
parts are much lighter and more decidedly cinereous, as in the adult; the
scapular white well developed; the dusky waving of the under parts confined
to the sides and throat. The under wing coverts are dusky along the edge of
the wing; but are elsewhere variegated with dull whitish; only to a small
degree, however, not approaching the condition seen in hypoleucus.

In mature plumage this is a very handsome bird, and recognizable at a
glance by the pure white of the under parts, and blackish cinereous of the up-
per, relieved by the conspicuous white of the scapulars and sides of the rump.
It belongs to the short-legged division of the genus, being very different from
hypoleucus and Craveri in the proportions of the tarsus and toes. It has the
size and form of marmoratus in every respect except a just fairly recognizable
difference in the shape of the bill. But it is quite a different species from
marmoratus; so different, in fact, that no special comparison need be insti-
tuted.

The recognition, in the bird here described, of Brachyrhamphus Wrangeli,
Brandt, is a matter of unusual interest, identifying, as it does, a species long
ago described, but almost unknown to ornithologists at large, and throwing
light upon what has always been a very obscure point in American ornitho-
logy. The writer is mainly indebted to Prof. Baird's suggestions for the for-
tunate direction of his investigatiou in this case. The present species has
hitherto been regarded and described by American writers as the adult of the
well-known marmoratus, whose curious colors, as described by all authors from
Pennant downwards, and as figured by Audubon under the name of Uria Town-
sendii, have always been considered as indicative of immaturity. But numer-
ous specimens, in adult breeding plumage, demonstrate the falsity of this view,
as is satisfactorily set forth in the preceding article. Beyond the possibility of
& doubt, the present species is not marmoratus; and itis certainly Wrangeli of
Brandt.

BRACHYRHAMPHUS HYPOLEUCUS, Xantus.

Brachyrhamphus hypoleucus, Xantus, Proc. Acad. Phila. Nov., 1859. From Cape
St. Lucas. Baird, eodem loco.
Coast of California. Specs. in Mus. Smiths., and Mus. Acad. Philada. So
far south, in summer, as Cape St. Lucas, Lower Cal.

65

Deseription (from No. , Mus. Smiths., 9, San Diego, Jan. 27, 1862; a
typical example).—Bill along culmen half as long as the skull, three-fourths
as long as the tarsus, as long as the middle toe and half its claw, very slender,
much compressed, higher than wide at the base; culmen gently curved its
whole length ; rictus nearly straight; gonys perfectly straight; outline of the
very slender mandibular rami a little concaye. Tarsus just as long as the
middle toe without its claw! Tip of inner lateral claw not reaching base of
middle one. Wings and tail of usual shape; the latter contained about two
and a third times in the length of the former from the carpus. Under tail
coverts reaching (in this specimen) just beyond the end of the tail. Entire
upper parts uniform cinereous, not varied by white. This color is slightly
darker, and more blackish-plumbeous on the head. It extends on the sides of
the head just to the eyes, the lids of which are of this color, a little further
down on the auriculars; thence in a straight line along the middle of the
side of the neck to the shoulders; thence in a straight line along the sides
under the wings, where it is nearly an inch broad; the elongated feathers of
the flanks are also mostly of this color. Other under parts entirely pure white.
Under surface of wings entirely pure white! Primaries black on the outer
web; the greater part of the shaft and inner webs white; the terminal portion
of the shaft and inner webs brown. Tail feathers black, the inner webs some-
what brownish. Bill black, the base of the lower mandible whitish; feet an-
teriorly dull yellowish, posteriorly dusky, in the present dried state; * bill
black, feet whitish-blue, black below " (label).

“Length 10:50; extent 17:50" (label); wing 4:80; tail 1:70; tarsus +95 ;
middle toe without claw :95, its claw :20; outer toe and claw 1:10; inner do.
‘90; bill along culmen :80, along rictus 1:30, along gonys :45; depth at base
:22; width :19.*

The specimen above described, collected at San Diego, Cal., by Dr. J. G.
Cooper, is a little larger than the type, as will be seen by comparing the
measurements with those in the accompanying foot-note. It is also described
as representing the perfect plumage,—the type being imperfect in this respect.
The upper parts are of a uniform very dark cinereous, without a shade of
brown; the latter hue only occurring in specimens with worn and faded
plumage. In the original description, here appended, the indieatious of the
size of relative lengths of the tarsus and middle toe are made without
reference to the claw; which fact explains an apparent discrepancy between
the present description and the original one. The tarsus is exactly as long as
the middle toe without its claw.

This is a very strongly marked species. The most striking diagnostic feature
is the pure white of the under surface of the wings. In the uniformity of the
cinereous color of the upper parts it is also unique. Nearly the same length
of tarsus is found in B. brachypterus, Brandt, and Craveri, Salvadori; the
tarsus is much shorter than the middle toe in Wrangeli Brandt, marmoratus
Gm., “ Kittlitzii" Brandt, and “ brevirostris” Vigors.

This species is certainly not the Uria brevirostris Vigors, from San Blas.
This is described as having “ale suprà et infra, tectricesque inferiores fusca,

E: * tarsi 3,” which settles all questions on this score. It has the same
dimensions, and the same relative length of tarsus and toes as Craveri Salva-

* The following is the original description of the type specimen: “ Bill slender and
slightly eurved, about half the length of head. Tarsus scarcely shorter than the middle
toe [and claw]. Above dark brownish-black, the edges of the feathers with a decided
plumbeous tinge; the side of neck below, and the axillars with the concealed portion of
the sides of the breast, ashy plumbeous. Entire under parts, including tail coverts and
inside of the wings, pure white, this color extending on the sides of the head so as to in-
cude tho oyes; the lids, however, are tinged with dusky; bill black; legs apparently red-

ish in life.

“Length 10 inches, extent 15:80, wing 4°70, tail 1-80, bill above "70, gape 1:20, tarsus °85,
middle toe [with claw] 1:00. This specimen is considerably weather-beaten, and the old
feathers of the upper parts are much worn, and bleached at the edges. . The new ones are,
however, as described."

5

66

dori, also from the coast of Lower California; but the latter appears to be a
different species, as will be discussed further on. It comes nearest to brachyp-
terus, from Unalaschka; in fact there is nothing in Brandt’s brief diagnosis
preventing the reference of the present species to brachypterus, except
the expression “tarsi digito medio longiores. But in view of this
discrepancy, and of the widely-separated localities whence the two species
are described, it would be unsafe to take their identity for granted. It ismuch
the best course to retain the present species as it stands, under the name
hopoleucus, which has the merit of being positively identified, as is not the
case, as yet, with brachypterus.

Several excellent examples of this species from various points along the
coast of California are in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and
Philadelphia Academy. They present no individual differences worthy of
special mention; except in the instance of the type specimen, which is
brownish above, from the faded and worn condition of the plumage.

This species has probably the southernmost range of any ofthe family;
occurring in summer at Cape St. Lucas. It was observed by the writer in
December, 1865, off the coast of Mexico, about latitude 21? N.! Tts extension
northward remains to be ascertained. At present, it is not known to occur
north of the coast of Lower California. Its southern habitat, as remarked by
Prof. Baird, is a fact of great interest, when it is recollected how truly boreal
are nearly all the species of the family.

BRACHYRHAMPHUS Cravert, (Salvad.) Coues.

Uria Craveri, Salvadori, Descrizione di altre Nuove specie di Uccelli esistenti
nel museo di Torino, 1867, p. 17. Estratto dagli Atti della Società Italiana
di Scienze Naturali, vol. viii, 1866.

* Jun.—Uria minima, crassitie Merguli alle ; suprà fusco-nigra, dorso ac alis
nonnihil griseo-tinctis. Subtus alba; rostro valde elongato, subulato, nigro;
tarsis postice nigris, antice viride-luteis ; unguibus nigris.

* Long. tot. 0,245; al. 0,125 ; caud. 0,018; rostri a rictu 0,037; tarsi 0,022 ;
dig. med. cum ungue 0,024 ; (millimetres.)

*" Parti superiori, lati della testa, le piume del mento lungo il margine
inferioré della mandibula, lati del collo, del petto, e fianchi di color bruno-
nero eon una leggera tinta grigio-lavagna sul dorso, sul groppone e sulle ali;
parti inferiori candide; becco nero; tarsi neri posteriormente, anteriormente
giallo verdastri como auche le dita; unghie neré.

“ Questa specie sarebbe commune lungo le coste del Golfo della California,
e nell’ Isola della Natividad posta nel Pacifico, a poca distanza dalla costa
occidentale della Bassa California.” —Salvadori, 1. c.

This recently described species has much the same habitat as B. hypoleucus,
and very much resembles the latter. The dimensions are the same in both,
and the colors are very nearly alike. The expression *fusco-nigra, * *
griseo-tinctis," exactly hits some specimens of Aypoleucus,——those somewhat
faded and worn in plumage,—though not applicable to more perfect specimens.
In the above copied description, no mention is made of the under surfaces of
the wings; but the needed information in this regard has been supplied
through a private channel. Prof. Baird has received from Sig. Salvadori, and
kindly transmitted to the writer, a life-size figure of the bird, accompanied by
a note in which it is stated that ‘‘ the lining of the wings is blackish, and some
feathers are white-edged." This fact at once distinguishes the species from
hypoleucus, providing the latter, in all stages of plumage, has the under sur-
faces of the wings white, as is most probable, judging by what is known of
the variations in plumage of the birds of this genus.

Waiving the bare possibility of this bird s being a young hypoleucus, it cannot
be referred to any described species, and must be regarded as a valid one.
That it is not brevirostris, Vigors, is sufficiently evident from the dimensions;
the tarsus of the latter being only half an inch long.

67

BRACHYRHAMPHUS BRACHYPTERUS, Brandt.

Brachyrhamphus brachypterus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Imper. St. Petersb. ii. 1837,
p.346. Quotes “Uria brachyptera Kittlitzii, MSS.” Gray, Genera, iii, 1849,
p. 644. Cassin, Birds N. A. 1858, p. 917. Merely copies Brandt’s description.

Anobapton ( Brachyrhamphus) brachypterus, Bonaparte, Tab. Comp. Pelagiens,
Comptes Rendus, xlii, 1856, p. 774.

5 Supra cinerea, alis caudaque nigricantibus. Collum subtus et in lateribus,
pectus et abdomen alba. Rostrum capitis dimidii circiter longitudine. Tarsi
digito medio longiores. Longitudine a rostri apice ad caudae apicem 9. Patria
Unalaschka."— Zrandt, l. c.

This species is wholly unknown, at least on this side of the Atlantic, except
by the above cited description of Brandt. It has nothing to distinguish it
from some other Brachyrhamphiexcept the length of the tarsus. This, however,
if it really obtains, is sufficient to distinguish the bird from all others, not
only of the genus, but of the family ; for no known alcidine bird has the tarsi
longer than the middle toe.

URIA, (Moehr.) Brisson.

Columba sive Columbus, Auct. antiq. ex parte. Vria, Moehring, Av. Gen. 1752,

p. 67, No. 13. Type Columba groenlandica, Willoughby.

Uria, Brisson; Briinnich, Orn. Bor. 1764; and of authors generally.

Alca, Linnzus, Syst. Nat. i, 1758; in part.

Colymbus, Linnzeus, S. N. i, 1766, in part, and of many of the older authors.
Cepphus, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v. 1769, in part.

Grylle, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 346. Type U. grylle, Brünn.

Bill much shorter than the head, about equal to the tarsus, straight, rather
stout, moderately compressed ; culmen at first straight, then rapidly deflected ;
rictus straight, except just at tip; gonys ascending, straight, short, about half
as long as the culmen. No groove in sides of upper mandible near its tip ; com-
missural edge of upper mandible scarcely inflected. Nasal fossa wide, long,
deeply excavated, partially bare of feathers, which do not wholly obtect the
nostrils. Feathers extending on sides of lower mandible with a salient rounded
outline. Wings and tail very short, the latter contained about two or two-
thirds times in the length of the former from the carpal joint to the end of
longest primary; tail slightly rounded. Tarsus much compressed, entirely
covered with polygonal reticulations, somewhat scutelliform on the inner
aspect; slightly shorter than the middle toe without its claw. Outer and
middle toes equal in length ; the claw of the former much smaller than that
of the latter, tip of inner claw just reaching base of middle one. Claws com-
pressed, moderately arched and acute; the outer one grooved along its outer
aspect, the middle one greatly dilated along its inner edge. No postocular
furrow in the plumage.

In the preceding diagnosis the characters of the genus are so drawn as to
exclude the large species of Lomvia. Few writers have made this generic
distinction, for which, notwithstanding, there is abundant reason, as may be
seen upon à critical comparison of the two types of form ; and as will be
satisfactorily demonstrated at length under head of Lomvia. It need only be
noted here, that the structure of the bill and feet are in many respects very
different in the two genera.

The genus as here framed comprehends three distinct species, intimately
allied to each other.

Species ;—(3.)

Disregarding other and less prominent though very valid distinctions, the
three species of Uria may be at once recognized by the following character-
istics :—

68

A large white space on wing, entire. No white about

MEDIE TES NEUEN OYISD UC POTERE COT l. grylle.
A large white space on wing partially divided by a black

line. No white about head...ccssssssees E 2. columba.
No white on wing. Feathers around and behind eye and

at base of bill, white.............. Cocno COUP E e ease 3. carbo.

Or they may be still more briefly and quite as satisfactorily characterized
thus :—carbo—upper and under surfaces of wings black; grylle—upper and
under surfaces of wings white ; columba—upper surfaces of wings white, under
black.

The division of the white mirror on the upper surface of the wings of
columba is not the most important point of coloration, though the most
obvious, upon casual inspection, by which the species differs from grylle. A
still stronger diagnostic character lies in the absence of white on the under
surface of the wings. ;

URIA GRYLLE, (Linn.) Brünn.

Columba groenlandica, * Linnæus, Syst. Nat. vi, ed. 1746, p. 23, No. 4. Alba-
nus, Av. ii, p. 73, pl. 88. Ray, Syn. Av. p. 121, No. 6. Willoughby, Orn. p.
245, pl. 78. Martens, Spitzburg. p. 56, pl. 50, fig. B."

Columbus groenlandicus, * Klein Av. p. 168, No. 2."

Uria groenlandica, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 28, No. 116, (blank.)

Uria nigra, striata, et minor, Brisson.

Alca grylle, Linnzus, Syst. Nat. i, 1758, p. 130. Schlegel, Urinatores Mus.
Pays-Bas. livr. ix, 1867, p. 130, excl. synon. Cephus columba, Pall.

Colymbus grylle, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. i, 1766, p. 220. Hermann, Tabl. Affin.
Anim.p. 148. Blumenbach, Handb. Naturg. p. 220 Müller, Zool. Dan.
Prodr. p. 18. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 1788, p. 584. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool.
ii, pt. i, 1794, p..871. Several states of plumages enumerated as varieties.

Uria grylle, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 28, No. 113. "Latham, Ind. Orn. ii,
1190, p. 797, No. 2. Var. “ B," is columba ; perhaps also var. “E,” the same.
Temminck, Man. Orn. ii, 1820, p. 925. Vieillot, Gal. Ois. ii, 1825, p. 235,
pl. 294. Bonaparte, Syn. B. N. A. 1828, p. 423. Audubon, Orn. Biog. iii,
1835, p. 148; pl. 219 and B. Amer. vii, 1844, p. 474. Peabody, Rep. Nat.
Hist. Mus. 1840, Birds, p. 399. Gray, Genera Birds iii, 1849, p. 644.
Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii, 1851, p. 214. Macgillivray, Hist. Brit.
Birds, 1852, ii, p. 331. Cassin, Birds N. A. 1858, p. 911, pl. 96, fig. 2; and
Pr. A. N. S. Philada. 1862, p. 323. Herald Island. ‘Bryant, Proc. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist. May, 1861, p. 74. Coues; Pr. A. N. S. Philada. 1861, p. 225.
Verrill, Proc. Bost. Sóc. Nat. Hist. 1862, p. 131, and p. 142, and Proc. Essex
Inst. iii, 1863, p. 160. Samuels, Ornith. and Ool. New Engl. 1867; p. 567.

Uria (Grylle) grylle, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 346.

Uria (Cephus) grylle, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Cephus grylle, Fleming, Hist. Brit. Anim. 1842, p. 134.

Cepphus lacteolus, Pallas, S. Z. v, 1769, p. 33. Albino, perhaps columba.

Colymbus lacteolus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 1788, p. 583. Albino. ‘C. niveus,
rostro pedibusque ex carneo fuscescentibus.” Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt.
i, 1790, p. 870.

Uria lacteola, Lathàm, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 798. Albino.

Uria grylloides, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 28, No. 114. Changing plumage.

Uria balthica, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 28, No. 115. Immature or winter.

Uria nivea, Bonnaterre, Ency. Method. Orn. 1790, p. 37. Albino, possibly of
columba. Quotes Pall. Spec. Zool. v, p. 33.

Uria leucoptera,* Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d'Hist. Nat. xiv. 1817, p. 35.

* “Cet oiseau, dont je ne connais pas le pays natale, est totalement d'un noir profonde,
avec une grande plaque blanche sur l’aile; sa taille està peu près la méme que celle du
précédent," (U. troile)— Vieill., l. c.

69.

Uria unicolor, Faber, Prodr. Isl. Orn, 1822, p. teste Schlegel. Greenland.
without white on wings.

Uria (Lomvia) unicolor, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Uria Mandtii, Lichenstein, Verz. 1823, p. 88, teste Schlegel. Spitzenbergen.

Not of authors, which usually refers to columba,

Uria scapularis, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, p. 250, pl. 64,
Cephus glacialis, arcticus, Faroensis, et, Meisneri, Brehm.

European and American coasts and islands of the North Atlantic; very
abundant. Arctic Ocean. Spitzbergen, Iceland, Greenland. On the Ameri-
can coast, in winter, south to New Jersey coast. Rare or accidental in the
north Pacific, where replaced by columba and carbo.— ? Kamtschatka, (Mus.
Pays-Bas, fide Schlegel.)* Herald Island, Arctic Ocean, (Cassin, Pr. A. N. S.
Ph. 1862, p. 323); Spec. in Mus. Acad. Phila. Smiths, Inst., Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. ; Essex Inst. ; Cab. G. N. Lawrence; author's Cab.

Adult, summer plumage.

A —Bill and claws black
Mouth, legs and feet bril-
liant vermilion red, tinged

©) with carmine. ' Entire

plumage plumbeous or
fuliginous black, with a
tint of invisible green.
Wings and tail pure black,
the former with a large
oval space on the upper
coverts, all the under cov-
erts and the subscapu-
Fig. 13.— Uria grylle.—Nat size. lars pure white.

This perfect breeding plumage is temporary, and lasts but a short time.
Very many individuals do not assume it until June; and it is usually retained
only during this and the succeeding month. Most specimens collected in May
are found to still have some traces of the winter plumage, below described.

Adult, during autumnal change. The first indication of the moult is seen
in the wings and tail, and is to be observed in nearly all specimens taken after
July. By the latter part of this month, after incubation and nursing are
finished, the wing and tail feathers become much worn, and faded, turning to
alight brownish gray towards their tips. The white mirror shows scattered
traces of dull brown. The body color loses its hue of green, and becomes
more fuliginous brown. Isolated white feathers are scattered over the whole
body; or the dark feathers acquire white tips. With the falling of the quill
feathers, which may take place very rapidly, and deny for a season all power
of flight, the bird is in the following condition, which is the pure moulting
state, exactly intermediate between the summer and winter plumages :—No.
18254, Mus. Smiths., Labrador, Aug. 14, 1860. E. Coues. Wing feathers re-
newed, pure black, but not fully grown ; wing from the carpus only 4-50 long.
Mirror of renewed feathers, almost or quite pure white, but small; under
wing coverts and axillars pure white. Head and neck all around, rump, and
whole under parts marbled with black and white in equal quantity, the bird
looking as if dusted over with flour. Back black, most of the feathers lightly
bordered with white, the scapulars more largely white. A still further in-
crease of white produces the following :—

Adult, winter plumage.— Wings and tail black, the mirror and under wing
coverts faultlessly white. Head and neck all around, rump and entire under

* Although this author does not recognize the specifie validity of U. columba, and would
therefore range specimens of the latter under grylle in his catalogue, a specimen (No. 5.)
there enumerated appears to be this species, as is inferrible from the expression * Au
miroir d'un blanc pur."

10

parts pure white; the back, (and frequently the crown, and back of neck,)
black, more or less variegated with white. Audubon figures this condition
very nearly.

The change in spring—mostly occurring during April and May—is the reverse
of that already described as the autumnal moult.

Fledgelings.—(Labrador, July, 1860, E. Coues, Mus. Smiths. No. —.) Length
about 6:00; bill:50; tarsus -60; middle toe and claw :90, etc. Wholly covered
with soft wooly puffy down, fuliginous brownish black; bill and feet brownish
black.

Young, first plumage.—Traces of the down on various parts of the body; the
bird probably just beginning to fly ; length about 10-00, wing 11-50; bill 1:00,
black; tarsus 1:25; reddish dusky, as also are the toes. Upper parts plumbeous or
sooty black, scarcely varied with white. Mirror beginning to appear, as white
spotting ona blackish ground, Entire under parts white, thickly marbled,
rayed and undulated with light touches of dusky.

This state tends to pass directly into a condition exceedingly similar to, if
not identical with, that of the adults in winter. But birds of the first winter
may, at least early in the season, be distinguished from old ones by a certain
“feel” of the plumage, and a shorter, weaker bill, less developed as to its
ridges and angles.

Accidental variations.—The foregoing descriptions apply to the various stages
of plumage, which are strictly normal in character, and which, though un-
ending in precise degree, and varying with almost every individual, merge in-
sensibly into each other. The species is, however, also very subject to acci-
dental and entirely abnormal variations. Of these, albinism is the most com-
mon. (Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada.) Entirely milk white, without a trace
of black; bill and feet light colored; eyes probably pink in life. The oppo-
site condition of melanism is described by authors. This consists in the total
absence of white on the wings; and is apparently of infrequent occurrence.
Both these conditions have been described and named as characterizing dis-
tinct species. In the latter, the bird must not be confounded with Uria carbo,
which is totally different.

Tinnensigns amA dn Length, (average) 13.00; extent, (average) 22:50;
wing 5:50 to 6:25; tail 2-00, a little more or less; bill along culmen 1:30;
Me cut 75; along gonys :65; depth at base -45, width : 35; tarsus l: 25;
middle toe and claw 1: 15, outer do. slightly less, inner do 1:40.

It may be of advantage to look closely into the formation of the white area
upon the wing of this species, to the end that its composition may be clearly
understood, and recognized as different from that which obtains in the allied
species, U. columba. The mirror upon the upper coverts varies to a degree,
and in a precisely similar way, in each species; but when perfect constantly
presents a radical difference.

When Uria grylle is observed flying, as is its wont, low over the water with
rapid beats of the wings, the eye receives the impression of a black bird, with
a large white circular spot on the wing. This spot is constantly in view,
and represents the retinal image resulting from the white spaces upon both the
upper and under surface of the wings blended together by the rapid motion of
the wings. Those who have observed Uria grylle in its native haunts will
appreciate the pertinence of this remark. Uria columba presents no such
peculiarity of appearance, there being no white upon the under surface of the
wings; and the eye readily follows the movement of the small white space
upon the wings, as with the changing attitudes of the bird, it is now apparent,
now lost to view.

In Uria grylle, the row of great coverts upon the secondary quills are basally
black, terminally white. The outermost are white for rather less than half
their length, and the white occupies chiefly the exterior webs. Nearer the
body they are white for more than half their length, and the white occupies
both webs of the feathers.

71

The next row of coverts are wholly white in their entire length, except per-
haps for a very brief space just at their base; and they are throughout long
enough to cover entirely the dark portion of the first row, reaching a little
beyond and overlying the commencement of the white upon the latter ; so
that the white is continuous and unbroken. One or two more rows of coverts
have precisely the same character and continue the white space uninter-
rupted.

The shorter coverts, for about half inch from the edge of the antibrachium
are black. The last of these, however, are broadly tipped with white, which
white portion overlies the extreme bases of the next row, blending its color
with that of the latter; the anterior edge of the mirror being thus the line of
union of the black and white portions of these coverts, taken collectively.

In Uria columba, the row of great coverts is externally wholly black, or at
most the outermost feathers have only a very narrow white tip. The amount
of white on the feathers increases rapidly from without inwards, until on the
innermost there is nearly or quite as much white as in grylle. In consequence
of the small amount of white on these coverts, the next row of coverts do not
overlie, nor even reach it; there being left a broad space of dusky between
the white tips of the second row of coverts, and those of the first; which
space rapidly diminishes from the edge of the wing towards the body, forming
the curved crescent of dusky which is obvious upon the wing of this species.

The mirror of Uria grylle is subject to much variation, which, however,
never obscures its distinctive characters in any decided degree. The greater
coverts may be wholly dusky; then the mirror is the same as before, except
in its smaller size; the next row may be tipped with dusky, so that no white
comes forward to coalesce with that of the greater row, and'an appearance
like that of columba is produced ; which need not deceive, since the dusky
results from the second row of coverts instead of the first. All the wing
coverts may be tipped with dusky; producing a variegated or spotted mirror.
Finally, the mirror may be only indicated by a few isolated white feathers, or
may be altogether wanting.

It is to be borne in mind, that the difference in the mirror of U. grylle
and columba is only one of the most obvious, but not the most specific distinc-
tion. Inthe very possibly occurring cases in which there is absolutely no dif-
ference between specimens in this respect, the absence of the white under the
wing, and the shape of the bill, readily distinguish calumba from grylle.

Perhaps no bird has so many synonyms as Uria grylle. Independently of its
reference to divers genera, a large number of nominal species have been insti-
tuted upon its various stages of plumage, some of them requiring brief notice.
A very common name for the species among pre-Linncean writers was * Co-
lumba groenlandica,"—obviously a mere rendering into Latin of a popular
designation. The word ‘‘grylle” made an early entry into the records, desig-
nating the adult plumage. — Grylloides of Brünnich represents a variegated con-
dition; and balthica of the same author an immature or winter state. Lac-
teolus of the older authors seems to have been based upon the albino condition ;
the bird being described as “niveus, rostro pedibusque ex carneo fuscescen-
tibus." It is possible that Pallas, who introduced the word, may have really
based it upon a specimen of columba ; but this is a point of no special conse-
quence. Bonnaterre has another name,— nivea ”—for ihe same condition,
quoting Pallas, Sp. Z. v, p.33. Brisson and Brehm both have a large number
of nominal species, not necessary bere to particularize. In 1817, Vieillot
(l. suprà cit.) describes an adult under the name of Uria leucoptera, errone-
ously assigning it dimensions nearly equal to those of Lomvia troile. At least
the presumption is that this leucoptera is nothing but a large grylle, though he
must have been perfectly familiar with the latter. Even so late as 1824, grylle
is redescribed as Uria scapularis.

The ** Uria Mandtii" of Lichtenstein requires attention, having been exten-
sively quoted as a synonym of, or employed to designate, U. columba, as will

72

be seen by the list of synonyms under head of this species. It is not possible
to determine from the description whether Mandtii is really based upon columba
or upon grylle. But Dr. Schlegel describes a specimen from Spitzbergen in
the Mus. Pays-Bas.— un des individus types de /'Uria Mandtii de Lichtenstein,
obtenu du Musée de Berlin," as having the white feathers of the mirror tipped
with clear brown, and the wing and the tail feathers faded grayish. This is
a common condition of autumnal specimens of grylle; and the description
does not point more particularly to columba than to this speciés. Upon the
whole, it may be best to regard Mandiii Licht. as a synonym of grylle; though
the name as used by Brandt, Bonaparte and some others refers unmistakeably
to columba.

A certain Uria unicolor is described by Faber and Benecken and admitted as
distinct in the Comptes Rendus for 1856, by Bonaparte, who moreover places
it in a different subgenus from grylle. Bonaparte does not use the term to
designate carbo Pall., which latter he gives as distinct. The name seems to have
been based upon the melanotie state of plumage of grylle. Dr. Schlegel
describes, in the ninth livraison of the Mus. Pays-Bas Catalogues, one of
Faber's type specimens from Greenland, as being “Au plumage d'un noir en-
fumé absolument uniforme."

URIA COLUMBA, (Pallas) Cassin.

Black Guillemot, variety from Kamtschatka, “ with a white oblique line issuing
from the white spot on the wings," Pennant, Arct. Zool. ii, 1785, p. 517.

Uria grylle, var. B, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 797. “ Fuliginosa, fascia
alarum gemina alba. Lath. Syn. vi, p. 333, No. 3, var. a. Habitat in Aoona-
lashka."

Colymbus grylle, var. B, Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 872. Quotes
Latham and Pennant. ;

Cepphus columba, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. 1811, ii, p. 348. “In speciminibus orien-
tali oceani, fascia alarum duplex,” etc. (p. 349.

Uria columba, Cassin, Voy. Vincennes and Peacock, Orn. Atlas, pl. 38, fig. 1.
Idem, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 912, pl. 96, fig. 1. Idem, Pr. A. N. S. Phila.
1862, p. 323. Heermann, Pac. R. R. Rep. x, 1859, Route to California,
Birds, p. 76. Cooper and Suckley, Pac. R. R. Rep. xii, pt. ii, 1860, p. 285.

22 Uria mandtii, Lichtenstein, Verzeich, 1823, p. 88.

Uria mandtii, Reichenbach, ^'ollst. Naturg. Schwimmvóg, pl. 4, fig. 47. Gray,
Genera Birds, iii, 1849, p. 644.

Uria (Grylle) mandtii, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 346.

Uria (Cephus) mandtii, Bonaparte, Tabl. Comp. Pelag. Comptes Rendus, 1856,
xlii, p. 774.

Asiatic and American coasts of the North Pacific, Kamtschatka (Mus. Acad.
‘Philada.), Russian America, Washington Territory, California (Mus. Smiths.
Inst.) Breeds on the islands off the coast of California.

Bill stouter than that
of grylle, more obtuse at
the tip; upper mandible
with the culmen straight,
or even just appreciably
convex, suddenly de-
flected; rictus straight,
ascending to near the
tip; gonys and outline
of inferior mandibular
rami straight.

Adult.—Entirely fuli-
ginous or plumbeous
black, with a shade of
Fig. 14.—Uria columba.—Nat. size. invisible green. White

73

mirror on wing coverts. Nearly divided in two by a broad rather curved ob-
lique line of blackish. No white on under wing coverts, these being grayish-
brown. ‘Bill and claws black. Mouth and feet vermillion red, tinged with
carmine. “Iris white" (label).

Length 13-00; extent 23:00; wing 7:00; tail 2:20; tarsus 1:25 ; middle toe
and claw 1-90, outer do. the same, inner do. 1:45; bill along culmen 1:20,
along rictus 1-80, along gonys ‘65; depth at base :40; width -30.

This species closely resembles U. grylle; but differs in being upon an average
larger, the wing particularly longer; the bill stouter, straighter, more obtuse
at the point ; and the marking of the wings different, as above described. The
changes of plumage and the individual variations, as exhibited in the large
series of specimens examined, and entirely parallel with those of Uriagrylle.

It is worthy of note that this species occurs, in summer, upon the Pacific
coast of America, much south of the corresponding latitudes on the Atlantic
coasts frequented at this season by U. grylle.

One of the earliest indications, if not the first, of this species, may be recog-
nized in the variety of the Black Guillemot from Kamtschatka, described by
Pennant. This is said to have a white oblique line issuing from the white
spot on the wing. The var. B of grylle of Latham and Donndorff is the same
bird. Pallas appears to be the first to bestow a specific name. The question
involved in the Uria Mandtii, Licht., has already been considered in the pre-
ceding article.

URIA CARBO, (Pall.) Brandt.

Cepphus carbo, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 350, pl. 79. “C. tridactylus,
totus niger, orbites albis," etc.

Uria (Grylle) carbo, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 346. “Tota
nigra, pedibus rubris, orbita et stria ab orbites pone oculos ducta albis."

Uria (Cephus) carbo, Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Uria carbo, Gray, Genera Birds, 1849, p. 644. Cassin, Daird's B. N. A. 1858,
p. 913, pl. 97. Quotes Reich. Vollst. Naturg. Aves., pl. 375, fig. 2937. Cassin,
Pr. A. N. S. Philada. 1862, p. 323 (Japan).

Alca carbo, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 17.

“In oceano orientale circa insulas Aleuticas, prsesertim Unalaschka "
(Pallas), Kamtschatka (Mus. Acad. Philada.), Japan (Mus. Smiths. Inst.)

Sp. Ch.—Larger than grylle and columba; the bill especially larger, stouter

and straighter. Feathers of nasal fossz and those around base of lower man-

dible whitish. A

conspicuous white

area around eyes,

and extending an

3) inch or so behind

them. No white

on either surface

of wings. Rest of

plumage brown-

ish-black, becom-

ing ashy black on

the under parts;

perhaps deep

Fig. 15.— Uria carbo.--Nat. size. plumbeous black,

with a shade of greenish, in more mature specimens than those examined.

Bill black. Legs and feet chrome yellow, tinged with vermillion, webs coral
red in the dried state ; probably vermillion or carmine red in life.

Length 14 to 15 inches; wing 7-75; tail 2:50; culmen 1:55; commissure

2-20; from feathers on side of lower mandible to tip 1:50, tarsus 1:36 ; middle

toe and claw 2:10, outer 2:00, inner 1:60.

74

Another specimen: culmen 1:70; commissure 2:10; feathers on side of
lower mandible to its tip 1:55; depth of bill at base :50; width at same
point -38.

An interesting species of Uria, easily recognized by its peculiar colors,
which are different from those of either of the other two species here described.
Although unmistakeably characterized by Pallas, in 1811, as above cited, it
seems to have been overlooked by many subsequent writers. It appears, how-
ever, in the monograph by Prof. Brandt, who was well acquainted with Pallas’
labors and discoveries; and is on different occasions noticed by Mr. Cassin,
who has given a figure of it in the Atlas accompanying Prof. Baird's Birds of
North America. "There is a fine specimen in the Philadelphia Academy, from
Kamtschatka; and a mutilated one in the Smithsonian Institution, from Japan.
The latter is interesting on account of the new and unusual locality. The bird
is chiefly an inhabitant of the higher latitudes on the coasts of the Pacific
Ocean. It has not yet become a common bird in collections.

The species is somewhat larger than grylle or columba, but chiefly noticeable,
as far as form is concerned, by the greater stoutness and straightness of the
bill, very observable upon direct comparison. The culmen and commissure
are nearly straight almost to the very tip, where they are rather suddenly de-
curved. The gonys and mandibular rami are quite straight; the eminence at
their symphysis is well-marked. The nasal fossa is short, but wide and deep ;
the feathers reach to the nostrils, but do not cover them. These nasal feathers,
as well as those around the base of the lower mandible, are dull white. The
eyes are conspicuously encircled with white, which stretches behind them for
about an inch, tapering to a fine point. There are no indications of white on
the wings. With the exceptions just mentioned the whole plumage is sooty-
black, tinged with slaty above, with brownish below, and becoming light ashy
on the under surfaces of the wings. The bill is black, as in the other species;
the inside of the mouth probably carmine red in life. The feet are light yellow
in the dried specimens, doubtless vermillion or carmine red in life. The webs
are still tinged with this color. The claws are black.

It is possible that the plumage just described is not that of the perfectly
adult bird, in which, when fully mature, the white about the sides of the head
and base of the bill may not be exactly as here described; and the body colors
may be purer and more intense. Dr. Schlegel describes a specimen from the
Kurile islands as “ d'un noir enfumé uniforme ;” and another, from Sachalin
island, as an “ individu an plumage imparfait; d'un brun fuligineux, passant
au blanchâtre sur la face et les côtés de la tête.”

LOMVIA, (Ray) Brandt.

Lomvia, Ray, Syn. Meth. Av., p. 120. Type Z. Hoieri Ray, (fide Bryant).
Lomvia, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Pet. ii, 1837, p. 345. Type Colymbus troille Linn.
Cataractes, Moehring, Gen. Av. 1752, p. 68, No. 75. Based on Lumvia Ins.

Farr Hoeiri.

Cataractes, Bryant, Monog. Gen. Cataractes, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. 1861.

Type Colymbus troille Linn.

Alea, Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i, 1758, in part; and of many older authors. Also
of Schlegel (1867), in part.

Uria, Brisson, Orn. ii, 1760, p. 377, in part; and of authors generally.

Colymbus, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. i, 1766, in part; and of many older authors.

Cepphus, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 345, in part.

Bill shorter than the head, longer than the tarsus, straight, or slightly de-
curved, usually very slender, much compressed, culmen regularly decurved in
its whole length, rictus moderately and very gradually decurved, gonys straight,
or even slightly concave in outline, very long, nearly as long as the culmen ;
a groove in the side of the upper mandible near its tip; commissural edge of
upper mandible greatly inflected. Nasal fosse scarcely apparent, fully feath-

m

75

ered, the nostrils wholly obtected by feathers. Feathers on side of lower
mandible retreating in a straight line obliquely upwards and backwards from
interramal space to rictus. Wings moderately long; tail exceedingly short,
the latter contained about three and two-thirds times in the length of the for-
mer from carpus to end of longest primary; tail much rounded. Tarsus much
compressed, posteriorly and laterally reticulate, anteriorly scutellate, much
shorter than the middle toe and claw. Outer and middle toes about equal in
length; the claw of the latter much larger than that of the former ; tip of inner
claw reaching base of middle one. Claws compressed, moderately arched,
acute, the outer one not grooved on its outer face, the middle one greatly di-
lated along its inner edge. A furrow in the plumage behind the eyes.

The genus as here constituted is restricted so as to comprehend only ¿roile
and the species intimately related. It differs from Uria proper in several
points, some of them of decided importance. For the benefit of those who may
be sceptical regarding the propriety of separating the two forms as genera, their

distinctive characters are here antithetically tabulated :

Unra (grylle).

Bill about equal to the tarsus;
moderately compressed.
Rictus straight, except just at tip.

Gonys straight, half as long as cul-
men.

Upper mandible not grooved.

Tomial edges of upper mandible
scarcely inflected.

Nasal fossæ wide, deep, mostly naked;
nostrils partially covered with feathers.

Feathers on side of lower mandible
forming a salient rounded outline.

Tail short, slightly rounded, con-
tained 22 times in the wing,

Tarsus entirely reticulate.

Tarsus scarcely shorter than middle
toe without claw.

Outer face of outer claw grooved.

Size moderate ; no postocular furrow
in the plumage.

Lomvra (troile).

Bill much longer than the tarsus ;
much compressed.

Rictus decurved for great part of its
length.

Gonys concave, nearly as long as
culmen.

Upper mandible grooved near the tip.

Tomial edges of upper mandible much
inflected.

Nasal fosse narrow, shallow, feath-
ered; nostrils covered with feathers.

Feathers on side of lower mandible
in a straight oblique line.

Tail very short, much rounded, con-
tained 32 times in the wing.

Tarsus anteriorly scutellate.

Tarsus much shorter than middle toe
without claw.

Outer face of outer claw not grooved.

Size large; a postocular furrow in
the plumage.

Species—(4?).

I. Depth of bill opposite nostrils not more than a third of the length of culmen.

No white on sides of head; bill

slender, not dilated at

base; culmen, rictus and gonys much curved........ Sos clo roten as

A white ring and line on sides of head;

troile
No white on sides of head; bill
culmen, rictus and gonys nearl

II. Depth of bill opposite nostrils mor

length of culmen........ Sendo gono 5 090°

LoMVIA TROILE,

Lomvia Hoier?, Ray, Syn. Meth. Av., p. 1
Uria major, Ger. i, p. 549; fide Bryant.
Plautus rostro larino, Klein. Av., p. 146,
Colymbus troille, Linneus, ‘ Fn. Suec., e

DIEI

bill as in
ADOSUSUNESS cioccóc odddpdodnoens 2. ringvia.

stout, dilated at base;
NALIN oc doo CO SO TEC 3, californica.

e than a third of the
SCIO GOUodocbU PECORE CEGODNI 40 CUUnOAG.
(Linn. ) Brandt.

20 ; fide Bryant.

No. 2; fide Bryant.

d. of 1761, No. 109." Idem, Syst. Nat.

i 1766, xii ed. p. 220; not Uria troille, Brünn., which is Alca lomvia, Linn.,

16

1758. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, pt. ii, p. 788, p. 585; quotes lomvia of Brünnich,
No. 108. Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 874; confuses the quota-
tions of several species: e. g., quotes Uria troile, Lath., and Alca lomvia of
Linnzus! tenth edition.

Uria troile, Latham, Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 796, No. 1. Retzius, Fn. Suecica, p.
149. Nilsson, Ornith. Suec. 1821, ii, p. 142. Temminck, Man. Orn. ii. 1820,
p. 921. Selby, lllust. Brit. Ornith. ii, 1831, p. 420. Reinhardt, Natur. Bidrag,
p- 18, No. 87. Gould, B. Eur. v, 1837, pl. 396. Fleming, Hist. Brit. Anim.
p.134. De Kay, N. Y. Zool. 1844, Birds, p. 279. Gray, Genera Birds, iii,
1849, p. 644. Naumann, Naturg. Vig. Deutsch. ix, 1847, pl. 331. Peabody,
Rep. Nat. Hist. Mass. Birds, p. 399; confuses /roile and ringvia. Thompson,
Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii, 1851, p. 207. Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, ii, 1852,
p.318. Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. May, 1861, p. 74.

Uria ( Lomvia) troile, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 345. Bona-
parte, Consp. Gav. Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 774.

Catarractes troille, Bryant, Monog. Genus Cat. in Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1861, p.
6, fig. 2a. Verrill, Proc. B. S. N. H. Oct. 1862, p. 143. Idem, Proc. Essex
Inst. iii, 1863, p. 160.

Uria lomvia, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 27, No. 108; quotes Alca lomvia,
Willoughby, t. 65. Not Alea lomvia, Linn., 1158. Scopoli, Bemerk. Naturg.
i, 1777, p. 88, No. 108; fide Donndorff. Keyserling and Blasius, Werbelth.
Europ. 1840, p. 238.

Uria (Cataractes) lomvia, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 913. Coues, Pr. A.
N.S. Phila. Aug. 1861, p. 256. Boardman, Pr. B.S. N. H. 1862, p. 131.

? Cepphus lomvia, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. 1811, ii, p. 345; quotes lomvia, No. 108, of
Brünnich, as c, and svarbag, No. 110, of Brünnich, as Q ; also quotes Col.
troile of Linneus’ 12th edition. Perhaps really refers to californicus.

Alca lomvia, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 15. (Not of
Linnzus.) Ex parte. Author considers the present and the succeeding spe-
cies to be varieties of one and the same species. Describes both under same
name. Quotes Uria lomvia et swarbeg [lege svarbag] of Brünnich; Colymbus
troile of Linneus; and Uria rhingvia [lege ringvia] of Brünnich.

Colymbus minor, Gmelin, S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, p. 585; confuses three species by
describing troile, and quoting Brünnich's No. 110 (svarbag) and Brünnich's
No. 111 (ringvia). Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, p. 873; confuses three
species, by quoting Latham's var. B and Brünnich's Nos. 110, 111. Author's
var. 7 is true ringvia.

Uria minor, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, p. 246, pl. 63; erroneously
quotes svarbag, Brünn.

European and American coasts and islands of the North Atlantie, to or be-
yond 80? N. On the American coast, breeds from Nova Scotia northward.
“Its most favorite breeding-places south of the Straits of Belle Isle, are the
Funk Islands, off the coast of Newfoundland, Bird Rock, near the Magdalen
Islands, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and a number of small islands, generally
called Murre Rocks, between Meccatina and the Esquimaux Islands, on the
north shore of the Gulf," (Bryant). In winter to the extreme southern coast
of New England. Specimens in all American cabinets.

Adult, summer plumage.—Head and neck all around rich dark brown, which
changes on the back of the neck into dark slaty-brown, the color of the rest of
the upper parts. This hue is nearly uniform, but most of the feathers of the
back and rump have usually just appreciably lighter and more grayish-brown
tips. Secondaries narrowly, distinctly tipped with pure white. Exposed por-
tion of primaries dusky blackish, the shafts of the few outermost, and the
greater part of the inner webs of the whole, lighter (more grayish-brown),
tending to grayish-white towards the bases. Under wing coverts mostly white,
variegated with dusky along the edges of the wing, and the greater coverts
mostly of this latter color. Entire under parts from the throat pure white;

77

the whole length of the sides under the wings streaked with dusky or slaty-
brown. Bill black ; mouth yellow; iris brown; legs and feet blackish.

Adult, winter plumage.—As before; the rich brown of the head darker in hue,
and more like the rest of the upper parts; the white of the under parts extend-
ing to the bill, upon the sides of the head to or slightly above the level of the
commissure, upon the side of the neck so far around as to leave only a narrow
isthmus of dark color, which is somewhat interrupted by white mottling. The
white shades gradually into the darker color, without a trenchant line of de-
marcation, and varies greatly in its precise outline. Usually a pretty well de-
fined spur of dark color runs out backwards from the eye into the white of the
sides of the occiput, the spur occupying the borders of the postocular furrow
in the plumage. On the sides of the lower neck, just in advance of the wings,
the dark color extends in a point further than it does higher up, showing the
extent of the dark brown of the summer vesture.

Young, of the first winter, are colored precisely like the adults, but may be
always distinguished by their much shorter and slenderer bills, which are in
great part light colored (yellowish). The feet are also much tinged anteriorly
with yellowish.

Fledgelings are brownish-dusky, the breast and abdomen white; and with a
few dull whitish streaks upon the head and hind neck.

Dimensions.— Adult.—Length about 17:00; extent 30:00; wing 8-00; tail
2°25, tarsus 1:40; middle toe ‘and claw 2:10; inner do. 1:70; outer do. 2:06 :
bill along culmen 1°75, along rictus 2:50; along gonys 1°15; depth at base
‘55; width at same point .30. Bill of young, first winter: culmen 1:50; rictus
2:25; gonys :90; depth at base :45; width at base :25.

This species is well known to vary to a certain degree in size, and in the
precise shape of the bill. The dimensions above given represent very nearly
the average of a large suite of specimens measured. In colors, the variations,
though considerable, are unimportant, consisting in the difference in shade of
the colors of the upper parts, and the difference in precise outline of the dark
and light colors about the head and neck, in summer as well as in winter spe-
cimens. Specimens just before the renewal of the feathers have the upper
parts distinctly barred or waved with gray, owing to the fading of the tips of
the old feathers; and the wing and tail feathers light dull gray. The difference
in intensity of coloration depends chiefly upon season, though individual pe-
culiarities may be observed. Very highly plumaged birds have the upper parts
almost uniform in hue.

The synonymy of this species is very extensive, and somewhat intricate,
though it is possible to collate it with much accuracy and certainty, provided
more labor be bestowed than the importance of the matter warrants, as seems
to the writer to have been the case in the present instance. In consequence of
the peculiarly obvious nature of the characters which distinguish the several
closely allied species from the present one, even the brief diagnoses of the
most antiquated authors may be recognized and identified, in the majority of
instances. But it is curious to note that the various names most in vogue for
two or three species of this genus have been so frequently interchanged, and so
variously applied, not only in a specific, but in a generic, sense, that they have
really come at last to mean nothing more than simply Murre or Guillemot. It
is absolutely necessary to refer to a writers description, or his authorities
quoted, before we can have any idea to what species he alludes under any given
name ;—certainly a very discouraging state of affairs, and one not placing orni-
thology in a very creditable light.

The present species is Linn:eus' troille, of Fn. Suec. 1761, and S. N. 1766,
and is so regarded by most writers. Itis the lomvia of Brünnich, which name
is usually adopted by those writers who date Linnzus' prerogative of priority at
1766. Itis minor of Gmelin, who to a description of this species adds the
synonyms of two others. It is not troille of Brünnich; nor lomvia of Liun:us.

18

LowviA RINGVIA, ( Brünn.) Brandt.

Uria ringvia, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. i, 764, p. 28, No. 111; “linea a cantho oculi
exteriori per latera capitis nigrantia decurrit alba." Reinhardt, Bidrag. Na-
turg. p. 18. Naumann, Naturg. Vóg. Deutsch. xii, 1847, p. 360, pl. 332.
Keyserling and Blasius, Wirbelth. Europ. 1840, p. 238. Gray, Genera Birds,
1849, iii, p. 644. Bryant, Proc. B. S. N. H. 1861, p. 7 :.

Uria (Lomvia) ringvia, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. ii, 1837, p. 345. Bona-
parte, Tabl. Comp. Pelagiens, Comptes Rendus, 1856, xlii, p. 114.

Uria ( Cataractes) ringvia, Cassin, Baird's B. N. A. 1858, p. 914. Two of the
specimens enumerated belong to californica, Bryant. Description that of true
ringvia. Boardman, Proc. B. S. N. H. Sept. 1862, p. 131.

Catarractes ringvia, Bryant, Monog. Gen. Cat. in Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1861, p. 8,
fig. 2. Verrill, Pr. B. S. N. H. 1862, p. 143. Id., Pr. Ess. Inst. iii, 1863, p. 160.

Uria alga, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 28, No. 112. Ringviz * simillima, ex-
ceptis rectricibus totis nigris."

Columbus langvia, “ Plaff, Reise n. Isl. p. 562;" fide Bryant.

Colymbus troile, var. B, Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 875; quotes
Brünnich's No. 112 (alga), and Latham's, No. 1, var. y (also alga).

Colymbus troile, var. y, Donndorff, Beytr. Zool. ii, pt. i, 1794, p. 876. ** Colym-
bus annulo oculorum et linea pone oculos albis." Quotes Müller, Zool. dan.
Prod. p. 19, No. 152a.

Uria lachrymans, La Pylaie. "Choris, Voyages Pitt. autour du monde, 23 ;"
fide Bryant. Yarrell, Brit. Birds, iiij p. 351. Temminck, Man. iv, p. 574.
Gould, B. Eur. v, 1837, pl. 397. Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. B., ii, 1852, p. 326.

Uria leucopsis, Brehem, * Vóg. iii, p. 880.”

Uria leucophthalmos, Faber, Isis v. Oken, 1824, p. 146. Thompson, Nat. Hist.
Ireland, iii, 1851, p. 211.

Uria troille leucophthalmus, Faber, Prod. Isl. Orn. 1822, p. 42.

Uria troile, Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828, p. 424. Two species confused. Not
Colymbus troille Linn., nor Uria troille Brünn. Audubon, Orn. Biogr. 1835,
ili, p. 142, pl. 218, fig. 1; oct. ed. vii, pl. 473, fig. 1. Figure 2 represents
troile, of which the author considers the present species to be the adult. Gi-
raud, Birds Long Island, 1844, p. 376.

American and European coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. On the
American coast, breeds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; in winter'ranges south to
the southern extremity of New England. Habitat the same as that of troile,
with which it is usually found in intimate association. Spec. in Mus. Acad.
Philada., Mus. Smiths. Inst., Cab. G. N. Lawrence.

Absolutely identical with Z. troie, except in having a white ring around, and
white line behind, the eye. The white ring occupies the margins of both eye-
lids, forming a perfect circle, posteriorly continuous with the white line which
occupies the furrow in the plumage, and is an inch or more long.

The changes of plumage of this species, and the individual differences to
which it is subject, are. absolutely identical with those of L. troile. The white
ring and line are usually, if not always, present in winter specimens.

The white ring and line are said to be sometimes wanting. But specimens
without this character cannot be distinguished from Z. troile.

None of the specimens contained in American museums offer any grounds
for contradiction of the preceding statements.

Such being the facts in the case, each one must be allowed to determine for
himself the relationship of L. ringvia to L. troille, according to the notion he
may entertain of species. In forming an opinion, the facts must be borne in
mind that the two kinds of Guillemots are always found intimately associated,
and that they are known to copulate with each other.

It is probable that the peculiar character upon which the species rests is an
individual peculiarity, not a specific difference.

This bird appears to have been first described and named by Brünnich under
the designation ringvia. Alya of this author is the same bird without white

19

tips to the secondaries. Subsequently several names have been proposed, as
will be seen by the synonymy adduced; each based upon the head-markings.
The bird has also frequently been described as troile, var.

Lomyia CALIFORNICA, (Bryant,) Coues.

? Cepphus lomvia, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 345, synon. excl.
Uria troile, Newberry, Pacitic R. R. Rep. vi, pt. iv, 1857, p. 110. Not of
authors. (Coastof California.)
Uria Briinnichii, Heermann, Pacific Rr. Rep. x, 1859, Route to California,
Birds, p. 75: synon. excl. Not of authors. (Farrallone Islands.)
Catarractes californicus, Bryant, Monogr. Gen. Cat. Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H., 1861,
p. 11, figs. 3 and 5. (Farrallone Islands, coast of California.)
Pacific coast of North America. Farrallone Islands, coast of California ;
breeding ; (Mus. Smiths. Inst. and Cab. H. Bryant; the types of the species :)
Sitka, Russian America; wintering; Mus. Smiths. Inst.)

Fig. 16.—Lomvia calfornica,(Bry. Nat. size.

(No. 17404, Mus. Smiths. A type of the species.) Entirely like troile, except
in the form of the bill. Bill somewhat longer than that of trode, on an
average; deeperat the base, less decurved towards the tip, the several outlines
straighter. Culmen straight to near the tip, then moderately deflexed ; rictus
almost perfectly straight in its entire length, the commissural edge of the
upper mandible toward its base somewhat expanded and everted, as in svarbag,
though not to the same degree; the feathers on the side of the upper mandible
not covering the tomial edge until very near the angula oris; gonys perfectly
straight and very long, with a corresponding shortness of the mandibular
rami; the angle at symphysis prominent, acute. ‘Iris white," (collector's
label. Length 16-00; extent 27:00, (label ;) wing 8:00; tail 2:25 ; tarsus
1:40, middle toe and claw 2:25, outer do. 2:10, inner do. 1:70 ; bill along culmen
1:90, along rictus 2:90, along gonys 1.30; its depth at angle of gonys :60, its
width opposite base of nostrils :35.

Winter plumage.—(No. 46522, Mus. Smiths. Sitka, Nov. 1866.) In this speci-
men the bill is shorter (1:75 along culmen) than in the type above described,
and the culmen and rictus are more decurved. The peculiar shape, however,
is still preserved, the lower mandible being deep and very prominent at the
eminentia symphysis. The bird is probably one of the first winter. The
plumage is entirely parallel with that of troile at the corresponding season.
The upper parts are fully as dark as in the average of winter specimens of the
latter species. The white of the under parts extends to the bill, and along the
edge of the under mandible and eyes. Further back it invades the sides of
the occiput and nape, where it is separated from the white of the throat by a
prominent well defined spur of dark color protruding from the eye.

80

As stated by Dr. Bryant, the dark parts of this species are rather paler in
tint than the average of those of £roile. But this is not a diagnostic feature,
for it does not hold good in perhaps even a majority of instances. The iris,
according to the label, is white; but Dr. Bryant remarks that he can hardly
credit this; though if constant it would be a strong character. The only re-
liable diagnostic features are found in the shape of the bill, as just described.
In spite of the moderate amount of individual variation to which the bill is
subject, it always preserves its peculiar shape, which is sufficiently different
from that of troileto attract attention without direct comparison of specimens.
One feature which appears to have escaped Dr. Bryant's attention lies in the
inflation and eversion of the basal portion of the tomia of the upper mandible,
and their comparatively scanty feathering. This is an approach towards the
peculiar character of svarbag, though by no means attaining such development
asin that species. It is readily appreciable in amount in the majority of
specimens.

Itis worthy of note, that the peculiarities of bill which characterize this
species as compared with /ro//e, are very much the same as those found in the
bill of U. columba, as compared with U. grylle.

It is also to be observed, that the ringvia style of Murre has not been found
on the Pacific coast. - Should the probability of its non-occurrence become a
certainty, the obvious inference would be additional evidence in favor of the
Specific distinction of californica.

Numerous examples of this species are in the Smithsonian Museum, among
them Dr. Bryant’s types. The bird breeds much further south than its Atlan-
tic representative, occurring in summer on the coast of California.

Among the specimens enumerated in the “Birds of North America” by
Mr. Cassin, under head of Uria ringvia, are two examples of this species, from
California. It is possible that this species rather than trode is alluded to by
Pallas under the name of Cepphus lomvia.

The figure is not a very good representation, the culmen and gonys not being
straight enough. The under mandible, however, is well delineated,

a“

LowviA SVARBAG, (Brunn.) Coues.

Alca lomvia, Linnzus, Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1758, p. 130, No. 4. “Rostro levi
oblongo,mandibula superiore margine flavescente."

Uria lomvia, Bryant, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H., May, 1861, p. 75. Not of authors,
which is generally applied to troille Linn.

Catarractes lomvia, Bryant, Mon. Gen. Cat. in Pr. B. S. N. H. 1861, p. 9, figs.
land4. Verrill, Proc. Essex Inst. iii, 1863, p. 160.

Uria troille, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 27, No. 109. “Rostro latiore et
breviore, cujus margines, etiam in exsiccatas exuviis, flavescunt." Not
Colymbus troille Linn.

Uria svarbag, Brünnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, p. 27, No. 110. Winter plumage.

Cepphus arra, Pallas, Zoog. R.-A. ii, 1811, p. 347.

Uria arra, Keyserling and Blasius, Wirb. Europ. 1840, p. 237. Cassin, Pr.
A. N. S. Phila. 1862, p. 324. (Northwest coast of America. Naumann,
Naturg. Vóg. Deutsch. xii, 1847, p. 536, pl. 333.

Uria (Lomvia) arra, Bonaparte, Tabl. Comp. Pelag. Comptes Rendus, 1856,
xlii, p. 774.

Uria ( Cataractes) arra, Cassin, Baird's B.N. A., 1858, p. 914.

Ulca arra, Schlegel, Urinatores Mus. Pays-Bas, livr. ix, 1867, p. 16.

Uria Brünnichii, Sabine, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii, 1818, p. 538. Temminck, Man.
Orn. 1820, ii, p. 924. Bonaparte, Synopsis, 1828, p. 424. Nuttall, Man.
Orn. ii, p. 529. Temminck, Man. Orn. ii. p. 576; p. 924. Reinhardt, Natur.
Bidrag. p. 18, No. 88. Yarrell, Brit. Birds, p. 348. Swainson and Rich-
ardson, F. B. A. 1831, ii, p. 417. Gould, Birds Europ. v, 1837, pl. 398.
Audubon, Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, p. 336, pl. 345; oct. ed. vii, pl. 472. Pea-
body, Rep. Nat. Hist. Mass. Birds, 1840, p. 400. . Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, 1849,

81

p. 644. Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, iii, 1851, p. 213. Macgillivray, Hist.
Brit. Birds, ii, 1852, p. 314.

Uria (Lomvia) Brünnichii, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. 1837, ii, p. 345.

Uria Francsii, Leach, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii, 1818, p. 588. Stephens, Shaw's
Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, p. 243, pl. 62, fig. 2. Giraud, Birds Long Island, 1844,
p.377. DeKay, New York Zoolog. Birds, 1844, p. 280. Peabody, Rep.
Birds Massachusetts, p. 400.

Oria polaris, Brehm.

Coast of the North Atlantic and Pacific, and of the Arctic Seas. Herald
Island, (Mus. Smiths.) In winter, on the American coast south to New
Hampshire, (author's Cabinet) and New Jersey, (Mus. Acad. Philada.) Breeds
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, (Bryant.)

Form subtypical of the genus. Bill short, hardly exceeding the tarsus in
length of culmen, very stout, wide and deep at the base; culmen curved in
its whole length ; rictus straight for about half its length, then much deflexed ;
gonys long, its outline decidedly concave; mandibular rami short, eminentia
symphysis very prominent; tomial edges of the upper mandible in their basal
half turgid, and entirely bare of feathers. Slightly larger, and rather more
robustly organized than /roie. In other respects of form identical with
troile : the plumage and its changes also the same. The turgid portion of the
tomia of the upper mandible flesh colored in life, becoming yellowish in the
dried state.

Length 18:00; extent 32-00 ; wing 8:50; tail 2-25 ; tarsus 1:25, middle toe
and claw 2-10, outer do. 1:90, inner do. 1:60, bill along culmen 1:40, along
rictus 2:20, along gonys :90, depth at eminentia symphysis :55, width at base of
nostrils :30, at augula oris :80.

The peculiar shape of the bill strongly characterizes this species, Itis a
rather more robust bird than /ro?le, and upon an average a little larger. The
colors of the plumage are not very appreciably different; perhaps slightly
darker, and tending a little more decidedly towards a slaty or plumbeous hue,
particularly in winter. The seasonal changes are precisely the same. The
only decided difference in color lies in the whitish or yellowish hue of the
expanded tomia of the upper mandibie.

Brünnich's Guillemot appears to be the most boreal species of the genus,
frequenting the Arctic seas, as well as more temperate latitudes. At the same
time it has been found further south in winter, on the Atlantic coast of North
America, than the other species; and is of frequent occurrence on the United
States coast at that season. It is also of constaut occurrence in the North
Pacific.

This is unquestionably the Alca lomvia of Linnzus, 1758. The name should
stand for the species, were it not now in use for the genus. It has been more
usually employed for troie. The troile of Brünnich is unmistakeably this spe-
cies, but is preoccupied by its Linnean application for the common species.
Svarbag, Brünnich, comes next in order. This is based upon the winter plum-
age, and must stand as the specific designation of the bird. Pallas named it
Cepphus arra in 1811; and Sabine renamed it Uria Briinnichii in 1818. Both
these names, but particularly the latter, are in very general employ at the pre-
sent day. Francsii of Leach, 1818, also this species, has never had much of a
run with writers.

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A LIST

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BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND,

BrCEBLELIOTT. QOUES,

Assistant Surgeon, A. S.A.

[REPRINTED FROM THE PROCEEDINGS Essex INSTITUTE, VOL. V.

SALEM, MASS.
ESSEX INSTITUTE PRESS.
1868.

Catalogue of the Birds of North America contained in the
Museum of the Essex Institute ; — with which is in-
corporated A List of the Birds of New England.
With brief Critical and Field Notes.

By Dr. ELLIOTT Cours, U. S. A.

Ir is with pleasure that I accede to a request made by
Mr. F. W. Putnam, Superintendent of the Museum of
the Essex Institute, to identify and prepare a Catalogue
of the North American Birds contained in the Collection.

The Ornithological department of the Museum, al-
though not very extensive, so well illustrates, as every
local collection should, the species of the immediate
vicinity, that, by the addition of a comparatively few
-desiderata, it may easily be rendered a complete exponent
of the Birds of Essex County. Numerous species of other
portions of North America, and a number of exotic spe-
cies are also represented. The entire collection is in a
state of preservation rarely equalled in a public museum,
and is an encomium upon the scientific taste and enter-
prise of the community which requires no comment.

In preparing a Catalogue of the Birds of the Essex
Institute Museum, I had at first intended merely to pre-
sent, in addition, a synopsis of the birds of the County
of which the collection does not contain examples, for the
purpose of showing exactly what were its desiderata
among the species of the immediate vicinity. But the
Avifauna of the County, with a few exceptions, does not
differ in a notable degree from that of the State at large ;
of which so many excellent lists have already appeared,
that an additional one would be entirely superfluous.*

There are also at our disposal several other local lists
of various localities throughout New England. It has

*That of Mr. J. A. Allen’s, in particular, would be difficult to improve
upon as regards completeness, accuracy, and interest; and is, I think,
one of the most perfect samples of a local list I have ever had the
pleasure of perusing.

1 (249)

2 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

occurred to me that a paper which should combine these
different catalogues, or in other words present a complete
list of the Birds found in New England was still a desid-
eratum, and might prove an acceptable contribution to
Ornithology. I have accordingly endeavored to render
the following pages an exposition of the present state of
our knowledge as regards the distribution of species in
this section of the country.

A simple enumeration of the names of species known
to occur, without regard to special points concerning each
of them, is, as has been frequently and justly remarked,
of comparatively little value in determining the real char-
acteristics of the Fauna of any particular locality. For
among the species represented, some are purely accidental,
and others only occasional or very. rare visitors, whose
occurrence is entirely exceptional, and contrary to the
law ordinarily regulating their habits and distribution.
A very large proportion are species which only pass
through the region during their migrations ; and of those
which regularly summer or winter, or are permanent resi-
dents, some are very abundant, and, so to speak, charac-
teristic, while others are of comparatively infrequent
occurrence. The value of a local list seems to me to
depend in a great measure upon the just discrimination of
these several classes; and cannot be said to approach
completion unless these points are fully elucidated.

I have experienced some little difficulty in attempting
to fulfil this indication, in consequence of the extent of
country whose birds are to be presented. Within the
area of New England, as is well known to those fa-
miliar with the distribution of our species, are repre-
sented portions of two Fauns* which differ in many
respects from each other. There seems to be a natural
dividing line between the birds of Massachusetts and
Southern New England generally, and those of the more
northern portions of the Eastern States. Numerous
species which enter New England in spring, to breed

*The “Canadian” and ‘* Alleghanian.”— Professor Verrill’s paper
on the birds of Norway, Me., contains some interesting remarks upon
this subject.

250)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 3

there, do not proceed, as a general rule, farther north
than Massachusetts; and many others, properly to be re-
garded as stragglers from the South in summer and early
autumn, are rarely if ever found beyond the latitude of
this State. In like manner, many of the regular winter
visitants of Maine are of rare or only occasional occur-
rence, or are not found at all much farther south. Again,
many species hardly known in Massachusetts and south-
ward except as migratory species passing through in
spring and autumn, are in Maine regular summer visit-
ants, breeding abundantly. Other minor differences,
resulting from latitude and physical geography, will
readily be brought to mind by attentive consideration of
the subject, and therefore need not be here detailed. It
will be evident that a due regard for these important
points has necessitated, in the case of almost every species
in the list, remarks elucidative of the special part it plays
in the composition of the Avifauna.

In the following list the New England species are given
in 7falices, and those contained in the Museum of the In-
stitute are followed by the numbers and localities of the
specimens in the collection. All other North American spe-
cies represented in the Museum are printed in “Roman.”
The list is thus made an exponent of the present condition
of the Museum so far as North American birds are con-
cerned, without interference with its character as a synop-
sis of those of New England. The nomenclature adopted
is mainly that of Professor Baird’s “Birds of North
America,” with such modifications as my own investiga-
tions have led me to adopt.

I take pleasure in acknowledging the free use I have
made of previously published local lists, for obtaining
data relative to the comparative abundance or scarcity of
species, their times of arrival and departure, and for
information upon particular points which a general knowl-
edge of the distribution of species does notafford. In-
formation relative to the accidental occurrence of species
in particular localities must necessarily be chiefly drawn
from these sources; and I have in every such instance
been careful to insert references. For all statements for

(251)

4 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

which no authority is cited, and for the identifications of
specimens in the Museum, I am solely responsible.

The reader is referred to the following authorities for
corroborative or additional information upon the subject :

Emm.— Prof. E. Emmons; Catalogue of the Birds of Massachusetts.
Hitchcock’s Report. Amherst, 1835.

Brew.— Dr. T. M. Brewer; Some additions to the Catalogue of the
Birds of Massachusetts, in Hitchcock’s Report. Boston Journal
of Natural History, vol. i, p. 485. 1837.

Pras. — Rev. W. B. O. Peabody; Report on the Birds of Massachu-
setts. Published agreeably to an order of the Legislature. 8vo.
Boston, 1839.

Tuompes. — Zadock Thompson; History of Vermont, Natural, Civil,
and Statistical, chap. viii, p. 56. 8vo. Burlington, 1842.

Lins.—Rey. J. H. Linsley; Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut.
American Journal of Science and Arts, vol. xliv, p. 249. 1843.

PurN.— F. W. Putnam; Catalogue of the Birds of Essex Co., Mass.,
with an Appendix containing other species of the State. Proceed-
ings of the Essex Institute, vol. i, p. 201. With notes by Mr. S.
Jillson. 1856.

Woonp.—Dr. W. Wood; Rapacious Birds of Connecticut. Hartford
Times, March 14 to Aug. 9, 1861.

VERR. — Prof. A. E. Verrill; Catalogue of the Birds found at Norway,
Me. With a list of the Birds found in Maine not observed at Nor-
way. Proceedings of the Essex Institute, vol. iii, p, 186. 1862.
(Repaged.)

BoarpM.—G. A. Boardman; Catalogue of the birds found in the
vicinity of Calais, Maine, and about the Islands at the mouth of the
Bay of Fundy. Edited by A. E. Verrill. Proceedings of the Bos-
ton Society of Natural History, vol. ix, p. 122. 1862.

VERR. — Prof. A. E. Verrill; Additions to the Catalogue of the Birds
found in the vicinity of Calais, Maine, and about the Bay of Fundy.
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. ix, p.
288. 1868.

Sam. E. A. Samuels;* Descriptive Catalogue of the Birds of Massa-
chusetts. Boston, 1864. Appendix to Report of Secretary of Agri-
culture, Mass., for 1868. (Repaged.)

* This author has recently published a more extensive work on the Birds of New
England; but his * Catalogue? is much more complete, as far as it goes, and other-
wise more satisfactory, than his more pretentious volume. The latter, — entitled
“ Ornithology and Oólogy of New England; containing full descriptions of the Birds
of New England, and adjoining States and provinces, arranged by a long-approved
classification and nomenclature; together with a complete history of their habits,
times of arrival and departure, their distribution, food, song, time of breeding, and
a careful and accurate account of their nests and eggs; with Illustrations of many
species of the Birds, and accurate Figures of their Eggs?— is not by any means
what we should expect to find it, from its title. We are constrained to regard it as
a work that only very imperfectly and inadequately represents, and therefore can-
not become an authority upon, the subject. 'The descriptions are very good, and
are copied from Prof. Baird's work. Many of the biographies are excellent, and
are copied from Wilson, Audubon, Nuttall, and others. Nearly all the wood-cuts
are reproduced from Audubon, and most of them have already been used before,
in a government Report. They are as much like Audubon's originals as could be
expected under the circumstances. The colored plates of the eggs are the best
things in the book; it is much to be regretted that only thirty eggs are illustrated ;
also that the writer has been able to describe the nests, eggs, and breeding habits o1

(252)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 5

ALL.—J. A. Allen; Catalogue of the Birds of Springfield, Mass., with
a list of Birds found in Massachusetts not observed at Springfield.
Proceedings of the Essex Institute, vol. iv, p. 48. 1864.

HaM.— Prof. C. E. Hamlin; Catalogue of the Birds found in the
vicinity of Waterville, Kennebec Co., Me. Reprinted from the
Report of the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture for 1865.

Mc. — T. McIl wraith ; List of Birds observed near Hamilton, Canada
West. Proceedings of the Essex Institute, v, p. 79. 1866.

Lawr.—G. N. Lawrence; Catalogue of Birds observed on New York,
Long and Staten Islands, and adjacent parts of New Jersey. Annals
of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York, vol. viii. 1866.

B. S. N. H. — Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History.
8vo. Boston, 1841, et seq. passim. Various papers and notes on
New England Birds, by Drs. Abbot, Brewer, Bryant, Cabot,
Kneeland, and others. Especially vols. ii, pp. 36, 248; iii, pp. 136,
313, 326, 333, 335; iv, p. 346; v, pp. 154, 195; vi, pp. 386, 419, etc.

In addition to the preceding, numerous references to
Birds of New England are to be found in Nuttall's
Manual of Ornithology; in the Biographies of Audubon ;
in Brewers North American Oólogy; in the Birds of
North America by Baird, Cassin, and Lawrence; and in
Baird’s Review of American Birds.

VULTURIDZE.

Cathartes aura Illig.—Turkey Vulture. Turkey Buz-
zard. Rare or occasional summer visitant, chiefly in more
southern portions. (Calais, Me., Verr., p. 122; one in-
stance. — Mass., two instances, Sam., p. 3; All., p. 81.
— Regular summer visitant near Chatham, and along the
shores of Lake St. Clair. MecIl., p. 80. — Omitted from
Sam. O. O.)

so very small a per centage of the New England birds. The original portions of
the text are not better, nor much worse than the average of ornithological writings
as regards style, accuracy, and completeness. But the great blemish of the work is
the omission of thirty or forty species properly to be enumerated as Birds of New
England. We can find no excuse for such carelessness as this. We cannot attrib-
ute it to Mr. Samuels’ want of knowledge in the matter; for surely he cannot be
ignorant of Mr. Putnam’s, Mr. Boardman’s, Prof. Verrill’s, Mr. Allen’s, and others’
local lists, —not to mention his own “ Descriptive List,” in which several species
are given that do not appear in his latter work,— either of which would put him in
possession of much additional matter for his work. It is not to the point that many,
or most, of the species he omits are rare, occasional, or accidental visitors in New
England. Such a work as his professes to be should at least make mention of
every bird that has actually been found in New England “and adjoining States
and provinces.”

In the present list — perhaps more needed since, than before the appearance
of Mr. Samuels’ work — we notice Mr. Samuel’s omissions in detail; and the reader
is left to judge for himself, in each instance, what sort of authority we have for in-
cluding those species that we condemn Mr. Samuels for omitting. We quote Mr.
Samuels’ later work as “Sam. O. O.” to distinguish it from his Descriptive List, re-
ferred to by the abbreviation ** Sam.”

(253)

6 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Cathartes atratus Less. — Black Vulture. Carrion Crow.
Entirely accidental. (Swampscott, Nov. 1850, S. Jillson,
quoted by Putn., p. 223.— Gloucester, Sept. 28, 1863,
Verrill, quoted by All., p. 81. — Brew. Odl., p. 5.—
Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

FALCONID.E.

Falco anatum* Bon.— American Peregrine Falcon.
Duck Hawk. Resident and generally distributed, though
nowhere very abundant. Chiefly a winter visitant in
more southern localities, though known to breed in Mass.
and Ct. (Near Springfield, Mass., C. W. Bennett, quoted
by All., p. 50. — Near Hartford, Ct., W. Wood, in Hartf.
"Times," June 24, 1861.) Regularly breeds in various
portions of Maine.

It is very questionable whether this bird be more than a
geographical race or variety of the Old World F. peri-
grinus. Numerous other forms (among them /’. nigriceps
Cass., from western North America), from various parts
of the world, are known to exist, all of which are inti-
mately related to the European bird.

No. 11, 9, adult. Off Bermuda, Capt. George Upton, Oct. 29, 1849.

Falco sacer Forster. — Jerfalcon or Gyrfalcon. “ White”
or "Speckled? Hawk.— Rare winter visitant; and only
accidental as far south as Mass. I cannot find an authen-
tic instance of its breeding in New England. (Norway,
Me., “not uncommon ;^ Verr., p. 4.— Mass., Peab., p.
260.—Sekonk Plains, Mass., Jillson, quoted by Putn., p.
eX and by the other State authorities. — Omitted from

Sam. O. O.)

The Jerfaleon which visits New England is variously
given as “Jslandicus” or “candicans.” I do not know
which is really the proper name, nor whether more than
one species be found. I believe it is still an open ques-
tion among ornithologists, whether these two names do
not refer to the same species; or in other words whether
there is really more than a single valid species of Jer-

* For some exceedingly interesting information upon the habits and
especially the nidification of this Hawk, see Allen, Pr. E. I., 1865, p. 153.

(254)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 4

falcon. Mr. John Cassin, in reply to some tnquiries of
mine upon this subject, kindly furnishes me with the fol-
lowing: “I regard the species of Hierofalco of northern
America as the F. candicans of authors (e. g. Bon.
Consp. Av., etce.).—/’. cinereus Gmelin ; F. Groenlandicus
Daudin; F. Labradora Aud. (name on plate); F. sacer
Forster; which latter is the name which has priority.”

Falco columbarius Gm. — Pigeon Hawk. Generally
distributed. Not abundant. Resident. Breeds at least
as far south as Massachusetts. — ( Sam., p. 3.) It ranges
through the Middle and into the Southern States in winter.

The “Little Corporal” F. temerarius Aud., Nutt., of
Peab. (p. 261; Lins., p. 251), is based upon this species
in one of its protean plumages, when its upper parts are
light slate-blue, as occurs chiefly in very adult birds.
There is possibly a second species of Hypotriorchis, the
European F. «salon. Examine in this connection Coues,
Pr. A. N. S., Phila., 1866, p. 42; and for the occurrence
of supposed «salon in Mass., see Peab. (p. 270), who
quotes Nuttall as authority.

No. 17, ĝ, adult. Essex Co. H. P. Ives, Sept. 25, 1858.
No. 36, young. Essex Co. Thomas H. Johnson, 1861.

Falco sparverius Linn. — Sparrow Hawk. Resident.
Generally distributed and common; breeds throughout
New England.

No. 16, d, adult. Essex Co. George Goldthwait.

FALCO AURANTIUS Gm.—-[I find an excellent example
of this species in the collection.

No. 43, Brazil.

Astur atricapillus Bon. — Goshawk. “Partridge” Hawk.
Generally distributed. Chiefly winter visitant, and rather
uncommon in southern portions ; common, and breeds, in
Maine. I have also found it breeding in Labrador. In-
dividuals in the adult blue plumage are rarely seen in
Mass. (Norway, Me., “common, breeds," Verr., p. 5.)

No. 22, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.

No. 292, d. Boxford, Essex Co. Thomas Fuller, Nov. 5, 1867.

No. 293, 9, young. Topsfield, Essex Co. Mrs. Killam, Nov. 5, 1867.

No. 18, young. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1858.

Accipiter Cooperii Bon. — Coopers Hawk. “Chicken

(255)

8 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Hawk." Resident. Common in most localities. Most
numerous in summer, breeding; probably the greater
number retire south in winter.

No.44. Essex Co.

Accipiter fuscus Bon. — Sharp-shinned Hawk. “Pigeon
Hawk." Abundant. Resident in more southern localities,
summer visitant further north. The Maine authorities do
not give it as wintering in that State.

This species, in common with Æ. columbarius, has re-
ceived the popular name of "Pigeon Hawk”; and local
naturalists should be careful to state which of the two
species they refer to in using the latter appellation. It
seems that some errors of identification have arisen from
inattention to this point.

No.12, 9. Essex Co. N. Vickary, 18060.
No. 18, 9. Essex Co.

No. 14, d, adult. Essex Co.

No. 15, d, young. Essex Co.

Buteo borealis Vieill. — Red-tailed Buzzard. “Hen
Hawk.” Abundant. It probably retires from extreme
northern sections in the depth of winter.

No. 4, d', adult. Middleton, Essex Co. Mrs. E. R. Colcord, Aug.
14, 1851.

Buteo lineatus Jard.— Red-shouldered Buzzard. “Hen
Hawk." Abundant. Breeds. Resident, except in ex-
treme northern sections, whence it retires in winter.

The large size of some northern examples, compared
with others from Southern United States, has induced
Prof. Verrill (p. 5) to recognize a variety hyemalis ex
Gm.* of this species. Considered as simply expressive
of an instance of the law regarding size now well known
to obtain, such a procedure is entirely pertinent; but I
am disinclined to allow that the differences are of the kind
or degree to which are usually accorded a name, and the
rank of a distinct “variety.”

The “ Falco buteotdes” (Nutt., Man., 1st ed., 1832, 1, p.

* F, hyemalis Gm. is generally supposed to have been based upon the
young lineatus, in which plumage the under parts are white, not red-
dish. 'This condition was usually regarded by our earlier ornitholo-
gists as constituting a species distinct from /ineatus, —the ‘t Winter
Falcon," F. hyemalis Wils., Aud., Nutt., etc.

(256)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 9

100), given by Peab., p. 268, and Linsley, p. 252, is now
well known to be the young of this species. Nuttall him-
self, in the second edition of his Manual, gives it as a
synonym of the B. “hyemalis” (= lineatus, juv.).

No. 3, ĝ, adult. Winter plumage. Essex Co.

No. 678 9, adult. Danvers, Essex Co. J. H. Sears, Apr. 15, 1868.
(Shot on the nest. Eggs.)

Buteo Pennsylvanicus Bon. — Broad-winged Buzzard.
Generally distributed. Common; being very abundant
in some localities (e. g. Umbagog Lakes, Verr:, p. 6).
Resident; with much the same qualification as given
under head of previous species. .

In addition to the preceding Buteones the B. Bairdii
Hoy, originally described from Wisconsin, which has
been found in Canada West by Mr. T. Mellwraith, may
very possibly occur in North-western New England. Luteo
Bairdii is one of several usually recognized species which
Dr. H. Bryant (Pr. B. S. N. H., 1861) is inclined to coal-
esce as a single species under the name of B. Harlan?
Aud., or rather B. Swainsonti Bon., since it is probable
that Audubon's name was based upon quite a different
species. (Vide infra, under head of Archibuteo Sancti-
Johannis.) But whether Bairdii be permanently distinct
or not, does not affect the question of its introduction into
the New England Fauna.

Mr. Mellwraith gives Buteo elegans Cassin, as a bird of
Canada West. “I have a fine specimen in adult plumage,
which was shot at Baptiste Creek a few years since." So
far as we are at present acquainted with the range of this
species it is quite impossible for me to think that it should
occur there ; and I am inclined to believe, from the nature
of Mr. M.s remarks, that the specimen in question is
merely a somewhat unusually dark-colored example of
lineatus.

Archibuteo lagopus Gray.—Rough-legged Hawk.
Winter visitant. Not ordinarily abundant. I can learn
of no authentic instances of its breeding, although it
probably does so in more northern sections. “F. Sancti-
Johannis” of Linsley’s list.

2 (257)

10 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

No. 1, d. adult. Salem, Essex Co. J. Rose, Nov. 1854.

No. 2, 9 , adult. d e I MM EP: is SE

No. 298, adult. Hamilton, Essex Co. Mr. Burchstead, Feb. 21, 1867.

Archibuteo Sancti-Johannis Gray.—Black Hawk. Win-
ter visitant. Appears to be nowhere abundant. Not re-
corded as breeding. I have seen it in summer in Labra-
dor. Very possibly it breeds in the northern districts of
Maine.

The “Black Warrior, Falco Harlan? Aud.,” which has
been accredited to Massachusetts, apparently upon Nut-
tall’s authority (Hmm., p. 1; Peab., p. 2695 Puitn., p.
225), should in all probability be considered as this spe-
cles. Harlani of Audubon, according to G. R. Gray, who
has examined the type specimen in the British Museum,
is based upon a dark state of plumage of the western B.
montanus Nutt. ; which latter itself may not be specifically
distinct from borealis Gm. At the same time Mr. Pea-
body, following Audubon, does not separate Sancti-Johan-
nis from lagopus. Upon these points see Bryant, Pr.
B. S. N. H., 1861; and Coues, Pr. A. N. S. Phila., 1866,
pp. 44, 45. Still the bird may have been an unusually
dark-plumaged B. Swainsonii, which, as I have just stated
above, may possibly occur in New England.

Circus Hudsonicus Vieill.—Hen Harrier. Marsh Hawk.
Blue Hawk. Summer resident, breeding abundantly.
Perhaps some winter in more southern localities.

No.9, d. Essex Co. Mr. Houghton.

No.-10, Ou ade rae NS

Aquila Canadensis Cass. (“Falco fulvus? of some ear-
lier American writers.)— Golden Eagle. Ring-tailed
Eagle. Very: rare winter visitant, occurring usually in
isolated instances. Probably does not breed in New Eng-
land. Specimens are taken nearly every winter at Wash-
ington, D. C.

No. 7, nearly adult. Essex Co.

Haliaétus leucocephalus Savig.— White-headed Eagle.
“Bald” Eagle. Common. Resident. Mr. Samuels’ state-
ment that it does not breed in Mass. is incorrect ; vide AZ.,
p. 51. (Mt. Tom, Mass.) I know it to breed as far
south, at least, as Washington, D. C.

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COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 11

No. 5, d ,adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson.
No.6, young. Essex Co. Mr. Houghton.
No.8, young. Essex Co. Mr. Burchstead.

The H. * Washingtonii” Aud., has been repeatedly at-
tributed to New England. (Zmm., p. 1; Peab., p. 262;
Lins., p. 251; Putn., p. 226; but upon what authority
is not apparent.) “I have been told by an old hunter,
of an Eagle of a much larger size, killed in this region
[Norway, Me.], which may have been tli little known
Washington Eagle of Mr. Audubon” ( Verr., p. 7). The
species is omitted from recent lists. I refrain from com-
ments, since, like all else that has been written and said
of this bird, they would be merely threadbare conjectures.

Pandion Carolinensis Bon.—Fish Hawk. Summer res-
ident. Not abundant. Generally distributed ; but chiefly
occurring over the inland Lakes and Rivers.

No. 37, adult. Essex Co., 1861.
No. 294, 9, adult. Salem, Essex Co. H..F. Shepard, Sept. 25, 1867.

STRIGIDJE.

Otus Wilsonianus Less. — Long-eared Owl. Abundant.
Resident throughout New England. Mr. Allen (p. 51)
urges the adoption of S. Americana Gm. (S. N ; i, 1788,
p. 288) for this species. Gmelin’s diagnosis is not ex-
clusively pertinent; and he says moreover that his spe-
cies "habitat in America australi." I see no reason to
supersede a detinite and now well-established name for
one to which, to say the least, considerable uncertainty
attaches. The Strix Americana Audubon (Orn. Biog.
iii, 1834, p. 421) is a very different species; to wit, the
pratincola of Bonaparte.

No.25. Essex Co. Autumn of 1859.

Brachyotus Cassinii Brew. (Proc. B. S. N. H., 1866,
p. 321.) — Short-eared Owl. Common resident ; breeding,
and, so far as we know, wintering in all sections. Upon
the question of the specific distinction of the American
from the European, Mr. Cassin writes me: "It is larger
than the European, and darker colored ; — very much like
it, though !”

No. 23. Essex Co. N. Vickary, 1854.

No. 24, 9. Essex Co. B. Grover, 1854.
No. 295, f. Salem, Essex Co. D. P. Waters, Oct. 25, 1867.

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12 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Syrnium cinereum Aud.— Great Gray Owl. A rare
winter visitant. Found in winter throughout New Eng-
land; but probably to be regarded as only a straggler to
its more southern portions. None have been observed to
breed in New England.

No.31. Salem, Essex Co. F. W. Putnam, Winter of 1866-7.

No. 34. Wenham, Essex Co. James Bartlett, Feb. 1859.

Syrnium nebulosum Gray.— Barred Owl. Abundant.
Resident in all portions of New England.

No. 26, 9, adult. Essex Co. James Buffington, Nov. 27, 1854.

No. 190. Salem, Essex Co. E. S. Waters, Nov. 10, 1866.

Bubo Virginianus Bon. — Great Horned Owl. Com-
mon. hesident.

The Strix “arctica Richardson," enumerated as a bird
of Massachusetts (Peab., p. 276, and Putn., p. 226) on
the authority of Mr. Nuttall, undoubtedly refers to this
species in the albescent state of plumage, which consti-
tutes Mr. Cassin’s B. Virginianus var. arcticus. The
“Strix scandiaca Linn.," of Linsley's list (p. 253) in all
probability was also based upon the same variety of Vir-
ginianus. k

No.33, d. Essex Co. T. Ropes, Oct. 1849.

No.32,.9. Lynn, Essex Co. J. Saul, Feb. 28, 1864.

Scops asio Bon. — Mottled Owl. Red Owl. Screech
Owl. Abundant everywhere. Resident.

No. 27, 9. (Grey plumage.) Essex Co. H. P. Ives, Nov. 1854.
No. 28. (Red plumage.) Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1858.

Nyctale Acadica Bon. — Acadian Owl. Common; es-
pecially in more northern sections of the country. Res-
ident.

No. 29, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1858.
No. 30, Ds [T1 éc [11 «c [17

Nyctale Itichardsoni Bon. — Richardson's Owl. (“Ulu-
la Tengmalmi” Audubon, and earlier authors.) Not abun-
dant. Chiefly a winter visitant, and rare as far south as
Massachusetts. It is probably resident in the north of
Maine ; though not, I believe, actually observed to breed.
There are repeated instances of its occurrence in winter
in the southernmost New England States.

Nyctale albifrons Cassin. — Kirtland's Owl. I have

(260)

9

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 18

found no record of the occurrence of this species in New
England, but from its known range it is undoubtedly to
be found there, at least in winter, even if it does not re-
side permanently in the more northern portion.

Nyctea nivea. Gray. — Snowy Owl. Winter resident ;
usually rare, but at irregular intervals not uncommon even
in the southern portions of New England. It sometimes
straggles even to South Carolina.

No. 45, d. Salem, Essex Co. E. G. Symonds, Jan. 1863.
No. 35, 9. Beverly, Essex Co. Dr. C. B. Haddock, Nov. 27, 1854.
No. 299, adult. Wenham, Essex Co. John J. Gould, Apr. 9, 1868.

Surnia ulula Bon. —Hawk Owl. Winter resident.
Of regular and rather common occurrence in Maine ; but
in more southern localities rare, and perhaps only acci-
dental. It extends however throughout New England.

ATHENE HYPOGJEA Don.— Prairie Owl. Burrowing
Owl.

No. 96. Colorado Mts., west of Denver City. From the Chicago
Academy of Science, 1864.

CUCULID.

Coceygus Americanus Bon. — Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
Summer resident. Not abundant; and in particular lo-
calities very rare. (Extremely rare, Springfield, Mass.,
All., p. 52). The species extends northward into Canada.
(One specimen. Hamilton, C. W., Mell., p. 82.)

No. 744, adult. Essex Co.

Coccygus erythrophthalmus Bon. — Black - billed
Cuckoo. Summer resident. Common; being, according to
the testimony of all observers, much more numerous than
the preceding species, and, like it, extending into Canada.

At Washington, D. C., Americanus is very abundant,
and the present species comparatively rare.

No. 745, adult. Essex Co.
No. 746, adult. Salem, Essex Co. John S. Ives, June, 1859.

PICIDAE.

Picus villosus Linn.— Hairy woodpecker. Resident.
Abundant in most localities. Picus Phillipsii Aud.,
given by Putn., p. 229, is the young of this species.

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T4 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Picus pubescens Linn. — Downy Woodpecker. Resi-
dent, and everywhere abundant.

No. 905, @. Essex Co. E. P. Emmerton, Nov. 27, 1854.
No.906, 9. “ ** §. Jillson, 1858.

Picoides arcticus Gray. — Black - backed Three-toed
Woodpecker. Winter resident; not known to breed
within the limits of New England. (“Probably breeds.”
Calais, Me., Boardm., p. 122.) Extends through all
its States in winter, but is very rare or even accidental in

the southernmost. (Springfield, Mass., All., p. 52.)

No. 901, d. Essex Co.
No. 902, 9. ete iS. Jillson; Noy. 21; 1855:

Picoides hirsutus Gray.—Banded Three-toed Wood-
pecker. A very rare winter visitant; probably only
stragglers reach as far as Massachusetts. (Calais, Me.,
G. A. Boardman, in Verr., p. 21.— Mass., Brew., p.
437; Puin., p..229; Same pe 45; A PASA

Sphyrapicus varius Baird. —Yellow-bellied Wood-
pecker. Summer resident. Common in most localities.
Extends northward into Canada. A few probably winter
in the more southern portions.

No. 907, f$, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 908, 9, adult. = aes “ cc
No. 909, d, young. “ oe) uio ee 2

Hylotomus pileatus Baird. — Pileated Woodpecker.
Black Log-cock. Generally distributed, and resident, in
all well-wooded portions of New England, though appa-
rently nowhere abundant. It is a shy, wild, and retiring
species, and one that disappears more rapidly than almost
any other with the clearing away of forests.

No. 887, d', adult. New Hampshire.

Centurus Carolinus Swains.—Red-bellied Woodpecker.
A rare and perhaps only accidental summer visitor to the
more southern portions. (Western Mass., “breeding,”
Emm. Springfield “accidental, May 13, 1865," All., p.
53. "Said to be unknown in the eastern part of the
State," Peab., p. 336. "One specimen, Stratford, Conn.,
Oct. 16, 1842," Lins., p. 263. Omitted from Sam.
O. O.) I do not find it recorded from Maine or New
Hampshire.

No. 904, d', adult. Locality unknown.

(262)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 15

Melanerpes erythrocephalus Swainson. — Red-headed
Woodpecker. Rare summer visitant. (Comparisons of
the older with more recent local authorities indicate that
the species is now much less numerous than formerly.
The majority of individuals do not seem to pass the Mid-
dle States in their vernal migration.

No. 903, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Colaptes auratus Swains.—Golden-winged Wood-
pecker. “Flicker,” * Yucker," * High-holder," * Wake-up.”
A very common summer resident.

No. 896, d, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 897, OF [14 [14 [74 € [14 [1j

CoraPrEs Mrxicanus Swains.— Red-winged Flicker.

No.97. Fort Buchanan, Dr. Dewey ; from the Chicago Academy of
Science, 1864.

TROCHILIDZE.

Trochilus colubris Linn.—Ruby-throated Humming-
bird. Summer resident. Common throughout New Eng-
land.

No. 300, d, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.
No. 301, 9, é ék [T4 i (23 [T

CYPSELIDJE.

Chetura pelasgia Steph. — Chimney Swift. Summer
resident. Abundant.

No. 320, d', adult. Essex Co. $. Jillson, 1856.
No. 321, 9 ^ REI £4 sc T: "m «c
No. 322. Essex Co.

CAPRIMULGIDZJE.

Antrostomus vociferus Bon. — Whip-poor-will. Com-
mon summer resident.

No. 323, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

Chordeiles popetue Baird. — Night-hawk. “Bull-bat.”
Common summer resident.

No. 324, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

HALCYONIDZE.
Ceryle alcyon Boie. — King-fisher. Common summer
(263)

16 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

resident; but a few usually remain all winter. ( Verr., p.
9; All., p. 54.) The species extends as far north as
Labrador.

No. 325, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1859.

COLOPTERID E.

MiLvULUS TYRANNUS Bon.— Fork-tailed Fly-catcher.
A fine example in the collection, from South America.

Tyrannus Carolinensis Baird. — King-bird. Bee-mar-
tin. Abundant summer resident.

No. 340, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson.
iNO:067, O7 adulte -*!

TYRANNUS VERTICALIS Say.— Arkansas Fly-catcher.

No. 102, adult. Farm Island, Nebraska. Dr. F. V. Hayden. From
the Chicago Academy of Science, 1864.

Myiarchus crinitus Cab. — Great Crested Fly-catcher.
Summer visitant; rather rare.

No. 332, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

No. 334, 9, * | e s

Sayornis fuscus Baird. — Pewit Fly-catcher. “Phoebe.”
Common summer resident. Here, as elsewhere, it is the
avant-courier in spring of the small insectivorous birds.
The kinds of insects upon which it chiefly delights to feed
account for its early appearance, as well as for its choice
of the situations it usually frequents.

No. 560, d, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.
INO 7548, OP Es m T «c T m

Contopus borealis Baird. — Olive-sided Flycatcher.
Cooper’s Flycatcher. Summer visitant. Not abundant.
"Quite common at the Umbagog Lakes.” ( Verr., p. 10.)

No. 558, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Contopus virens Cab.— Wood Pewee. Abundant.
Summer resident. Rather less numerous in the northern
than in the southern sections.

No. 565, d, Essex Co. T. M. Pond, 1863.
No:061, Oe 4 * S. Jillson.

Empidonax Acadicus Baird. — Acadian Flycatcher.
Summer resident. Not abundant. This species seems to
be more restricted in its northern range than the others of
the genus, apparently not proceeding much farther than

(264)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. i Lf

Massachusetts. It is not, I believe, recorded from Maine.
But Mr. Samuels erroneously omits it from his Massachu-
setts list. Earlier authors speak of it as being very
common, but so far as I can learn it is now quite rare.
At Washington, D. C., it is by far the most abundant
species of the genus.

Empidonax Traillii Baird. — Trails Flycatcher. Sum-
mer resident; not abundant. Erroneously omitted from
Mr. Putnam's list, though given by previous and subse-
quent authors.

Empidonax minimus Baird. — Least Flycatcher. Sum-
mer visitant. Abundant, especially in Massachusetts,
where it “exceeds in abundance all the other ZEnpidonaces
taken together ” (All., p. 54). It has a very extensive
northern range ; — quite into arctie America.

The earlier authors appear to have always mistaken this
species for Acadicus, and this is the reason they used to
speak of the latter as being abundant. (See Brewer,
Am. Nat., I, p. 119.)

No. 549, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson.
No. 108, Illinois. From the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Empidonax flaviventris Baird. — Yellow-bellied Fly-
catcher. Summer resident; and rather more common, I
suspect, than most collectors are aware. Its range of
habitat, times of migration, and general habits, are much
those of minimus; and it is difficult to discriminate be-
tween the two at gun-shot range. JE. flaviventris is rather
a more wood-loving species than minimus, and perhaps
breeds farther south, as I have taken it in July, at Wash-
ington, D. C., where I never saw minimus except during
its migrations. (Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

TURDID Ai.

Turdus migratorius Linn.— Robin. Chiefly summer
resident, breeding abundantly everywhere; but a few
doubtless remain, except in very severe winters, in the
more southern portions.

No. 556, f$. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.

No. 555, Qu [I [T3 «€ [3

No. 679, d. (With an elongated and Tieden upper mandible.) Es-
sex Co. H F. Shepard, Jan., 1868.

3 (265)

18 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Turdus mustelinus Gm.— Wood Thrush. A moder-
ately abundant summer resident in more southern por-
tions; but not apparently extending much farther north
than Massachusetts. Still, “common summer resident,”
Hamilton, C. W., (McIl., p. 84.) It is not recorded in
Maine lists.

Nos. 550, 551. Essex Co. S. Jillson.

Turdus Pullasii Cab. — Hermit Thrush. Abundant.
Spring and autumn migrant through the more southern,
and very common summer resident in the northern, por-
tions of New England. “Has been known to breed” (in
Mass., Sam., p. 5). “The most common Thrush ex*
cept the Robin" (Norway, Me., in summer, Verr., p.
10). A few may possibly winter in New England, as
individuals are “occasionally seen during the winter ;”
(Essex Co., Mass., Putn., p. 209.) "Have not found it
breeding here;" (Springfield, Mass., A//., p. 56.) This
is the T. "solitarius? or T. “minor” of earlier general
and local writers.

No. 562, f. Essex Co. S. Jillson.

Turdus fuscescens Steph. — Wilson's Thrush. Tawny
Thrush. "Veery." Summer resident, breeding through-
out New England, most abundantly in its more southern
portions. "It is the most numerous here of all the wood-
land Thrushes, and the only one that breeds here in
abundance, and the only one, excepting T. mustelinus.”
(Springfield, Mass., All., p. 56.) This is the T. “ Wil-
sonii” of earlier authors.

Turdus Swainsonii Cab. — Olive-backed Thrush.
Chiefly a spring and autumn migrant, though many breed,
more especially in the northern portions. I have not seen
it recorded as breeding so far south as Massachusetts.
Usually quite common. It is a species only recognized
of late years, and not given in earlier local lists, either
from its absence from the works of Wilson and Audubon,
or from confounding it with other species.

No. 553, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson.

No. 554. Essex Co. S. Jillson.

No. 112. Chicago, Illinois. R. Kennicott; from the Chicago Acad-
emy of Science, 1864.

(266)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 19

Turdus Alicie Baird. — Gray-cheeked Thrush. Not
recorded as having been actually taken in New England,
but from its now known range of habitat is undoubtedly
to be found there as a spring and autumn migrant, possi-
bly breeding in more northern sections.

A species first introduced by Prof. Baird in 1858, based
upon specimens from Illinois. I have since shown that it
is a very common Eastern bird, having a range of habitat
as extensive as, and nearly identical with, that of T.
Swainsonit.

Mr. J. A. Allen has attempted to show that this spe-
cies is not distinct from 7. Swainsonii. His remarks
(pp. 56-7-8) illustrate very fully the well-known sea-
sonal and other variations to which 7T. Swatnsonii and T.
fuscescens are subject; and a citation from Prof. Baird is
introduced giving some of the characters of T. Aliciæ,
with which species Mr. Allen appears to have been autop-
tically unacquainted at the time of writing.*

No. 111. Chicago, Illinois. R. Kennicott; from the Chicago Acad-
emy of Science, 1864.

Harporhynchus rufus Cab.—Brown Thrush. “Thrasher.”
Abundant summer resident, breeding throughout New
England; but not going much farther north.

No. 680, d. Salem, Essex Co. Samuel Carlen, summer, 1867.

No.681, 9. o any « « « a

Mimus Carolinensis Gray. — Cat-bird. Common sum-
mer resident. Maine appears to be nearly its northern
limit in Eastern North America.

No. 566, d. Essex Co. T. M. Pond, 1864.

o DOCTUS eg NC RENE T

Mimus polyglottus Boie. — Mocking-bird. Very rare
summer resident in more southern portions, being hardly
found north of Massachusetts. It is not abundant even
in the Middle States.

No. 75. A cage bird, known to have lived thirteen years. C. W.
Palfry, 1865.

* Examine in this connection: Baird, B. N. A., 1858, p. 217. — Id.,
Rev. Amer. Bds., 1864, p. 21.— Coues, Pr. A. N. S., Phila., 1861, p.
217. — Coues and Prentiss, Smiths. Rep. for 1861, p. 405.

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20 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

SAXICOLIDZE.

Saxicola cenanthe Bechst. — Stone Chat. -A species
which occurs as a straggler from Europe, by way of
Greenland, to the eastern portions of New England, es-
pecially along the coast. Mr. Cassin has recorded it from
Nova Scotia, and I found it in Labrador. Long Island,
Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist., viii, p. 282.
(Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

Sialia sialis Baird. — Blue-bird. A summer resident,
abundantly and generally distributed.

Nos. 365, 366, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.
No. 367, OF ee «€ oe [2 (X:

MOTACILLIDÆ.

Anthus Ludovicianus Licht.—Tit-lark.—Chiefly spring
and autumn migrant. Abundant. Some probably winter
in the Connecticut Valley, and a few may possibly breed:
high up in Maine. By far the greater number, however,
go farther north to breed, and farther south to pass the
winter.

No. 370. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

SX LY TIDAL

Regulus calendulus Licht.— Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Abundant. Spring and autumn migrant. Possibly some
breed. They breed abundantly in Labrador.

No. 361, @, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson.
No. 362, OF [T [13 Hoe [T2 [71

Regulus satrapus Licht. (Regulus cristatus and Fè. tri-
color of Linsley, p. 256.) — Golden-crested Kinglet.
Common winter resident, except perhaps in the extreme
north, where some doubtless breed. Is most abundant,
however, in all localities, in spring and fall.

Polioptila cerulea Sclat.—Blue-gray Gnat-catcher. A
rare and perhaps accidental summer visitor. “Found in
Mass., and as far north as the Canada line." (Brew.,
quoted by Peab., p. 297.) —" Nova Scotia and Connec-
ticut.” (All., p. 83.) (Omitted from Sam. O. O.) It is
very abundant as far north as the Middle States.

(268)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 21

SYLVICOLIDZE.

Mniotilta varia Vieill. — Black and White Creeper.
Common summer resident. The majority, however, go
farther north, causing it to be most abundant in spring

and fall.

No. 492, d', adult, Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.
ING 990, 9. -. ** e tms T. «c "

Parula Americana Bon.— Blue Yellow-backed War-
bler. Common summer resident.

No. 502, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Autumn, 1855.
NOS OUS. d... ‘ EE or Es pz 1853.
NO: 304; Q. JE : e: un 1856.

Geothlypis trichas Cab. — Maryland Yellow-throated
Warbler. Abundant summer resident. “Sylvia Roscw
Aud.” (Peab., p. 313), is the young of this species.

No. 491, f, Essex Co.
Nos. 523, 364, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Geothlypis Philadelphia Baird. — Mourning Warbler.
Rare summer resident. Not often detected farther north
than Massachusetts; in which state numerous instances
of its capture are recorded. (Waterville, Me. ; breeding ;
July; Haml., p. 3.— Hamilton, C. W., McIl., p. 85.)

Oporornis agilis Baird. — Connecticut Warbler. Of
very rare occurrence as a summer visitor, doubtless breed-
ing at least as far north as Massachusetts. (Hmm., p. 3;
7112551179312; Puin., p. 226; Sam:, p. 6; AUS p. 82.)

No. 522, d, Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Sept., 1856.
No. 521, oF é& T: m: ec «€ m e

Oporornis formosa Baird. — Kentucky Warbler. The
occurrence of this species as a rare or casual summer vis-
itor in southern New England is to be confidently antici-
pated. (Near New York City, Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. Nat.
Hist., N. Y. viii, 1866, p. 284.) I have found it breed-
ing at Washington, D. C.

Protonotaria citrea Baird. — Prothonotary Warbler. . A
summer visitor ; rare, and perhaps accidental. “Calais, Me.,
Oct. 30, 1862 ;" (Boardm., Verr., B. S. N. H., ix, p. 234,
only recorded instance). It is properly a bird of the South
Atlantie States, and its occurrence in New England must be
regarded as exceptional. (Omitted from Sam O. O.)

(269)

29 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

A certain “Orange-throated Warbler, Sylvia auricollis”
is given as a migratory species of New England by Pea-
body (p. 309, and Linsl., p. 257). -Auricollis is one of
the old names of the Prothonotary Warbler, and is used
by Nuttall (Man. i, 1840, p. 431) for that species. Upon
what authority it has been inserted it is not apparent.
Prof. Baird has suggested to me that possibly the name
was used with reference to the Dendreeca dominica (=
superciliosa or pensilis of American writers), but there is
no good evidence that the latter, which is a Central
American and Southern States species ever straggles as
far north as ‘New England. It is, however, given by
Linsley (p. 258) upon the authority of Mr. Peabody and
Dr. De Kay. .

The Sylvia montana Wils. has also, I believe, been
attributed to New England: but is a species which con-
tinues unknown to modern ornithologists.

Icteria viridis Bon. — Yellow-breasted Chat. A very
rare summer visitor, not extending much if any north of
Massachusetts.

Helmitherus vermivorus Bon. — Worm-eating Warbler.
Very rare summer visitant; known to extend north into
Maine. ( Verr., p. 21.)

Helinitherus Swainsoni Bon. — Swainson’s Warbler.
Entirely accidental summer visitor. A single instance of
its capture in Massachusetts, many years ago, by Dr. S.
Cabot, given by Audubon (Orn. Biog. v. p. 462), on the
authority of Dr. Brewer, appears to have furnished the
sole datum for its recognition as a New England bird by
subsequent writers. ( Peab., p. 313; Putn., p. 227; All.,
p. 82.) I myself never saw it even so far north as Wash-
ington, D. C., and New England is wholly beyond its
proper range of habitat.

Helininthophaga ruficapilla Baird. (S.- rubricapilla
of earlier writers).— Nashville Warbler. Chiefly spring
and autumn migrant, but some breed throughout New
England. Common.

No 494, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Helininthophaga peregrina Cab. — Tennessee Warbler.
Chie y spring and autumn migrant. Very rare. <A few

(270)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 28

doubtless breed in the more northern portions. “Head
waters of the Penobscot in June." ( Verr., p. 21.) Springf.
Mass., in May and Sept. (All., p. 61.) It is a species
which goes very far north in the interior of America.

Nos. 519, 520. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Helminthophaga pina Baird. — Blue-winged Yellow
Warbler. Very rare summer visitor to the more south-
ern portions. (Mass. Emm., p. 3; Cab., B. S. N. H.,
vi, p. 386 ; Putn., p. 227; AN., p. 82; Sam., p. 6.) Not
recorded from Maine. “WS. solitaria” of the earlier writers.

Helminthophaga chrysoptera Baird. — Golden-winged
Warbler. Very rare summer visitant to the more south-
ern portions. (Mass., Cab., B. S. N. H., vi, p. 386;
xu p. 312; Puin., p. 221; All., p- 82; Sam., p. 6.)
Not recorded from Maine.

No. 493. Hudson, Mass. S. Jillson, 1862.

Helminthophaga celata Baird. — Orange-crowned
Warbler. A very common species of Western North
America; but Audubon's statement of its occurrence in
Nova Seotia was almost its only eastern record until Mr.
Allen detected it near Springfield, Mass. “Very rare;
perhaps accidental” ( All., p. 61). Near New York City,
(Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., viii, p. 284.)

Seiurus aurocapillus Swains. — Golden-crowned Wag-
tail. "Oven-bird." Abundant summer resident. '

No. 489, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Seiurus Noveboracensis Nutt.—Water Wag-tail. Sum-
mer resident. Apparently not very abundant. The spe-
cies has a most extensive breeding range, which includes
the greater part of North America. In winter it mostly
retires into the Antilles and Central America.

No. 490, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Spring of 1855.

Seiurus Ludovicianus Bon. — Large-billed Water
Thrush. Doubtless occurs in summer in the southern
portions, although it has never, I believe, been actually
detected in New England. (Near New York, Lawr., Ann.
N. Y. Lye. viii, p. 284.) Dr. Prentiss and myself have
found it common at Washington, D. C. (Smithsonian
Report for 1861, p. 407.) ;

(271)

24 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

.. Dendreca virens Baird. — Black-throated Green War-
bler. Abundant summer resident. Most numerous during
its vernal and autumnal migrations in the more southern
districts; but I have found it breeding abundantly near
Portsmouth, N. H. I believe it prefers pine woods dur-
ing the breeding season.

No. 488, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

NOAIT EPST P wor MS «

Dendreca cerulescens Baird. — Black-throated Blue
Wood Warbler. D. Canadensis of former writers. “Sylvia
sphagnosa Bon., or pusilla Wils.” (Linsl. p. 257), is the
female or young of this species. Summer resident; com-
mon; most so during its migrations. Breeds throughout
New England; most numerously in its more northern
portions.

No. 514, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Spring of 1855.

Dendræca coronata. Gray. — Yellow-rumped Warbler.
“Myrtle-bird.” Extremely abundant spring and autumn
migrant. A few probably winter in more southern sec-
tions. Not known to breed except in northern portions
(Calais, Me., G. A. Boardman, Verr., p. 125). The
species has been known to occur in Greenland.

No. 506, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Oy DO or S IER oe ee T

Dendroca Blackburnie Baird. — Mrs. Blackburn's
Warbler. Summer resident; not rare.

The Hemlock Warbler, “ Sylvicola parus Aud.” ( Emm.,
p. 3; Peab., p. 310; Putn., p. 226; Linsl., p. 257, ete.),
is the young of this species.

No.495, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

No. 018, Q9. oh)» y E d

Dendroca castanea Baird. — Bay-breasted Warbler.
Not common. Breeds, at least in more northern sections,
but is chiefly seen in spring and fall.

The Autumnal Warbler (Sylvia autumnalis Wils.,
Aud.) of local writers is the young of this species.

No. 515, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 485, ah e és « m Ap

Dendreca pina Baird. — Pine-creeping Warbler.
Common summer resident; arriving very early, and re-

(272)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 25

maining late. A species whose breeding range is much
more extensive than that of most Dendrece, and includes
Eastern North America from Labrador at least to Georgia.

No. 82, 9. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Autumn of 1855.
No. 510, d. € — 4 BBE

No. 559, f. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Dendreca Pennsylvanica Baird. — Chestnut-sided War-
bler. Common summer resident. Although most numer-
ous during its migrations, many breed throughout New
England. i

No. 486, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
Nos, 9. ae n

Dendræca striata Baird. — Black-poll Warbler. Abun-
dant spring and autumn migrant; some breeding in more
northern sections. (Umbagog Lakes, Verr., p. 12 ; Calais,
Me., Boardm., p. 125.) A species whose northern range
extends far into arctic America, and the one which passes
almost latest of all through the United States on its way
north in spring.

No. 496, f. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Spring of 1855.
No. 517, OF e ét Im 66 ec

No. 509, d. SETTING EO ENT S NB 56

ADendroca estiva. Baird. — Golden Warbler. Summer
Yellow-bird. Abundant summer resident everywhere. A
certain Sylvia trochilus Lath., the “yellow” or “willow”
wren, which is given by some writers (Peab., p. 312,
Linsl., p. 251), can hardly be else than the autumnal or im-
mature plumage of this species ; which has also furnished
the basis for the Sylvia Childrenii, and perhaps, too, the
SS. Rathbonie of Audubon’s works. The “Sylvia flava
Lath.," of Linsley, p. 258, cannot be identified. It may
be either the Summer Warbler, or D. palmarum.

No. 487, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

BEDS 9, o e oem

Dendreca maculosa Baird.—Black and Yellow Warbler.
Chiefly spring and autumn migrant; common. But it
breeds in Maine, and apparently not rarely (Calais, Me.,
Verr., p. 234). It goes very far north in the interior of
North America.

No. 499, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

ERU. 512,:.95 n oe ort S co

4 (273)

26 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Dendreca palmarum Baird. — Red-poll Warbler. The
Sylvia petechia of the earlier American writers (Peab.,
p. 301, Linsl., p. 256), but by no means the true petechia,
which is a Jamaican species, closely related to D. estiva.
Common spring and autumn migrant, remaining unusually
late in the fall, as I have also found to be the case in other
localities. It also differs considerably in its habits from
most Dendrece. A few probably breed in the more
northern portions. It goes considerably farther north in
summer.

No. 516, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Dendreca discolor Baird. — Prairie’ Warbler. Com-
mon summer resident as far as Massachusetts, which is
about its northern limit.

No. 513, df. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Dendreca cerulea Baird. — Blue Warbler. Very rare
summer resident. (JLinsl., p. 257; Putn., p. 207.)
Known to occur as far north as Nova Scotia. It is not
ordinarily included in local lists. (Omitted from Sam.
ONO:

A. tigrina Baird.—Cape May Warbler. Ex-
tremely rare summer resident. — (“Summer visitant ;
common; breeds.” Calais, Me., Boardm., p. 125.
Springfield, Mass., May 13, 1863, All., p. 63; Lynn,
Mass., 1847, S. Jillson, Puín., p. 207; E. Windsor
Hill, Ct., Dr. W. Wood, All., p. 63; Stratford, Conn.,
Lins., p. 256.)

For an admirable and succinct synopsis of the Massa-
chusetts Wood-warblers, see All., p. 64; and compare
with a summary of those of the District of Columbia,
given by Coues and Prentiss (Smithsonian Report, 1861,
jy. 408.

i nbi uod pusillus Bon. — Black-capped Flycatching
Warbler. A rather uncommon summer resident; chiefly
however seen during its migrations.

No. 501, d, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Spring of 1855.
AMiyiodioctes Canadensis Aud. (“ Sylvia pardalina Bp.”
of Lins., p. 256.) — Canada Flycatching Warbler. Com-
mon. Chiefly spring and autumn migrant, but many
breed, and some as far south as Massachusetts. (“Breeds :

(274)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 23

Norway, Me., Verr., p. 12; do. Calais, Me., Boardm., p.
#25; do. Lynn, Mass., Brew., B. S. N. H., vi, p. 4
“Mass. in summer ;” Putn., p. 206 ; jo 5p.)

No. 500, d$. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 526, Qi ce éc [11 [1j

Myiodioctes mitratus Audubon. — Hooded Flycatching
Warbler. Very rare, and perhaps accidental summer
visitant to more southern portions. (Mass., * Very rare ;
summer," Sam., p. 7; Conn., All., p. 83; New Haven,
Ct., Linsl., p. 257.)

The Muscicapa or Myiodioctes “minuta” has been re-
peatedly attributed to New England. (Berkshire Co.,
Mass., Emmons, Peab., p. 297; Putn., p. 226; Salem,
Mass., Nutt., p. 297; Ipswich, Mass., Brewer; Mass.,
“doubtful” All., p. 83.) I think it probable that some
one of the small Z7mpidonaces has been mistaken for it.
M. “minuta” is rather an apocryphal species, with which
latter day ornithologists do not profess to be acquainted.

Setophaga ruticilla Swains. — Redstart. Common sum-
mer resident. In southern portions chiefly spring and
autumn migrant.

No. 524, 4. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 525, Q. [33 [13 ék

,

TANAGRID 2.

Pyranga rubra Vieill. — Scarlet Tanager. Summer
resident, common; less so in more northern portions.

No. 412, d. Salem, Essex Co. F. W. Putnam, 1856.
Mortis, Q. Lynn, .* ** S. Jillson, June, 1855.

Pyranga cstiva Vieill. — Summer Tanager. Very rare
(probably only accidental), as far north as Massachusetts.
(Lynn, Mass., April 21, 1852, S: Jillson, Putn., p. 224;
All., p. 83. Stratford and New Haven, Ct.; Zinsi., p.
261. Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

HIRUNDINID Æ.
Hirundo horreorum Barton.— Barn Swallow. Abun-
dant summer resident.

No. 480, d. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 483, De ék [11 [12

(275)

28 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Petrochelidon lunifrons Cab. — Cliff Swallow. “Eaves
Swallow.” Abundant summer resident.

Prof. Verrill (B. S. N. H. vol. ix, p. 276, 1863) has
recently elucidated some very interesting facts relative to
the distribution of this species, substantiating its occur-
rence in Eastern North America long before the time
when it was erroneously supposed to have immigrated
from the west. My present belief in the matter is that
the Cliff Swallow is, and always has been, amenable to the
ordinary laws of migration, and spread over nearly all of
North America, the South Atlantic States, perhaps, ex-
cepted. The numerous recorded dates of its appearance
and breeding in particular localities, merely mark the
times when the birds forsook their natural breeding
places, and built under.eaves, which enabled them to pass
the summer where formerly they were unable to breed
for want of suitable accommodations.

No. 482, d. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No.479, 9. Essex Co. Mr. Houghton, 1848.

Tachycineta bicolor Cab. — White-bellied Swallow.
Abundant summer resident.

No. 481, 9. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

Cotyle riparia Boie. — Bank Swallow. Abundant sum-
mer resident.

No.478. Essex Co. F. W. Putnam, 1854.

Progne subis Baird. — Purple Martin. Common sum-
mer resident. |

It is very singular that there should be no instances on
record of the occurrence in New England of the Rough-
winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis, as the species
certainly ought to be found there.

AMPELID 4.

Ampelis garrulus Linn.—Bohemian Wax-wing. A very
rare visitant from the north in winter, and of very irreg-
ular occurrence. Accidental in more southern sections.
(Mass., Peab., p. 290; Putn., p. 228; All., p. 66;
Sam., p. 7.—Conn., Dr. W. Wood, Al., p. 66.)

Ampelis cedrorum Baird. — Cedar Wax-wing. “Cedar

(276)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 29

Bird." "Cherry Bird." Resident. Abundant. Breeds
throughout, and winters in the more southern portions.

No. 475. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 564, Que é é e [T3 [13

LANIIDZE.

Collurio borealis Baird. — Butcher Bird. Great North-
ern Shrike. Regular winter resident, but not very com-
mon south of Maine. None have been known to breed.

No.468, d. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Dec., 1855.

No. 469, 9. Salem, ** ‘ .B.Grover, Autumn, 1860.

No. 470, 9. Lynn, “ “* S.Jillson, Winter, 1855.

Oollurio excubitoroides Baird.—White-rumped Shrike.
Of very doubtful occurrence. (Hmm., p. 35 Peab., p.
292; apparently upon the authority of Nuttall (Man. ii,
p. 564), who may have been mistaken. Not given in
more recent lists.) New England is beyond its ordinary
range. Still the species is found at Hamilton, Canada
West (“Summer resident ; not very rare.” McZl., p. 87),
and very likely may occasionally occur.

No. 1170, Hamilton, Canada West, T. McIlwraith, 1866.

Mr. Putnam gives C. Ludovicianus in the appendix of
his list, misquoting it for "excubitoroides," and giving the
authority of the above-mentioned writers for its insertion.
Ludovicianus is entirely a southern species, and I know
of no authentic instance of its straggling into New Eng-
land. I never found it as far north even as Washington,
D. C. Mr. Linsley, however, gives it under the name of
" Lanius Carolinensis," but upon merely opinionative
data.

VIREONIDZE.

Vireo olivaceus Vieill.—Red-eyed Vireo. Abundant
summer resident. :

No. 471, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, March, 1855.

Vireo gilvus Bon. — Warbling Vireo. Common sum-
mer resident.

Vireo Philadelphicus Cass. — Brotherly Love Vireo.*

* As this species has not yet been christened in the vernacular, I beg
leave of Mr. Cassin to bestow upon it the above literal translation of
its classical appellation.

(277)

30 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

A very rare summer visitant throughout New England.
(Waterville, Me., Haml., p. 4, only recorded instance.)
But it is probably of regular though very rare occurrence.

Vireo solitarius Vieill.— Blue-headed Vireo. Rather
rare summer resident. Breeds throughout.

No. 473, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Vireo flavifrons Vieill.— Yellow-throated Vireo. Com-
mon summer resident, chiefly in more southern sections.
(Waterville, Me., Haml., p. 4; not recorded in other
Maine lists.)

No. 474, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, March, 1855.

Vireo Noveboracensis Bonap. — White-eyed Vireo.
Summer resident, chiefly of more southern sections ; and,
singularly enough, very rare in or absent from particu-
lar localities. Not recorded in Maine lists. “Not known
at Springfield, Mass." (All., p. 67. “Rather common :”
Essex Co., Mass., Puín., p. 213.)

No. 472, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, March, 1855.

TROGLODYTID.;E.

Troglodytes aédon Vieill. — House Wren.— Common
summer resident. I do not think it goes much north of
New England.

Troglodytes Americanus Aud.— Wood Wren. This is
a species recognized by all the local writers, chiefly as a
spring and autumn migrant, but probably also breeding.
Its relations to aédon are very intimate, and the species is
by many authors considered as a dubious one. (Omitted
from Sam. O. O.)

I have in my private cabinet a specimen taken many
years ago near Portsmouth, N. H., which was examined
by Mr. Audubon himself, and pronounced to be of this
species. It is rather larger and browner, and with less of
a light superciliary line than the average of aédon; but
looks very like a House Wren.

Anorthura hyemalis Rennie. — Winter Wren. Not
abundant. Chiefly winter resident, but also breeds, at
least in northern sections. (Calais, Me., Boardm.,p. 126.)

Cistothorus palustris Cab. — Marsh Wren. — Summer

(278)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 31

resident: not abundant. Chiefly along the coast. It
must be very rare north of Massachusetts, as it is not
contained in Maine lists, though it is known to occur in
Greenland.

C'istothorus stellaris Cab. — Short-billed Marsh Wren.
Rather common summer resident as far north at least as
Massachusetts. Not recorded from Maine.

Two other wrens, Thryothorus Bewickii and T. Ludo-
vicianus, may possibly enter the southern portions of New
England in summer. Mr. Lawrence (p. 283) records
T. Ludovicianus from New York Island.

CERTHIIDJE.

Certhia Americana Bon. — Brown creeper. Common.
Breeds throughout New England, and winters in its more
southern districts.

No. 263. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

PARID AL.

Sitta Carolinensis Gmelin. — White-bellied Nuthatch.
Resident : abundant.

No. 476, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Autumn, 1854.

Sitta Canadensis Linn.—Red-bellied Nuthatch. Abun-
dant. Resident. Chiefly a winter visitant in more south-
ern, but breeds plentifully in the northern sections.

No. 477, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Lophophanes bicolor Bon. — Crested Tomtit. Rare and
perhaps accidental. The only record of its capture that
I have found is the mention of it by Linsley (p. 255).
Chiefly a more southern species, but has been found north
of New England. (Nova Scotia, Aud., Orn. Biog. v, p.
472.— Near New York., Lawr., p. 283. — Omitted from
Sam. O. O.)

Pecile atricapillus Bon. — Black-capped Titmouse.
Chickadee. Resident. Abundant.

No. 505, d. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Nov., 1855.

Pecile Hudsonicus .—Hudsonian Titmouse. Resi-
dent in more northern ; an occasional or accidental visitor
in winter in the southern sections. (“Breeds.” Calais,

(279)

32 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Me., Boardm., p. 126, Verr., p. 22. — Mass. in winter;
Peab., p. 402; Putn., p. 227; All., p. 83.)

ALAUDIDZE.

Eremophila cornuta Boie. — Shore Lark. Winter res-
ident. Not abundant. Breeds plentifully in Labrador.

No. 368, d. Nahant, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Dec., 1855.
No. 369, OF e 65 e ec [11

FRINGILLIDZE.

Pinicola Canadensis Cab. — Pine Grosbeak. Regular
winter visitant, and common in Maine. Farther south it
is rare and occasional. (New Haven, Conn., Linsl., p. 261.)

No. 408, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, July, 1855.
No. 403,9. “ “ «&

Mr. Mellwraith (p. 88) records the capture of the
Evening Grosbeak, Hesperiphona vespertina Bon., at
Woodstock, Canada.

Car nodacus purpureus Gray. — Purple Finch. Resi-
dent, or nearly so. Abundant. Breeds plentifully in
more northern portions; and winters more sparingly in
the southern.

No. 415, d$. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Spring, 1855.
No. 418,92. “ «€ «

Astragalinus tristis Cabanis. — Goldfinch. Abundant.
Breeds plentifully ; and remains through the winter, ex-
cept in the more northern regions.

No. 419, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Summer, 1855.
No, 490, d. 1, (€ 9 fh CA. ee 1855:

Chrysomitris pinus Bon. — Pine Linnet. Abundant
and generally distributed, chiefly as summer resident in
more northern, and winter resident in more southern,
regions. Known to breed in Massachusetts.

No. 421, d. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Winter, 1854-5.
No. 109, f. Chicago, Il. R. Kennicott, May. From Chicago
Academy of Science, 1864.

Kyiothus linarius Cabanis. — Lesser Redpoll Linnet.
Common. Not known to breed. A winter visitant, of ir-
regular occurrence, sometimes appearing in great numbers.

No. 416, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

(280)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 30
"
Egiothus exilipes Coues. — American Mealy Redpoll.
Very rare and occasional winter visitant. This is Linaria
or ZEgiothus “canescens” of Audubon's works and of the
local lists. I do not think the true canescens, from
Greenland, occurs.
In addition to the preceding it is very probable that my
MLigiothus fuscescens, from Labrador, occurs in winter.
C'urvirostra Americana Wils. — Red Crossbill. .Resi-
dent, and abundant, though of irregular and uncertain
occurrence. Known to breed at least as far south as
Massachusetts. (“Said to breed in winter.” Calais, Me.,
Boardm., p. 126.)

No. 407, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Winter, 1855.
No. 405, 9. [13 [11 [Ti é% [14 [13

Curvirostra leucoptera Wils. — W hite-winged Crossbill.
Resident, and common, though less so than the preceding.
In southern portions it is chiefly a winter visitant. (“ Res-
ident; breeds in winter;" Calais, Me., Board., p. 126.)

No. 410, d$. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Winter, 1855.
No. 406, 9 : e [13 [17 [17 ec e

Plectrophanes nivalis Meyer. — Snow Bunting. Com-
mon winter visitant, but rarely remains all summer in
New England. (Breeding; Springfield, Mass., summer
of 1862. C. W. Bennett, All., p. 70.)

No. 373. Essex Co. Joshua Cleaves, Nov. 18, 1859.
No. 1171, d. Salem, Essex Co. S. Carlen, Jan. 1867.
NO. 1172, 9. e [11 [14 [11 [1 «C [11

No. 106, adult. Great Slave Lake. From the Chicago Acad., 1864.

Plectrophanes Lapponicus Selby. — Lapland Bunting.
Rare winter visitant throughout New England.

No. 372. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Chondestes grammacus Swains. — Lark Finch. One
instance. Entirely exceptional. (Gloucester, 1845, S.
Jillson. Putn., p. 224.)

Passerculus savanna Bon.—Savannah Sparrow. Abun-
dant. Chiefly spring and autumn visitant, but breeds,
especially in more northern portions. Probably none
winter.

Wo./392, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

PASSERCULUS "ALAUDINUS" Bon. Western Savannah
Sparrow.

Ou

(281)

34 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

I do not think that this supposed species is perma-
nently distinct from the preceding.

No. 104. Great Bear Lake, Arctic Ameri¢a. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Poæœcetes gramineus Baird. — Bay-winged Bunting.
Grass Finch. Abundant summer resident.

No. 398, adult. Essex Co. F. W. Putnam, 1856.

Coturniculus passerinus Bon. — Yellow-winged Spar-
row. Summer resident. Abundant, becoming less com-
mon in more northern sections. (“Fringilla savanna-
rum?" Peab., p. 324.)

Coturniculus Henslowii Bon. — Henslow’s Sparrow.
Summer resident, and very rare; not recorded north of
Massachusetts. (Springfield, Mass., All., p. 71. Lynn,
Mass., Sam., p. 9. Berlin, Mass., E. S. Wheeler, Proc.
mo: NEL vp 191.9

Zonotrichia leucophrys Swainson. — White-crowned
Sparrow. Chiefly spring and autumn migrant. Not
known to breed, though doubtless it does so; and some
probably winter. Usually common, but of somewhat
irregular occurrence.

No. 107. Chicago, Ill., R. Kennicott, May. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

- Zonotrichia albicollis Bon. — White-throated Sparrow.
Chiefly spring and autumn migrant, though many breed,
especially in more northern sections. Abundant. Few,
if any, remain through the winter.

No. 397, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

Ammodromus maritimus Swains. — Sea-side Finch.
Common summer resident as far north as New Hampshire,
where I have found it abundant. Not recorded from
Maine. It is chiefly a coast species.

Ammodromus caudacutus Swains. -—Sharp-tailed Finch.
Distribution much the same as that of the preceding.

Junco hyemalis Sclater. — Snow Bird. Abundant.
Resident. Chiefly spring and autumn migrant ; but breeds
plentifully in Maine. Also breeds, but much more spar-
ingly, towards the southern limits, where some also re-
main all winter.

No. 422, d. Essex Co. .S. Jillson, 1858.

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COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 3D

Spizella monticola Baird.— Tree Sparrow. Abundant.
Chiefly spring and autumn migrant; but breeds, rarely
at least, as far south as Massachusetts, where many re-
main through the winter.

Nos. 394, g; 399, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1858.
No. 105, Anderson River, north of Great Bear Lake, Arctic America.
R. McFarlane. From the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Spizella Jhipping Sparrow. Abundant.
Summer resident.

No. 401, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, Spring of 1856.

No. 423, 9. CON Pass Autumn of 1856.

Spizella pusilla Bon. — Field Sparrow. Abundant.
Summer resident. .

No. 402, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1858.

Melospiza melodia Baird. — Song Sparrow. Abundant.
Summer resident. I think it will be found to winter in
the more southern portions.

No. 391, d. Essex Co. S, Jillson, Winter of 1856.
eee ge ee es = USB6.

Melospiza palustris Baird. — Swamp Sparrow. Com-
mon summer resident. Some probably winter towards
the southern limit.

No. 400, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

Melospiza Lincolnii Baird. — Lincoln's Sparrow. This
is a most extensively distributed species, whose range
includes almost the whole continent of North America,
and yet it is everywhere of uncommon occurrence. Three
instances only of its capture in New England are recorded.
(Springfield, Mass., May of 1860, ’63, '64. All., p. 73.
Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

Passerella iliaca Swains.— Fox-colored Finch. Com-
mon spring and autumn migrant. Not recorded as either
breeding or wintering in New England.

No. 398, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

No. 100, washington, D. C. C. Drexler. From the Chicago Acad-
emy of Sciences, 1864.

If the Passerella obscura Verrill (Proc. B. S. N. H.,
ix, 1862, p. 143) be a valid species it undoubtedly
visits New England in its migrations.

Pyrgita domestica. — European House Sparrow. In-
troduced, and at present only found in certain localities,

(283)

36 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

though it will doubtless before long become generally
distributed. All the important circumstances attending
the introduction of the species are fortunately on record.
See, particularly, Lawr., p. 287; Proc. B. S. N. H., xi,
1867, p. 157, and 1868, p. 389 : also "Atlantie Monthly "
for 1868.

Euspiza Americana Bon.— Black-throated Bunting.
Rare or accidental as far north as Massachusetts, beyond
which it is not recorded. (“Mass.,” Nutta, i, p. 461;
Eimm., p. 4; Peab., p. 319; Puin., p. 2273 Bagge
10; All., p. 84. “New Haven, Conn. ; very common ;”
Lins., p. 261.) ‘

No. 103, d. Utah. C. S. McCarthy. From the Chicago Academy
of Sciences, 1864.

Guiraca Ludoviciana Swains.—Rose-breasted Gros-
beak. Throughout New England in summer. Not
abundant, except in particular localities, where it appears
to have increased in numbers of late years (e. g. Essex
Co.; “quite common;” S. Jillson, Puin., p. 212).

No. 411, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 409, 9 H [13 [11 [11 e [13

Guiraca coerulea Swains. — Blue Grosbeak. Summer
visitant; rare or occasional. As far north, at least, as
Calais, Me. (Boardm., p. 121. — Omitted from Sam.
Q0.)

Cyanospiza cyanea Baird.—Indigo Bird. Summer
resident. Not abundant much north of Massachusetts.

No. 424, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 417, oO. 6. [11 [1 [11 [17

Cardinalis Virginianus Bp. Cardinal Grosbeak. Rare
and accidental as far north as Massachusetts. Perhaps,
as suggested by Mr. Linsley, some of the instances of its
occurrence may have been cage-birds which had escaped.
(See Nutt., Man. i, p. 519.— Connecticut, Peab., p. 329 ;
All., p. 85.—New York Island, Lawr., p. 286. — Omit-
ted from Sam. O. O.)

Pipilo erythrophthalmus Vieill. — Towhee Bunting.
Summer visitant. Most abundant in more southern por-
tions.

No. 414, d. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 557, d, young. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, July, 1855.

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COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. of

ICTERIDZ.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus Swains.— Bob-o-link. Abun-
dant summer resident.
No. 453, d, Summer. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

No. 458, Q, e e e
No. 459, d^, Winter. C ELE « 1856.
No. 455. d , Autumn. 66 Ge zs

Molothrus pecoris Swains. (Fringilla ambigua Nutt.,
and of the earlier local authors.) Cow Bird. Common
summer resident.

No. 460, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 454, Se [11 (23 [11 [11

Ageleus pheniceus Vieill. — Red-winged Black-bird.
Abundant summer resident.

No. 448, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 466, OF [1 e [1 [11

Sturnella magna Swains.— Field-lark. Resident, but
most abundant in summer, as the greater number leave
during the winter. " Southern Maine in summer; not
common" ( Verr., p. 22). Probably does not go much
farther north.

.No.461, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 98. Peoria, Ill. F. Bischoff. From the Chicago Academy of
Sciences, 1864.

Icterus Baltimorensis Daudin. — Baltimore Oriole.
“Golden Robin.” Abundant summer resident.

No. 446, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 447, oe s e [1 [1

Icterus spurius Bon. — Orchard Oriole. Summer resi-
dent. Rare; and probably not extending to the northern
limits.

Scolecophagus ferrugineus Swains. — Rusty Grackle.
Common, chiefly during the migrations; but it breeds in
northern sections, and some probably winter.

No. 449, d' ; immature. Lynn, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Sept. 1855.
No. 450,.d ; 4 e ee 4c 1856.

Quiscalus versicolor Vieill. — Purple Grackle. Com-
mon summer resident.

No. 451, d. Lynn, Essex (C095. Jillson, Sept., 1855.
No. 452, OF Nag

Quiscalus major Vieill. — Boat-tailed Grackle. En-
(285)

98 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

tirely accidental, in summer ; but has been known to breed.
(Cambridge, Mass., Sam., p. 10; All., p. 85.) This is
the Quiscalus “baritus” of Peabody (p. 285), and of
Linsley (p. 260; “ New Haven; one specimen"). (Omit-
ted from Sam. O. O.)

CORVID X.

Corvus carnivorus Bartram. — Raven. Resident, and
not uncommon in more northern sections. “Breeds on
cliffs at Grand Menan” ( Boardm., p. 127). Accidental,»
or at least unusual towards the southern limits. (Spring-
field, Mass., 1859; Al., p. 75. Quite common on the
New Jersey coast, Lawr., p. 289.)

Corvus Americanus Aud. — Crow. Abundant. Resi-
dent, except, perhaps, towards the extreme north in the
depth of winter. ;

No. 456, 9. Beverly, Essex Co. F. W. Putnam, 1863.
No. 457. Essex Co. *

Corvus ossifragus Wils. — Fish Crow. A rare sum-
mer visitor, chiefly along the more southern portions of
the coast.

Cyanura cristata . Swains. — Blue Jay. Abundant.
Resident. Mostly retires from the extreme north in mid-
winter.

No. 465, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Perisoreus Canadensis Bon.—Canada Jay. “Whiskey-
Jack.” Chiefly a winter visitant from the north. Very
rare, and only occasional farther south than Maine. Mr.
Boardman (p. 127) gives it as resident, and breeding
about Calais, Me. (Mass., Putn., p. 228. Not given by
Mr. Samuels nor Mr. Allen, as a bird of the State. Near
Manhattanville, N. Y. Island, in midsummer, Lawr., p.
289.)

COLUMBID JE. .

Ectopistes migratorius Swains. —Wild Pigeon. Com-
mon. Exceedingly abundant at irregular intervals.
Breeds. Not known to winter.

No. 528, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson.

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COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 939

Zenedura Oarolinensis Bon. — Dove. Summer resi-
dent. Common in more southern, rare in the northern
regions.

No. 527, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

TETRAONIDA.

Tetrao Canadensis Linn.—Spruce Partridge. Resident,
if not abundant, in more northern sections. Uncommon,
as far south as Massachusetts. “A common resident near
the Umbagog Lakes" ( Verr.,p.17). “Resident. Com-
mon. Breeds” (Calais, Me., Boardm., p. 128). "Hem-
lock woods of Gloucester, Sept., 1851" (S. Jillson,
quoted by Putn., p. 224, and All., p. 85). Not given
by Samuels as a Massachusetts bird.

No. 864, 9. Maine. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 866, UR éc «é [11 éc
No. 865, d. a R. Brookhouse, Feb., 1856.

Bonasa umbella Steph. — Ruffed Grouse. Common.
Resident.

This is the “ Partridge” of New England, but known
as the “Pheasant” farther south, where the Ortyx% Virgini-
anus is known as the Partridge. The latter is the “Quail”
of New Englanders.

No. 871, d. Essex Co.
Nos. 868-69-70, 9. Essex Co.

Cupidonia cupido Baird.—Pinnated Grouse. “ Prairie
Hen." This species is still known to reside in certain
localities in New England, though much less numerous
than formerly, and doubtless destined shortly to become
extinct. (Long Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Naushon,
etc.) Mr. Peabody (p. 355) says they were “once very
common in New England," but that * the only place where
they are now (1839) found in Massachusetts is in Mar-
tha's Vineyard, and one small island near it.” Mr. Allen
says (p. 85), "nearly extinct in Massachusetts. A few
are still occasional visitors in the south-eastern part of the
State, from Long Island, where they still remain." Mr.
Samuels says (p. 11), “only found on Martha's Vineyard
and Naushon." Not recorded farther north. (Examine
also: Eimm., p. 4; Lins., p. 264; Putn., p. 229;

(287)

40 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Nutt. Man. p.; Aud., Orn. Biog., ii, p. 490; .Aud.,
B. Am., v, p. 935; Cabot, Proc. B. S. N... nr po dodo

Nos. 861, 867, d. Illinois. Dr. William Mack, Aug., 1845.
No. 862, 9. Illinois. N. Vickary, May, 1860.

PEDIŒCETES CoruMBiANus Elliot. — Sharp-tailed
Grouse. (P. phasianellus Baird, nec Linn.)

No. 863, $. Winter. Boston Market. Probably from Illinois. S.
Jillson, Jan., 1856.

CENTROCERCUS UROPHASIANUS Swains.— Sage Cock.
Cock of the Plains.

No.95. Colorado Mts., west of Denver City. D. Thompson. From
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 1864.

The Wild Turkey, formerly abundant, is now generally
believed to be nearly or quite extinct. As long ago as
1839, Mr. Peabody tells us, it had become very rare.
At the present day it is given by some Massachusetts
authorities, and not by others. Mr. Allen *can find no
authentie instance of its recent capture in this State,
although it has been said to occur wild on Mts. Tom
and Holyoke." As Mr. Allen judiciously hints, we must
take care not to confound the domesticated Turkey run
wild with the true M. gallopavo. The former may always
be recognized’ by the conspicuous whitish tips of the
feathers of the rump and upper-tail coverts, which are
like those of the M. Mexicana Gould. Mr. Samuels
omits the species. Mr. Putnam gives it, but entirely
upon the authority of the older writers. It is contained
in none of the Maine lists. Mr. Linsley wrote of it in
1843, “the last Wild Turkey that I have known in Con-
necticut was taken . . . about thirty years since, on
Letoket Mountain, in Northford.”

i PERDICIDÆ.

Ortyx Virginiana Bon. — Quail. — Resident, as far
north as Massachusetts. Not very abundant, and appa-
rently rapidly becoming less numerous. Not recorded in
the Maine lists.

No. 858, d. Essex Co.
No. 857, 9. és ‘i

Lophortyx Californicus Bon. — California Plumed
(288)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 41

Quail. Of exceptional and entirely accidental occur-
rence, and not really entitled to a place in the list, as the
specimens captured were doubtless cage-birds. (“ Bridge-
port, Ct., Dec., 1840”; Lins., p. 264.)

LAGOPIDZ.

Lagopus albus Aud.— White Ptarmigan. Rare, in
winter, in more northern portions. Hardly known as a
straggler so far south as Massachusetts. (“Northern
Maine, in winter; rare;" Verr., p. 22.— Omitted from
Sam. O. O.)

No. 860. White plumage. Manchester, Essex Co., May 10, 1859;
but supposed to have been brought alive from Labrador or Newfound-
land and escaped.

No. 76, 2. Summer plumage, Sukkertoppen, Greenland, July 30,
1862. From the Williams College Lyceum, 1864.

No. 94. White plumage. Great Slave Lake. R. Kennicott. From
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 1864.

I am not confident that these three specimens are of the same spe-
cies; or that albus is their proper name.

GRUIDJAE.

Grus CANADENSIS Temm. — Sand-hill Crane.

Nos. 1034; 1035. Bloomington, Il. Dr. E. S. L. Richardson.

The Whooping Crane, G. Americanus, has been at-
tributed to New England by one author. (Hmm., p. 5;
and quoted by Putn., p. 229.) No recent writers pre-
sent it. Its 'occurrence must be regarded as extremely
problematical.

ARDEID 2.

Ardea herodias Linn. — Great Blue Heron. "Blue
Crane.” Summer resident. Common.

No. 996, d$. Essex Co. J. Webster, 1856.
No. 997, d, young. Essex Co.
No. 464, 9. Newburyport, Essex Co.

Herodias egretta Gray. — Great White Egret. Rare
summer visitant; hardly farther north than Massachu-
setts. No part of New England is within its regular
range; and its occurrence must be considered accidental,

£ 6 (289)

42 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

though recorded in several instances. (JJ. g. Putn., p.
218; All., p. 16. — Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

Garzetta candidissima Bon. — Snowy Heron, or Little
White Egret. Stragglers only as far north as Massachu-
setts. “Spring: very rare" (Essex Co., Mass., Puín.,
p. 218). “Boston, 1862”; (All., p. 86.)

Florida cerulea Baird. — Little Blue Heron. Acci-
dental as far north as Massachusetts. “ Very rare. Sum-
mer visitor.” (Sam., p. 11.) “Stragglers taken."
( All., p. 86. — Omitted from Sam. O. O.)

Ardetta exilis Gray.— Least Bittern. Very rare in
summer, as far as Southern Maine. ( Verr., p. 22.)

No. 88. Chicago, Ill. H. O. Snow. From Chicago Acad. Sci., 1864.

Botaurus lentiginosus Steph. — Bittern. | Common
summer resident throughout New England. This is one
of the few Herons found as far north as Labrador.

No. 999. Essex Co. R. Brookhouse, 1856.
No. 1000. * i

Butorides virescens Bon. — Green Heron. Common
summer resident throughout New England.

No. 1021. Essex Co.
No. 1022, young. Essex Co.

Nyctiardea Gardenii Baird. — Night Heron. “Qua-.
bird.” “Squawk.” Very abundant summer resident.
There are extensive “heronries” of this species at Wen-
ham and Rowley, and also at Camden, Mass., though fast
becoming things of the past.

No. 998, young; first plumage. Rowley, Essex Co. 'H. P. Ives, 1854.

No. 998. Essex Co.

No. 994. Salem, Essex Co. L. J. Johnson, April 16, 1852.

No. 995. £s d * B. S. Grover, 1854.

No. 396, 9, young. Essex Co. Amos Prince, May 30, 1866.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Nyctherodius viola-
ceus, may also occur. The Louisiana Heron, Demiegretta
Ludoviciana, has been detected as far north as New York
(Lawr., p. 292), and may occasionally straggle into New
England, though I know of no record of its occurrence.

Falcinellus Ordii Bon. — Glossy Ibis. Has been oc-
casionally taken as far north as Massachusetts, but its
appearance must be regarded as exceptional. (Hmm., p.
5; Peab., p. 365; Lins., p. 266; Putn., p. 230; AUS

(290) :

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 43

aSo Cabot, B. S. N. H., iii, pp. 313, 333, 355; iv,
p. 346 ; Nutt., Man. ii, p. 88; Lawr., p. 292. — Omit-
ted from Sam. O. O.)

Isis RUBRA Vieill.— Scarlet Ibis. Nos. 990, 991, from
Brazil. The claims of this species to a place in the Fauna
of the United States rest upon insufficient evidence.

The White Ibis (J. alba) sometimes strays along the
coast to New York (Lawr., p. 292), and may reach New
England.

CHARADRIIDAE.

Charadrius Virginicus Borck.—Golden Plover. Spring
and autumn migrant. Abundant.

No. 1014, young. Essex Co.
No. 1015. Cape Cod, Mass. S. Jillson, Sept., 1854.

Bgialitis vociferus Cass. — Kildeer Plover. Summer
resident ; common, but somewhat irregularly distributed.

aEgialitis semipalmatus Cab.—Ring Plover. Spring
and autumn migrant. . Usually abundant. A few prob-
ably breed.

No. 1016. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 1018. £s & EE &« «

a«Egialitis melodus Cab. — Piping Plover. Summer
resident. Many breed on the islands and along the coast.
Most abundant, however, during its migrations.

No. 1017, d. Essex Co. Dr.H. K. Oliver, 1853.

«Egialitis Wilsonius Cass.—Wilson's Plover. Appears
to be rather rare, and perhaps only occasional, as far
north as Massachusetts. I do not find it recorded from
Maine. Dr. Brewer' authority for its abundance at
Nahant, in August, 1838, is the one usually quoted.
Samuels, however, says (p. 11) "common in spring and
fall," which is at variance with the statements of most
observers. Recorded from Stratford, Ct. ( Lins., p. 265.)
The species really belongs to a more southern region.

Squatarola helvetica Cuvier. — Black-bellied Plover.
Rune and autumn migrant. Not ordinarily very abun-
dant.

No. 1008. Spring. Essex Co. A. Houghton, 1836.
No. 1010. Fall. ee ee d es sk
No. 1011. Winter. ce se ec EE e
No. 1012, 4, young. Cape Cod, Mass. S. Jillson, Sept. 1854.

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44 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

HZEMATOPODID. X.

Hematopus palliatus Temm. — Oyster Catcher. Of
very unusual occurrence, along the coast. (Mass., T. M.
Brewer. Peab., p. 358: Emm., p. 5; Putn., p. 230;
All., p. 86.)

Strepsilas interpres Illig.—'Turnstone. Spring and au-
tumn migrant. Not common.

No. 1019. Essex Co.
No. 1020, d, young. Nahant, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Sept. 1855.

RECURVIROSTRIDZ.

Recurvirostra Americana Gm.—Avoset. Very rare,
and perhaps accidental. (Calais, Me., one instance,
spring of 1862. Boardm., p. 128; Verr., p. 22.—Mass.,
Himm., p. 5; Puin., p. 230; All., p. 86.)

Himantopus nigricollis Vieill. — Black-necked Stilt.
Very rare and perhaps only accidental. (Calais, Me.,
spring of 1862, one instance. Boardm., p. 128; Verr.,
p. 22.— Mass., Emm., p. 5; Peab., p. 358; Puin., p.
230; All., p. 86. — Omitted from Sam., OTOJ

The ordinary range of both the preceding species is
more southern and western. But Mr. Lawrence (p. 295)
has found them near New York.

PHALAROPODID&.

Steganopus Wilsonii Coues. — Wilson's Phalarope.
Very rare, perhaps only accidental, and chiefly during its
migrations. (Putn., p. 227; All., p..86, quoting Audu-
bon’s authority; Lawr., p. 295; omitted from Sam.,
O. O.

Phatavopus fulicarius Bon. — Red Phalarope. Rare or
occasional along the coast, during its migrations. (Law.,
p. 295; omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Lobipes hyperboreus Cuy.— Northern Phalarope. Not
abundant. Chiefly spring and autumn migrant; but Mr.
Verrill thinks some may breed off the coast of Maine.

This is probably the species spoken of by Mr. Board-
man, as very common in the Bay of Fundy.

No. 1050. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

(292)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 45

SCOLOPACID A.

Scolopax rusticola Linn. — European Woodcock. This
species is authenticated as occurring on our coast from
Newfoundland to New York, as a straggler from Europe.
Examine in this connection Lawr., p. 292, and Baird,
Am. Journ. Sci. and Art, xli, 1866, p. 25.

Philohela minor Gray.— Woodcock. Abundant sum-
mer resident.

No. 1040, 9. Essex Co.

Gallinago Wilsonii Bon. —Snipe. Common. Chiefly
during its migrations; but many breed, especially in the
more northern sections.

No. 1044. Essex Co. Dr. H. K. Oliver, December, 1852.

Macrorhamphus griseus Leach. — Red-breasted Snipe.
Seen chiefly while migrating ; but some breed in the more
northern sections. “Summer visitant." (Calais, Me.,
Boardm., p. 128.)

The M. scolopaceus Lawr., is undoubtedly to be added
to the list. New York market, March 20th; Lawr.,
p. 294.

Calidris arenaria Illiger. — Sanderling. Abundant.
Chiefly spring and autumn migrant, but perhaps perma-
nent resident. I know that some winter on the New
Hampshire coast; and Mr. Verrill (p. 23) gives it as
abundant on the Maine coast in summer.

No. 1026. Essex Co. .
No. 1027, 9. Essex Co. R. Waters, August, 1858.

Tringa canutus Linn.— Knot. Ash-colored or Red-
breasted Sandpiper. Abundant. Spring and autumn mi-
grant along the coast. Some doubtless winter.

No. 1040. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 1047, young. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Arquatella maritima Baird. — Purple Sandpiper. On
the coast in spring, autumn, and winter. Not very un-
common. Not known to breed.

Ancylocheilus subarquatus Kaup.— Curlew Sandpiper.
Very rare; seen chiefly during its migrations. The spe-
cies is in America hardly more, perhaps, than a visitor
from Europe.

(293)

46 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

The four preceding 7'ingec are essentially maritime,
rarely quitting the immediate vicinity of the sea.

Pelidna Americana Coues. — American Dunlin. Red-
backed or black-bellied Sandpiper; (Tringa alpina of
early writers). Abundant. Chiefly spring and autumn
migrant, but some winter.

Actodromas maculata Cass. — Pectoral Sandpiper.
“Jacksnipe;” “Grass Snipe;" (Tringa pectoralis Say,
and early writers). Common during the migrations, par-
ticularly in the autumn.

No. 1046, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

-Actodromas minutilla Coues. — Least Sandpiper.
“Peep.” Very abundant during its migrations. Chiefly
maritime, but very generally distributed.

No. 1025. Essex Co. Dr. H. K. Oliver, 1853.
No. 91. Spanish Town, Jamaica. W. T. March. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Actodromas Bonapartet Cass. — Bonaparte’s Sandpiper.
White-rumped Sandpiper. “Tringa Schinzii” of earlier
authors. A very common and widely distributed species,
whose range includes nearly all of North America, at
least east of the Rocky Mountains. They are exceed-
ingly abundant in Labrador toward the end of summer ;
and I have found them equally numerous in Kansas Ter-
ritory, in May, while migrating northward. They breed
in very high latitudes, and are only found in New Eng-
land, so far as I am aware, during their migrations.

No. 1023. Essex Co. : Dr. H. K. Oliver, 1853.

No. 1048. Jn et S. Jillson, 1855.

Ros 1049s creepy ten |e ae 2:

EHreunetes pusillus Cass. — Semipalmated Sandpiper.
“Peep.” Abundant. Spring and autumn migrant. Not
known to breed. Some may winter. Chiefly maritime.

No. 1024. Essex Co. Dr. H.K. Oliver, 1853.
No. 90, Spanish Town, Jamaica. W. T. March. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

The Stilt Sandpiper, M?cropalama himantopus, may be
confidently expected to occur; but I cannot refer to any
recorded instances of its capture. Mr. Lawrence includes
it in his New York list.

The original of Tringa Cooperi;, Baird, was shot on

(294)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. A1

Raynor South, L. I., May 24, 1833, and should, be in-
cluded in this list, although I am not aware that any one
has seen or heard of any specimens except the type upon
which the species was. based. Mr. Lawrence gives it a
place in his list. Cf. Baird, B. N. A., p. 716, and Cowes,
Powe. N.S. Philad., 1861, p. 202.

An extralimital species of Sandpiper, Tringa platy-
rhyncha, now Eurinorhynchus pygmeus, is inserted by
Peabody (p. 367) in the Massachusetts list, on the author-
ity of Mr. S. Cabot, Jr., “who procured a specimen at
Nahant.” If this instance be authentic, it is the only one
on record of the occurrence of the species in North
America.

Symphemia semipalmata Hartl. — Willet. Summer
resident. Not very abundant.

No. 1039. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
No. 1040. [11 [1 [11 6 [13

Gambetta melanoleuca Bon. — Tell-tale. Stone Snipe.
Common. Chiefly spring and autumn migrant; but
doubtless breeds in more northern portions.

No. 89. Spanish Town, Jamaica. W. T. March. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Gambetta flavipes Bon.—Yellow-legs. Common spring
and autumn migrant. Probably breeds in the more
northern portions. ( Verr., p. 17.)

No. 1033. Essex Co. Dr. H. K. Oliver. Spring, 1853.
No. 1045. a £ S. Jillson. Autumn, 1855.

Rhyacophilus solitarius Baird. — Solitary Sandpiper.
Not very abundant. Chiefly spring and autumn migrant.
Mr. Samuels (p. 12) gives it as breeding in Massachusetts.

No. 1028, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, October, 1855.

Tringoides macularius Gray. — Spotted Tatler. “Tip-
up." “Teeter-tail.” Abundant summer resident.

No. 1029, nestling. Essex Co. Dr. H. K. Oliver, 1853.
No. 1051, nestling. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

No. 1032, young. es X hg £e Ke

No. 1030, adult. oC en oe Ec &c

Actiturus Bartramius Bon.—Bartram’s Tatler. “Field
Plover.” Common. Summer resident; but most abun-
dant during its migrations.

No.93. Chicago, Ill. R. Kennicott. From the Chicago Academy
of Sciences, 1864.

(295)

48 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Tryngites rufescens Cab. — Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Very rare spring and autumn migrant.

Philomachus pugnax Gray.—hRhutff. Accidental. From
Europe. Several instances of its capture at various
points on the New England coast. It is now generally
included among North American birds. (Calais, Me.,
“accidental, one or two instances;” Boardman, Verr.,
p. 23. Near New York; Lawr., p. 294. Long Island;
Baird, B. N. A., 1858, 727, etc. Omitted from Sam.
0:0.)

Limosa fedoa Ord. — Marbled Godwit. Not common,
and only during its migrations.

No. 1088, 9. Essex Co.

Limosa Hudsonica Swains. (Limosa Edwardsii? ot
Linsl., p. 267; perhaps an albino.) — Hudsonian God-
wit. Rare, and only during its migrations.

No. 1051, 9, young. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Numenius longirostris Wils. — Long-billed Curlew.
*Sickle-bill.”. Not abundant, and only during its mi-
grations.

No. 992. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Numenius Hudsonicus Lath. — Hudsonian Curlew.
Rare, and only during its migrations.

Numenius borealis Lath.—Esquimaux Curlew. Spring
and autumn migrant. It is singular that this species
should not be abundant in New England, considering the
almost incredible numbers that take their departure for
the south from Labrador in early autumn.

In addition to the preceding Yotanine, the Totanus
glottis Bechst. ( Glottis Floridana Bp.) has been accredited
to Connecticut by Mr. Linsley (p. 266; Stratford; one
instance) ; but very possibly through an erroneous iden-
tification.

RALLIDZE.

Rallus elegans Aud. — Fresh Marsh Hen. Rare, per-
haps accidental, in summer, in the more southern portions.
(Stratford, Ct. Linsl., p. 267.)

Rallus crepitans Gm. — Salt Marsh Hen. Accidental
summer visitor, as far north as Massachusetts. (Cabot,

(296)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 49

ENS N. Hy iii, p. 326; Puin., p. 229; Sam., p..12;
All., p. 87.)

No. 1006, d. Florida. N. C. Robbins, 1854.

Rallus Virginianus Linn.— Virginia Rail. Summer
visitant. Not very abundant. Known to breed as far
north as Maine.

No. 1009. Ipswich. Essex Co. R. Brookhouse, September, 1858.
No. 1018. Essex Co.

Porzana Carolina Vieill. — Sora Rail. “Ortolan.”
Common summer resident. Less abundant in more
northern portions.

Nos. 1008, 1004. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1854.
No. 92. Spanish Town, Jamaica. W. T. March. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Porzana Noveboracensis Cass. — Yellow Rail. Very
rare, in summer, as far north as Massachusetts. (Emm.,
p.-6; Peab., p. 315; Lénsl., p. 268; Puin., p. 229;
Bum p. 12; All., p. 87.)

Nos. 1005, 1007. Ipswich. Essex Co. R. Brookhouse, Sept., 1857.

Fulica Americana Gm. — Coot. Summer resident.
Not uncommon. Breeds; but appears to be everywhere
most numerous during the migrations.

Nos. 1001, 1002, d. Essex Co.

Gallinula galeata Bon. — Common Gallinule. Acci-
dental as far north as Massachusetts. (Cambridge, Mass.,
Cabot. Peab., p. 258; AU., p. 87.)

Gallinula martinica Lath. — Purple Gallinule. Very
rare and accidental summer visitor. ("Swampsoott,
Mass., April 22, 1852; S. Jillson;” Putn., p. 224; Al.,
p. 87.) Neither this nor the preceding species is alluded
to by Mr. Samuels.

ANATIDE.

Cygnus Americanus Sharpless. —Swan. (? C. "musicus
Bp." Linsl., p. 268.) Of irregular, or at most very
rare occurrence, in winter.

Anser hyperboreus Pallas.—Snow Goose. Rare winter
visitant along the whole coast.

If the Anser corulescens, usually believed to be the
young of the Snow Goose, be really a valid species, it
should take its place in the list of New England birds.

7 (297)

50 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Anser Gambelii Hartl.—2A merican white-fronted Goose.
Very rare, and perhaps accidental, in winter. (Omitted
from Sam., O. O.)

No. 1109. Bloomington, Ill. Dr. E. S. L. Richardson.

Bernicla leucopsis. — Barnacle Goose. This European
species has been repeatedly attributed to New England.
(Quincy, Mass., Cab., B. S.N. H., iii, p: 1909 EIN
p. 225; All., p. 88; Stonington, Conn., Linsl., p. 269.)
Its occurrence in North America, a long time considered
doubtful, has recently bean established. (Am. Nat., ii,
1868, p. 49.)

Bernicla Canadensis Boie.— Wild Goose. Spring and
autumn migrant. Abundant.

Bernicla Hutchinsii.—Hutchins Goose. Chiefly spring
and autumn migrant. Not abundant. (Omitted from
Same 0: 0.5

Bernicla brenta Steph. — Brant. Spring and autumn
migrant. Common.

The Black Brant, Bernicla nigricans Lawr., is undoubt-
edly to be found in New England. (Long Island, Lawr.,
p- 296.) :

Anas boschas ane —Mallard. Winter resident. Not
abundant.

No. 1120, d. Essex Co.

Anas obscura Gm. — Black Duck. Resident. Breeds
plentifully in more northern portions. One of the most
abundant species.

No. 1121, d$. Essex Co.

No. 1126, d. ac ‘© S. Jillson, 1855.

Dafila acuta Jenyns.—Pintail Duck. Winter resident,
chiefly along the coast. Not abundant.

No. 1129, f. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Nettion Carolinensis Baird.—Green-winged Teal. Com-
mon spring and autumn migrant. Not recorded as
breeding.

Nos. 1114, 1135, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 1115, 9. DES NEU Y «

Netlion crecca Kaup. — English Teal. A European
species, but so often taken on the coast as to be fairly
considered as more than an accidental visitor. (Omitted
from Sam., O. O.) :

(298)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 34.

Spatula clypeata Boie. — Shoveller. Spring and au-
tumn migrant. Uncommon.

No. 1111, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

Querquedula discors Steph. — Blue - winged Teal.
Spring and autumn migrant. Common.

No. 1082, d. Essex Co.

ENSE D oe voe

Chaulelasmus streperus Gray. — Gadwall. Chiefly in
spring and autumn, but some winter. Not abundant.

No. 1130, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Mareca Americana Steph. — Widgeon. Baldpate. Au-
tumn, winter and spring. Common.

No. 1122, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

No. 1188, d. Chesapeake Bay. R. Brookhouse, 1867.

No. 85. Spanish Town, Jamaica. W.T. March. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Mareca Penelope Bon. — European Widgeon. A Eu-
ropean species, like W. crecca, so often taken on our
coast as to properly be entitled to a place in our Fauna.
(Long Island; apparently breeding; Brew., B. S. N. H.,
vi, p. 419.) Mr. Samuels says: "Rare in spring and
fall" in Massachusetts. Mr. Lawrence has it in his list.
(Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Aix sponsa Swains.— Summer Duck. Summer resi-
dent. Not very abundant.

No. 1112, d'; 1183, 9. Wenham, Essex Co. John J. Gould, 1868.
No. 1118, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Fulix marila Baird. —Scaup Duck. Winter resident,
though most plenty during the migrations. Not very
abundant.

No. 1083, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Fuliz affinis Baird.—Little Blackhead. Chiefly spring
and autumn migrant. Some may winter. Uncommon.

No. 86. Spanish Town, Jamaica. W.T. March. From the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, 1864.

Fulix collaris Baird. — Ring-necked Duck. Chiefly
spring and autumn migrant. Some may winter. Not
common. (Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

No. 87. Chicago, Ill. Prof. McChenesy. From the Chicago Acad-
emy of Sciences, 1864.

Aythya Americana Bon. — Red-head. Winter resi-
dent, but more abundant during its migrations.
(299)

52 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Aythya vallisneria Bonap. — Canvass Back. Chiefly
winter resident. . Not abundant.

No. 1185, d. Chesapeake Bay. R. Brookhouse, 1867.

Bucephala Americana Baird. Golden-eye. Common
winter resident.

No. 1131, 2. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

Bucephala Islandica Baird. | Barrow's Golden-eye.
There can be no doubt that this species, at least occasion-
ally if not regularly, visits the whole of New England.
It is recorded from the St. Lawrence, and as far south as
New York City. Its only record from New England, so
far as I am aware, is Calais, Me., “winter, very rare ;”
(LBoardm., p. 129.) For some interesting notes con-
cerning it, see Elliot, Ann. Lyc. N. H. N. Y., vii, Jan.,
1862.

Bucephala albeola Baird. — Bufe Head. Butter Ball.
Abundant. Winter resident. -

No. 1103, d. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.
NU 1104 Oe E ACE

Histrionicus torquatus Bon. — Harlequin. Rare winter
visitant along the coast. Known to breed, rarely, on the
islands in the Bay of Fundy (.Boardm., p. 130).

Harelda glacialis Leach. — Long-tailed Duck. Com-
mon winter resident.

No. 1193, d, summer. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No. 1080, d', winter. JO AG eT ODD
NO. LLET; OF e e [13 [T1 [11 [13

Camptolemus Labradorius Gray. — Labrador Duck.
Rare winter visitant. (Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Melanetta velvetina Baird. — Velvet Duck. White-
winged “ Coot.” Common winter resident, chiefly along
the coast.

No. 1119, d. Essex Co. A. F. Bosson:

Pelionetta perspicillata Kaup.—Surf Duck. Abundant
winter resident.

No. 1099. Essex Co.

Qdemia Americana Swains.—Scoter. Common win-
ter resident.

No. 1100, d. Essex Co.

No. 1116, 9. d * A. F. Bosson.

No. 291, young. Chesapeake Bay. R. Brookhouse, Nov., 1867.
(300)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 53

Somateria mollissima Leach. — Eider Duck. Common
on the whole coast during the winter, spring, and autumn.
They chiefly retire farther north to breed, though some
remain all summer “on the islands of the Bay of Fundy”
( Verr., p. 24).

No. 1125, d', immature; nearly black all over, with a pure white
breast. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1855.

No. 79, 9, adult. Sukkertoppen, Greenland, July 30, 1860. From
the Williams College Lyceum of Natural History, 1864.

Somateria spectabilis Leach. — King Eider. Rare win-
ter visitant along the coast.

No. 1124, 9. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

EBrismatura rubida Bon. — Ruddy Duck. Common
during its migrations, and many winter. Perhaps some
breed in more northern portions. _

No. 188. South Salem, Essex Co. Emery S. Johnson, Nov. 7, 1866.

AMergus Americanus Cass. — Sheldrake. | Common
during the migrations, and in winter. Some may breed?

No. 1084, d. Essex Co.
No.1085, 9. “ «

Mergus serrator Linn. — Red-breasted Merganser.
Common during its migrations and in winter. It is said
to breed as far south as Massachusetts by Audubon.

No. 1081, 9. Essex Co.
No. 1184, f. Salem, Essex Co. H. B. Griffin, 1867.

Lophodytes cucullatus Reich. — Hooded Merganser.

Te . . . . ee o
Winter visitant in more southern portions; "a few breed
in the northern part;" (of Maine; Verr., p. 24.) No-
where very common.

No. 1186, d. Lake Champlain. Dr. B. Pickman, 1866.
No. 1187, 9. TT

'The Smew, Dues albellus eu hee been inserted
in Massachusetts lists, but probably upon erroneous data.
Its occurrence in America is very problematical.

SULIDZ.

Sula bassana Briss. — Gannet. Common. Resident
in the northern, winter visitant to the more southern, por-
tions of the New England coast.

No. 1101, d , adult. ERE Co. A. Houghton, 1836.
No. 1102, young. Gc 3 S. Jillson, Summer, Hide

Sula fiber Linn. — Booby. “September. Rare." (Es-
(301)

54 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

sex Co., Mass., Puín., p. 221; Guilford, Conn., Linssi.,
p. 271.) A species recorded, as above, but by no other
writers, so far as I can learn. Its occurrence is entirely
exceptional.

PELECANID.E.

Pelecanus trachyrhynchus Lath. — American White
Pelican. (“P. erythrorhynchus” of Gmelin, which
name conveys an erroneous impression regarding it, and
should be rejected.) Accidental. One instance of its
recent capture in New England. (Calais, Me., Boardm.,
p. 130.) The habitat of this species seems to have
changed greatly since the accounts of the earlier authors
were penned. New England lies much without its ordin-
ary range as now recognized.

PHALACROCORACIDJE.

Graculus dilophus Gray. — Double-crested Cormorant.
Not uncommon along the coast during the winter.

Graculus carbo Gray.— Common Cormorant. Shag.
Common winter visitant along the coast.

No. 1195, immature. Off Gloucester, Essex Co. C. J. Maynard,
Jan., 1867.

PHATONID.

PHÆTON FLAVIROSTRIS Brandt. — Tropic Bird. (Lep-
turus candidus Briss.; Phæton œthereus, Audubon, B.
Am., vii, p. 64, pl. 427; P. flavirostris Brandt, Bull.
Acad. St. Petersb. i, 1837, p. 349: Lawrence, B. N. A.,
1858, p. 884.) A specimen, No. 1087, agrees with the
descriptions and figures here cited, and should undoubt-
edly bear the above name.

No. 1087. South Atlantic. H. F. Shepard, 1856.

PHÆTON ? Another excellent specimen in the
collection differs much from the former, and appears to.
be of a different species. Itis much larger, with a bright
vermilion bill, and with the back finely mottled with
black and white. I do not know the proper name of this
species, unless it is the true cereus of Linnsus, as con-

(302)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 55

tradistinguished by Brandt and others from candidus
Briss.
No. 1086, f. South Atlantic. H. F. Shepard, 1856.

PROCELLARIID X.

DrowEDEA EXULANS Linn.—Wandering Albatross. Nu-
merous examples of this species, all from extra-limital
localities (No. 1134, and others).

PH@BETRIA FUüLIGINOSA Reich. — Dusky Albatross.
Several specimens from extra-limital regions.

[NorE. In addition to the preceding species, I find several exam-
ples of D. culminata Gould, chiefly from Cape Horn. No. 1127 and
others. One of these is peculiarly interesting. The plumage indi-
cates it to be nearly mature; but yet the bill is wholly pure black,
with only a slight brownish tinge along the sides of the inferior
maxillary ramus. There is not the slightest trace of yellow on the
culmen. ‘This is the first example I have ever met with in this condi-
tion. The specimen is now in the Smithsonian Institution. This is
the species given by Audubon as D. ‘“chlororhyncha,” of which he
Says his specimen was taken not far from the Columbia River. ]

Fulmarus glacialis Leach. — Fulmar Petrel. A rare
winter visitant along the coast. (Peab., p. 383; Puin.,
p. 231; All., p. 89. Omitted from Sam.,.O. O.).

DaPrION CAPENSIS Steph. — Pintado Petrel. Of this
species, usually accorded a place among North American
Birds, a specimen (No. 1142) is in the collection from
Cape Horn.

PRIOFINUS CINEREUS Coues. — Cinereous Petrel. (Not
the Atlantic " Cinereous Shearwater” which is the Puff-
nus Kuhlii Boie. Not " Puffinus cinereus” of the earlier
American authors, which is P. major Faber, infra. See
my review of the Procellariidw, Pr. A. N. S., Phila.,
Apr. 1864, p. 119, for synonymes and relationships.) A
fine example of this species in the collection (No. 1145)
from Cape Horn. It is a very extensively distributed
species.

Puffinus major Faber.— Greater Shearwater. “ Hag-
don." (Puffinus “cinereus” of the earlier local lists. D
Not uncommon off the coast, particularly in winter.
This is the most abundant species off the north-east coast

of America. (Omitted from Sam., O. O.)
No. 1141. Salem, Essex Co. J. A. Goldthwait, Sept. 25, 1854.
(303)

56 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Puffinus Anglorum 'Temm.— Mank's Shearwater. Of
not uncommon occurrence off the coast, chiefly i in winter.
(Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Puffinus fuliginosus Strickl. — Sooty Shearwater.
“Black Hagdon.” Common off the coast, except in sum-
mer. (Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

The whole group of the dusky unicolor Petrels are cer-
tainly foremost among the "opprobria ornithologie ; "
remaining a standing rebuke that at this late date so little
should be accurately known concerning tham. The ques-
tion whether this, and certain other birds composing the
genus WVectris of Forster, as amended by Bonaparte, are
valid species, or only seasonal or sexual conditions of the
bicolor Puffin, is still agitated. There cannot be the
slightest doubt that there are species of Petrels remain-
ing uniformly dusky all through their lives; e. g. P.
sphenurus Gould, P. carneipes Gould, ZEstrelata fuligin-
osa Coues ex Kuhl, Majaqueus aequinoctialis Bon. ex
Linn., ete. But that certain of the Puffini do not at
some period during their progress towards maturity, or
afterwards, at some seasons, pass through or aequire a
dusky state of plumage, is by no means incontrovertibly
proven. . For example, I have a strong suspicion that the
specimen upon which I based my “Puffinus creatopus
(Pr. A. N. S. Phila., 1864, p. 131), a bicolor individual,
was, a few months before its death, in a uniformly fulig-
inous state of plumage. Argument from analogy is
readily forthcoming. Witness the well-known immature
states of plumage of ZEstrelata Lessonii, Æ. Cookit, Æ.
mollis, Ossifraga gigantea, Diomedea exulans, etc., ete.,
of the Procellariide; or, in another family, the species of
Stercorarius; all of which species pass through, or
acquire at times, different plumages, one of which is fulig-
inous. Let one attempt to study Procellariide, and he
will find, amid a few pretty definitely ascertained facts,
an immense mass of heterogeneous, indigestible data,
affording ample ground for speculative hypotheses, which
are incapable alike of proof or denial, since the key-note
whereby they may be harmonized has not as yet been
struck.

(304)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 51

Procellaria pelagica Linn. — Stormy Petrel. ( Thalas-
sidroma pelagica Vigors, and most authors.) Of irregu-
lar and somewhat rare occurrence off the coast. (Omit-
ted from Sam., O. O.)

Oceanites oceanica Coues. — Wilson's Petrel. (Thalas-
sidroma Wilsonii of authors.) Common off the coast. I
find no recorded instances of its breeding, although most
probably it does so. It is a cosmopolitan species.

No. 1138, 9. Salem Harbor, Essex Co. Capt. B. B. Neal, August,
1855.

Cymochorea leucorrhoa Coues.—Leach’s Petrel. ( Tha-
lassidroma Leachii of authors.) Resident. The most
abundant Petrel, being of very common occurrence along
the whole coast. “ Breeds abundantly from Mount Desert
to Grand Menan ” ( Verr., p. 24). Accidental in the in-
terior. (Springfield, Mass., AU., p. 80.)

LARIDÆ.

Buphagus Skua Coues. — Skua Gull. (“Lestris catar-
ractes” of authors.) Said to be of very rare or acci-
dental occurrence along the coast as far north as Massa-
chusetts (Peab., p. 381). But it is not given in any of
the recent lists, and its occurrence is extremely prob-
lematical.

Stercorarius pomarinus Temm. — Pomarine Jager.
Along the coast in winter; not abundant. Known to pro-
ceed as far south, at least, as Pennsylvania. It is oftener
seen farther north.

Stercorarius parasiticus Gray.— Arctic Jager. Not
rare off the coast in winter. Most numerous in the more
northern portions of the continent.

This is the Lestris Richardsonii of Audubon, and of
the earlier American writers; but not the species or vari-
ety so named by Swainson. The true Richardsonii, as I
have defined it (Pr. A. N. S., Phila., 1863, p. 121), may
possibly visit New England in winter.

Stercorarius Buffonii Coues. — Long-tailed Jäger.
“ Marlingspike.” (©. cepphus Gray, and authors gener-
ally.) Common off the coast in autumn and winter.
(Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

8 (305)

58 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Larus marinus Linn. — Great Black-backed Gull.
“ Saddle-back.” ^" Coffin-carrier.” Winter visitant. Not
abundant. “A few breed." (Bay of Fundy, Boardm.,
p:i31.)

No. 1095, d', adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.
No: 1096; 0, young més). S USE c E

Larus glaucus Brinn.—Glaucous Gull. “ Burgomaster.”
"Ice-Gull." Very rare winter visitant. (Omitted from
Sam. O.. 0.)

Larus leucopterus Faber. —White-winged Gull. Win-
ter visitant. Not abundant. (Omitted from Sam.,
OXO:

VA Smithsonianus Coues.—American Herring Gull.
"L. argentatus” of American authors. Resident, Abun-
dant in winter along the whole coast. Breeds in numbers
on the islands off the coast of Maine.

No. 1094, adult. Essex Co. C. D. Saunders, April, 1854.
No. 1189. Salem Harbor, Essex Co., Dec. 28, 1867. By purchase.

Larus Delawarensis Ord. — Ring-billed Gull. Com-
mon off the coast in winter. Some breed. (Omitted
from Sam., O. O.)

Larus Hutchinsii Richardson. (Coues, Pr. Acad. Nat.
Se. Phila., 1862, p. 294.) — Hutchins’ Gull. Snow-
white Gull. Iam much pleased to find in the collection
an excellent example of this species of Richardson's, which
I have recently revived, as above. The specimen agrees
entirely with others in the Smithsonian Institution from
various localities, upon which I based the species. The
bird is rather smaller than glaucus, and pure white all
over, including the wings; the shafts of which are yel-
lowish. On the upper tail coverts and scapulars are some
very faint, nearly obsolete transverse bars of light gray-
ish brown. On the under tail coverts these bars are some-
what better defined. The plumage of the breast and
belly has a slight clouding of grayish, doubtless, with the
bars above mentioned, indicative of immaturity. The
bill is yellow, its terminal third black. The egg and
feet appear to have been dusky flesh-color.

We can avoid recognizing this bird as a valid species
upon only two hypotheses. One is, that it is an albino;

(306)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 59

but that such is the case is purely a matter of conjecture,
and would be an exchange of one doubtful opinion for
another. The other is, that it is an immature stage of
L. glaucus. The color of the bill and some other fea-
tures tend to confirm this latter supposition. I am some-
what familiar with the “theory of variation” which ob-
tains among Gulls during their progress toward maturity ;
but do not now recollect an instance in which the bluish
pearl of the upper parts of those species, which, like
glaucus, finally attain this color, is not apparent at an age
evidently reached by the specimen in question. More-
over, if such a state of plumage as that just described is
a normal stage of glaucus during its adolescence, it is
rather singular that I should have met with no description
of such a condition in my tolerably thorough study of
Larine bibliography. For the present, therefore, I con-
tinue to give credence to the existence of a large pure
white gull, for which I have adopted the above name;
being prepared, however, in view of the extreme uncer-
tainty of all matters ornithological, and especially Larine,
to retire from my position when the first good evidence of
its unsoundness is presented.
No. 1132. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

[NorE. The Larus fuscus is given by Peabody (p. 380) as found off
the coast of Massachusetts, and by Linsley (p. 271) as from Stoning-
ton, Conn. These are, doubtless, erroneous identifications. There is
no good evidence of the occurrence of this European species on our
coasts. ]

Chreecocephalus atricilla Lawr.—Laughing Gull. Res-
ident. Not abundant. “A few breed about the islands.”
(Bay of Fundy, Boardm., p. 181.) Winters sparingly
along southern portions of the coast.

No. 1106, young. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1856.

Chrecocephalus Philadelphia Lawr.—Bonaparte’s Gull.
Common ; resident, except perhaps during the breeding
season. By no means confined to the coast.

No. 1107, young. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1853.

Rissa tridactyla Bon. — Kittiwake. Common winter

resident. Some probably breed off the coast of Maine.

No. 1105, young d, winter. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1854.
No. 1108, adult. Essex Co. Dr. H. K. Oliver, 1854.

The Fork-tailed Gull, Xema Sabinii Leach, doubtless
(307)

60 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

occurs as a rare winter visitant. (Near New York, Lawr.,
p. 299.

Gelochelidon Anglica Bon. — Marsh Tern. (Sterna ar-
anea of American authors.) Of rare and perhaps only
accidental occurrence, in summer. (Emm., p. 55 Putn.,
231; Sam., p. 14; All., p. 90.)

Thalasseus Caspius Boie.— Caspian Tern. A rare win-
ter visitant. “Coast in winter; rare." (Maine, Verr.,
p. 25.) It is known to go considerably farther south.
Mr. Lawrence has it in his New York list.

No. 1194. No locality; a fine example of my var. imperator.

Thalasseus acuflavidus Coues. — American Sandwich
Tern. Of undoubted occurrence in summer on the coast ;
although I do not now recall a record of its capture.

Mr. Peabody (p. 378) gives the “ Sterna cayana” (of
Audubon — regius Gamb.) as a Massachusetts bird, but
entirely upon the statement of Audubon, that he saw it
in Labrador. But Audubon doubtless mistook Caspéus
for it. Still I am of opinion that regius does sometimes
wander as far north as New England. (Near New York,
Lawr., p. 299.)

Sterna hirundo Linn. — Common Tern. Summer res-

ident, breeding abundantly along the coast.

No. 1088, young, d. Essex Co. Dr. H. K. Oliver, 1853.

No. 1092 (probably) ee Ae i E f. F

No. 1090, 1091, immature. Essex Co. S. Jillson, 1854.

No. 78, fledgling, July 24. Sukkertoppen, Greenland. Wiliams
College Lyceum of Natural History, 1864. Either this or the suc-
ceeding species.

Sterna macroura Naum. — Arctic Tern. Abundant.
Resident, breeding and wintering.

No. 1089, 9. Essex Co. C.L. Pierson, 1853.
No. 1093. 6c e FOG n "m

Sterna paradisea Briinn.—Roseate Tern. Common on
the coast in summer, as far north as Massachusetts.
“Breeds plentifully on Muskegat Island, in company
with S. hirundo, macroura, and Antillarum.” (All., in
epist.) The species has usually been held to be rare or
accidental. (Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Sterna Antillarum Coues.—Least Tern. Summer res-
ident. Common. Some breed.

Sterna Forsterii Nutt. — Forsters Tern. <A species

which I do not find recorded, though undoubtedly occur-
(308)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 61

ring in winter. In the plumage of that season it consti-
tutes Audubon's Sterna *Havellii.^ Mr. Lawrence has
specimens from Long Island. It is decidedly a northern
species, probably not breeding within our limits.

Hydrochelidon fissipes Gray.—Short-tailed Tern. Rare
and perhaps occasional, chiefly in the latter part of sum-
mer, and early in autumn.

Haliplana fuliginosa Wagl.— Sooty Tern. A rare and
perhaps only accidental summer visitant as far north as
Massachusetts. “Breeds on Muskegat Island." (E. A.
Samuels, A//., p. 90. Omitted from Sama OTOS)

Rhynchops nigra Linn.—Black Skimmer. Entirely ac-
cidental, if really occurring. (Mass., Himm., p. 6;
Linsl., p. 271; Putn., p. 231; not recognized by other
local authorities.)

COLYMBIDZ.

Colymbus torquatus Brinn. — Loon. Common; resi-
dent. “Occasionally breeds.” (Mass., Sam., p. 14:
Al., p. 80.) Regularly breeds in more northern por-
tions. In southern portions is chiefly found during the
winter.

No. 1097, adult. Essex Co. S. Jillson, May, 1864.

No. 1098, young. “ 4€ cess 1853.

Colymbus arcticus Linn.—Black-throated Loon. Very
rare winter resident. Not known to breed. (Omitted
from Sam., O. O.)

Colymbus septentrionalis Linn. — Red-throated Loon.
Rare winter visitant.

No. 80, adult, Sukkertoppen, Greenland, July 30, 1860. Williams

College Lyceum of Natural History, 1864.
No. 1190, young. Salem, Essex Co. A. F. Bosson, 1863.

INOSITISI. 9. c * Saml. Carlen, Nov., 1866.
No. 189, d. ae CE * J. H. Emerton, Nov. 7, 1866.
Colymbus ———? Unidentifiable.

No. 77, nestling. Sukkertoppen, Greenland, July 31, 1860. Wil-
liams College Lyceum of Natural History, 1864.

PODICIPIDA.
Podiceps Holbollii* Reinhardt. (P. rubricollis or gri-

* See my Review of the Loons and Grebes of North America, in the
Proc. A. N. S., Phila., 1862, p. 226.

(309)

62 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

seigena of American writers. )—Red-necked Grebe. Com-
mon. Chiefly winter resident, but some doubtless breed.

No.1147, 9. Essex Co. William Patterson.
No. 1150. a * — A. F. Bosson.

Podiceps cristatus Lath. — Crested Grebe. Common
winter resident. Some breed in Maine. (Calais, Boardm.,
puto.)

Podiceps cornutus Lath. — Horned Grebe. Common
winter resident. But many breed, particularly in more
northern portions.

No. 1148, young 9. Essex Co. A. F. Bosson.
No. 1149, [11 [11 és [11

Podilymbus podiceps Lawr. — Dabchick. Common;
resident, but chiefly occurs in spring and fall.
No.1444, 9. Essex Co. R. Brookhouse.

ALCIDJE.

The Great Auk, Alca impennis, formerly existed in
New England. For an interesting account of the dis-
covery, by Prof. Wyman, of its remains at Mt. Desert,
and at Crouch's Cove, Me., see Am. Nat., i, p. 578.
Audubon states that it used to occur on the coast of Mas-
sachusetts. *

Utamania torda Leach.—Razor-billed Auk. “Tinker.”
Chiefly a winter visitant, and common. Resident in more
northern portions, breeding about the Bay of Fundy.
(Boardm., p. 1381; Verna p. 25.)

No. 83, adult. Labrador. Williams College Lyceum of Natural
History, 1864.

Fratercula arctica U1.—Puftin. “Sea Parrot." Chiefly
a winter visitant, and not uncommon. Some breed about
the Bay of Fundy. (Boardm., p. 131; Verr., p. 25.)

No. 81. Caribou Isl., Lab. Williams College Lyceum of Natural
History, 1864.

The Large-billed Puffin, F. glacialis, has been accred-
ited to Grand Menan, by Audubon, and included, upon
his authority, in some of the local lists. But its occur-
rence is at best extremely problematical. (Cf. my mon-

* This statement has been corroborated by the finding of a humerus
of the Great Auk in the Shell-heaps at Ipswich, by Prof. Baird, in
August last. — F. W. P.

(310)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 63

ograph of the Alcide, p. 24.) Audubon’s “glacialis ” is
the corniculata Naum., a North Pacific species, not re-
corded from the Atlantic.

Lunda cirrhata Pallas. — Tufted Puffin. Said to be
of very rare occurrence in winter off the coast of Maine.
Near Calais, Me., (Boardm., p. 132; Verr., p. 25.
Grand Menan. Audubon. Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Uria grylle Lath. — Black Guillemot. “Sea Pigeon.”
Resident in more northern portions, breeding abundantly
on the rocky islands; a common winter visitant along
more southern portions of the coast.

No. 1139, 9, winter. Nahant, Essex Co. S. Jillson, Dec., 1855.

No. 1146, winter. [21 [21 ce [11 [11 [11 [11

No. 1140. Essex Co. By purchase, 1864.

No. 82, summer. Labrador. Williams College Lyceum of Nat-
ural History, 1864.

Lomvia troille* Brandt. | ( Colymbus troille L. Gm. —
Uria troille Lath., and most European writers : — Catar-
rhactes troille Bryant. —Cepphus lomvia Pallas. — Uria
lomvia Brünnich; and of Cassin, in Baird's B. N. A.,
p. 918. — Uria troile, Putn., p. 222. Not of Giraud, B.
L. I., p. 376. — Uria lomvia, Sam., p. 14; Aud., pl. 218,
fig. 2. — Not the Alca lomvia Linn.— American and
European bird considered identical.) — Common winter
resident. Some breed, towards the northern portions.
(* Murre Ledges,” Boardm., p. 131).

Lomvia ringvia Brandt. (Uria ringvia Brünnich, and
U. alga Brünnich; — leucophthalmus Faber, leucopsis
Brehm, /achrymans Choris., and some European wri-
ters; troile of Giraud's Birds of Long Island, p. 376;
Audubon's pl. 218, fig. 1.) — This is the species, or
variety, with the white ring around, and white line
behind, the eye. Winter visitant; probably some breed
with the preceding species.

* The three North American species of Lomvia have been so often
confounded, and their synonymy is in such a state of confusion,
that to enable one to know what species is referred to under a given
name, it is absolutely necessary to introduce some synonymes. The
reader is referred to my Monograph of the Alcidze, Proceedings
of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, Jan., 1868, for
further information upon the subject. Dr. Bryant’s excellent mono-
graph of the genus Catarrhactes, in the Proceedings of the Boston
Society of Natural History for 1861, should also be consulted.

(311)

64 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Lomvia Svarbag Coues.—Brünnich's Guillemot. (Alca
lomvia, Linn.— Catarrhactes lomvia Bryant. — Uria troille
and Svarbag, Brinn. Not troille of Linnseus. Cepphus
arra, Pallas. Uria arra, or Uria Brünnichii of most
authors. Putn., p. 222; Cassin, B. N. ADPT
Uria Francsii Leach, Giraud, p. 377; Peab., p. 400.) —
The thick-billed species, figured by Audubon, pl. 345.
Common winter resident. Found as far south as New
Jersey. Not known to breed within the limits of New
England. (Omitted from Sam., O. O.)

Nos. 1148, 1192, winter. Essex Co.

Mergulus alle Vieill. — Sea Dove. " Dovekie." Com-
mon winter resident. Not known to breed within the
limits of New England.

Nos. 191, 1136, 1137, adults, winter. Essex Co.

ADDENDA.

Strix pratincola Bon. — Barn Owl. This rather south-
ern species has only recently been authenticated as occur-
ring in New England. “The first and only specimen I
ever knew taken in New England was killed near Spring-
field, Mass., about the last of May, of the present year."
(J. A. ALLEN, MS.) Mr. Lawrence includes it in his
New York list.

Turdus nevius Gm.— Varied Thrush. This Pacific
species has at length been authenticated as a straggler in
New England. “A specimen was shot near Boston in
December, 1864." (J. A. ALLEN, MS.) For other in-
stances of its occurrence in the Atlantic States, see Baird,
B..N. A., pp. xxi, 219; Cabot, Proc. B. So Ne aie
p. 17; Allen, p. 82; Lawrence, p. 281.

Mr. Allen informs me that he has carefully examined
the specimen of supposed Turdus nanus, recorded by Mr.
Samuels (Am. Nat., ii, p. 214), and found it to be only
an unusually small, bright colored, immature example of
T. Swainsonii!

Hesperiphona vespertina. Add to the record of this
species at Woodstock, Canada, Mr. Lawrence's notice of

(312)

COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 65

its occurrence near New York. Stragglers will probably
in time be found in New England.

The Golden Eagle (Aguila Canadensis) has been
known to breed in Franconia, N. H. (Dr. Brewer.)

I am indebted to Mr. Allen for the following mem-
oranda : —

Carpodacus purpureus. — Now not at all rare in south-
ern New England in summer.

Passerculus savanna. — Found breeding plentifully all
along the Massachusetts coast; not yet observed in sum-
mer in the Connecticut valley.

Coturniculus Henslowii. — Séveral late instances of its
capture in Massachusetts. It seems to be a regular but
rare summer visitant. Several nests have been found.

Zonotrichia leucophrys. — Hardly to be considered,
Mr. Allen thinks, as “usually common.”

Junco hyemalis. — Breeds plentifully in certain local-
ities among the mountains of western Massachusetts.

Spizella monticola.—No authentic instance of its breed-
ing in Massachusetts. The record of its breeding (Proc.
B. S. N. H., v, 213,) proves to be erroneous. Mr. Sam-
uels informed Mr. Allen that the nest and eggs there
referred to really belonged to ©. socialis.

Melospiza melodia. — Has been observed in winter at
Cambridge, Mass.

M. palustris. — Mr. Allen has not seen this species in
Massachusetts except during its migrations.

M. .Lincolnii. — Mr. S. Jillson has taken this species
at Hudson, in May, 1867.

Cardinalis Virginianus. — Four specimens were taken
at one time at Springfield, two or three years since.

Squatarola helvetica. — A few straggling individuals
were seen in June on the coast of Massachusetts ; but the
species is not properly to be considered as a summer
resident.

Arquatella maritima. — A few individuals of this spe-
cies, and also of Zyacophilus solitarius, Actodromas
Bonapartei, and A. minutilla, were seen in June and July

9 (313)

66 COUES, BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

along the coast of Massachusetts; but none of them
appeared to be breeding. |

Mergus Americanus, M. serrator, and Lophodytes cucul-
latus, all breed in Maine as far south as Umbagog Lakes,
where eggs and young have been procured. Mr. Allen
thinks that Audubon had good grounds for his statement
that M. Americanus breeds in Massachusetts.

ERRATA.

Page 266, under Turdus Pallasii, for No. 562 read 552.

Page 273, under Dendreca pina, for No. 82 read 1197, and for No.
510, d, read 510, 9.

Page 279, under Certhia Americana, for No. 263 read 363.

Page 284, under Pipilo erythrophthalmus, for No. 557 read 567.

Page 293, under Philohela minor, for No. 1040 read 1042.

Page 295, under Symphemia semipalmata, for 1040 read 1041.

(314)

TIN I) EX

OF

FAMILIES AND SPECIES.

[The paging referred to is that given in parenthesis at the foot of the page, which

is the regular paging of Volume V. of the Proceedings, Essex Institute. ]

A.
Accipiter Cooperii,
fuscus,
Actiturus Bartramius,
Actodromas Bonapartei,
maculata, .
minutilla,
JEgialitis melodus,
semipalmatus,
vociferus,
Wilsonius,
JEgiothus canescens, .
exilipes, .
fuscescens,
linarius, .
ZEstrelata Cookii,
fuliginosa,
Lessonii,
mollis, . -
Ageleus pireuieeus, :
Aix sponsa,
Alaudidz,
Alea lomvia,
impennis,
Alcide,
Ammodromus caudaeutus,
maritimus,
Ampelids, . 5 :
Ampelis cedrorum, ;
garrulus,
Anas boschas, :
obscura,
Anatidz,

Ancylocheilus subarquatus, ` :

Anser cerulescens,
Gambelii,
hyperboreus,

Anorthura hyemalis, .

Anthus Ludovicianus,

Antrostomus vociferus,

Aquila Canadensis,

Archibuteo lagopus,

Saneti-J ohamnis,

Ardea herodias, .

Ardeide,

Ardetta exilis, :

Arquatella maritima,

Astragalinus tristis,

Astur atricapillus,

293, 31:

?

in :

Athene hypogæa, 5 :
Aythya Americana, :
vallisneria,

B.
Bernicla brenta, : :
Canadensis,
Hutchinsii,
leucopsis, .
nigricans,
Bonasaumbella, .
Botaurus lentiginosus,
Brachyotus Cassinii, c
Bubo Virginianus, 5 .
Bucephala albeola, :
Americana,
Islandica,
Buphagus Skua, . s
Buteo Bairdii, . : >
borealis,
elegans, .
Harlanii,
lineatus, . .
montanus, 5
Pennsylvanicus, .
Swainsonii, Š G
Butorides virescens,

C.
Calidris arenaria,

Camptolemus Labradorius, 3

Caprimulgidze,
Cardinalis V. irginianus, :
Carpodacus purpureus,
Catarrhaetes troille,
Cathartes atratus,
aura,

Centrocercus urophasianus,
Centurus Carolinus,
Cepphus arra,

lomvia,

258 | Certhia Americana,

Certhiide, .

Ceryle alcyon,

Cheetura pelasgia,
Charadriid:z, ;
Charadrius Virginicus,
Chaulelasmus streperus,
Chondestes grammacus,

311, 312

Chordeiles popetue, .
Chreecephalus atricilla, .
Philaqelpiia;:
Chrysomitris pinus, .
Circus Hudsonicus, r
Cistothorus palustris, ó
stellaris, .
Coccygus Americanus,

er ythrophthalmus,

Colaptes auratus,
Mexicanus,
Collurio borealis,
excubitoroides, .
Ludovicianus,

Colopteride, ; :

Columbide, . 5 : .

Colymbidz,

Colymbus arcticus,
septentrionalis,
torquatus, .
troille,

Contopus borealis,
virens,

Corvidæ, 3

Corvus Americanus,

carnivorus, . .
ossifragus, .

Coturniculus Henslowi ii,

passerinus,

Cotyleriparia, . C c

Cuculide,

Curvirostra Americana, '

leucoptera, .

Cupidonia cupido, ;

Cyanospiza cyanea, 5

Cyanura cristata,

Cymochorea leucorrhoa,

Cygnus Americanus,

musicus,

Cypselidæ,

D.
Dafila acuta,
Daption Capensis, £
Demiegretta Ludoviciana,
Dendreca estiva, :
Blackburniz,
Canadensis,
castanea,
cerulea,
cerulescens,
coronata, .
discolor,
dominica, .
maculosa,
palmarum,
Fennsylyanica;
pensilis,
pina, 4
striata,
superciliosa,
virens, : ;
chlororhyncha,
culminata, .
exulans, À
Dolichonyx oryzivorus, .

E.
Ectopistes migratorius, .
Empidonax Ac adicus,
flaviventris,

Diomedea

68

. 282, 313

t2
~-
es
r2
-1
Ew

Empidonax minimus
Traillii,
Eremophila cornuta, . :
Ereunetes pusillus, B:
Erismatura rubida,
Eurinorhynchus pygmeus,
Euspiza Americana, .

E;
Falcinellus Ordii,
Falco æsalon,
anatum, . .
aurantius, . : .
buteoides,
candicans, .
cinereus, .
columbarius, .
Groenlandicus,
Harlanii,
hyemalis,
Islandicus, :
Labradora, .
nigriceps,
perigrinus,
Sacer,
Sancti-J ‘ohannis,
sparverius, ; .
temerarius, . .
Falconidz, . : : .

j| Florida czrulea,

Fratercula arctica, . .
corniculata, .
glacialis,

Fringilla ambigua, . .

savannarum,

Fringillide, : 5

Fulica Americana,

Fulix affinis, .

collaris,
marila,

Fulmarus glacialis,

Gallinago Wilsonii,

Gallinula galeata, : $
martinica, .

Gambetta flavipes, . :
melanoleuca,

Garzetta candidissima,
Gelochelidon Anglica, .
Geothlypis Philadelphia,
trichas, .
Glottis Floridana,
Graculus carbo, f
dilophus,
Gruidæ, ;
Grus Americanus,
Canadensis, :
Guiraca czrulea, 5 a
Ludoviciana,

Hamatopodidz, . 5
Hzmatopus palliatus,
Halcyonide, 5 .
Haliztus leucocephalus,
Washingtonii, ,
Haliplana fuliginosa,
Harelda glacialis,
Harporhynchus rufus,

65! Helmitherus Swainsonii,

69

Helmitherus vermivorus, . : 270 | Mergellus albellus, .

Helminthophaga celata, . é + 271| Mergulus alle, E ó
chrysoptera 6 271 | Mergus Americanus, , : 301, 314
peregrina, . . 270 serrator, . 901, 314
pina, . 0 271 | Micropalama himantopus,
ruficapilla, ` : . 270| Milvulus tyrannus, . :
Herodias egretta, . E : 289 | Mimus Carolinensis, A :
Hesperiphona vespertina, . . 980, 312 polyglottus,
Hierofalco, : c : 255 | Miniotilta varia, 5
a euopus nigricollis, _ : : . 292| Molothrus pecoris,
Hirundinide, . c A : . 275 | Motacillidz, c ; `
Hirundo horreorum, . . â . 215| Muscicapa minuta, . :
Histrionicus torquatus, . ò : 300 | Myiarchus crinitus, à : E
Hydrochelidon fissipes, . ^ . 309| Myiodioctes Canadensis, . 2:246
Hylotomus pileatus, : 5 5 262 minuta, o 0
Hypotriorchis, . . : . . 255 mitratus, ^
i pusillus,
Ibis alba, . ` E - JE 297 N.
rubra, . : E : : . 291| Nettion Carolinensis, . s : :
Icteria viridis, . 4 > : 0270 crecca, 5 : - :
Icteridz, 3 > = . 285| Numenius borealis, . E 2 3
Icterus Baltimorensis, 5 5 : 285 Hudsonieus, .
Spurius, . . . . 285 longirostris,
Nyctale Acadica,
J. albifrons, .
Junco hyemalis, É E . 282, 313 Richardsonii,
Nyctea nivea, .
L. Nyctherodius violaceus,
Lagopide, . ^ A : . . 989| Nyctiardea Gardenii, .
Lagopus albus, : : : : 289
Laniide, : R : : o TEE O.
Lanius Carolinensis, s : : 277 | Oceanites oceanica, . -
Laridz, 3 5 : . 305| CEdemia Americana, 5 :
Larus argentatus, à : . . . 306 | Oporornis agilis, . ó
Delawarensis, . 0 : . 906 formosa, . 5
fuscus, . . . . . . 807 Ortyx Virginiana, : : . 287,
glaucus, . . : : . 306, 307 | Ossifraga gigantea, . 3
Hutehinsii, . : : : 306 | Otus Wilsonianus,
leucopterus, . 2 - . 3806
marinus, z - 5 . 306 :
Smithsonianus, A : . 306| Pandion Carolinensis,
Lepturus candidus, : . . 302| Paride, : o
Lestris catarractes, . > - . 305| Parula Americana,
Richardsonii, . : . . 805 | Passerculus alaudinus, - ]
Limosa Edwardsii, . : : . 996 savanna, : 292817
fedoa, . . > b : 296 | Passerella iliaca,
Hudsonica, . E : . 996 obscura,
Linaria canescens, . t 5 > 281 | Pedicecetes Columbianus, ' :
Lobipes hyperboreus, 5 B . 292 phassianellus,
Lomvia ringvia, : : 5 z 311 | Pelecanidæ, z
Svarbag, : : S . 311 | Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, . :
troille, : : . : 311 trachyrhynchus, .
Lophophanes bicolor, : : . 219| Pelidna Americana, . 5
Lophodytes cucullatus, . . 301, 314 | Pelionetta perspicillata,
Lophortyx eentomieus, : : . 288 | Perdicide,
Lunda cirrhata, : : > 311| Perissoglossa tigrina,
Perisoreus Canadensis, :
M. Petrochelidon lunifrons, 5
Macrorhamphus griseus, c : 293 | Phaeton æthereus, 5
scolopaceus, . . 293 flavirostris,
Majaqueus zquinoctialis, - 5 304 | Pheetonide, .
Mareca Americana - z : . 999 Phalacrocoracidz, c
Penelope, . . 299 | Phalaropodide,
Melanerpes erythrocephalus, > . 263 | Phalaropus fulicarius,
Melanetta velvetina, . d 300 | Philohela minor, . : :
Meleagris gallopavo, . E : . 288 | Philomachus pugnax,
Mexicana, : o 288 | Pheebertia tuuginosa,
Melospiza Lincolnii, . . ; 283, 313 | Picide, l
melodia, . c D 283, 313 Picoides arcticus, ;
palustris, . : z 283, 313 hirsutus,

Picus Phillipsii,
pubescens,
villosus, . È
Pipilo erythrophthalmus,
Pinicola Canadensis, .

Plectrophanes Lapponicus, "

nivalis,
Podiceps cornutus, .
eristatus, ..
griseigena,
Holboli, .
rubricollis,
Podicipide, .
Podilymbus podiceps,
Peecile atricapillus,
Hudsonicus,
Polioptila cerulea,
Pocecetes gramineus,
Porzana Car olina,
Novieboracensis,
Priofinus cinereus,
Procellaria pelagica,
Procellariidz,
Progne subis, -
Protonotaria citrea,
Puffinus Anglorum,
carneipes,
cinereus,
creatopus,
fuliginosus,
Kuhlii,
major,
sphenurus,
Pyranga zstiva,
n. n :
Pyrgita domestica, .

Querquedula discors,
Quiscalus baritus,

major, ~
versicolor,
R.
Rallidæ, -
Rallus cr epitans, '
elegans,

Virginianus,
Recurvirostra Americana,
Recurvirostrid:e,

Regulus calendulus,
cristatus,
satrapus,
tricolor,

Rhyacophilus solitari ius,

Rhynchops nigra,

Rissa tridactyla, .

S.
Saxicola œnanthe,
Saxicolidæ,
Sayornis fuscus, :

Scolecophagus ferrugineus, :

Scolopacide,

Scolopax rusticola,

Scops asio,

Seirurus auroc apillus,
Ludovicianus,
Nov:eboracensis,

Setophaga ruticilla, .

Sialia sialis, A

Sitta Canadensis,

70

261

279

305

304

Sitta Carolinensis . à -
Somateria mollissima,
spectabilis,
Spatula clypeata,
Sphyrapicus varius,
Spizella monticola,
pusilla,
socialis, 5
Squatarola helvetica,
Steganopus Wilsonii, . ?
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, .
Stercorarius Buffonii,
cepphus, .
parasiticus,
pomarinus,
Sterna Antillarum,
Sterna aranea, .
Cayana,
Forsterii,
Havellii,
hirundo,
macroura,

Paradisea, . : :

regius,

Strepsilas SECEDE,

Strigidze,

Strix Americana,
arctica,
pratincola
scandiaca,

Sturnella magna,

Sula bassana, : =

fiber, . -

Sulide,

Surnia ulula,

Sylvia auricollis,
autumnalis, .
Childrenii,
flava,
montana, .
pardalina,
petechia, .
pes :

Rathbonize,

Rosce, . E r

rubricapilla,
solitaria,
sphagnosa,
trochilus,
2| Sylvicola parus, .
Sylvicolidæ,
Sylviidæ, T
Symphemia semipalmata,
Syrnium cinereum,
nebulosum,

m
Tachycineta pikoler; :
Tanagridz,
Tetrao Canadensis, -
Tetraonide, :
'Thalasseus acuflavidus,
Caspius,
Thalassidroma Leachii,
pelagica,
Wilsonii,
Thryothorus Bewickii,
Thryothorus Ludovicianus,
Totanus glottis, :
Tringa alpina,
canutus,
Cooperii, .

259,

Tringa pectoralis, . .
platyrhyncha,
Schinzil, å

Tringoides macularius,

Trochilidæ, E

Trochilus colubris,

Troglodytes don, .

ZUIOIGRBU, -

'Troglodytid:e, Š

Tryngites HEC EE k

Turdidæ,

Turdus Àliciæ,
fuscescens, .

migratorius,
minor
mustelinus,
nævius,
nanus,
Pallasii,
solitarius,
Swainsonii, .
Wilsonii, 5

Tyrannus Carolinensis, .

verticalis,

U.
Ulula mengmalmii,
Uria alga, . :
arra,

9

266,

71

294
295
294
295
263
263
278
278
278
296
265
267
267
265
266
266
312
312
266
266
312
266
264
264

260
dll
312

Uria Brünnichii,
Fr ranchi,
grylle,
lachrymans, :
leucophthalmus,
leucopsis,
lomvia,
ringvia,
Svarbag,
troille,
Utamania torda,

NIS

Vireo flavifrons,

Vireonide,

Vireo Novzebor acensis,
olivaceus, .
gilvus,
solitari nns s
Philadelphicus,

Vulturidz,

Zenedura Carolinensis,
Zonotrichia albicollis,
leucophrys,

Xema Sabinii,

REFERENCE

Vultures, .
Falcons, Hawks, Buzzards and

Woodpecker S,

Humming Bird,

Swift, .

Night Hawk and Whippoor will,
Kingfisher,

Flycatchers, King Bird, Pewees,

Robin, Thrushes,
Mocking Bird,

Tit Lark,

Blue Bird and Chat,

Kinglets, 5

Warblers, etc.,

Tanagers,

Swallows,

Wax-wings,

Shrikes,

Vireos,

Wrens, .

Nuthatches and Titmice,

TARE . 3 é

Grosbeaks, Finches, Linnets,
Crossbills, Bunte and Spar-
rows, : ;

Cat Bird and

TO COMMON NAMES.

Black Birds, Orioles, Grackles,
Cow Bird, Bobolink ang Meade
ow Lark,

Crows and Jays,

Pigeons and Doves,

Grouse, >

Quail,

Ptarmigan,

Crane, :

Herons and Bitterns,

Plovers,

Oyster-catcher ‘and "Turnstone,

A voset and Stilt, :

Phalaropes, .

Saud eee Snipe, Woodcock and
Curlew,

Rails, Marsh Hens, Gallinules,

Swan, Geese, Ducks, Teal, etc.,

Pelicans, : :

>| Cormorants,

Tropic Birds, E

Albatros, Petrels
waters,

Gulls and Terns,

Loons, . :

Grebes, .

Auks, Puffins and Guillemots,

‘Also see * Addenda,”

and Shear-

M :

297-301

287
282
282, 313

307

bob

286-

oo oo
BLESS

bo Es
go oo

oO

296-7

302
302
302

302-5
305-9
309
310
310-14
312-21

f > TN

24.

„$ 4
m ELT

Et

n

T
k
ps
AN o
b
4
1
4 H
RESET

TN t
fa
] "EA
PELA.
f
ur

í
, wor LI «
Y data » Y
à
v
bd
»! "
is D }
r i
ta
,
E UM
, ` i
E m
, i

A ‘ E
a Lon d
6
A n
"s
2
jM i '
nit
j LI \

n)

19 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF FORT MACON, N. C., AND
VICINITY. (No.1.)

BY ELLIOTT COUES.

During two years! residence in this locality, I paid some atten-
tion to the zoology and botany of the vicinity, and the information
obtained may be of some value to others besides myself The
present paper, in which mammals, birds, and reptiles are noticed,
may be followed by one or more treating of the fishes, insects,
marine invertebrates, and plants.

I. MAMMALS.
Lynx rufus, Raf.

Occasional.
Vulpes virginianus, Rich.
Putorius vison, Gapper.
Lutra canadensis, Sabine.

These three, but especially the mink, are common, and, with the
first-named and the following species, represent the fur-bearing
animals of the immediate vicinity which are of commercial conse-
quence.

Procyon lotor, Storr.

Syn. P. lotor var. Mexicana, St. Hilaire, Voy. Venus, I, 1855, p. 25, pl.
6.—P. Hernandezii, Wagler, Isis, xxiv, 1831, p. 514.— P. Hernandezii
var. Mexicana, Baird, Mamm. N. A. 1857, p. 219.— P. nivea, Gray,
Mag. Nat. Hist., I, 1837, p. 580 (Albino).— P. psora, Gray, Ann. Mag.
N. H. x, 1842, p. 261 (mutilated). — ** Procyon gularis, Smith, Int.
Mamm. Jard. Nat. Lib., xiii, 1842, 222° (fide Baird).

A common animal, in the wooded portions of the vicinity.

Residing for several years in different Southern States, where
the Raccoon is either common or very abundant, I became familiar
with its variations in size, color, etc., and feel sure that these are
as great as those differences held to distinguish a western from
the eastern form. Although I do not assign the above synonymy
from direct comparison of specimens from the different localities
(as I saw none in New Mexico, Arizona, or California), I am con-
fident it is correct, provided P. Hernandezii, etc., do not differ
from lofor in any other points than those given in descriptions of

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 13

the authors above quoted. As Mr. Allen! holds, and probably
has shown, all the features believed to distinguish the western
raccoons may be discovered in examination of sufliciently exten-
sive series of eastern ones. Dr. Gray's two species are not differ-
ent, according to that author's subsequent admission.

Cariacus virginianus, Gray.

Common, almost to be called abundant in wooded portions of
the main land near the coast, and said, upon good authority, to
occur in the wooded part of the Banks. During the autumn and
winter, venison is not much more expensive than beef, a fact
attesting the above statements.

* Balena cisarctica, Cope.

An individual, which I rather suppose than know to be of this
species, was taken in May, 1869, off Shackleford. It measured
about forty-five feet in total length. The fishermen called it a
“right whale.” Besides this kind, they spoke of two others, that
they occasionally captured, under the names of “Scrag” and
“Humpback” (Agaphilus sp? and Megaptera sp?). They usually
take two or three each spring. Remains of whales, as the jaw-
bones, shoulder-blades, humeri, and especially vertebree, are strewn
abundantly along the beach.

Delphinus Sp.

At least one species of porpoise is very abundant in and about
the harbor, and I think that a second, smaller and darker than
the other, is of frequent occurrence. They are to be seen at all
times, but are most abundant in spring and fall, during the
migration of the fish upon which they prey; and in April and
May, during the pairing season, they become especially conspi-
cuous in their amatory gambols. The sexual act is frequently
witnessed, and may be recognized at a distance by the reversed
position of one of the pair, and the smoothing of the surface of
the water by the wasted emissions. The great voracity of the
porpoises is evident in their pursuit of schools of fish, some of
which are often driven out of the water, only to fall back into
the open jaws of the pursuers. The animals are sometimes taken
for their oil, in nets made especially for the purpose, but are not

! Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., No. 8, pp. 182-3.

1871.]

14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

often molested, and usually show entire fearlessness of the near-
ness of man.

Remains of some cetacean (not a whale), about seventeen feet
long, were east upon the beach during a storm in October last,
but identifieation was impossible, owing to the advanced stage of
decay.

Lasiurus cinereus, Allen.
Occasional specimens, in summer.

L. noveboracensis, Gray.

Very abundant in summer, and appearing to live mostly in and
about the fort itself, as far as the eastern extremity of the island
is concerned ; other suitable hiding-places not being in plenty.

Scalops aquaticus, Fischer.
Occasional traces of this animal’s presence in the loose soil
between the sand-hills and the marsh.

Sciurus carolinensis, Gmelin.’

Very abundant in all the wooded vicinity.

Mus decumanus, Pallas.
M. musculus, Linn.

Everywhere about the fort and other settlements.

Fiber zibethicus, Cuvier.
Common.

Lepus sylvaticus, Bach,

One specimen from the neighboring island of Shackleford—the
only one I ever saw in the vicinity. I scarcely think that it
occurs on Dorden, where the next species abounds.

L. palustris, Bach,

The most abundant and characteristic mammal of the island.

I gave some account of this species, in the Proceedings of the
Boston Natural History Society for 1869 (p. 89), and have little
to add to what there appears, or may be gathered from Audubon's
and Bachman’s article.

The animal sometimes reproduces in April, more commonly in
May, and thence during part of the summer; I do not know
whether more than one litter is reared, but think such is the case.
The nest is a snug, pretty affair, in a tussock of rank grass or

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 15

weeds, or little shrubby patch, in a dry situation. It is sunk a
little in the ground, then arched over, with an opening on one side;
built of dried grasses, mixed with a few leaves, and warmly lined
with the animal's own fur. All those I have seen were so far
from water as to be out of reach of any possible rise of the tide.

This appears to be the most distinct of the several species
closely related to the foregoing; and is in fact distinguishable on
sight, as some of the others are not.

Didelphys virginiana, Shaw.
Syn. D. californica, Bennett, P. Z. S., i, 1833, p. 40.— D. breviceps, Id.,
ibid.—D. pruinosa, Wagner, Suppl. Schreber, iii, 1843, p. 40.

Abundant in the wooded portions of the vicinity.

Having made this animal a special study, I am in position to
offer remarks which cannot be reasonably questioned. Although
my investigations were rather anatomical than zoological, I did
not neglect the latter portion of the subject. The more speci-
mens I examined, the more I was struck with the variations that
depend upon sex and age, as well as those that different indi-
viduals corresponding in these conditions present. An examina-
tion of these points in the natural history of a single animal, may
give results of general application. And yet, in calling attention
to the variability of the opossum, I do not wish to be understood as
supposing that the animal is not as constant as many or most
others; for I believe it to be no exception to a general standard
or average in this respect. I doubt that one could study any
mammal as closely as I have the opossum, without being simi-
larly impressed. The following paragraphs are mainly confined
to consideration of external characters. I can affirm that not
one of the characters assigned to the supposed species above
cited, is not to be found in specimens of D. virginiana from the
same locality ; that the differences indicate individual peculiarities;
and that even upon striking an average of preponderance of certain
charaeters, common to each in various degree, no results will be
obtained warranting the separation of the opossums from the
southwest as even a geographical race or variety. The assertion
is made, it should be understood, upon consideration of descrip-
tions only, without direct comparison of specimens.

Professor Baird remarks (Mex. B. Survey, vol. ii, pt. ii, p. 33),
that “although there are some differences in the skulls of the D.

1811.]

16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

virginiana [and of D. californica], yet I am unable to establish on
them any specific characters. In fact, the variation in the thick-
ness and length of the muzzle in different specimens, in addition
to other points, are so great, as readily to convey the impression
of many more species than really exist." This is certainly true,
and, I think, is speaking within bounds. The author's tables of
measurements of skulls of D. virginiana show a difference of
nearly an inch and a half in total length, in only four specimens;
yet this scarcely represents extremes between the largest old
males and the smallest young (though full-grown) females. I
have skulls before me upon which a person so minded might
base very specious generic characters. "The lateral measurements
of the skull are variably proportionate to the longitudinal ones.
The muzzle is sometimes tumid, at others regularly conie. Some-
times the interparietal crest forms a high arch, at others is only
a direct backward and upward prolongation of the face. This
crest may be only a fourth of an inch, or more than half an inch
above the expanded surface of the parietals, and when so large
it may be partially detached, appearing like an osseous lamina
developed in the fascia separating the masseteric muscles. Gene-
rally, it is in direct proportion to the size and strength of the
individual, and is usually smallest in the female. The zygomatic
arch is very variable in amount of outward curvature. The
ramus of the lower jaw may be nearly upright, or slope backward
so far as to overreach the condyle. It appears to vary with age.
The long lower border of the jaw-bone may form a slight regular
curve, or a strong irregular one. In two specimens before me,
the difference in total length of this bone alone is a full inch, and
the smaller of the two is that of the older animal, as shown by
the stronger ridges and deeper depressions for muscular attach-
ments, and the much-worn teeth. The difference in length between
two canine teeth (both unworn) is a fourth of an inch; the pos-
sessors of these were both adult animals. In general, the tusks
of the male are longer and stronger than those of the female. It
is unnecessary to cite further details. Elimination of all these
and other accidental variations shows how very different a skull
should be, to furnish specific characters.

The length of the tail, compared with the length of the body,
appears to have been relied upon in some instances; but, for
several reasons, it is difficult to predicate anything upon this

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. TT

character. In the first place, it is impossible to always measure
the tail from the same point. There is no visible point of separa-
tion of tail from body ; the latter narrows regularly and gradually
into the former, so that we cannot say where one ends and the
other begins. Measurement from the end of the fur is usually
supposed to be meant; and about where the true fur ends the
scaly plates begin. But it will be quite safe to allow for a varia-
tion of at least two inches in this regard. I have certainly seen
so much difference as this, as well as I could judge. This refers
to external measurements of the animal in the flesh; the dried,
especially if skinned, tail can afford no data whatever. Finally,
appeal to the vertebrz themselves is not infallible, for these may
vary. The first coccygeal vertebra (as I hold it to be) resembles
the others in physical characters, but is really a part of the sacrum,
being anchylosed therewith. At the extremity of the tail, one
vertebra or more may be lost without evident trace. The termi-
nal dozen or more bones have no neural canal, nor any notice-
able parts beyond the impervious centra by which they articulate ;
they resemble the internodes of a digit. The tail is singularly
liable to ulceration upon injury, when one or more bones may
exfoliate from the end, and the subsequent cicatrix be scarcely
recognizable. I met with one such case. It would not be safe
to base a specific difference upon less than three or four inches
in length of tail; and this should be taking age for age of the
animal, of course, and be only declared of specimens measured
in the flesh. In color, the opossum's tail is usually in largest
part whitish or flesh-colored, blotched with a dark livid or
blackish hue toward the base. The degree of blotching and the
shapes of the dark spaces vary with almost every individual.
Sometimes most of the tail is dark colored; sometimes there is
almost no pigment in the scales. Absolutely nothing can be pre-
dieated of this feature.

The ears of this creature are very thin and membranous, and

! It is also highly probable that the coccygeal vertebre normally vary
one or two in number, that is to say, we may find 21, 22, 23 bones, without
any having been lost by accident or disease. This, however, is an opinion
of mine, not an observation. Some small long-tailed animals vary more
than this; e. g., Mr. Allen says (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. No. 8, p. 228) that
Hesperomys leucopus may have from 24-5 to above 30 caudal vertebre.
Other Muride appear to vary quite as much.

1871.]

18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

mostly naked, reminding one of the texture of a bat's wing.
In color, they are like the tail; usually dark, blotched or rimmed
with flesh-color; but they may be wholly blackish or mostly
whitish; it is impossible to base any character upon their colora-
tion. The general shape of the conch may be called pyriform
(base uppermost) or subcircular; but it is not easy to see what
the shape really is, unless the ear is pressed out flat. From their
texture, they shrink and shrivel in drying. I have never seen a
Virginian opossum with so pointed an ear as * D. californicus" is
represented to possess in pl. iii. of the Mexican Boundary Sur-
vey; but if, as I presume, the drawing was made from a dried
specimen, it is not trustworthy in this point, for indeed the true
shape of the ear could have been only guessed at. The ears, like
the tail, are peculiarly subject to disease; and may ulcerate away
entirely, as I have observed in animals kept in confinement; and
this, too, without appreciable general ill-health.

The general body colors are amongst the most variable features.
The variation is largely a matter of individual difference; but
there are certain things that influence it in a general way ; espe-
cially age. The opossum grows gray with age, as a rule; half-
grown ones seen at a little distance give the impression of a
blackish animal; old ones, of a whitish animal. The paws are
particularly variable. Generally, they are among the darkest
parts, and are often quite blackish; frequently, they are as pale
as any other parts. Not to go into tedious particulars in this
connection, I may say, in short, that I have seen no points of
coloration adduced for D. californica that might not be easily
matched out of a dozen individuals of the Eastern species, with
a single exception. To the best of my recollection, I have not
seen aspecimen of Virginiana with paws completely black to the
nails.

Under the circumstances, it seems most probable that a second
species of Didelphys remains to be determined, if occurring
within our limits.

II. BIRDS.

The list is restricted to those species that came under personal
observation on the unwooded portion of the island itself, and on
the waters of the immediate vicinity ; for an exhibit of the strictly
littoral and maritime bird fauna, as distinguished from that of

[ May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 19

the locality at large, seemed to promise the more of real interest.
At the same time it should be remembered, that any of the Pas-
seres, &c., of the wooded main land adjoining, not here noted,
may occasionally stray into the shrubbery of the sand-bars. The
eatalogue of the water birds is believed to be pretty full. Aside
from these, and excepting a few maritime land birds like the Am-
modrami for example, the bird-fauna of the locality appears to
differ from that of the State at large, mainly in the absence during
the breeding season of species that,like the robin and meadow-
lark, pass the summer as well as other seasons in higher parts,
and perhaps, also, in a rather earlier arrival in spring, and later |
departure in the fall, on an average, of the migrants.

Turdus migratorius.
Spring and fall, especially March and November; some winter;
none observed in summer.

Turdus pallasii.

Spring and fall, occasional, in the shrubbery; spec. in Nov.
As elsewhere! noted, this species migrates earlier in the spring
and later in the fall than its nearest allies; and I have no doubt
that it winters in this vicinity.

Turdus alicie.

Like the last, but later in coming; specs. in April and May.

Mimus polyglottus.

Resident; common: but not so abundant as it is inland, and
especially somewhat further south.
Mimus carolinensis.

Resident; common; but most numerous during the migration.

Anthus ludovicianus.
Abundant, in flocks, from early in November till April.

Thryothorus ludovicianus.
Common; resident; mates in March; nests and lays in April;
young obtained May 9.

Telmatodytes palustris.
Abundant, particularly during the migration. It continues in
plenty through part of November at least, and I think that some

! Coues and Prentiss, Smithsonian Report for 1861, p. 404
1871.]

20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

may winter here. No nests were observed, and I doubt that any
breed in this locality, although it is a common summer bird in
Virginia swamps, and I found it breeding in the same latitude
(about 35? N.) in the West.

Cistothorus stellaris.

One specimen, October 11, 1869, the only time that I ever saw
the bird alive.

Geothlypis trichas.

The most abundant and characteristic of its family, in summer;
and I presume, but do not feel sure, that some pass the winter
here. They arrive in numbers during the latter part of March
and early in April, when many of them have not acquired their
full dress. They begin to sing almost immediately, and many
nest in April. Young birds may be seen early in May, along
with the first broods of the Carolina wren, and from that time
until August. The species remains plentiful through part of
November.

Parula americana.

Only occasional during the migration (one spec. in September).

Dendroeca coronata.

Very abundant in winter ; complementing the yellow-throats at
that season. "They arrive late in October; become more nume-
rous the following month, and remain until the last of March or
early part of April, frequenting the shrubbery in flocks with the
savanna sparrows. None were observed to have gained their
full plumage before leaving.

Dendroeca discolor.

Arriving late in April, these birds become very numerous in
May, when nearly every patch of juniper and clump of bushes
has one or more in full song, and continually foraging for winged
insects, which they catch in the air with great adroitness. The
greater number pass north to breed, but many remain during the
summer, especially in thinly wooded sandy tracts of the neigh-
borhood.

Dendroeca striata.

Occasional, in the shrubbery, during the migration.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 21

Dendroeca palmarum.
Rather frequent, particularly late in the fall, in low shrubbery,
with the sparrows.

Progne purpurea.
Common, March to October; as many as can find accommoda-
tion breed about the fort.

Hirundo horreorum.,
During the migration only; then abundant.

Hirundo bicolor.

Abundant during the migration. Numbers made their appear-
ance January 11, 1870, on a warm day, though there had been
ice a half inch thick two days before. They almost immediately
disappeared during some blustering weather, but reappeared in
greater numbers than before on the 20th, and were occasionally
seen from that time until the regular migration took place, in
April.

Cotyle riparia.
During the migration.

Vireo noveboracensis.
Common summer resident of the shrubbery, April—October.

Vireo olivaceus.
Occasionally seen, during the migration.

Pyranga estiva.
Frequent, in summer.

Chrysomitris tristis.

Common, in flocks, from November to April. Here it spends
much of its time on the ground, feeding apparently in greatest
part upon the seeds of Cenchrus tribuloides.

—

Passerculus savanna.

The characteristic sparrow; very abundant everywhere out-
side the marsh itself, from October to May; none remain through
the summer. Its numbers do not perceptibly decrease until the
middle of April, when the greater part move northward; but
loiterers are seen through most of May. "Their earliest connected
notes are heard late in March; and they are in full song and

1871.]

29 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

plumage before they leave. Some straggle back in September;
more arrive in October, and the full complement appears with
the first cold weather of November.

Zonotrichia albicollis.
Only occasional, in winter and during the migrations; although
very abundant on the neighboring mainland.

Melospiza melodia. a
Common ; resident; but most numerous from October to April,
as most of them pass northward for the summer.

Melospiza palustris.

Common; resident, I think, as I saw them after May, although
I did not observe them through either of the two summers.
They seemed most plentiful in November, when many were sing-
ing. The ordinary chirp of this species is totally different from
that, of the last. A timid bird, courting the seclusion of the
thick bushes that border the marsh, it forms a sort of connecting
link between the two last species that frequent open grassy
places and sparse shrubbery, and the two next, that are confined
to the marsh itself.

Ammodromus caudacutus.

Living side by side with the next, and with the same general
habits and manners, the sharp-tailed finch nevertheless has some
obvious peculiarities, as compared with the seaside. As the two
species spring up together from the reeds, the sharp-tailed is re-
cognized at a glance by its inferior size, and its general yellow-
ish appearance, closely resembling, in these respects, the Cotur-
niculus passerinus,the place of which it appears to fill in the
marshes. Seen at the same hasty moment, the seaside looks
more like the marsh sparrow; but the general impression re-
ceived is of a gray, instead of a rufous bird; and its nearest
approach, in color, is to the Poospiza Belli. The difference in plu-
mage between spring specimens, in full dress, of the sharp-tailed,
and the young of the same, in the fall, is striking, and greater
than has usually been mentioned; it consists chiefly in the pale-
ness or almost want of the orange-buff that marks the highest
condition. "There is also a remarkable difference between the two
species of Ammodromus, in the time of the vernal moult. The
seaside finches were all found in full feather, and with highly

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 93

developed sexual organs, from the beginning of April; while the
sharp-tailed remained in moult through the same month. This,
of itself, is a good indication of some notable difference in the
time, and probably the places, of breeding. I do not think that
any of the sharp-tailed finches breed hereabouts; and it was not
until May, when they appeared to be about leaving, that I found
any with excited organs, or in perfect plumage. At that date
the seasides were mating and nesting, if not already incubating.
In the fall, when both species are again together, it is only during
a part of the season that they are found in equal numbers. This
is during the warm days of October, when they loiter in troops
about the bushes around the edges of the marsh, as well as
among the reeds. Previously, in September, there are few of the
sharp-tailed to be seen; and on entering the marshes in Novem-
ber, the seasides will be found scarce or altogether wanting,
while the former are still abundant. These observations, which I
made very carefully, are mutually explanatory, and point to the
fact that these two species, so closely allied, so often found to-
gether, and so commonly spoken of in identical terms, have
really a different range of habitat (one being more northerly
than the other), migrate independently of each other, moult at
separate seasons, and breed more or less apart.

Ammodromus maritimus.

More numerous, on an average, than the last, and more truly
characteristic of the locality, as it breeds here in great numbers.
In April it retires from the interior of the marsh, to place its
nest among the bordering bushes, a little above high-water mark.
It begins to sing when mating, and is afterwards, during the in-
cubating, particularly earnest and persevering about it. Each
pair usually claims some particular copse, and the male has his
favorite singing post, to which he continually resorts. The
simple song is something like that of the yellow-winged sparrow,
beginning with a few slow notes, then a rapid trill, finally slurred
till it sounds like the noise made by some of the grasshoppers.
The nest and eggs are now well known. The young in September
are somewhat differently streaked from the adults, and appear to
constitute Audubon's A. macgillivrayt.

The comparison that has been drawn between the actions of
the Ammodromi and of Sandpipers seems somewhat forced, and

1871.]

94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

a more natural one might be traced in the Nuthutches, Titmice,
and even Woodpeckers. They climb the reeds with remarkable
ease, sliding up and down, skipping from one to another, and
hanging in every attitude except head downwards; they are
doubtless much aided by the somewhat stiffened tail. On the
ground, they are unmistakably sparrow-like, and always proceed
by hopping; the flight does not differ noticeably from that of
their several near allies. It is irregular and very quick, and they
never remain long on wing. They are rather difficult to procure
in large numbers, independently of the miry nature of the places
they inhabit; as they are not often, comparatively, seen at rest,
and it is quite a knack, only acquired by practice, to shoot at
them on wing with any certainty of killing. A collector will
do well to take a score of them in a morning's walk, even when
they are most abundant.

Comparing the Fringillidz of this seacoast locality with those
of inland places of the same latitude, the distinctive features are
seen in the Ammodromi, and in the great abundance of Passer-
culus, together with the absence or only casual occurrence of seve-
ral species elsewhere abundant. "Thus, I never saw a Chipping
Sparrow, Yellow-winged Sparrow, Bay-winged Bunting, or Snow-
Bird, on the island.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

Common ; summer resident, breeding; and just possibly a few
spend the winter here, though I do not think I saw any between
November and March.

Cardinalis virginianus.

Common ; resident; breeds (in May and subsequently).

Icterus spurius.

Moderately common, from the latter part of April, through a
portion of September; breeds.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus.

During the migrations only; in spring, not abundant, mostly
in early May, when many are in full dress, and singing volubly ;
in fall, very common, beginning to arrive late in August, and
continuing through October.

Ageleus pheniceus.

Resident; abundant. They become more numerous during the
[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 25

latter part of January, begin to sing in March, get restless in
early April, when they come into full feather, but continue in
flocks for a week or two longer. The greater number then pass _
off northward, and those that remain begin to pair. They breed
sometimes by the single pair, sometimes in companies with the
jackdaws, and have their first eges early in May; though other
batches may be found throughout June and part of July. I
estimated that a narrow strip of brushy ground about two miles
long contained about a hundred pairs. The young begin to flock
about the middle of July; there may have been about a thousand
in the tract just mentioned, before they were reinforced, in Au-
gust, by new-comers from the north.

Sturnella magna.

Very abundant, in flocks, from October to April, when they
pass north, or at any rate to higher grounds inland. I saw none
breeding, and do not think I ever observed a pair during the
summer.

Quiscalus major.

The characteristic species of the family, and very abundant. I
judge it to be resident, though it is much less common during
December and January, and may move off altogether during the
extreme of the season. It does not seem to be authenticated as
occurring beyond the Middle States; and, however far north it
may occasionally stray in summer, it is essentially a bird of the
South Atlantic and Gulf States. It is strictly maritime, and its
food differs from that of most of its allies, much as that of the
fish-crow does, in comparison with that of C. americanus. It
feeds on molluscs, aquatic insects, fiddler-crabs, and small fry,
which it catches expertly by wading in the water and striking
with its bill, in a manner reminding one of a heron. It frequents
the muddy flats at low tide, and for similar animal food, and is
dispersed through the marsh in gleaning for seeds that form part
of its fare. The sexes mingle in flocks, often of large size, up to
some time in April, when they break up in pairs, several asso-
ciating together in the same copse, and placing their nests close
together in a sort of rookery, frequented also by the redwings
and the green herons. The nests are bulky and inartistic, com-
posed chiefly of interlaced twigs and intertwined grasses, gene-
rally with the addition of a few dried leaves as lining or wadding ;
1871. ] PART I.—3

96 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

I saw none with either mud or horsehair. The laying season is
at its height the third or fourth week in April; I did not find more
than six, nor fewer than three, eggs in a nest. They measure on an
average li by a little over $ inch; and have the usual shape
and curious zigzag markings, on a pale bluish-green ground color.
On leaving the nest, the young are curious-looking objects—clear
brown above, pale gray or almost white below, with a naked space
about the eyes, and fluffy tufts of down on the head. They
appear early in June, and by the first of August both old and
young are flocking. The young rapidly change after leaving the
nest, the brown acquiring a greenish-black cast, the gray of the
under parts becoming brown. Both sexes undergo a change in
the early fall, after rearing of the young is over, and again in
the spring. The moult begins on the head, and progresses back-
ward, the quills and tail-feathers being renewed last. When in
perfect plumage, the male is a splendid-looking bird; its large
fan-shaped tail, with the lateral feathers placed slantwise, giving
jt a jaunty air, and serving to steady its flight. A fuller account
of this interesting species will be found in the ** Ibis," 1870, p. 367.

Corvus ossifragus.

Very common, and resident, though less numerous in summer,
and not to my knowledge breeding in the immediate vicinity, pro-
bably through lack of suitable woods. They frequent the sea
beach, contending with the turkey-buzzards and herring-gulls for
the refuse from the fort, and scatter over the marsh, often in com-
pany with the last species, feeding upon various animal substances
gathered from the shoals and mud-flats, such as shell-fish, fiddler-
crabs, and aquatic worms.

Tyrannus pipiri. (T. carolinensis.)

Common summer resident, April to September; breeds. This
is the only one of the family that appears to regularly visit the
island, though four or five species at least are common in the
woods of the adjoining land.

Ceryle aleyon,
Occasional, at any season.

Chordeiles virginianus.

Very common, from April to October; breeds, and is especially
numerous in August.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 27

Coccygus erythrophthalmus.
Frequent, during the migration.

Colaptes auratus.

Rare or occasional (one specimen taken October 10, 1870).

The Picus querulus, although not actually observed on the
island, may be here noticed, as one of the characteristic species
of the South Atlantic States, and an abundant bird of the pine
swamps of the neighboring mainland, where it is resident. It is
easily distinguished from our other Pict proper, at any reason-
able distance; first by its different note, and next by the greater
blending of its colors, producing a grayish appearance at a dis-
tance where the other species still look definitely black and white.
The sexes are exactly alike, except that the 2 lacks the red over
the auriculars, and of the same size; average measurements
give 84x15x44; tail 31.

Falco sparverius. :
Frequent; apparently resident.

Accipiter cooperi.
Frequent; apparently resident.
Accipiter fuscus.

Specimen in September.

Circus hudsonius.
Very common ; resident.

Pandion haliaétus.
Common, especially in spring and fall.
Haliaétus leucocephalus.
Frequently observed at different seasons.
Strix pratincola.
Occasional; specimen taken in the marsh in daylight.
Brachyotus palustris.
Frequent, about the marsh.
Cathartes aura,

Abundant; resident; more numerous in summer than in winter ;
believed to breed in the neighboring pine swamps.

1871.]

28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Cathartes atratus,

This species was observed in summer too frequently to be con-
sidered as merely a straggler, though it is far less abundant here
than on the coast of the next State southward. Numbers were
seen March 22d, 1870 (their first appearance that year); and in
November of the same year I saw many near New Berne, N. C.

Zenedura carolinensis.
Resident; abundant; begins to flock in August, and so con-
tinues until April.

Ortyx virginianus.
Casually on the island, which is not entirely suited to its wants ;
plentiful in the vicinity.

Charadrius virginicus.
Common during the migration, particularly in October and
November.

Aegialitis vociferus.
Abundant, especially during the migration, but observed at all
seasons, and probably resident, though not known to breed.

Aegialitis semipalmatus.
Aegialitis melodus.

These two species come and go together, and are usually found
in company ; but the first named much outnumbers the last.
They become very plenty in April, and so continue through that
month and the next, after which none are to be seen until the
latter part of August. In September and October they are again
plentiful, and remain in scarcely diminished numbers until cold
weather, frequenting all the water-edges with several other small
waders. Deforeleaving in the spring, they come into perfect dress,
with very brightly colored bill and feet, and the brilliant ring
around the eye. All the colors are duller in the fall, although
even at that season adults are easily distinguished from the birds
of the year. The two species are easily told apart at any distance
by the paleness of A. melodus, which closely resembles the winter
condition of the sanderling.

Aegialitis wilsonius.
The. characteristic species of the family; summer resident;
breeding abundantly.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 29

Iris brown; no conspicuous coloring of the edges of the eye-
lids; bill wholly black; legs pale flesh-color, sometimes with a
livid, at others with a yellowish, tint. “Shade of the upper parts
intermediate between that of melodus and of semipalmatus; %
with a perfect black pectoral collar and bar across the vertex, the
nape and cervix strongly tinged with rufous, as in the western
species; with the bars plain grayish-brown, and with little
rufous; young, like the female, but duller and grayer. When
newly hatched, the down of the upper parts is curiously varie-
gated with brown and black; the under parts are pure white; the
bill and feet are as in the adult.

None of these Plovers winter here. They come from the south
late in March, with constant increase during April; a part pass
further north in May, but many remain to breed. Excepting a
few stray sandpipers, they are the only waders of the beach during
June and July. Before pairing and resorting to the sand-dunes
to breed, they frequent the beach, sand-shoals, mud-flats, and scant-
herbaged salt meadows indifferently, in flocks of considerable size,
keeping much among themselves; their size, longer legs, and large
black bill render them conspicuous among their congeners; they
are rather shyer than the rest, andtheir note is decidedly differ-
ent. In those opened were found gravel, insects, soft substances
“apparently both animal and vegetable, and fragments of small
molluses, particularly the fragile young of the Solen ensis.

Some account of their nidification, and a description of the eggs,
will be found in the American Naturalist for September, 1869.
This occasion is taken to repeat that the usual number of eggs is
three, not four.

Squatarola helvetica.

Abundant during the migration, particularly in October. Here
they frequent the water-edges, and the flesh is hardly so good as
when they feed over uplands.

Strepsilas interpres.

Very common during the migration, and some probably winter.
In May, just before they leave, very perfect specimens may be pro-
cured. They begin to return the last of August, and soon become
abundant. Many of the old birds at this time retain much of
' their spring attire, and are thus readily distinguished from the

young.
1871.]

30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Gallinago wilsonii.

Common during the migration, and often in winter; but are
somewhat uncertain. They frequent the marsh, &c.; but rarely,
if ever, the more open ground about the harbor.

Macrorhamphus griseus.

Very abundant during the migration, and perhaps some winter,
as they may be taken in December. They occur in large flocks
on the sand-bars and mud-flats, as well as on the salt meadows;
and afford excellent shooting. They are not so common in the
spring, and the passage is more rapid.

Pelidna americana.

Very abundant, April and May, and September to November ;
some may remain all winter. A large part of them attain their per-
fect dress before leaving in the spring; and it is partly retained by
many during the full migration, when, however, most of them are
in plain gray plumage. The vernal change begins early in April,
soon after the main body arrives from the south. Even in spring
they-are often found exceedingly fat; and in the fall their corpu-
lence seems only limited by the capacity for expansion of the
skin. Inexamining a great number, I found a variation of a third
of an inch in the length of the bill; but this is always consider-
ably over an inch long, and never quite straight. They seem to*
prefer muddy flats to the beach, and are among the most snipe-
like of the sandpipers.

Actodromas bonapartei.

Common, during the migration, associating in flocks with
several other species. The larger size, and conspicuously white
rump, mark it at once from Hreunetes, and the next species, its
most frequent companions.

This little species is liable to be found in sandy and muddy
places throughout North America, east of the Rocky Mountains.
It breeds in Labrador, where, in July and August, it is one of the
most abundant shore birds; and in various parts of. British
America. I found it migrating through Kansas in May.

Actodromas minutilla.

Extremely abundant, April and May, and August to October,
both on the beach, in flocks with the next, and also in muddy
meadows.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. al

The beach and marsh are cleared of all their sandpipers about
the first of June; and, for some six weeks, scarcely a straggler of
any sort is to be seen. But about the middle of July—a few
days before or after the 15th—a few of this and the next species
reappear, and in August the numbers are materially increased,
still in advance of the main body of September arrivals. It is
an open question about these July birds. It seems improbable
that they should have gone so far north as the most southern
places where we know of their breeding, and have raised a brood,
in the short six weeks of their disappearance. Probably they are
either those that left in the van of the spring migration, or those
that did not accomplish a complete migration, from whatever
cause.

Ereunetes pusillus.

Extremely abundant, as elsewhere along the Atlantic coast,
during the migrations; here, chiefly from early April to June,
and from August (see above) through October. They show as
decided preference for the beach as the least sandpipers do for
muddy flats.

Calidris arenaria.

Very abundant at all times, excepting during the three summer
months. The greater number pass north early in May, but a few
linger until June. Some arrive late in August, and most of them
in September. After October they are conspicuous by their light
color, appearing almost white at a distance. The vernal change
commences in April, but the process is slow, and few completely
ruddy birds are seen here. Up to a short time before their de-
parture, they continue in compact flocks; but in May, are more
dispersed, and the prospective pairs are seen chasing each other
over the sand, the males, puffed up to nearly twice their usual
size, going through a variety of odd motions, and piping in ex-
cited tones.!

! In this bird, with no external trace of a hallux, the accessory metatarsal is
present, without, however, bearing even arudimentary phalanx, and without
causing any protuberance of the metatarsal envelope. It is a small oval or
somewhat reniform ossicle, slightly twisted on itself, and deeply sulcate
along the middle, lying in the fossa between the three prongs of the meta-
tarse, where it is ligamentously bound down. It lacks the usual roughened
surface of opposition with the principal bone. Independently of morpholo-

1871.]

9 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

oo

Symphemia semipalmata.

Resident, but less common during the colder months; very
abundant at other times, and one of the few waders that regularly
breed here. Numbers arrive from the south in March and April;
a part of them proceed further north, and the rest, in May, scatter
over the marshes to breed. In August the ranks are again re-
cruited by the numbers hatched here, and in September by others
returning. The large size, variegated color, and restless, noisy
disposition combine to render it one of the most notable birds of
the vicinity in summer.

Gambetta melanoleuca.

Gambetta flavipes.
Both common during the migration—the first named the more
abundant.

Rhyacophilus solitarius.
Only observed in April and May, and September and October,
and not abundant.

Tringoides macularius.

Summer resident, arriving late in March, becoming very abun-
dant in April, and the greater number passing north in May ; but
the young are common in July.

Limosa fedoa.

Abundant during the migrations, particularly in the fall. Pos-
sibly some may breed in the vicinity, but I am not sure of this.
Some appear in August, many more in September, and they con-
tinue plentiful about the harbor until December.

Numenius longirostris.

Resident ; abundant during the migrations, and rather common
at other times. lobserveditin February, and at irregular intervals
through the summer, when it is sparingly dispersed over the
marshes, in all probability breeding.

Immense flights of curlew sometimes occur in October and

gical considerations, its presence is not readily accounted for; but it seems
to be a sort of trochlear ossicle, for the guidance if not the increased action
ofthe flexor tendons. "This bone, in a more or less rudimentary condition,
may perhaps be discovered in more three-toed birds than are now believed
to possess it.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 33

March. Some flocks that I witnessed must have contained
thousands of birds. These were not the species just named, but
whether hudsonicus or borealis was not ascertained.

Recurvirostra americana.

I scarcely think that this is a regular, and it certainly is not,
according to my observations, a common migrant here. The only
time I identified it with certainty, was on the 12th of September,
when a flock of six was seen.

Ardea herodias.

A resident species, common on the marshes at all seasons.
This and the Bittern are the only species of the family that I
observed in winter. I do not know that it breeds in the imme-
diate vicinity, but such is probably the case.

Herodias egretta.
Only observed late in summer, and through autumn, when
moderately common, and generally seen in small flocks.

Garzetta candidissima.

Apparently a summer resident, though not observed breeding.
I first saw it early in May, when it appeared to be migrating, but
individuals were obtained at various times during the summer.
They were oftenest in flocks of considerable size. Old birds killed
in July still had lengthened plumes on the head and breast, but
the former were not recurved, and the dorsal ones were wanting.
Except in these respects, the birds of the year were like the adults.
They remain until October at least, and probably later.

Butorides virescens.

Summer resident, and very abundant, arriving late in March
and early in April, and remaining until October. They breed in
colonies with the jackdaws, placing the nests in the thick shrub-
bery that covers part of this end of the island. "The nests are
rather large and frail platforms of loosely interlaced twigs, built
on dense beds of small branches, or saddled in a crotch, or swung
like hammocks upon a mass of climbing vines. The birds begin
to lay the second or third week in April, but some do not fill the
nest until after the first of May. The complement is usually five
or six; but I have found only four, and in one instance seven—
the latter number probably being the maximum. ‘The old birds

1871.]

34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

shed their dorsal plumes during the period of incubation; the
young, for some time after quitting the nest, show traces of down
here and there, particularly about the head.

Botaurus lentiginosus.

I think that the Dittern will prove a resident. species here,
though I have only observed it from September to May. It is
quite common in the fall; thus, I have shot two or three, and
seen as many more in an afternoon's walk in October. Singular
as it may seem, viewing the abundance of the bird, and its wide
distribution over North America, a complete history has not yet
appeared. The earlier accounts are defective, and not entirely
accurate. Perhaps the best notice we have is Mr. Endicott’s, in
the American Naturalist, iii, p. 169.

Rallus crepitans. (= R. longirostris, Bodd.)

This is probably the most abundant, and it is certainly one of
the most characteristic birds of the locality. It should properly
be classed among the resident species, although its numbers are
greatly diminished during December to February, and it may
entirely disappear in very cold weather. Its ranks are largely
recruited in March, and little or no decrease is perceptible until
November. It becomes very noisy in April; and the marshes
resound with its harsh cries until the next autumn. The laying
season is at its height during the latter part of April, and through
a portion of May; but eggs may be procured nearly all summer.
A full account of its nidification, with other particulars, will be
found in the American Naturalist, iii, p. 600. I have nothing to
add to what is there given, but I would now increase the number
stated as an average nest-complement of eggs, to nine or ten.
The largest number found in a nest was twelve, although there is
no certainty,in such a case as this, that all were deposited by the
same bird.?

' Embryos about one-half developed, taken May 14, afforded the follew-
ing tracts of the downy plumage. Pteryla capitis continuous, though weak,
and running uninterrupted into prolongation of both spinal and ventral.
The strong pt. spinalis commences as a single band on the median line over
the coccyx, divides after passing the pelvis into two slightly divaricating
bands, that approach but do not join on the cervix, and run uninterrupted
to the nape—inclosing a narrowly lanceolate space on the back, and a
linear one on the hind neck ; but this is very narrow, and would probably

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 35

Porzana carolina.
During the migration only, in April, May, and part of August
to October; then common.

P. noveboracensis.
One individual observed April 12th, under circumstances that
left no doubt of the identification.

The numbers of wild-fowl that throng the sinuosities of the
coast in winter are simply incalculable. Immense flocks cover the
waters of the harbor; and yet these are said to be inconsiderable
compared with those upon the land-bound reaches of water a
little removed from the coast. Aside from the natural conditions
determining this influx of the Anatidz, such as congenial latitude,
convenient feeding-grounds, and an abundant supply of food, we
may attribute a part of the number of water-fowl to the incessant
and systematic persecution they suffer somewhat further north.
Here they are comparatively free from annoyance, their destruc-
tion not being attempted methodically, nor usually with any con-
siderable degree of skill. A few of the species appear in the early
fall, but the great flight does not fairly set in until the cold
weather of November. The numbers are full the following month,
and continue undiminished through the winter. The decrease is

disappear soon, by fusion of the two branches on the upper half of the neck
behind. The pt. humeralis is completely isolated by apteriæ from sur-
rounding tracts; it is short but wide and strong, and lies parallel with
the spinal. The pt. femoralis is doubled; an inner and outer row of
feathers are entirely separate, and both of them are strong. The under or
upper band arises over the extremity of the pelvis, and runs with slight
obliquity to the front of the knee; the outer arises from the side of the
coccyx, and runs parallel with the other along the lower edge of the outer
aspect of the thigh to the crus; it is there almost continuous with the
ventral tract, and is but slightly separated at its origin from the caudalis ;
but is as widely separated from the other femoral tract as this last is from
the spinal. 'The pt. cruris is as yet only indicated by a few sparsely
distributed follicles, with the feathers beginning to protrude along the
anterior and posterior borders; the pt. alaris is in the same condition, and
the caudalis but little more advanced. The ventral pteryla is double through-
out; its branches are separated from each other on the neck, by as much
space as they are from the spinal tract ; and rather abruptly divaricate on
the breast, inclosing a broad oval space, finally approaching gradually as
they pass backward. The anal circlet of feathers is just perceptible, but
that around the oil-gland is not visible.

1871.]

36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

very great in March, and few are found later. I do not know
that more than one species is resident.

Bernicla canadensis. i

A few geese may come in October, but they are not plenty for
a month subseuqently. Some are to be seen in April, but the
greater number depart in March. I think that occasionally a
pair may remain to breed in the vicinity, as I have seen a brood
in domestication, said to have been raised from the egg; a state-
ment that bears weight from the impossibility of procuring young
birds in any other way. But such instances are doubtless excep-
tional. Geese may be procured, in season, for a dollar, or even
less, apiece; a fact of itself attesting their abundance.

Bernicla brenta.

Common in winter, and seen until April 6. This and the last
were the only geese observed; nor did I ever hear the gunners
allude to any white ones, though I should judge that A. hyper-
boreus would also occur in winter.

Anas boschas.

Very common.

Anas obscura,
Common.

Dafila acuta.

Common. Among the earlier October arrivals.

Chaulelasmus streperus.
Common.

Mareca americana.
Common.

Querquedula discors.
Nettion carolinensis.

Doth teals are very common, and are among the first to arrive,
and the last to leave; flights occurring in September, and some-
times even in August.

Aix sponsa.

Resident; abundant; breeds on the island.

The Anatine, as a group, are outnumbered in the harbor by
the Fuliguline, and none of them are so numerous as some of the
sea-ducks. The reverse is said to be the case on the inland waters.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 3T

Bucephala americana. (= B. clangula?)
Bucephala albeola.

Fulix marila.

Fulix affinis.

Aythya americana,

Of these the two last named are apparently the most abundant.
The canvas-back I have never seen here.

Oedemia perspicillata.

Very common. Early in November, 1870, before the comple-
ment of general wild-fowl was made up, these were perhaps the
most abundant ducks on the harbor, mixed with a number of the
next species. By far the larger proportion were females and
young. The young males at this season almost exactly resemble
the females; having the two whitish spots on each side of the
head, and bill wholly black, the place of the future black spot in
the bill being indicated by a slight corrugation of the skin. But
they are generally distinguishable by the presence of a few per-
fectly black feathers about the head, and by the rather more
turgid bill.

Oedemia americana.

Common. The female and young are distinguished from those
of the last by the different number of tail-feathers, different shape
of bill, and the continuously whitish sides of the head; other-
wise the resemblance is very close. Both are known as “black
ducks," and by a probable further confounding with A. obscura,
are pronounced good eating by those who do not intend to eat
them.

Mergus serrator.

Very abundant. I should judge this to be the most numerous
of all the family in this vicinity. They are always on the harbor
from October to April, and a few both earlier and later; and are
not much molested, being unacceptable even to not over-fasti-
dious people. The distribution of their colors, showing large pure
white areas, marks them out at any distance; the Bucephale
being the only ducks to which they bear any special resemblance.

Pelecanus fuscus.

A few observed at irregular intervals through the summer
months.

1871.]

38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Sula bassana.

Several were seen during foul weather, in February and'Marceh,
both years; but the species is not a common, if indeed a regular,
winter visitor.

Graculus floridanus.

Cormorants may be seen at intervals the whole year, and are
common except during the warmer months. There are two
species; but I did not succeed in ascertaining their times of
arrival and departure. "The summer birds are all, without doubt, l
the G. floridanus, to which species a full-plumaged specimen,
captured in the spring of 1869, belonged; and the winter ones
are in all probability
Graculus dilophus.

Very common in winter. Judging from the light brown ap-
pearance of most individuals observed at this season, they were
chiefly young birds. I is
Puffinus fuliginosus.

A specimen taken May 21, 1870, in fine plumage, but injured
in one of the webs; this disability probably accounting for its
exceptional occurrence. It was caught by hand near the shore,
and kept alive for some time. Placed on a level surface, it could
with difficulty stand upright, and on endeavoring to walk, sprawl-
ed with the use of its wings and by hooking itself along with
the sharp point of the bill—not, however, grasping with both
mandibles. I was before ignorant of this method of assisting
locomotion on land, but can readily believe it to be a habit of
birds of this family, and a means of approaching and leaving the
places where many of the petrels are known to breed. The bird
showed some spirit, snapping with all its strength; but was per-
fectly silent."

! Length 18, extent 40, wing 12, tail 4, bill 13, tarsus 21, middle toe and
claw 23.

Some points in the coloration of this specimen might lead one to suppose
it to bea state of P. major. The accompanying cut (of natural size) shows
a great irregularity in the contour of the posterior border of the sternum.

Q o

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 39

Larus smithsonianus,

Winter resident; very abundant; the characteristic and only
common bird of the family throughout that season. I have been
repeatedly assured that some of the ** sea-gulls," as this species is
ealled in distinetion from. the smaller kinds, remain all summer,
but have never seen any at that season, and doubt the statement,
except perhaps in its application to diseased or otherwise disabled
individuals. Some, however, certainly linger longer in spring than
would have been anticipated, being seen almost until June. "There
is little falling off in their numbers in March; but most of them
pass northward early in April, about the time that the Terns and
Chrecocephali make their appearance. A few arrive in September,
but they are not plentiful until the latter part of October. In
consequence of being rarely molested, they become quite familiar,
often mixing with the tame geese about the fort, and permitting
themselves to be approached within a few feet; still, as a rule,
they show that they have an excellent idea of gunshot range.
Three styles of these gulls are easily distinguished. "The birds of
the year are smoky-brown (becoming grayer towards spring), and
differ in this respect from the young of any other species occur-
ring here. The birds hatched the previous summer but one are
pale grayish, with the blue of the mantle showing in irregular
patches, the primaries wholly black, and the rectrices either the
same or white with.a terminal black bar. The birds in their
third year are in perfect plumage, but show the dusky streaking
of the head and hind neck characteristic of the winter plumage.
The bills of the birds of the first class are black; of the second,
flesh-color, black-tipped; of the third, yellow, with or without
the orange spot at the angle of the gonys. Most of the old birds
regain their nuptial dress before leaving. "They are rather silent
during the winter, being rarely heard except when quarrelling for
food; butin April, before they move off, the air resounds with
their hoarse cries. Among the substances found in the stomach
were the remains of a marsh-hare, though I hardly think that the
animal could have been captured alive.

L. delawarensis. í

Spring and fall; common, and probably also a winter resident,

although I did not identify it at that season.

! In winter the head and hind neck of this species are definitely spotted
with blackish. In the case of the last species, and of, probably, the whole
1871.]

40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Chrecocephalus atricilla,

Extremely abundant, in spring and fall. They appear the last
of March or early in April, and become plentiful during the latter
month. They remain so late, and are absent so short a time
during the summer, that I think some breed near by, though I
found none actually nesting in the vicinity. Probably only two
years, instead of three, as in the case of the larger Lari, are
required for them to assume the perfect plumage. The majority
of the spring birds are in full attire, but among them a large
number of the conspicuously brown birds of the preceding year
are always seen. A few return in August, many more in Septem-
ber, and by thelast of this month their number defies computation.
It is no exaggeration to say that I have seen a thousand rise at
the same moment from a single sand-bar where they were resting
and pluming themselves after feeding. "They fish in companies
often of numbers but little inferior, following the shoals of small
fry about the harbor, continually descending upon them, and
rising on wing again after a moment’s halfsubmergence. At
such times they are in pursuit of the small fish that form the
principal food of the blue-fish, and their presence is an unfailing
guide. At this season the brown birds greatly outnumber the
others. The adults are mostly moulting when they return, and
retain traces of the spring plumage— seen in a slight glow of the
under plumage, carmine tint in the dusky of the bill, red mouth,
and slate about the head—at least until October, when the renewal
is completed. The young of the year are quite definitely brown,
etc., and bear little resemblance to the parents; but they may
always be distinguished from any other gull by the length of the
tarsus in comparison with the toes, and by the downward curva-
ture of the end of the bill, which is sufficient to bring the tip
nearly on a level with the angle at the symphysis. The birds thin

race of **herring-gulls," as argentatus, occidentalis, etc., the same parts
are streaked with lighter dusky. In the gulls without black on the primaries,
as glaucus, glaucescens, leucopterus, etc., this winter marking takes the form
of obscure clouding with grayish. These distinctions hold good with all
the species of the family with which I am acquainted, and, moreover, the
darkness of the plumage of the young of the year, in all, is correspondingly
graduated from smoky-brown to pale gray. Similarly, the primaries and
tail-feathers of the ** white-winged"' gulls above mentioned are, for the first
year, gray like the general plumage; while those of the others (including
marinus) are black.

[May 2,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 41

off in November, and few are seen after this month. Iam not
sure that any remain all winter.

Chrecocephalus philadelphia.

Extremely abundant, but only in spring and fall, being strictly
migrants here. They appear about the first week in April with
the last species, generally remain through most of May, and
return in September, remaining until the end of November. But
this general statement may be somewhat qualified in detail by
some observations that have interesting bearing, unless I wrongly
interpret them. In 1869, from the beginning of April until the
22d, the birds were here in great numbers, and with a marked
preponderance of old full-plumaged individuals. Without any
change in the weather, or other assignable cause, they suddenly
disappeared, presumably having moved northward. For a week
or ten days scarcely one was to be seen; when they became more
numerous, if possible, than before, and so continued through the
greater part of May. This last lot was almost entirely composed
of birds of the previous year, as shown by the plumage, there
being hardly a black-headed one among them. I should judge,
therefore, that the old birds migrate in advance of the young, and
also that they move the more hurriedly of thetwo. It is probable,
moreover, that only these adults were going to breed that year,
although it is pretty certain that some gulls, at least, reproduce
before gaining their perfect plumage. Inthe fall few black-headed
ones are ever seen, the hood being lost before they reach this
latitude; but even at this season the old and young are readily
distinguished by other marks. Many return in September, and
then the earliest ones to come are the young. I verified the same
general observations through four migrations that I witnessed.
This year (1870) there were few—almost no—birds in part of
October, after the September young appeared to have passed on
but as I write (Nov. 18) the harbor is covered with thousands
of old ones in their winter dress. "They appear at a little distance
almost pure white, and are beautifully conspicuous among the
other gulls and the terns with which they associate.

Audubon is certainly mistaken in representing the female of
this species with a brown hood. The sexes are not distinguish-
able by any outward marks. If there is a United States gull with
the head of the color shown in the plate just alluded to, it must

1871.] PART I.— 4

49 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

belong to a species that has escaped the notice of later ornitho-
logists.'

Thalasseus regius.

This tern certainly breeds somewhere in the vicinity; for,
although I did not find any nests, I saw it constantly through
two summers, and occasionally noticed birds so young that they
were still receiving attentions from their parents; while in June
and July small flocks were often noticed pursuing so straight a
course for long distances, that I had no doubt they were passing
directly between their nests and their feeding-places. It commonly
arrives from the south early in April, and through this and the
next month is more abundant than at other times until the fall —
a part, I presume, passing further north. It becomes numerous
again in September, and so continues until the end of November.
I cannot say whether or not any remain all winter, but think that,
if observed at that season, it will be an exceptional case. It is
more wary than any of the other terns, and is always the first
to rise among the miscellaneous troops that fleck the sand-bars.
It is conspicuous by its size and bright red bill; and the young
are easily distinguished by the smaller size, yellow instead of
red bill, and spotted plumage. The old birds lose the black
pileum in September, the crown then becoming white, bordered
behind by the long, loose blackish feathers of the occiput, and
a few other dark ones on the sides of the head. The bill in
winter is not so vivid in color as in summer, and much shorter.
All the changes of the old are finished by October; but the young
remain blotched, and with mere traces of the pearl-blue mantle, all
the fall. I took one old bird with the feet curiously mottled with
yellowish and black, and yellow claws—probably a pathological
state, although the bird appeared perfectly healthy. These are
vigorous, spirited birds, showing good fight when captured, and
strong enough to bite pretty severely. Their voice is loud and
raucous, though still without the deep guttural intonation of that
of the shear-waters.

Thalasseus acuflavidus.

Chiefly a migrant, but also a winter resident, sparingly; none
observed to pass the summer here. It becomes numerous early
in April, with the last, and remains through part of May ; returns

! Qu. Larus capistratus of Bonaparte’s Synopsis.

[May 9,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 43

in September (a few probably somewhat earlier), and is very com-
mon until December. A large number shot in the middle of Sep-
tember were in the same condition of plumage as T. regius was
at the same time. The species may be marked out among its allies
by its size,its singularly trim shape, conspicuously black, long bill,
yellow-pointed, and a general whiteness ; the mantle being paler
than in any of the others. Specimens, even in the fall, frequently
show a rosy blush of the under plumage, much like that generally
supposed to characterize 7. elegans of the California coast.

The difference in the pattern of the coloration of the primaries
of this bird, that was noted in my * Review" as separating the
species (or whatever it is to be considered) from the European 7.
cantiacus, has not failed in a single instance that has come to my
knowledge. No reliance, however, can be placed upon the yellow
tip of the bill as a character; this varies from nothing (in imma-
ture specimens) up to a third, or nearly, of the total length of the
bill, and no two specimens show exactly the same line of demar-
cation between the yellow and the black. Specimens, as usual
in this family, differ much in size, and particularly in the length
and stoutness of the bill. The feet are always black, as in 7.
regius.

Sterna hirundo.

Very common, but only during the migration. Arriving from
the south early in April, they all pass on during the following
month. They are abundant again in September and October,
perhaps a little earlier and later, but I identified none except
during these months. In the spring they are scarcely to be told
with certainty, unless shot; but in the fall they are conspicuous
by the fact that they retain the black pileum, at least as long as
they remain here. It has been stated, upon eminent authority,
that this species never loses the black on the head ; and, although
I do not confirm this from examination of specimens taken in
the depth of winter, my observations until the end of October
support it, and I do not remember to have seen in any museum
a Wilson's tern without the feature in question. Numbers shot
here in September had completed the winter plumage, and were
newly feathered, except on the crown, where the black looked worn
and faded, but was still unmixed with white, except a few specks
on the extreme front. I presume that the change on this part of

1871.]

44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF |

the body is very gradual. At this season the feet were simply
orange-yellow, not vermilion, and the bill was dusky-shaded
throughout. Some of the year's young had nearly perfect wing
and tail feathers; but the mantle showed dusky mottling, with
some blackish areas upon the wing-coverts; while younger still
were marbled and otherwise beautifully variegated with gray,
light brown, &c. In all the young, the feet were yellowish, more
or less obscured; and the bill mostly black, with yellow or orange
on the basal part of the under mandible; it was smaller than that
of the old, not so horny, and more obtuse.

Sterna Forsteri.

Chiefly migrant, but also winter resident. Compared with the
last, there is, I think, a difference in the migrations, &c., something
like that I have endeavored to show in the case of the Ammodromi,
this being the more northerly species of the two, migrating earlier
in the spring and later in the fall, and wintering where S. Wilsoni
does not; of the breeding I can say nothing from personal obser-
vation. A few Forster's terns come back in August ; they become
abundant the following month, and there is little or no decrease
of their numbers until December, when a part go further south, to -
return the latter part of March, and the rest remain. It is one
of the most plentiful terns on the harbor in October and Novem-
ber, when it may be distinguished at any reasonable distance with
ease; Wilson's tern being the only one at all resembling it, and
this being marked in the manner just indicated. Forster’s at this
season has the crown white, the occiput blackish, and a remark-
ably distinct black transocular fascia, better marked than in any
other species of ours. In this plumage it is unquestionably S.
havelli, Aud., as I pointed out some years since. The bill is nearly
as in summer, but not so bright; the feet are orange instead of
red. This plumage was finished in all of a number of old birds
shot the second week in September. The young of the year can
also be distinguished from the young of hirundo at ordinary gun-
shot range. The whole head is white, faintly washed with brown-
ish,except the transocular fascia, which is pure black, and very
sharply defined; but nearly all the feathers of the crown have
dusky bases, that will increase during the fall and coming winter,
until the condition above noticed is attained. The eye-stripe is
12 inch long and about ian inch wide, reaching from the lores

: [May 9,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 45

through the eyes to and over the aurieulars. The blue mantle
only partly appears at this time, being lightly washed over with
gray and clear brown; the rectrices are heavily dusky, as in
hirundo at the same season, but the dark color is on opposite
webs in the two species. "The wing-feathers are new and perfect,
and more hoary-silvery than those of hirundo of the same age;
but the pattern of coloration is exactly duplicated. The feet are
yellow, more or less obscured with dusky.

Sterna antillarum.

Summer resident, from early in April until October; and, except
at the height of the influx of the other kinds, the most abundant
tern of all. It breeds here in great numbers. Referring again
to an article in the American Naturalist for September, 1869, for
an account of its nidification, I have only to add here—

A tern shot May 17, had then an egg ready to be laid; but
most of the eggs are deposited towards June, and during the fore
part of that month. The first young birds I noticed were flying
June 20th; but this was early for them, the broods not being
fairly on wing until the middle of July. During all of May and
June, indeed, there are plenty of immature birds about; but
these, it should be observed, are of the last summer's broods,
rendering the conclusion obvious that at least two years are
required to assume the perfect-dress. These birds have the bill
black, no black eap or white crescent, slaty auriculars and occiput,
dark bar along the front edge of the wing, imperfectly colored
primaries, and slightly forked tail; thus not possibly to be con-
founded with birds of the season, which are curiously variegated
with gray-brown, and white, and show no pearly blue. The year-
lings were in plenty with the adults at the breeding-grounds ; but
whether or not they were paired and had eggs too, was plainly im-
possible to determine, as terns’ eggs are almost never identified
as to the exact parent, when numbers of the birds are breed-
ing together. The usual number of eggs, I may repeat, is two,
not three, and often only one is laid; they do not average over
1lxlinch. The black tip of the bill of this species varies from
nothing to a fourth of the length of the bill. The distinctions
between the species and S. minuta are constant and perfectly
satisfactory. |

1871.]

46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

Hydrochelidon fissipes.
Migrant only; very abundant. This tern differs somewhat

from the rest, in its times of migrating and other particulars. It
is not very common, comparatively, in spring, and passes north
swiftly and silently. The first spring I saw none until May 15th,
and had begun to think that I had missed them, or that they
were migrating inland, when they became plenty, but only for a
week or ten days. All that I saw were in perfect spring dress.
They return in the van of all the terns, about the second week in
August, when many are still black, but by far the greater number
in the plumage of the young. "They remain until October—not
later, I think—and during September are as common asany of the
others. Although they flock with the rest over the harbor, and on
its sand-bars, they also frequent the marsh, where they flutter about
for hours, busy catching insects—chiefly grasshoppers, I think—
in a manner that reminds one of night-hawks similarly engaged ;
and, in fact, the two birds are frequently associated together at
such times.

Haliplana fuliginosa.

Concerning this species I can offer nothing beyond the record
of the appearance of a flock March 16, 1869, during a southwest
gale. I have seen none since, and can as little account for this
as for their isolated appearance on that occasion. If, as is most
probable, the gull-billed, arctic and roseate terns pass this point,
they escaped me altogether.

Rhynchops nigra.

These birds I have only noticed late in the summer, and during
the autumn, though I presume that they pass by in the spring ;
none breed here, to my knowledge. In September they become
plentiful, and so continue until the latter part of November, some
doubtless remaining later. In examining large numbers of spe-
cimens, I find a great difference in size, and particularly in the bill.
Some individuals are fully a third heavier than others. The bill
varies over an inch in length, and especially in the length of the
under mandible. Sometimes the difference between the two man-
dibles is hardly a third of an inch; at others, over an inch. The
oblique striz on the under one are sometimes obsolete. In high
condition, the bill is bright red (vermilion) and black; otherwise,
orange and black, or even mostly dusky, only yellowish at base.

[May 9,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 47

The young in the fall are curiously variegated with dusky and
whitish above—few specimens being exactly alike. The note of
this species is instantly distinguished from that of any of our other
species of this family by its deep guttural intonation, more like
the croaking of some herons than the cries of the gulls and terns.
The bird also differs from its allies in going in true flocks, as
distinguished from the gatherings, however large, in community
of interest, that occur with the gulls and terns. The birds move
synchronously, which is not the case with any of the others. They
feed chiefly by night, or at any rate in the dusk of evening, at
which time, in passing over the harbor, one may hear their hoarse
notes on every hand, and see the birds gliding swiftly along just
over the water, either singly or in small flocks. During the day-
time, when the gulls and terns are busy fishing, the skimmers are
generally seen reposing on the sand-bars, and they never drop on
their prey like their allies. Their mode of feeding is not exactly
made out, but it is believed they skim over the surface with the
body inclined downward, the bill open, and the under mandible in
the water, so that they really take their prey in a manner analo-
gous to the feeding of whales.

Colymbus torquatus.

Abundant winter resident, from the latter part of September
until May. "The greater part, however, do not arrive until some
time in October, and a few linger through a portion of May. I
took one full-plumaged bird alive in the latter part of June; but
it had evidently been prevented from migrating by sickness, and
died shortly afterward.

Podiceps cristatus.
Occasional, in winter. (Specimen, January 29, 1870.)

Podilymbus podiceps.
Frequent, in winter.

III. REPTILES.

I am indebted to my friend Mr. J. A. Allen, of Cambridge,
Mass., for identification of some of the specimens.

SAURIA.
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus, D. & B,
Very abundant on the islands and sandy parts of the adjoin-
ing mainland. They appear usually early in April, and may be
1811.]

48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF

found until cold weather in October. In spite of their remark-
able agility, they are one of the animals oftenest found in the
stomach of the larger snakes.

Alligator mississippiensis.

Of common and regular occurrence in the swamps of the ad-
joining land, and said also to occur in the woody, marshy part
of the island. :

Ophisaurus ventralis, Daud.

One of the most abundant and characteristic reptiles of the
island. The first examples noticed each year were taken the
third week in March, and this is probably the usual time of their
appearance. Like the smaller lizard, they are out until the cold
weather of October. They avoid the wetter parts of the island,
and are especially numerous in open grassy places, as about the
fort, where they may be almost daily taken during the summer.
They appear rather inactive, if not sluggish, make little or no
resistance when captured, and readily become tame. With an
average length of a foot and a half, specimens were taken ranging
from a few inches to nearly a yard; and the tints vary greatly,
the variation being apparently a matter of individual peculiarity.

OPHIDIA.

Caudisona horrida (Linz.), Cope, Pr. A. N. S. Philada. 1859, 338, and Smiths,
Cont., Jan. 1861, 122.

Common in the vicinity, and certainly occurring on the islands
as well, though not obtained there. One specimen measured
upwards of five feet in length.

Ancistrodon contortrix, B. & G.

Common, chiefly in low, moist places.

Nerodia sipedon, b. & G.

Rather uncommon here, according to my observations. One
specimen was taken in the open sea, swimming among the breakers,
Ophibolus getulus, B. & G.

Common. Females with eges taken in July. One specimen,
nearly 6 feet long, presented a different pattern of coloration from
that usually seen; one set of branches of the series of bifurcations
of the yellow lines being defective, giving the snake the appear-

[May 9,

NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 49

ance of being obliquely banded, without perfect distinction of
the black hexagons along the back.

Bascanion constrictor, B. & G.
Very common.

Lepotophis estivus, Holbr.
Of frequent occurrence, partieularly in thick bushy places.

TESTUDINATA.

, Malacoclemys palustris, Ag.
Very abundant.

Chelonia midas, Schw.

Common.

Besides the foregoing, three other species, not determined, were
noticed, one of which is called “ chicken-turtle," and another is a
Cistudo.

No species of batrachian was noticed on the island during my
residence. On the mainland, and also on Shackleford, two
species of Rana (undetermined), and a Hyla, were observed.
The toad (B. lentiginosus — B. americanus?) is very abundant on
the mainland. Great numbers were observed in the ditches,
March 27, 1869, and within a few days of the same time the fol-
lowing year, copulating and very clamorous. Probably, then, this
is their usual time of spawning. |

(To be continued.)

1871.)

From the American Naturalist, August, 1871.

^

PROGRESS OF AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. — Mr. Allen's* latest,
and in all respects his most valuable, memoir embraces several
distinct essays, for which the Mammals t and Winter Birds of
Florida seem to furnish merely the occasion, and are, at any rate,
overshadowed by the importance of the general questions dis-
cussed. He has worked long and faithfully upon a subject of
broad interest, and his labors will receive attention, no less from
those who differ from him, than those whom he convinces. Stand-
ing squarely opposed to the great majority of ornithologists,
his arguments must be refuted, or his position endorsed. In our
present character of unwilling critic, we endeavor to speak in the
same earnest spirit of inquiry that tempers Mr. Allen’s page; and
may possibly succeed in showing how trivial is the real point at
issue between Mr. Allen and those of us from whom he appears to
differ so widely.

Mr. Allen’s lists and field notes, which result from several
months investigation, are collated with Mr. Maynard’s and Mr.
Boardman’s, and ‘‘ may be considered as equivalent collectively
to the labors of a single observer constantly in the field for at
least four or five winters." (p. 161.) They are properly prefaced
with a sketch of the physical features of the country, trom which

* On the Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, with an examination of Certain
Assumed Specific Characters in Birds, and a sketch of the Bird-faunz of Eastern North
America. By J. A. ALLEN. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Vol. II,
No.3. pp. 161-451. pls.4-8. 1871.

t The list of Mammals comprises thirty-five species, among them the Trichechus man-
atus, * still quite common in the Indian River," and a large bat, probably one of the
West Indian Megadermatide new to our fauna, but unfortunately not identified. Here
as elsewhere, the writer's extreme views are conspicuous in the several synonymical
lists, and technical discussions. In the case of * Ursus arctos” we may observe that
even those who might assent to the identity of our grizzly with the huge bears of
Northern Europe, would not admit U. Americanus to be a mere synonym.

hs vw » *

365 REVIEWS.

we gather two interesting points. The irregularity which Audu-
bon noticed in the pairing and breeding of some resident species,
corresponds to the gradual and protracted development of the
vegetation; the mildness of the winter causing an almost peren-
nial verdure, and four weeks in February and March being re-
quired to accomplish the work of one in May at the North. The
other fact, of diminished vivacity of the birds during the breed-
ing season is of similar significance. ‘‘In spring, at the North,
the woods . . are vocal with bird-music ; but in Florida no such
outburst of song marks the vernal season; . . the songs of
some are much abbreviated, and so different from what they are
at the North as to be sometimes scarcely recognizable.” (p. 166.)

The list of birds, considered as simply such, shows the same
care and fidelity that mark all Mr. Allen’s papers, and supplies a
special desideratum. Our local lists of the Atlantic coast may
now be considered nearly complete, and they collectively afford a
very perfect ornithological map from Labrador to Florida. To
the one hundred and eighty-three species here given either as per-
manent residents or winter visitors — these two classes being
carefully discriminated — a few perhaps will be hereafter added,
but certainly not may remain unnoticed. "We do not observe any
name previously unrecorded, or, at least, not to have been antici-
pated from the known range of habitat. Aside from the critical
dissertations, and the tables of measurements, that the list con-
tains— neither of which are essential to its integrity, and which,
therefore, we shall presently notice in another connection — its
chief value rests upon the copious and accurate field-notes, which
are always reliable, and generally represent important items of in-
formation. The extensive lists of synonyms, however interesting
as indices of the writer's peculiar views, or valuable as biblio-
graphical compilations, are nevertheless, we regret to think, of
little consequence in some respects, and in others positively inju-
rious. Some of them must tend, we feel sure, to bring Mr.
Allen’s general work into disrepute. When, for instance, we see
(p. 300) Chordeiles Texensis given as a synonym of C. popetue, it
is certain, that however truthful the author may be in the gen-
eral tenor of his way, he sometimes exceeds the utmost limits of
propriety. One who wields so free a lance as Mr. Allen's, should
be sure his own vizor is well down: and a blunder like this looks
still worse from its inconsistency. For, in another place (p. 355),

REVIEWS. 366

he does us the honor (his endorsement in such a case is an honor)
to recognize our Pelidna Americana — a bird that cannot stand a
moment upon Mr. Allen’s platform; and in one or two other in-
stances — that of Graculus Floridanus, for example, unquestiona-
bly a southern form of G. dilophus—he is similarly untrue to his
principles.

Among the critical discussions that we mentioned just now, is a
highly satisfactory elucidation of the several interesting modifica-
tions in size, form and color that result from climatic and other
physical influences upon the birds. The decrease in stature, coin-
cident with lowering of latitude, was perhaps already sufficiently
known; but the other points needed the excellent exposition they
receive at Mr. Allen’s hands. He shows a singular tendency to
increase in the size of the bill of Floridan birds. This corres-
ponds exactly to the remarkable elongation of the tail of many
southwestern forms ; and his explanation— greater activity of per-
ipheral circulation—is doubtless as applicable to one as to the
other. The third characteristic of Floridan forms is an intensity
of coloration, as compared with Northern broods of the same spe-
cies. This is well illustrated in the Quail, and several other species,
particularly the curious little: pilo in which the white markings of
the wings and tail are at a minimum, though the iris, singularly
enough, is white instead of red. * It would be difficult to over-es-
timate the importance that attaches to this admirable elucidation
of the peculiarities that collectively distinguish the Floridan birds.
Interesting in itself, additional value is gained in its affording data
for a similar exhibit of the relationships of the birds of the Lower
Rio Grande and Colorado rivers. Numerous forms from these
regions, as well as from the peculiar Cape St. Lucas locality, can
be better interpreted now that we have analyzed that portion of
the Eastern Province lying within corresponding degrees of lat-
itude; and many that have been named as positive specific forms,
and taken to be such, may prove merely indices of geographical
variation occurring in strict accordance with laws that Mr. Allen

* PIPILO ALLENI, nob. — P. erythrophthalmo similis, sed minor, alis caudáque minus
albo-plagiatis, et iridibus albis. This interesting **form," which we believe remains
unnamed, we have great pleasure in dedicating to our esteemed friend.

An anonymous writer of some pleasant articles on our birds in Appleton's Journal
(iv, p. 258) says: “The * Chewink? is perhaps the most curious instance of change in
the color of the iris, which with the summer dress is red, and with the winter, white —
the change taking place sometimes first in one eye, and then in the other, during the
process ofthe autumn moulting.” This, if so, is new to us.

367 REVIEWS.

has demonstrated. In some cases indeed, Floridan forms furnish
exactly intermediate links, as when the Floridan Thryothorus
grades from Ludovicianus proper into Berlandieri ; and again there
are cases, like that of the Quail, where the Floridan form, although
unnamed, is as different from average Northern samples as O.
Texanus is. Promulgation of data so pertinent to the general
question of variation in feral animals is a service of great moment
to ornithology, and Mr. Allen's careful handling of the subject
elevates his ** Winter Birds of East Florida" to a place that no
mere annotated catalogue, however good, could claim.

Still keeping away from the main issue, we will note certain
discussions, some relevant and others not so, that the Floridan
list affords. Bartram’s somewhat celebrated ** Sacred Vulture”
certainly needed the overhauling it gets; Mr. Allen finds it a
myth, based upon Sarcorhamphus papa, with a dash of Polyborus
tharus, and an infusion of Bartram’s imagination ; which is pretty
much as was to have been expected. The origin of the domestic
turkey is handled at some length. After fusing M. Mexicana with
M. gallopavo, Mr. Allen attempts to refute LeConte’s and Baird’s
theories, arguing that the domestic bird was reimported from
Europe, whither it was originally carried from Mexico. Among
other discussions, are those upon the species of Cathartes, Buteo,
Parus, Passerculus, Quiscalus and Turdus, in which the writer
pleads for a much less number of species than are usually ad-
mitted, and presents some astonishing lists of synonyms. We
have no other objection to these disquisitions, than that they lead
to nothing tangible, for they seem to us to be merely a recapitula-
tion of what was before known of the close resemblance, and wide
limits of variation, of the species in question; the opinion that
Mr. Allen offers of their specific identity being, of course, a fore-
gone conclusion from his premises. It seems to us unnecessary
for Mr. Allen to raise the Zylocichla question for the third time,
merely to repeat, with some expansion, the remarks that appeared
in his “Birds of Massachusetts” and “Birds of Iowa" ; no good
can result, we conceive, from rehearsal of items already the com-
mon property of ornithologists, or from reiteration of individual
opinion.

The many extensive and elaborate tables of measurements that
enrich the ** Winter Birds of Florida," and show not only the dis-
crepancy in size between Floridan and Northern birds, but also the

REVIEWS. 968

variations in each of these, may be regarded as collateral with, or
supplementary to, Mr. Allen's highly interesting and suggestive
* Examination of Certain Assumed Specific Characters in Birds."
This constitutes Part III of the memoir, and is the nucleus of the
whole. Every paper of Mr. Allen's which we have had the pleas-
ure of studying has plainly disclosed the drift of his views, and in
this one his energies are focussed on an attempt to show that a
very large proportion of the forms we commonly designate by
means of the binomial nomenclature ought not to be so designated.
The proposed reduction in our nominal lists is to be effected
mainly by discarding all names imposed upon ‘‘ geographical dif-
ferentiation” among birds. We say this advisedly ; for, since no
ornithologist upholds the practice of naming individual variations,
local or other climatic varieties are all that he has to fight against
in his present crusade. The attack is first made, very judiciously,
with an elaborate and interesting exposition of purely individual
variation in birds, based upon an examination of extensive series
of specimens.

Mr. Allen says (p. 188), that he has the material to ** disclose
a hitherto unsuspected range of purely individual differentiation ;^
but this we are not prepared to admit. Fully aware ourselves of
the extent of variation that he demonstrates, we cannot presume
that other ornithologists are less informed. Still we must, in the
same breath, do Mr. Allen the justice to add that he shows the
known wide range of both individual and climatie variation to be
more extensively applicable than we practically consider it; in
short, that he proves what we are accustomed to regard as excep-
tional to be the rule. Several prominent phases of individual vari-
ation are discussed. In color, he holds that it is solely a matter
of intensity, ‘‘ while in allied species there is almost always an
appreciable variation in the style of coloration" (p. 187), and il-
lustrates the fact with many examples. This is so true, that we
wonder how Mr. Allen can unite Chordeiles Texensis with C. pop-
etue, while he keeps Rallus elegans and R. crepitans apart; for, in
the latter case, the difference is solely in intensity, while in the
former it is largely in style of coloration! Other color-varia-
tions, as those dependent upon age and season, are faithfully pre-
sented ; but these have not, perhaps, on the whole, so much impor-
tance as the differences in size and proportion of parts, to which
he justly gives special attention. His admirable tables of meas-

369 REVIEWS.

urements demonstrate what he claims— that many or most species,
vary in total stature, in the length of different members, and in
the relative proportions of different parts, from twelve to eighteen
per cent. of the mean dimensions. This, it should be remembered,
is independent of geographical differentiation ; and it will, we trust,
be enough to put us on our guard, against too ready acceptance of
slight discrepancies in size as an element in our diagnoses of spe-
cies. To cite but a single case in point :— twenty-seven speci-
mens of Parus atricapillus, taken in the same locality and at nearly
the same time, differ over an inch in length; that is, they grade
between the extremes of P. septentrionalis and P. Carolinensis.

** Climatic differentiation,” like individual variation, is shown to
occur under three principal phases: — in total size, in length and
stoutness of bill, and in color. The first of these is well known
and need not detain us. The second consists in the curious fact
above mentioned, of development of the bill in inverse ratio to the
size of the bird, with decrease in latitude. Climatic variation in
color, Mr. Allen holds, may be in respect of both latitudinal and
longitudinal conditions. In the matter of latitude, he shows a
gradual increase in intensity of color to the southward, probably
dependent upon the greater energy of the sunlight ; and in this way
disposes of several West Indian forms, commonly reputed as spe-
cies, pointing out that they are not more different from their Flori-
dan analogues, than these are from New England examples. As
to longitudinal variation, Mr. Allen brings prominently forward
the fact that ‘‘the general tendency from the East westward, is
to darker or deeper colors in specimens of the same species" (p.
237), and supports this by numerous unquestionable cases, many of
which will readily occur to the reader. The very notable excep-
tions afforded by the bleached specimens of the Colorado desert,
furnish the occasion for what we regard as decidedly the most im-
portant point in the whole discussion, and one that we do not re-
member to have seen in print before. Under head of ** Causes of
Climatic Variation” (p. 259), Mr. Allen takes humidity of the at-
mosphere, as determined by the mean annual rain-fall, to be the
real cause of this intensity of color. In examining Dr. Foster's
“ The Mississippi Valley," some time since, we were struck with
the determinations there made of the hygrometrie influences result-
ing in the production of forest, prairie and desert, according to the
mean annual water-supply, and, at the same time, perceived the

REVIEWS. 370

exact relations that subsist between the average intensity of col-
oration of the birds that collectively inhabit the regions so defined.
We are gratified to find ourselves endorsed by Mr. Allen’s inves-
tigations, as appears from the following paragraph : —

** [ had long suspected that hygrometrie conditions had much to
do with local variations in color in individuals of the same spe-
cies, but I was not a little surprised when I came to compare the
known areas most prolifie of dark or light local forms with rain-
charts — which may be assumed as indicating relatively the hygro-
metrie conditions of different regions — to find the distribution of
the light colored races so strictly coincident with the regions of
minimum mean annual rain-fall, and the dark forms with those
of maximum mean annual rain-fall, as seems to be the case. Hu-
midity has hence apparently more to do with climatic variation
than solar intensity.” (p. 240.)

Part III concludes with a vehement protest — certainly not
lacking in the force that comes of conscientious and earnest be-
lief—against the custom of naming forms, however distinct, that
are found to intergrade; and at the risk of protracting this no-
tice beyond due bounds, we cannot, in justice to our author, refuse
to follow him further, although by so doing we must defer (per-
haps to take up in another connection), what we should wish to
say respecting Part V, in which the several bird-faune of eastern
North America are defined.

Mr. Allen undertook a laborious and not entirely grateful task ;
and has won enviable laurels in its execution. It is so discourag-
ing to the strongest swimmer to feel that he is breasting the tide
of nearly universal opinion, that moderate success must be corres-
pondingly acceptable. If it be something to deserve thorough
criticism it is more when close scrutiny detects nothing worse than
indiscretion. From the nature of his task, he was peculiarly ex-
posed to the danger of over-doing ; and in using the old maxim,
ne quid nimis, we indicate the pith of what adverse criticism we
feel compelled to make. In contributing invaluable material, care-
fully elaborated and forcibly presented, Mr. Allen seems neverthe-
less to have viewed his theme through the medium of enthusiastic
iconoclasm so refractive that he has lost some of his bearings, and
reached a position so extreme, that we fear ornithologists must
suspect his reasoning simply because his premises are unquestion-
able and his conclusions untenable. And what does he offer
instead of the idols he deposes? After being shown what is not a

371 REVIEWS.

species, we have a right to demand that he should say what a spe-
cies is. But this is all we have :—‘‘ The question of species and
of specific synonymy is simplified to this : that whenever two forms
which have both received specific names are found to intergrade,
the more recent name shall become a synonym of the older.” (p.
245.) Simple and easy as this seems, it presents great if not
insuperable obstacles ; and we will add just here, that this shifting
of the question from the vital point, namely, the discussion of
what a species is, to a superficial issue, namely, the propriety of
imposing names upon this or that form, is not what we should
have expected from a naturalist of Mr. Allen’s position.
Following his rule we hold our nomenclature by a frail tenure
indeed ; for nothing in biology is more certain than that the mul-
titude of animals and plants now existing, are the ramifications of
comparatively few trunks; and nothing is more unstable than in-
tergradation which he proposes as a crucial test. To speak roundly,
everything runs into something else ; not necessarily just now (though
this is frequently the case), but at some period. ‘Species,’ like
some plants, are stoloniferous; they produce offsets that finally
separate from their parent stock, and appear like distinct entities.
Our positive specific forms — those that alone we should recognize,
according to Mr. Allen — are simply those whose wide divergence
has concealed or broken their connections with the original stem ;
while all debatable forms (and these coristitute a great part of our
lists) are merely those that are in visible process of separation.
When a form has diverged to the slightest appreciable degree,
some ornithologists, like Brehm, for instance, label it with a bino-
mial; most ornithologists, probably, wait till they think that this
divergence is a settled thing not likely to revert; but nearly all
will name with the connecting links before their eyes. Mr. Allen,
however, like Prof. Schlegel, would virtually ignore the pro-
cess of divergence, until it has reached a certain, or rather an un-
certain, point, and effaced connections that once existed. We
are opposed to this, and still plead for names, if only as ** conven-
ient handles for facts" that it is of the last importance to bear in
mind. Pure synonyms are pure trash, of course, and none detest
them more cordially than ourselves ; but we insist upon the advis-
ability, in the present stage of our science, of recognizing geograph-
ical and some other differentiations by name.* No stronger

* Not necessarily a “ specific ? name, but some one additional word, with or without
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. V. 24

REVIEWS. 372

evidence of the utility of this could be desired than is afforded by
the advance of our knowledge of American birds within the last
ten or fifteen years; for it is undeniable that the searching seru-
tiny to which they have been subjected has been facilitated by the
custom of Prof. Baird and others of naming all recognizable
« forms,” without the least reference, even by implication, to the
abstract question of species. Mr. Allen himself admits that these
geographical binomials ** have furnished stepping-stones to later
generalizations;" a very proper admission, for the road he has
just travelled with signal success was first opened, and afterward
smoothed by them. The present is no time to discard such useful
adjuncts: let the scaffolding stand till the building is finished.
We hold that the whole matter at issue between Mr. Allen and
most of the rest of us is a war of words—a mere difference of
opinion as to what a binomial may properly be used to express.
To illustrate: Assume that Sturnella magna, neglecta, Mexicana,
hippocrepis and meridionalis are climatic differentiations, and that
very likely they all came from one pair of birds. Mr. Allen would
of course be the first to disclaim any more information than Dr.
Sclater, for instance, possesses. Both these gentlemen know ex-
actly how the case stands; but one of them chooses to predicate
Sturnella magna upon a diagnosis wide enough to include without
specifying the five forms; while the other chooses to sort out the
five lots and label each of them with a different name. We repeat
Mr. Allen's own words ; it does ** depend. entirely upon individual
predilection whether two, three or four ‘species’ or ‘binomial
forms’” shall be recognized; and to argue the point, under color
of diseussing the origin and nature of species, is to saw the air.
A species, as far as naming it is concerned, is quite as much an
opinion as a genus or a family is; for it is certain that genera and
that families shade into each other. If the test that Mr. Allen
proposes for species be applied to higher groups, our nomenclature
falls to the ground ; and if it be not thus applicable, it is equally
inapplicable to species. By what rule would Mr. Allen separate
Trupialis militaris from Sturnella magna? In spite of the fact that
these are not known, at present, to intergrade, there is no assur-

the sign ** var.," that shall stamp the form we wish to signalize. Perhaps this would
be a judicious middle course, most applicable to the present state of the science. But
if use of a regular binomial for geographical races be an evil, lumping them all under
one name, as pure synonyms, with no hint of the different shades of meaning they rep-
resent, is assuredly a greater evil, and one that seriously militates against the prog-
ress of ornithology, if, indeed, it does not tend to throw the science back.

TARIE T T cruda ed
^ AM ae

REVIEWS.

^

ice. that if the difference in climate, etc., between Kansas and
"vip has differentiated S. neglecta from S. magna, greater
t parallel eh ado in iple n conditions have P. in the

Te

imt um P nail becomes a logical neces. to admit a corre- .
sponding instability of all groups based upon an aggregation of a
these units ; and if we are not to name Sturnella neglecta, because

t is only a little differentiation of S. magna, we cannot consist-

tly name a king-crab because it is great differentiation of a

lobite. All differentiations are or were once, gradual and im-
ptible ; all are of degree only, not of kind; to n.
ne, is a matter of individual discretion. Mr. A
fully carried out, renders our nomenclature simply an in
skill or luek in tracing Bake between species ; p if o

soanen i aor i :

i me anything. meet o i

To our mind, this forcibly illustrates the inefficiency of the Lin-
næan nomenclature as an adequate method of formulating our
knowledge. It answered, when a thing was either square or else
it was round— when species were held for fixed facts as separate
creations ; but now that we know a thing may be neither square
nor round, but something between, it is lamentahly defective.
Not many years hence, we trust, naturalists will have discarded it
for some better method of notation; and then the wonder will be
that we advanced so far with such a stumbling-block in the way.
Who shall say how much the advance of chemistry, for instance, or
of philosophie anatomy, has been facilitated, or indeed rendered
possible, by the invention of expressive symbols and apt formulas?
or how much of the acknowledged confusion in zoology and botany
flows from our cramped method of expressing our views? If we
must continue to use a tool so blunt and unhandy as the binomial
nomenclature, all cannot be expected to use it with equal skill and
effect. — ELLIOTT Cours.

[From the American Naturalist, Vol. V, November. 1871.] &

bBELLGCK'S ORIOLE.
BY ELLIOTT COUES.

ALTHOUGH the beautiful bird referred to in the works cited *
has been known by name for nearly half a century, no complete
biography has yet appeared; and doubtless many readers of
the NarunaLIsT will be glad to have such information as we can
furnish from our study of its habits. We will premise that it is
a near relative of the Baltimore oriole, or fire-bird, or hangnest,
as it is indifferently called; a bird whose striking colors and
brilliant voeal powers, together with its abundance in our streets
and orchards, have made it a well-known favorite. Like the Bal-
timore, it is chiefly black and orange in color, but it differs in
having a large white patch on the wings, and the sides of the
head and neck orange instead of black. The female, as in all the
orioles, is smaller than the male and with hardly a trace of his

* Xanthorthus Bullockii SW AINSON, Phil. Mag. i, 1827, p. 436.—A UDUBON, Orn. Biog. v,
1839, p. 9, pls. 388, 453, and 8vo, ed. iv, 1842, p. 43, pl. 218.—Pacific Railroad Reports, vi.
1857, p. 87; ix, 1858, p. 519; x, 1859, p. 52; xii, 1859, p. 209, and Mex. Bound. Survey, ii,
pt. 2, 1859, p. 20.—COUES, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., 1866, p. 55.—COOPER, Cal.
Birds, i, p. 273.— Psarocolius auricollis of MAXIMILIAN.

619 BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

brilliant hues, being plain olive-grey above and whitish beneath
with pale yellow on the head, breast and some other parts. The
young male at first resembles the female. This is only one of
eountless cases in which the sexes bear such relations in color.
The mother-bird, almost defenceless amidst many dangers, and
wholly incapable of protecting her young, is shielded by her hum-
ble garb, matching the foliage in which she lives, that she may
pass to and from her nest unobserved, and accomplish her impor-
tant maternal offices in safety. We may judge how well this be-
neficent design is accomplished, by a glance at any of our large
collections Fig. 120.
where this spe-
cies is repre-
sented; for a
dozen or more
of the richly at-
tired males will
be found for one
of the female.
Of the many
beautiful ori-
oles that inhabit
Tropical Ameri-
2a, only two —
the Baltimore
and the orchard
— range north-
ward through the Eastern United States. In the west, several
kinds reach our southern borders, but Bullock's is the only one that
proceeds further north. Its distribution in the west corresponds,
in a general way, with that of the Baltimore in the east. It inhab-
its all the wooded portions of the Rocky Mountain and Pacific re-
gions of the United States; in most of its range it is separated
from the habitat of the Baltimore by the intervening treeless Cen-
tral Plateau, though the two species approach closely, if indeed
they may not be found together, along the Upper Missouri. We
have no record of its reaching into British America, but should

Bullock's Oriole.

not be surprised to learn that it extends its range beyond the Uni-
ted States in summer. Being strictly a migratory species, like
all of its family, it passes south in the fall, to winter in the

. TUI

"

p

BULLOCK’S ORIOLE. 680

warmer parts of America. It appears in Lower California in
March, but does not complete its migration into the United States
until some time in the following month, when the forests it loves
to dwell in are clothed with verdure. In the pine clad mountains
of Arizona and New Mexico, we never saw it until about the mid-
dle of April; then, and until the cool weather of September, we
were almost daily gratified with the sight of the gaily-hued birds
gleaming through the sombre foliage like tiny meteors, and with
the sound of their musical voices awakening echoes along the
deepening aisles of the woodland.

In the countries just mentioned, the belts of thick cotton-wood
and willows that generally fringe the streams are favorite resorts,
perhaps because the pliant twigs are best suited to their wants in
constructing their nest. All the orioles are wonderful architects,
weaving pensile nests of soft pliable fibrous substances with a
nicety and beauty of finish that human art would vainly attempt to
rival. These elegant fabrics are hung at the end of slender twigs,
out of reach of ordinary enemies; and though they may swing
with every breath of wind, this is but cradle-rocking for the cal-
low young, and it is a rude blast indeed that endangers the safety
of their leafy home.

Little time passes after their arrival before the modestly-attired
females, rambling silently through the verdure, are singled out
and attended each by her impetuous consort, who sings his choic-
est songs, and displays the prowess she admires most. His song
is an elegant paraphrase of the Baltimore’s, with all its richness
and variety, though an ear well skilled in distinguishing birds’ notes
can readily detect a difference. Their courtship happily settled,
the pair may be seen fluttering through the thicket they have cho-
sen, in eager search for a building-place ; and when a suitable one
is found, no time is lost in beginning to weave their future home.

It is a great mistake to suppose that birds of the same species al-

ways build in the same way. Though their nests have a general
resemblance in style of architecture, they differ greatly according
to their situation, to the time the birds have before the nest must
be used for the reception of the eggs, and often, we are tempted
to think, according to the taste and skill of the builders. In their
work of this sort, birds show a remarkable power of selection, as
well as of adapting themselves to cireumstances ; in proof of which
we have only to examine the three beautiful specimens. now lying

681 BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

before us. Each is differently constructed; and while all three
evince wonderful powers of weaving, one of them in particular is
astonishingly ingenious, displaying the united aecomplishments of
weaving and basket making. Before proceeding, we may premise
that the idea of the nest is a sort of bag or purse, closely woven
of slender pliant substances like strips of fibrous bark, grasses,
hair, twine, etc., open at the top, and hung by its rim in the fork
of a twig or at the very end of a floating spray. 1

The first nest was built in a pine tree; and if the reader wil
call to mind the stiff nature of the terminal branchlets, each bear-
ing a thick bunch of long straight needle-like leaves, he will see
that the birds must have been put to their wits’ end, though very
likely he will not be able to guess how they made shift with such
unpromising materials. They made up their minds to use the
leaves themselves in the nest, and with this idea they commenced
by bending down a dozen or twenty of the stiff slender filaments,
and tying their ends together at the bottom. If you have ever
seen a basket maker at work, with his upright pieces already in
place, but not yet fixed together with the circular ones, you will
understand exactly what the birds had thus accomplished. They
had a secure framework of nearly parallel and upright leaves nat-
urally attached to the bough above, and tied together below by
the bird's art.. This skeleton of the nest was about nine inches
long, and four across the top, running to a point below; and the
subsequent weaving of the nest upon this basis was an easy mat-
ter to the birds, though, if one were to examine a piece of the
fabric eut away from the nest, he could hardly believe that the thin
yet tough and strong felting had not been made by some shoddy
contraetor for the supply of army clothing. Yet it was all de-
signed in a bird's little brain, and executed with skilful bill and
feet.

Perhaps the young birds that were raised in the second nest did
not appreciate their romantic surroundings, but their parents were
evidently a sentimental pair. If they did not do their courting
"under the mistletoe,” at any rate they built a cozy home there,
tinting the sober reality of married life with the rosy hue of their
varlier dreams. The nest was hung in a bunch of the <Arceutho-
bium oxycedri, an abundant epiphytic plant that on the western
wilds represents the mistletoe, and recalls the cherished memories
of holiday gatherings. The nest was a cylindrical purse some

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. 682

six inches deep and four broad, hanging to several sprays of the
mistletoe, which were partly interwoven with the nest to form
a graceful drapery. The felting material was long, soft, vegeta-
ble fibre of a glistening silvery lustre, in artistic contrast with
the dark-hued foliage. .A few hairs were sewn through and
through, for greater security, and the pretty fabric was lined with
a matting of the softest possible plant-down, like that of a button-
wood or an Asclepias.

The general shape and the material of the third nest were much
the same as those of the last; it was, however, suspended from
the forked twig of an oak, and draped almost to concealment with
leaves. But it had a remarkable peculiarity, being arched over
and roofed in at the top with a dome of the same material as the
rest, and had a little round hole in one side just large enough to
let the birds pass in. Such a globular nest as this is probably ex-
ceptional; but now it will not do to say that orioles always build
pensile pouches open at the top.

The eggs of this species are four or five in number, and rather
elongated in form, being much pointed at the smaller end. "They
measure on an average just an inch in length, by about two-thirds
as much in greatest diameter, which is much nearer the larger than
the smaller end. In color they are very pale bluish, or rather
whitish with a faint dull blue shade, and are everywhere irregu-
larly overrun with fine sharp hair lines of blackish brown, or black-
ish with a slight tinge of purplish. These curious zigzig markings
are characteristic of the eggs of a majority of the birds of the
family (Jcteride). They have no definite style, but wander
at random over the surface, and in no two specimens are they
alike. Thus in one specimen the lines, fine as hairs, are wound
round and round the butt, with such regularity that they hardly
ever interfere; in others, they are snarled up in different places ;
and sometimes, particularly at a sharp turning-point, the lines
spread into little spots; and there are often a few such isolated
markings in various places over the egg.*

We need say nothing of the general habits and manners of Bul-
lock’s Oriole, for it does not differ from the well-known Baltimore
bird in these respects.

*The nests and eggs above described were collected in California and are now in
the Smithsonian Institution, where we have been generously allowed to ex amine them

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U. S NORTHERN BOUNDARY COMMISSION:
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Esq., COMMISSIONER.
Mas. W. J. TWINING, U. 3. ENGRs., CHIEF Astronomer.

ATURAL HISTORY.

No. I. | ox T

ON THE MURIDÆ.

BY

Dr. ELLIOTT COUES, U.S. Army,

SURGEON AND NATURALIST OF THE COI MISSION.

REISSUED, WITH ADDITIONS,

FROM THE

ROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 1874.

PHILADELPHIA.
COLLINS, PRINTER.
1874.

U. S. NORTHERN BOUNDARY COMMISSION:
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Esq., COMMISSIONER.
Mas. W. J. TWINING, U. S. Enars., Cuter Astronomer.

merURAL HISTORY.

No. I.

ON THE MURIDÆ.

BY
Dr. ELLIOTT COUES, U.S. Army,

SURGEON AND NATURALIST OF THE COMMISSION.

REISSUED, WITH ADDITIONS,
FROM THE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 1874.

PHILADELPHIA.
COLLINS, PRINTER.
1874.

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I. ON THE MURIDE OF THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY SURVEY,
WITH A CRITICAL REVISION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN
GENERA AND SPECIES.

THE present is the first of a series of preliminary zoological
reports which may appear from time to time, during the elabora-
tion of the material secured by the Boundary Commission. Gen-
eral faunal considerations are deferred to the final report. The
ground here covered is a belt of country along the parallel of 49°
N., from the Red River of the North to the Rocky Mountains,
representing the northern border of the Territories of Dakota and
Montana. Of North American Muridæ, the genera Sigmodon,
Ochetodon, Myodes, and Cuniculus are not represented, the first
two being Southern, the others Arctic. All the genera and species
are, however, introduced to complete an account of the group.

A. Subfamily MunRIN E.

(Murine Series.)
I. Genus MUS, L.
1. Mus decumanus, L.

Introduced.

2. Mus musculus, L.
Introduced.
(Sigmodont Series.)
II. Genus NEOTOMA, Say and Ord.
3. Neotoma cinerea, S. & O.

Eastern base and outliers of the Rocky Mountains; not east-
ward on the prairie. Frequent.

III. Genus HESPEROMYS, Woodh.
(Subgenus VESPERIMUS, Coues.)
4. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) cucopus, Lec.

Everywhere; the most abundant and characteristic species.
Mainly represented by var. sonoriensis.

(Subgenus Onycnomys, Baird.)
5. Hesperomys (Onychomys) leucogaster, Maxim.
Rare. One specimen secured at Pembina.

B. Subfamily ARvIcoLIN a.
IV. Genus EVOTOMYS, Coues.
6. Evotomys rutilus, var. gapperi, Coues.

Observed at various points. This is near its southern limit of
distribution in these longitudes.

V. Genus ARVICOLA, Lacépéde.
(Subgenus MyonomEs, Rafinesque. )
7. Arvicola (Myonomes) riparius, Ord.

Abundant, particularly about the prairie pools.

(Subgenus PEDOMYs, Baird.)
8. Arvicola (Pedomys) austerus, Lec.

Eastern portions of the Line. Probably represented west-
wardly by var. curtatus,* Cope.

VI. Genus SYNAPTOMYS, Baird.
9. Synaptomys cooperi, Bd.
Although not observed, the ascertained ranges of this remarka-
ble and little known species brings it into the present connection.
(Illinois, Kansas, Oregon, Alaska.) t

VII. Genus FIBER, Cuvier.
10. Fiber zibethicus, Cuv.
On all the water-courses and permanent pools.

* The Arvicola pauperrima, Cooper, Am. Nat. ii., Dec. 1868, p. 535 (Washington
Territory), not given in the following pages, is a synonym of A. austerus, var. curta-
tus, as I ascertain by examination of the type-specimen.

SYNOPSIS' OF THE MURIDZE OF NORTH AMERICA,

Family MURID.E.

Taken in its current acceptation, but with exclusion of the
genus Jaculus, which differs sufficiently in dentition, in the cha-
racter of the anteorbital foramen, proportions of limbs, and other
og

Nou MESS Eu 18. teste
i! 0—0 0—0 3—3 4—4 8
Oe foramen a large pyriform slit, bounded exteriorly by
a broad plate of the maxillary.

Subfamily MURINA.

Molars. rooted, tubercular, with crenate periphery. Root of
under incisor causing protuberance on outside of jaw, at or near
notch between condyle and coronoid process. Descending pro-
cess of mandible a broad flattened plate, wholly below plane of
the molars. Anterior root of zygoma deeply nicked at the ante-
orbital foramen. Palate nearly plane.

Murine Series.

Molars with three tubercles in transverse series. Soles naked.
(Only indigenous in the Old World—introduced in the New.)

Genus I. MUS, Linn., emend.

1. Mus decumanus.
2. Mus alexandrinus.
3. Mus rattus.

4. Mus musculus.

! Abstract of a memoir in which the characters of the varieties, species,
and higher groups are treated in full, with synonymy, bibliography, etc.,
and the argument for the views advanced. Based on the material (several
thousand specimens) in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

Sigmodont Series.

Molars with two tubercles in transverse series. Soles normally!
hairy. (New World rats and mice.)

Genus II. NEOTOMA, Say and Ord.

Syn. Mus, sp, Say and Ord, 1818; Desm., 1822.— Arvicola, sp., Harlan,
1825.—Lemmus, sp., Fisch., 1829.—Neotoma, Say and Ord, J. A. N.
S. P. iv. 1825, 346, and of authors ; type, N. floridana.— Myozus, sp.,
Rich., Zool. Journ. iii. 1828, 517 (.N. cinerea).—Teonoma! J. E.
Gray (same type).

Obs. Embracing sigmodont rats of North and Middle America,
of the largest size, highly murine in general aspect. None so
small as the largest of the other N. American species. There are
abundant cranial and external generic characters. Only here we
find in one species a bushy distichous tail, almost as in Scturus—
a circumstance which doubtless caused the reference of the species
to Myoxus; but other species of the genus do not show this
feature.

Analysis of Species.
I. Tail scantily hairy (nearly as in Mus).
a. Tail bicolor, barely or not as long as the body without the head.
Feet éntirely white. Length 9 inches or less; tail 6 or less.
FLORIDANA.
b. Tail unicolor, blackish, about as long as head and body. Feet
partly dusky.
a’. Large; about the size and general coloration of N. floridana.
FUSCIPES.
b’. Small; length about 7 inches. Coloration rich, warm rusty-
red, with snowy white underparts. (Extralimital.)
FERRUGINEA.
II. Tail densely hairy (as in Myoxus), bicolor. Size of the first, or larger.
CINEREA.

Obs. In addition to the foregoing, occurs N. magister, a fossil
species, known only by its skull. It is a probable progenitor of
series I., if not of the whole. N. cinerea obviously stands apart;
the other species still continue more nearly united, though I have
not seen exactly intermediate specimens.

! Naked in Sigmodon, in subgenus Oryzomys, and almost soin two species
of subgenus Vesperimus.

T

1. Neotoma magister, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 498, in text. Loc. of remains :— Caves
in Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg and Carlisle.

2. Neotoma floridana, Say and Ord.
Syn. Mus floridana, Ord, Bull. Soc. Philom. Phila. 1818, 181.
Arvicola floridana, Harlan, Fn. Amer. 1825, 141.
Neotoma floridana, Say and Ord, J. A. N. S. P. iv. 1825, 352, pl. x.
figs. 1, 2, 3, 4.
Lemmus floridanus, Fischer, Syn. 1829, 299.
Neotoma mexicana, Bd., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 333 ; M. N. A. 1857,
490 ; Mex. B. Surv. ii. 1859, 44, pl. 24, f. 1 a-g.
Neotoma micropus, Bd., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 933 ; M. N. A. 1857,
492; Mex. B. Surv. ii. 1859, 44.
Hab. Southern United States, and Northern Mexico. North to
Maryland (Audubon), New York ( Dell),and Massachusetts ( Gibbs).

Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas.

3. Neotoma fuscipes, Cooper.
Syn. Neotoma fuscipes, Cooper's MSS., Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 495.

Hab. California.
[3 bis. Extralimital: Neotoma ferruginea, Tomes. |
Syn. Neotoma ferruginea, Tomes, P. Z. S. 1861, 281.
Hab. Guatemala. Tehuantepec (Sumichrast).
4. Neotoma cinerea, (Ord) Baird.
Syn. Mus cinereus, Ord, Guthrie's Geog., 2d Am. ed., ii. 1815, 292 (based
on ash-colored rat with hairy tail of the Rocky Mts., Lewis and Clarke,
passim).
Neotoma cinerea, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 499, pl. liii. f. 4.
Myoxus drummondii, Rich., Zool. Journ. iii. 1828, 517.
Neotoma drummondii, Rich., F. B. A. i. 1829, 137, pl. viii.
Neotoma occidentalis, Cooper's MSS., Bd., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855,
335 ; M. N. A. 1857, 496, pl. liii. f. 3.
Hab. Western and Northwestern North America, to the Pacific.
East to Nebraska, Colorado, etc., and in British America to Hud
son's Bay. South to New Mexico and California.

Genus III. SIGMODON, Say and Ord.

Syn. Sigmodon, Say and Ord, J. A. N. S. P. iv. 1825, 852. Arvicola,
sp., Aud. and Bach., Harlan, Godman.—Hesperomys (subg. Deil-
emys), De Saussure, R. & M. Z. 1860 (type toltecus).

Obs. Very closely related to the average sigmodont mice.

Larger than usual; pelage hispid; soles naked, granular; hind

8

feet very long. 1st and 5th toes subequal and very short; fore-
feet not half as long as the hind. Tail nearly naked. Dental and
cranial characters slight. I can find but one species.

1. Sigmodon hispidus, Say and Ord.
Syn. Sigmodon hispidum, Say and Ord, J. A. N.S. P. iv. 1825, 354, pl.
X. f. 5, 6, 7, 8; and of authors.
Arvicola hispidus, Godm., Am. Nat. Hist. ii. 1826, 68.
Arvicola hortensis, Harlan, Fn. Amer. 1825, 138.
Arvicola ferrugineus, Harl., Am. Journ. Sc. x. 1826, 285 (rusty var.).
Arvicola texiana, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 229, pl. exlvii.
fig. 2 (not A. texiana, Id., ibid. 319, which is Hesperomys leucopus).
Sigmodon berlandieri, Bd., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 333; M. N. A.
1857, 504; Mex. B. Surv. ii. 1859, 44, pl. vi. f. 2, 2a (Texas and
Mexico).— Tomes, P. Z. S. 1861, 281 (Guatemala).
Hesperomys ( Deilemys) toltecus, De Saussure, R. & M. Z. 1860. p. —,
pl. ix. f. 3a (Vera Cruz).

Hab. Southern United States and Mexico, especially coastwise.
South to Guatemala.

Obs. Occupying a considerable stretch of country that affords
very different climatic conditions, this species changes insensibly
from reddish-brown lined with black, beneath whitish, tail rarely
equalling the body alone, and hind foot not over 1.30 or under
1.10 (typical hispidus), to a grayer brown, with purer white under
parts, tail sometimes equalling body and head, hind foot some-
times 1.37 (“berlandieri”); and this to an animal like the first in
colors and proportionate length of tail, but the hind foot not over
1.10, sometimes only 0.95 (‘‘toltecus”’).

Genus IV. HESPEROMYS,' Waterh., emend.

Syn. Mus, sp., Aud.—Arvicola, sp., Harl., Am. Monthly Journ. 1832,
446 (nuttalli) ; Aud. & Bach., Q. N. A. (sonoriensis Le C., texana,
Woodh., and oryzivora, Aud. and Bach.).—Hypudeus, sp., Maxim.,

! In proposing Hesperomys, Waterhouse obviously intended only to sepa-
rate the New World mice collectively from those of the Old World, on the
difference in the dentition. This is evident throughout his article in the
Voyage of the Beagle. Though treating only of South American species,
he is at pains to say in one place that ** Mus leucopus, Neotoma and Sigmodon
certainly belong to the same group." As instituted, Hesperomys is pre-
cisely coequal with the tribe or series Sigmodontes as contrasted with
typical Old World Mures. Itincludes in South America, Calomys (Eligmo-
dontia, F. Cuv.), Huabrothria, Phyllotis, Scapteromys, Oxymicterus, Holo-
cheilus, and Reithrodon; in North America, the ** Hesperomys’’ of our
authors, Onychomys, Oryzomys, ** Reithrodon’’ of our authors, Sigmodon

9

Reise, ii. 1841, 99 (leucogaster).— Musculus, Raf., Am. Monthly
Mag. iii. 1818, 446 (leucopus). — Hesperomys, Waterh., Zool. Voy.
Beag. 1839, 75 Cestablished for the New World mice collectively, and
therefore equivalent to the tribe Sigmodontes as now understood).—
Calomys, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 303 (aureolus).—
Onychomys, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 458 (leucogaster, Maxim.).—Ory-
zomys, Bd. op. et loc. cit. (palustris Harl.).

and Neotoma. Naturalists ssoon perceived the supergeneric value of this
assemblage, and sought to eliminate various groups under other generic
appellations. Waterhouse himself established a number of divisions which,
with some modifications, have been generally accepted. In North America,
Sigmodon and Neotoma, with the so-called ‘‘Retthrodon,”’ stand well apart
from Hesperomys ; in South America, Holocheilus and the true Reithrodon
seem perfectly distinct. The rest of the American mice (at least so far as
I know them) most probably fall under a restricted genus Hesperomys;
we have only to tie this name down to the strict value of a genus, pin it to
its type, and establish among the numerous species what subgeneric divi-
sions we can. From the circumstances of its founding it is difficult to say
what should be considered the type of Hesperomys. Waterhouse, in drawing
his comparisons between Mus and the New World mice, took M. rattus and
M. bimaculatus for such purpose; we may properly therefore elect the
latter as technically the type. But when Waterhouse, in 1837, established
Calomys upon C. elegans, he included in it both bimaculatus and gracilipes ;
and Eligmodontia of F. Cuvier is strictly coequal. It becomes a question
whether one of these names should not stand in place of Hesperomys as re-
stricted ; but as the latter is firmly established, as Calomys is by the same
author, and as Hligmodontia is no earlier, there may be no necessity for a
change. Resting then upon this strict application of Hesperomys to such
species as bimaculatus, elegans, and gracilipes, we may inquire how nearly,
if at all, the North American Vesper-mice agree with it. In his essay of
1857, Prof. Baird elaborately details the characters of the South American
species, and, excluding Reithrodon and Holocheilus as full genera, makes
Hesperoms to include three subgenera, viz., Calomys Waterh., Hubrothrix
(=Hubrothriz plus Phyllotis, Waterh.) and Oxymicterus (= Oxymicterus
plus Scapteromys, Waterh.). Among North American forms, he establishes
three subgenera, Hesperomys, Onychomys, and Oryzomys. I confirm these
last unequivocally ; the only point being whether the leucopus group, which
Baird left in Hesperomys, is not also a group subgenerically different from
that including elegans, bimaculatus, etc. All the North American mice
seem to be differentiated from those of South America by characters of
more than specific importance; the closest approach that I am aware of
being found in the leucopus group, a species of which—nuttalli, yellowish
underneath—comes near Calomys.

I propose to retain Hesperomys for all the North as well as certain South
American species, and to divide the former into three subgenera; Vesperimus,
Mihi, Onychomys, Baird, and Oryzomys, Baird.

10

Subgenus VESPERIMUS, Coues.

Syn. Musculus, Raf., Am. Month. Mag. iii. 1818, 446 (used in connec-
tion with leucopus, but ineligible for obvious reasons.)— Hesper-
omys, Baird (with exclusion of Onychomys and Oryzomys).—
Calomys, Aud. and Bach. Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 303 (type awreolus ; not
of Waterhouse).

Char. Teeth strictly sigmodont. Back upper border of orbit
not beaded (compare Onychomys and Oryzomys). Coronoid not
attaining level of condyle. Cranial and dental characters in
general strictly those of Hesperomys. Small but well-developed
cheek-pouches! Of medium and small size, lithe form and quick
movement. Eyes large, prominent. Snout pointed. Ears large,
rounded, thin, scantily and finely pilous; antitragus evident but
not valvular. Fore feet hardly or not half as long as the hinder;
palms naked ; fore claws not larger than the hinder ; digits slender,
3d and 4th subequal and longest, 2d and 5th successively much
shorter. Hind feet long, slender; soles 6-tubércuiate, naked or
scant-furred on the posterior third; 2d, 3d, and 4th subequal
and much the longest, 5th shorter; Ist shortest. Tail terete,
slender, closely hairy, ranging in length from as long as body
alone to a little longer than head and body. Pelage soft, close,
glossy, with but few longer bristly hairs; feet and under parts
white or whitish; body and tail more or less distinctly bicolor.
No woolly tufts of hair about the ears. Type, V. leucopus.
(Compare diagnoses of Onychomys and Oryzomys.)

Obs. Among the multitude of species of this group aseribed to
North America, I can recognize as distinct but the few following,
having proven to my entire satisfaetion the complete intergrada-
tion of the others.

1. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) leucopus, (Raf.) Le Conte.
Syn. American Field Mouse or Rat, Penn., Syn. 1771, No. 908; Hist.
Quad. 1781, No. 302; Arct. Zool. i. 1784, 181.
American Wandering Mouse, Barton, Med. and Surg. Journ. Phila. i
1805, p. 31.
Mus syloatieus, var., Erxl, Syst. Av. i. 1775, 390 (based on ** New
York var." of Pennant).
Mus sylvaticus, var. noveboracensis, Fisch., Syn. 1829, 318 (the same).
Mus noveboracensis, Selys-Longch., Etudes Microm. 1839, 67.
Mus agrarius, var. americanus, Kerr’s Linn. 1792, 231 (based on
Pennant).

11

Mus agrarius, Godman, Am. Nat. Hist. i. 3d ed. 1860, 316 (also in the
earlier editions).

Oricetus myoides, Gapper, Zool. Journ. v. 1830, 204, pl. 10 (Canada).

Hesperomys myoides, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 472 (Vermont, based on
Gapper!).

Arvicola emmonsii, DeKay, Rep. Quad. Mass. 1840, 61.

Musculus leucopus, Raf., Amer. Month. Mag. iii. 1818, 446.

Mus leucopus, Desm., Mamm. ii. 1822, 307 ; and of authors.

Hesperomys leucopus, Le ©., P. A. N.S. P. vi. 1852, 413, and of authors.

Hesperomys maniculatus, Wagn., Wieg. Arch. ii. 1848, 141, and ii.
1845, 148; Abh. Akad. Wissen., v. 1848, 316 (Labrador).

Hesperomys polionotus, Wagn., Wieg. Arch. ii. 1843, 52 (Georgia).

Hesperomys campestris, Le C., P. A. N. 8. P. vi. 1853, 413 (New
Jersey).

Hespermys texanus, Woodh., P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1858, 242 (Texas).

Hesperomys cognatus, Le C., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 442 (Southern

States).

Hesperomys gracilis, Le C., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 442 (Northwest
States).

Hesperomys austerus, Bd., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 336 (Washington
Territory).

Hesperomys boylii, Bd., P. A. N. S. P. vii. 1855, 335 (California).
Hesperomys gambeli, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 464 (Pacific Coast, U. S.).
? Hesperomys indianus, Maxim., Arch. f. Naturg. xviii. 1862, 111 (fide
Allen).
[.Note.—' The above synonymy is exclusive of the several geographical
varieties of this species which may be recognized. ]

Hab. North America generally.

la. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) leucopus gossypinus (Le C.).
Syn. Hesperomys gossypinus, Le Conte, P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1853, 411
(Georgia).
Hypudeus gossypinus, Le C., McMurtrie's Cuvier, i. 484, App.
Hab. South Atlantic States.

14. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) leucopus sonoriensis (Le C.).
Syn. ? Mus leucopus, Rich., Zool. Journ. iii. 1818, and F. B. A. i. 1829,
142.
Hesperomys sonoriensis, Le ©., P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1853, 413 (Sonora).
Hesperomys sonoriensis, var. nebrascensis, Bd. M. N. A. 462, in text.

Hab. Interior of North America, west of the Mississippi, from
Arctic Regions to Mexico (usually occupying this range to the

! The presence of cheek pouches, supposed to remarkably distinguish
this animal, I have determined in all the species of Vesperimus examined.
It is an interesting question whether they also occur in South American
forms.

12

exclusion of typical leucopus, but associated with it in some
localities).
lc. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) leucopus eremicus (Bd.).
Syn. Hesperomys eremicus, Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 479. m Quad. of
Arizona, Am. Nat. i. 398.

Hab. Valleys of the Colorado and Gila Rivers.

Obs. The soles in this variety, and in species No. 4, are quite
naked, but merely as an incident of their desert habitat.

2. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) aureolus, (Aud. & Bach.) Wagn.
Syn. Mus (Calomys) aureolus, Aud. & Bach., J. A. N. S. P. vi. 1842, 302 ;
Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 308, pl. 95.
Hesperomys aureolus, Wagn., Wieg. Arch. ii. 1843, 51.
? Arvicola muttalli, Harlan, Am. Month. Journ. 1832, 446; Med. and
Phys. Res. 1835, 55, pl. 00.
Hesperomys nuttalli, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 467.

Hab. Central and Southern States.

3. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) michiganensis, (Aud. & Bach.) Wagn.
Syn. Mus michiganensis, Aud. & Bach. J. A. N. S. Phila. viii. 1842, 304;
Quad. N. A. iii. 1854, 326.
Hesperomys michiganensis, Wagn., Wieg. Arch. ii. 1843, 51.
Mus bairdti, Hoy & Kenn., U. S. Patent Office Rep. Agric. for 1856,
(1857) 92, pl. xi.
Hab. Upper Mississippi Valley, especially Illinois, Michigan,
and Wisconsin.
4. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) californicus, (Gambel) Baird.

Syn. Mus californicus, Gamb., P. A. N.S. P. iv. 1848, 78 (Monterey).
Hesperomys californicus, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 478.
Hesperomys parasiticus, Cooper's MSS., Bd., op. cit. 479 (in text).

Hab. Southern and Lower California.

5. Hesperomys (Vesperimus') aztecus, De Sauss.
Syn. Hesperomys aztecus, De Sauss., R. M. Z. 1860, p. 00 (p. 22 of the re-
print).

Hab. “ Mexico.” Cape St. Lucas.

Obs. This species appears to belong strictly to the Vesperimus
group. It is about the size and form of V. leucopus, but the tail is
nearly naked and scarcely bicolor, while the colors are notably
different ; they differ just as those of Neotoma ferruginea do from

1 I have not determined the presence of cheek pouches in this or the suc-
ceeding species; in all other respects they are truly Vesperimus, and they
doubtless possess them.

13

those of N. floridana, in rich rusty-red on the sides and partly
dusky metatarsus.

To the foregoing list I append the description of an apparently
new species of this group:—

6. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) melanophrys, Coues, n. s.
Syn. ?? Hesperomys mexicanus, De Sauss., R. M. Z. 1860, p. 00 (p. 20 of
reprint), pl. ix. figs. 1, 1a.

Descr. from No. 10,183, Mus. Smiths., Sta. Efigenia, Swmichrast.
General aspect of a species of the leucopus group. Large; nose
to eye 0.62 (inches and hundredths), to ear 1.12, to occiput 1.40,
to tail 4.15; tail 5.00; fore foot 0.42; hind foot 1.04; ear 0.18 above
notch. Taila little longer than head and body, slender, scant-haired.
Absolute and relative proportions of feet and digits as in V. leu-
copus; soles hairy on posterior third. Ears large, leafy, ap-
parently naked, really closely pilous. Whiskers reaching to or
beyond the shoulder. Skull strictly as in V. leucopus (palate
ending opposite last molars, not far behind it as in Mus, Oryzomys,
etc.), but not quite so thin and papery, and developing a slight
bead on the orbital border, as in the stouter mice generally.
Color above giving the general impression of a gray mouse, rather
than a red mouse with darker dorsal area as in leucopus and
aztecus. It is gray, brightened with fulvous, slightly darker
along the back, more decidedly fulvous laterally, and everywhere
with a peculiar slight glaucous or hoary shade. Head noticeably
purer gray; eye encircled with a black ring in marked contrast,
the edges of the lids, and a little anteocular spot, being jet black.
(This suggests the specific name; I have seen nothing like it else-
where.) Color below, pure white, the plumbeous roots of the
hairs, however, giving a slight grayish cast. Line of demarcation
of this white with the color of the upper parts everywhere abrupt.
Outside of fore leg colored to the very wrist, but back of the hand
white. Hind leg also colored to and a little beyond the ankle,
forming a definite dark spot on the base of the metatarsus, the
remaining five-sixths of the foot being pure white. Tail above,
like the back; below, gray—not white; and the line of demarca-
tion, though evident, not sharp. No yellowish or fulvous tinge
anywhere on the under parts (‘‘ mexicanus” of De Saussure is said
to be yellowish on the chin and breast). Skull 1.20 long by 0.64
broad.

14

Obs. This may just possibly be H. mexicanus of De Saussure,
but I cannot so identify it, and prefer to err on the safe side, if at
all. Besides the above specimen, I have others from Tehuacan
and Tehuantepec. It is nothing like any of the foregoing North
American species. A female shows three pair of mammee—one
axillary, two inguinal.

Subgenus ONYCHOMYS, Baird.

Syn. Hypudeus, sp., Maxim., Reise, ii. 1841, 99, nec auct. Mus, sp., Aud.
& Bach., Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 397 (missouriensis), Hesperomys subg.
Onychomys, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 458 (type Hypudeus leucogaster,
Maxim. ).

Diag. Skull strictly as in Hesperomys ( Vesperimus), but mo-
lars larger with sharper saliencies and re-entrances. Coronoid
attaining level of condyle. External form somewhat approaching
the arvicoline in stoutness, and in shortness of tail and ears.
‘Tail in type of the genus not one-half the length of the body
alone—little if any longer than the head, very thick and tapering
to an obtuse point. Ears about as in the arvicoline genus Hvoto-
mys (Hypudeus of Baird). Fore feet very large, $ to $ as long
as the hinder, with long, little curved, almost fossorial claws,
longer than those of the hind feet. Soles quadrituberculate only
—densely furry to the tubercles. White beneath, as in typical
Vesperimus. A strongly differentiated form! To the type of this
section (Zypudaus leucogaster of Maximilian, afterward Mus
missouriensis of Audubon) I add a peculiar variety—more proba-
bly a second species. The two may be thus distinguished :—

a. Tail much less than half the head and body, scarcely twice the hind foot.
Fore foot more than half the hind foot. Ear about 0.50 high. Be-
neath snow-white; above mouse-brown with darker dorsal area.

LEUCOGASTER.

b. Tail nearly half the head and body, about 23 times the hind foot. Fore
foot only half the hind foot. Ear about 0.75 high; beneath tawny
white ; above brownish fulvous without darker dorsal area.

(var?) TORRIDUS.

7. Hesperomys (Onychomys) leucogaster, (Maxim.) Baird.

Syn. Hypudeus leucogaster, Maxim., Reise, ii. 1841, 99 (Fort Clark).
Hesperomys (Onychomys) leucogaster, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 480.
(Nebraska. )
Mus missouriensis, Aud. & Bach., Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 327, pl. 100.
(Fort Union, Montana.)

15

Hab. Interior of United States, between Mississippi and Rocky
Mountains. Upper Missouri. Red River of the North (Coues).
Wyoming. Kansas. Doubtless of more extended, but as yet un-
ascertained range.

8. Hesperomys (Onychomys) torridus, Coues.

Diag. Resembling O. leucogaster ; tail longer, ears larger, soles
less hairy, fore claws weaker. Coloration much more yellowish ;
no darker dorsal area; snout, feet, and all under parts tawny-
white; dusky stripe on top of tail very narrow, not reaching the
tip. Length of head and- body 3.75; of tail 2.00; of fore foot
0.40; hind foot 0.80; ear about 0.75 above notch. Only two pair
(inguinal) of teats discovered. (Type No. 9886, Mus. S. I.)

Hab. Arizona.

Subgenus ORYZOMYS, Baird.
Syn. Mus, sp., Harl., Am. Journ. Sci. 1837.—Hesperomys, sp., Wagn.
Suppl. Schreber, 1843, and authors.—Arvécola, Aud. & Bach., Q. N.
A. iii. 1853.— Oryzomys (subg.), Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 458 (type Mus
palustris, Harl.).

Char. Orbits beaded. Anteorbital foramen nearly circular
above (somewhat as in Jaculus) continued slit-wise below, where
narrower than in Vesperimus; the maxillary plate bounding it
not produced into a pointed process (compare Sigmodon.) Palate
produced behind last molars—a deep pit on either hand. Coro-
noid attaining level of condyle. Hind legs short, but feet very
large, with obliquely set toes (much as in Fiber) in evident adap-
tation to aquatic habits. Soles perfectly naked, granular, with
one long, narrow, postero-internal tubercle (as in Mus and five
small ones. Toes with evident basal webbing ; very unequal in
length, the fifth reaching to the penultimate joint of the fourth
(compare Sigmodon). Fore feet not half as long as the hinder;
palms perfectly naked. Ears small, little overtopping the fur,
hairy both sides, with a fluffy tuft in the concavity. Nasal pads
more evident than in other sections. Tail long, about equalling
the head and body, scant haired; the dermal scales and vertebral
rings evident. Fur glossy, but coarse and hispid. Larger than
any other N. American species of Zesperomys; general aspect of
Sigmodon or even Mus proper.

16

9. Hesperomys (Oryzomys) palustris, (Harlan) Baird.

Syn. Mus palustris Harl., Am. Journ. Sci., xxxi. 1837, 386 (New Jersey).
Hesperomys palustris, Wagn., Suppl. Schreber, iii. 1843, 543.
Hesperomys (Oryzomys) palustris, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 482.

Arvicola oryzivora, Aud. & Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 214, pl. 144, f. 3.
Hab. South Atlantie and Gulf States, north to New Jersey.
Kansas! (Goss). Tehuantepec (Sumichrast). Jamaica?

Genus IV. OCHETODON, Coues, n. g.

Syn. Mus, sp., Aud. & Bach.— Hesperomys, sp., Wagner.—Reithrodon,
Le Conte, P. A. N. S. P. 1853, 418, and Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 447,
but not of Waterhouse.

Diag. Form murine (general appearance of Mus musculus).
Size minute. Skull as in Vesperimus; coronoid not attaining
level of condyle. Tail about as long as head and body. Upper
incisors grooved (unique character among N. American Murine).
Front upper molars with four roots instead of three, as in Hespe-
romys.

Obs. The occurrence in North America of sigmodont mice with
sulcate incisors was first noticed in 1841 by Audubon and Bach-
man, who described Mus humilis. Their animal was soon referred
to Hesperomys by Wagner. But the peculiarity of the upper
incisors was overlooked until 1853, when Maj. Le Conte took up
the point and referred a species to the South American genus
Reithrodon—a course followed by Prof. Baird in 1857, when the
latter described three supposed new species, &. montanus, mega-
lotis, and longicauda. But sulcation of the incisors is almost the
only character that Ochetodon shares with Reithrodon; the two
genera are otherwise widely different."

1 Reithrodon, Waterh., P. Z. S. 1887, 29; Zool. Voy. Beag. 1889. Type
R. cuniculoides.

Diag. Upper incisors sulcate. Rostral portion of the skull large in proportion to
the cranial, producing a high, convex forehead; zygomatic width of skull about 2 its
length; interorbital portion narrow; posterior nares contracted from close approxi-
mation of the pterygoids; palate with lateral paired fossze, and ending nearly opposite
or beyond the last molar; incisive foramina very long, extending to or beyond the
first molar; coronoid process small and exflected ; condylar narrow and very oblique ;
descending process large, subquadrate, the emargination between this and the con-
dyledeep. Size large; form stout and compact; head broad and arched; eyes large
and prominent; ears moderate, pilous; soles hairy behind; lateral toes subequal and
extremely short; tail short, about one-half the head and body, moderately hairy.

17

Analysis of Species of Ochetodon.

A. Tail shorter than head and body (at most barely as long).

Hind feet under 0.70 long (usually 0.55 to 0.65). HUMILIS.
B. Tail longer than head and body.

Hind feet under 0.70 (exceptionally = 0.70). LONGICAUDA.

Hind feet over 0.70 (rarely, if ever = 0.70). MEXICANA.

1. Ochetodon humilis, (Aud. and Bach.) Coues.

Syn. Mus humilis, Aud. and Bach., P A. N. S. P. i. 1841, 97; J. A. N.S.
P., viii. 1842, 300 ; Q. N. A., ii. 1851, 103, pl. Ixv. (South Atlantic
States.)

Hesperomys humilis, Wagner, Wieg. Arch. 1843, 51.

Reithrodon humilis, Bd.,!M. N. A., 1857, 448.

Mus lecontii, Aud. and Bach., J. A. N. S. P. viii. 1842, 307 ; Q. N.
A. iii. 1854, 394 (no fig.). (South Carolina.)

Hesperomys lecontii, Wagn., Wieg. Arch. 1843, 51.

Reithrodon lecontii, Le C., P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1853, 418.

Most of which is widely different from what obtains in Ochetodon, the
grooving of the incisors being merely a coincidence. Nor am I satisfied
that the three supposed species of Reithrodon are strictly congeneric. "They
differ among themselves in cranial as well as external characters, to an
extent at least warranting subgenerie separation. In respects of palatal
structure and form of the anterior zygomatic root, there is a curious paral-
lelism with the same points in Sigmodon and Oryzomys. I will tabulate
some of the characters, as follows :—

Reithrodon proper. (Type R. cuniculoides.) Anterior root of zygoma
deeply emarginated in front. Palate ending much behind the molar series,
and showing a median ridge between lateral paired excavations. Ptery-
goid fosse deeply excavated, and these bones closely approximated. In-
cisive foramina reaching beyond the first molars. Condylar process of
mandible concave internally ; descending process rounded off inferiorly ;
coronoid process very oblique. Species R. cuniculoides, Waterh., P. Z. S.
1837, 30, and Zool. Voy. Beag. 1839, pt. ii. p. 69, pl. xxvi. (animal), pl.
xxxiii. figs. 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e (teeth), pl. xxxiv. figs. 2a, 2b, 2c (skull), from
Patagonia; and a second supposed species R. typicus, Id., P. Z. 5. 1837, 30 ;
Voy. Beag. 1839, pt. ii. p. 71, pl. xxxiii. fig. 4a (teeth), from La Plata.

Euneomys, Coues, n. subg. (Type Reithrodon chinchilloides.) Anterior
root of zygoma nearly straight in front. Palate ending nearly opposite the
last molars, but slightly ridged or excavated. Pterygoid fosse shallow ;
these bones less approximated. Incisive foramen only reaching to first
molars. Condylar process of mandible flat internally ; descending process
angular; coronoid process nearly vertical. Species R. (H.) chinchilloides,
Waterh., Zool. Voy. Beag. 1839, pt. ii. p. 72, pl. xxvii. (animal), pl. xxxiv.
figs. 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f (skull and teeth), from Straits of Magellan.

2

18

? Mus carolinensis, Aud. and Bach., J. A. N. S. P. viii. 1842, 306; Q.
N. A. iii. 1854, 382. (South Carolina.)
? Hesperomys carolinensis, Wagn., Wieg. Arch. ii. 1853, 51.
? Reithrodon carolinensis, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 452.
Reithrodon megalotis, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 451; Rep. Mex. B. Surv.,
ii. pt. ii. 1859, p. 43, pl. vii. fig. 4 a-c, pl. xxiv. fig. 4 a-g. (Sonora.)
Hab. United States, southerly. South Carolina to Texas.
Kansas. Missouri. Iowa. Nebraska. Utah. Sonora.

2, Ochetodon longicauda, (Baird) Coues.
Syn. Reithrodon longicauda, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 451.—? Tomes, P. Z. 8.
1861, 284. (Guatemala.)
Hab. California (? south thence to Guatemala).

3. Ochetodon mexicanus, (De Sauss.) Coues.
Syn. Reithrodon mexicanus, De Sauss., R. and M. Z. 1860. p. — (p. 27 of
reprint).—Tomes, P. Z. S. 1861, 284. (Guatemala.)
Hab. Mexico. Guatemala. Louisiana? `

4? Ochetodon montanus, (Bd.) Coues (sp. proband.)

Syn. Reithrodon montanus, Bd., P. A. N.S. D. vii. 1855, 335 ; M. N. A.
1857, 449, pl. liv. fig. No. 1806 (teeth). (Rocky Mts., lat. 399.)

5? Ochetodon sumichrasti, (De Saus.) Coues. (sp. proband.)

Syn. Reithrodon sumichrasti, De Saus., R. M. Z. 1861, 3. (Mexico.) (Un-
known to me.)

Subfamily ARVICOLINJE.

Molars normally rootless, prismatic, with serrate periphery and
flat crowns. Root of under incisor causing protuberance on in-
side of jaw at or near notch between condyle and descending pro-
cess. Descending process of mandible hamular, attaining level of
molars. Coronoid a long stout hook. Anterior root of zygoma
not obviously nicked. Palate highly arched.

Genus V. EVOTOMYS, Coues, n. g.

Syn. Arvicola, sp., Auct.— Myodes, Selys-Lougch., Études de Microm.
1839, 87 (not of Pallas).—Hypudeus, Keys. and Blas., Wirbelth.

1842 (type A. glareola ; not of Illiger, which includes Mus lemmus,
amphibius, etc.).—1Iypudaus of Baird, M. N. A., 1857, 518, 515,

518 (type A. gappert).—Evotomys, Coues (type Mus rutilus, Pall.).
Diag. Dentition arvicoline, in flat-topped prismatie molars, but
murine in rooting of the molars (molars only rooted here among
Arvicoline). Coronoid process of lower jaw not attaining level

19

of the condyle (unique among Arvicoline). Bony palate ending
in a straight flat shelf opposite middle molars, the whole space
between last molars thus left open. General form arvicoline, but
ears distinctly overtopping the fur as in Murine. A strong
genus, linking the two subfamilies. There are many peculiarities
besides these given.

1. Evotomys rutilus, (Pall.) Coues.

Syn. Mus rutilus, Pall., N. Sp. Quad. Glir. 1778, 246, pl. xiv. B.
Arvicola gapperi, Dall, Alaska and its Resources, 1870, 577.

Hab. Arctic, cireumpolar. Southward in this country this spe-
cies shades into the following variety :—

la. Evotomys rutilus, var. gapperi, (Vig.) Coues.
Syn. Arvicola gapperi, Vig. Zool. Journ. v. 1830, 204, pl. 9. (Canada. )

Arvicola (Hypudeus) gapperi, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 518.

Arvicola fulva, Aud. and Bach., J. A. N. Phil. viii. 1842, 295.
(Name preoccupied. )

Arvicola dekayi, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1854, 287 (same as
their A. fulva of 1842). Excl. syn. **eneida DeKay" which belongs
to A. riparius.

Hab. Northern frontier of United States, from Atlantic to
Pacific, and adjoining belt of British America. South to Massa-
chusetts.

Obs. 'This species and its variety are distinguished at a glance
by the prominent ears and chestnut coloration.

Genus VI. ARVICOLA, Lacép., emend.

Syn. Mus, sp., Linn., Syst. Nat. i. 1766, et auct. antiq.—Mwres cunicu-
larii, Pall., N. Sp. Glir. 1778, 77.—Lemmus, Linck, Fischer, et al.—
Myodes, Pall, Zoog. R. A. i. 1811, 172 (not Myodes of Selys-L.,
1839, which = Hypudeus, Keys. and Blas. = Hvotomys, Coues).—
Arvicola, Lacépède, Tabl. 1803, et auct. recent. (includes amphibius
and arvalis).—Hypudeus, Ill., Prod. 1811 (not of Keys. and Blas.,
norof Baird. Includes lemmus, amphibius and arvalis),—Myonomes,
Rafinesque, (type ** Wilson's Meadow Mouse" = Arvicola
pennsylvanica of Ord.).— Psammomys, Le C., Ann. Lyc. N. Y.
1829, 132 (type pinetorum ; not of Rueppel).— Pitymys, McMurtrie,
ed. Cuvier, i. 1831, 434 (type A. pinetorum).—Hemiotomys, Selys-L.,
Études, 1839, 85 (amphibius, terrestris, etc.).—Microtus, Selys-L.,
Études, 1839, 86.—Pinemys, Lesson, Nouv. Tabl. R. A. 1842, 12
(type pinetorum).—Hemiotomys, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 515 (type
A. riparius, Ord.).—Pedomys, Bd., op. cit. 517 (type A. austerus,
Le C.).—Chilotus, Bd., op. cit. 516 (type oregonus, Bach.). ^

20

Obs. The limits I would set to Arvicola may be gathered from
the foregoing, though doubtless some synonyms, and, perhaps,
some tenable subgeneric names, of old world forms, have escaped
me. Without, therefore, writing out the full diagnosis, I will
simply mention characters which separate Arvicola as I accept it
from the other North American Arvicoline :—

Molars normally rootless, perennial (cf. Evotomys). Folds of
enamel fusing at the re-entrances (cf. Hvotomys). Molars viewed
from above about equally serrate on either side (cf. Myodes,
Synaptomys). Upper molars all subequal in length and breadth
(cf. Myodes, Synaptomys). Middle lower molar of 4-5 prisms,
the last a transverse loop, the rest alternating lateral triangles (cf.
Evotomys). Back lower molar of not more than 3 prisms seriatim
(cf. Synaptomys, Myodes), each making a transverse loop. Gene-
ral molar pattern, as to number of prisms to a tooth, as shared
by most Arvicolinz (cf. Cuniculus). Upper incisors plane (cf.
Synaptomys). Roots of under incisors running up the condylar
proeess forming a ridge that only subsides near the notch between
condyle and descending process (cf. Synaptomys, Myodes, Cuni-
culus) Palate not ending behind in a flat straight-edged shelf
(cf. Evotomys, Myodes, Cuniculus). Coronoid process as high as
condyle (cf. Evotomys). . Ears moderately developed (cf. Myodes,
Cuniculus), but not overtopping the fur (cf. Evotomys). Tail
longer than foot (cf. Myodes, Cuniculus). Fore claws of normal
size and growth (cf. Cuniculus). The species do not turn white
in winter (cf. Cuniculus). Many other details could be adduced.

The North American species fall in four sections or subgenera,
as established by Baird. I use Myonomes, Raf., for the section
for which Baird employed Hemiotomys, Selys, as none of our sec-
tions seem exactly the same as any one of Europe. Pedomys and
Pitymys are like each other in skull and dentition, but offer ex-
ternal peeuliarities. "The sections may be thus analyzed :—

A. MxowowEs. Back upper molar with 2 external triangles and a pos-
terior crescent, Middle upper molar with 2 internal triangles. Front
lower molar with 3 internal and 2 or 3 external lateral triangles.
Ears unrimmed in front. Soles 6-tuberculate. Fore claws not longer
than the hinder ones. Tail about 4 the length of head and body, or
more. Pelage ordinary. Size maximum and medium.

B. Curtorus. Back upper molar with only 1 external triangle and a pos-
terior trefoil. Middle upper molar with 1 internal triangle. Front
lower molar with 3 internal and 2 or 3 external triangles (as in

2]

Myonomes). Ear with a rim in front of meatus, the anterior and
posterior roots of the auricle there meeting. Soles 5-tuberculate (?).
Fore claws not larger than the hinder. Tail about 1 the head and
body. Pelage ordinary. Size minimum.

C. Pepomys. Back and middle upper molars as in the last. Front lower

molar with only 2 internal and 1 external triangle. Ear unrimmed.
Soles 5-tuberculate. Fore claws not larger than the hinder. Tail 3
the head and body, or rather less. Pelage ordinary. Size medium.

D. Pirymys. Molars all asin Pedomys. Ears unrimmed. Soles 5-tuber-

culate. Fore claws larger than the hinder. Tail about i the head
and body, or less. Pelage dense, silky, mole-like. Size small.

Subgenus MyonomEs, Raf.

Arvicola of most American writers.—Arovicola, A, Hemiotomys,
Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 515 (type riparius. Not of Selys-L.).
—Myonomes, Raf. (type M. pratensis, Raf., based on ** Wil-
son's Meadow Mouse" = A. pennsylvanica, Ord. = A. riparius,
Ord.).

1. Arvicola (Myonomes) riparius, Ord.

Syn. Campagnol or Meadow Mouse of Pennsylvania, Warden, Descr.
IUSSI v. 625.

Meadow Mouse, Wils., Am. Orn., vi. pl. 50, f. 3.

Arvicola pennsylvanica, Ord, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. ii. 1815, 292
(based on the foregoing).—Harlan, Fn. Amer. 1825, 144 (in part;
quotes Ord, but describes pinetorum).

Arvicola riparius, Ord, J. A. N. S. P. iv. 1825, 305. (Philadelphia.)

Arvicola riparius longipilis, Kenn., Agric. Rep. U. S. Patent Office,
1856, 304. (West Northfield, Ill. ; in winter pelage.)

Arvicola vanthognatha, Harlan, Fn. Amer. 1825, 136 (also of God-
man, Say, DeKay, and Linsley, but not of Leach nor of Richardson).

Arvicola alborufescens, Emmons, Rep. Quad. Mass. 1840, 60 (albino).

Arvicola hirsutus, Emmons, l. c.

Arvicola nasuta, Bachm., J. A. N. S. Phila. viii. 1842, 296. (Massa-
chusetts. )

Arvicola oneida, DeKay, N. Y. Fn. i. 1842, 88, pl. xxiv. f. 1. (New
York.)

Arvicola rufescens, DeKay, op. cit. 85, pl. xxii. f. 1. (New York.)

Arvicola occidentalis, Peale, Mamm. U. S. Ex. Ex. 1848, 45. (Puget
Sound.)

Arvicola californica, Peale, op. cit. 46. (California. )

Arvicola montana, Peale, op. cit. 44. (California. )

Arvicola edaz, Le C., P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1853, 405. (California.)

Arvicola borealis, Le C., op. cit. 407. (Rhode Island.) (Not of Rich.)

Arvicola trowbridgei, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 529 (in text). (California. )

Arvicola longirostris, Bd., op. cit. 580. (California. )

9

22

Arvicola modesta, Bd., op. cit. 535. (Rocky Mts.) (Very young.)
Arvicola rufidorsum, Bd., op. cit. 526. (Mass.) (Reddish specimen.)
Arvicola breweri, Bd., op. cit. 525 (Muskeget, Mass. ; bleached insular
race).
1a. Arvicola (riparius var.?) borealis, Rich. ?
Syn. ?Arvicola borealis, Rich., Zool. Journ. 1828, 517; F. B. A. i. 1829,
127.—Also of Aud. and Bach., and of Baird.
Hab. Northwestern America.
Obs. This and the two succeeding species are presented provi-
sionally. ;

2. Arvicola (Myonomes) townsendii, Bach.
Syn. Arvicola townsendii, Bach., J. A. N. S. P., viii. 1839, 63, and of
subsequent writers.
Hab. Oregon and Washington Territories.

3. Arvicola (Myonomes) xanthognathus, Leach.

Syn. Arvicola zanthognatha, Leach, Zool. Misc. i. 1814, 60, pl. 26.—
Rich., F. B. A. i. 1829, 192.—A ud. and Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1858,
67, pl. 125.—Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 552.—Dall, Alaska and its Re-
sources, 1870, 577.— Whether of Sabine? but certainly not of any
author treating of United States species.

Hab. British America.

Obs. In its typical condition the animal is unmistakable in its
immense size (up to 8 inches long) and chestnut cheeks. There
remain, however, some points to be elaborated before the relation-
ship of the several forms of Myonomes can be considered estab-
blished.

Subgenus CHILOTUS, Baird.
Syn. Chilotus, Baird, 1857. Type, A. oregoni, Bach.

4. Arvicola (Chilotus) oregonus, Bach.

Syn. Arvicola oregoni, Bach., J. A. N. S. P., viii. 1839, 60.—Aud. and
Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 232, pl. clxvii. f. 3.—Bd., M. N. A., 1857,
587. >

Hab. Oregon.
Subgenus PEDouxs, Baird.
Syn. Pedomys, Bd., M. N. A. 851, 517. Type, A. austerus, Le C.

5. Arvicola (Pedomys) austerus, Le C.

Syn. Arvicola austerus, Le C., P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1853, 405. (Wiscon-
sin.)
Arvicola (Pedomys) austerus, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 532, pl. liv. (Wis-
consin and Missouri to Louisiana.)

23

Arvicola ( Pedomys) cinnamoma, Bd. op. cit. 541, pl. liv. (Minnesota.)
Arvicola (Pedomys) haydent, Bd., op. cit. 548. (Nebraska. )
Hab. Western States and adjoining Territories, especially Illi-
nois, Missouri, and Michigan. Kansas. Louisiana.

5a, Arvicola (Pedomys) austerus, var. curtatus, Cope.
Syn. Arvicola curtata, Cope, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. 1868, 2. (Owen's Valley,
California.)

Hab. United States, west of the Mississippi. California. Colo-
rado. Kansas and Nebraska, where becoming mixed up with true
austerus.

Obs. In comparing his supposed new species with “A. modesta,"
Prof. Cope was misinformed as to its affinities. It is a true
Pedomys, not in the least like any style of Myonomes, as I ascer-
tain by inspection of the type specimen. Its extreme modifica-
tion is peculiar in the small size, and very short tail (less than the
head): it shades directly into ordinary austerus.

Subgenus Prrywvys, McMurtrie.

Syn. Psammomys, Le C., 1829, nec Rüppel (type pinetorum).—Pitymys,
MeMurt., 1831 (same type).—Pinemys, Less, 1831 (same type).
6. Arvicola (Pitymys) pinetorum, Le Conte.
SYN. Arvicola pennsylvanica, Harl, Fn. Amer. 1825, 144, in part; the
descr. but not the synon. (notof authors).
Psammomys pinetorum, Le C., Ann. Lyc. N. Y. iii. 1829, 132, pl. ii.
Pitymys pinetorum, McM., Am. ed. Cuvier, i. 1821, 434.
Pinemys pinetorum, Less., Nouv. Tabl. R. A. 1842, 12.
Arvicola pinetorum, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 216, pl. Ixxx,
(excl. syn. **oneida DeKay.’’)
Arvicola (Pitymys) pinetorum, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 544.
Arvicola scalopsoides, Aud. and Bach., J. A. N. S. Phila. viii. 1842,
299 (Long Island).
Arvicola apella, Le C., P. A. N. S. P. vi. 1853, 405. (Pennsylvania.)
6a.? Arvicola (Pitymys) pinetorum, var. quasiater, Coues, n. v.

Diag. Subgeneric characters of Pitymys (skull not seen), and
somewhat resembling P. pinetorum (particularly the large dark
style formally called scalopsoides). Rich glossy blackish, ap-
pearing quite black at first sight, but this color warmed into a
slight auburn shade by uniform admixture of dusky chestnut or
chocolate brown. No markings anywhere; color of the upper parts
changing on the sides insensibly into blackish-ash or dark plumbe-
ous of the under parts, which are slightly hoary. Tail like back

24

above, indistinetly paler below. Fur short, close, of so rich silky
lustre that in some lights an appreciable purplish or coppery iri-
descence is seen. General build of pinetorum; rather stouter,
larger; nose to eye 0.50; to ear 1.05; to tail 4.33—4.45 ; tail verte-
bre 0.70; with hairs 0.80; height of ear in front 0.45 ; palm 0.33;
sole 0.66.

Hab. Mexico. (Xalapa, De Oca, No. 3524, Mus. S. L, type of
the species; Tuxpango, Sumichrast, No. 1006, Mus. S. I.)

Obs. This peculiar field mouse, which may prove entirely dis-
tinct from pinetorum, is specially interesting in coming from a
region where the genus was long supposed to be not represented.
I have never seen any other Arvicola from south of the United
States, nor is there, to my knowledge, but a single one hitherto
described from so low a latitude, on this hemisphere at least. This
is Arvicola (Hemiotomys) mexicanus, De Sauss., R. M. Z. 1861,
3, a species apparently allied to A. riparius.

Genus VII. SYNAPTOMYS, Baird.
Syn. Synaptomys, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, 558, in text under Myodes, and p. xliv.

Diag. Superior incisors grooved (unique in the subfamily).
Root of inferior incisor ending abruptly opposite last lower molar
(the root generally runs up to the condyle in Arvicoline). Con-
struction of molars, and general cranial characters as in Myodes.
Palate ending as in typical Arvicola. External characters in
general of an ordinary arvicoline style, but in the very long soft
full pelage, short heavy head, and blunt muzzle, approaching the
Lemmings; nevertheless, ears equalling or overtopping the fur as
in Hvotomys, and tail equally or exceeding the hind foot, as usual
in Arvicola.

Obs. Foregoing are the essential characters of the most remark-
able genus of the subfamily, one singularly combining peculiari-
ties of several widely different arvicoline genera. It may be de-
fined in a word as skull and teeth of Myodes, in body of Arvicola,
with ears of Hvotomys, and sui generis sulcation of upper incisors.
The genus was happily characterized in 1857, but upon such
miserably inadequate material, that Prof. Baird did not formally

1 No. ae Mus. 8. I., merely a rat-eaten bunch of fur, lacking head, tail,
and three of the feet, with a defective skull; and No. 1368, skin with feet
and tail, but no head, and no skull. Locality unknown, supposed United

States. Received from Wm. Cooper.

25

introduce either genus or species in the body of his work, though
in the introductory list he gives Synaptomys as a subgenus of
Myodes and catalogues a species, S. cooperi. Though defined with
precision, as far as the material would allow, the genus remains
little known. I can indorse it unequivocally, and add all details
hitherto wanting. There is probably no more strongly marked
genus of Arvicoline.

The grooveof the upper incisor is deep, distinct, and runs near the
outer edge instead of along the middle (as in Ochetodon and Reithro-
don). The incisors are short, broad, and much curved ; their front
much bevelled off, so that, viewed in profile, one part of each incisor
stands in front of and parallel with the part on the other side of the
groove. These teeth tend to the Myodes pattern further in being
enamel tubes not completely filled with dentine (calling to mind
an unfinished quill pen, after the first oblique slice is cut away) ;
their tips are not straightly transverse, and generally nicked at
the end of the groove. The under incisors, exactly as in Myodes,
stop as to their roots abruptly just in front and inside of the last
lower molar; while in all other Arvicoline I have examined, ex-
cepting Myodes and Cuniculus, the root runs past (outside) the
lower molar up the ramus of the jaw to near the condyle, this
passage of the root making an obvious ridge, here wanting. In
Synaptomys, as in the genera just mentioned, the whole condylar
ramus is thus flat, with its inner surface nearly plane, separated
by a strong sulcus from the end of the alveolar portion of the jaw.

As is well known, the molars of Myodes (restricted to exclude
Cuniculus), though essentially aggregated rootless prisms as in
other Arvicoline, are quite different in their details of pattern.
Not to go here into detail, I may simply say, that the inner mar-
gin of the molar series is crenafe, not sharply serrate like the
outer as in Arvicola. Now this pattern of Myodes is duplicated
in Synaptomys, and so is every other molar detail. Incisors aside,
the skull and teeth of Synaptomys are not distinguishable with
certainty from those of Myodes. Outside, Synaptomys is not a
lemming, but an Arvicola, one, too, with ears as large as in Kvo-
tomys. An alcoholic specimen might be mistaken at first sight
for Arvicola austerus. One might suppose it originally a lem-
ming, stranded in time long past in latitude so low as to impress
upon it ordinary arvicoline exterior characters.

26

Measurements of a skull of Synaptomys cooperi (No. 6915, Mus.
.S. I., Kansas, B. F. Goss). Total length (occip. protub. to end
of nasals) 1.14; greatest zygomatic width, 0.72; least width (at
interorbital constriction) 0.15; width of rostrum, 0.25; intermas-
toid width 0.58 ; interparoccipital width 0.37 ; height opposite and
including last molar, without lower jaw, 0.45; length of upper
molar series 0.30; length of extra-alveolar portion of upper inci-
sors 0.24; length of rostrum 0.25; tip of under incisors to apex
of coronoid 0.62, to back of condyle 0.79, to end of descending
process 0.81; length of under molar series 0.28 ; of extra-alveolar
portion of under incisor 0.25.

1. Synaptomys cooperi, Baird.
Myodes (Synaptomys) coopert, Bd., M. N. A. 1857, p. xliv.
Synaptomys cooperi, op. cit. 558, in text.
Arvicola (Synaptomys) gossii, Bd., Mus. S. I. (labels of Kansas speci-
mens which, however, are inseparable from the types).

Hab. Middle and Western United States and northward. Brook-
ville, Indiana, Haymond. South Illinois, Kennicott. Benton Co.,
Minnesota, Garrison. Neosho Falls, Kansas, Goss. Skagit Val-
ley, Oregon, Kennerly. Nulato, Alaska, Dall.

Dimensions (average of several, alcoholic, from Kansas). Nose
to eye 0.45; to ear 0.95; to occiput 1.20; to root of tail 3.50.(from
3.00 to 4.00—range of the whole series 2.90 to 4.30) ; tail verte-
bre 0.65 (from 0.51 to 0.75); tail, with hairs, 0.75; fore foot 0.40;
hind foot 0.10 ; ear 0.35.

Eighteen specimens, dry and alcoholic, examined from the above
localities.

Genus VIII. MYODES, Pall., emend.

Syn. Mus, sp., et Arvicola, sp., Auctt. antiq.—Hypudeus, Illiger, 1811,
partim Cincludes Mus lemmus, amphibius, etc.).— Myodes, Pall., Zoog.
R. A. i. 1811, 172, in part (includes Arvicola, and thus about coexten-
sive with his Mures cunieularti of 1778).—Lemmus, Linck (fide Bd.
In part; includes Arvicola.)—Georychus, Rich., F. B. A. 1829; and
Aud. and Bach., 1854 (includes Cuniculus). Not of Illiger, which is
of an entirely different family.

Obs. The chars. of this genus should unquestionably be so
drawn as to exclude Cuniculus, which latter, although also a ** lem-
ming," is quite as widely separated as the other genera of Arvicol-
inz are. Deing based upon a long and well-known animal, the

27

characters need not be here recapitulated. The several ascribed
species of North American Myodes proper are reducible to the
following, which is not specifically separable from that of Asia.

1. Myodes obensis, Brantz,
Syn. Myodes obensis, Brantz, Muisen, 1827, 55.—Keys. and Blas., Werb.
Eur. vi. 1840, pp. vii. and 32. Midd., Sib. Reise, ii. 1853, 99, pl. ii.
figs. 7, 8, 9, pl. viii. pl. ix. and pl. x. f. 2.—Baird, M. N. A., 1857,
559.
Arvicola (Georychus) helvolus, Rich., F. B. A., 1829, 128.
Georychus helvolus, Aud. & Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1858, 84, pl. cxx. f. 1.
Myodes helwolus, Dall, Alaska and its Res. 1870, 577.
Arvicola (Georychus) trimucronatus, Rich., App. Parry's 2d Voyage,
1825, 309; F. B. A. i. 1829, 130.
Georychus trimucronatus, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1835, 86, pl.
cxx. f. 2, 8.
Myodes trimucronatus, Dall, Alaska, 1870, 577.
Myodes albogularis, Wagner, Suppl. Schreber, iii. 1848, 602.

Hab. More western portions of Arctic America.

Obs. Of this species I have handled about forty specimens, the
first examined by an American naturalist for many years. They
differ somewhat from the only two Siberian skins before me, pos-
sibly representing a variety (to be called Myodes helvolus); but I
am far from disputing Von Middendorffs decision as to their
specific identity with the Asiatic animal.

Genus IX. CUNICULUS, Wagler.

Syn. Mus, Arvicola, Myodes et Lemmus, Auctt.—Georychus, partim, Rich.,
Aud. and Bach., nee I/l.—Cuntculus, Wagler (** 1880"), Isis, 1852,
1220; type C. grenlandicus = C. torquatus or udsonius.—Lilljeborg,
Syst. Ofvers. Gnag. Glires, 1866 (same type).

Obs. Without going into the characters of a perfectly well-
known form, I wish to particularly signalize the fact that this
genus, though based upon a *lemming," is very different from
Myodes, and, indeed, from any other arvicoline type. The molar
pattern is strongly of an ordinary arvicoline general character—
not at all asin Myodes or Synaptomys—while details of the molar
dentition (as, for instance, six prisms on back upper molar and
nine on front lower molar) are unique. The obsolete ear and
pollex, the singular hypertrophy of the two middle fore claws, and
the notable seasonal changes of pelage, are all peculiar. I find
but one American species, identical with that of Asia. A second |
supposed species, C. lagurus, I have not seen.

28

1. Cuniculus hudsonius, (Forst.) Coues.

SYN

. Mus hudsonius, Forst., Phil. Trans. lxii. 1772, 379.—Pall., N, Sp.

Glir. 1778, 201.—Gm., Syst. Nat. i. 1788, 137.

Lemmus hudsonius, Sab., Suppl. Parry's Voy. 1824, 185; App. Frank-
lin's Journ. 1825, 661.—Harl., Fn. Amer. 546.

Arvicola hudsonia, Rich., App. Parry's 2d Voy., 308.

Arvicola (Georychus) hudsonius, Rich., F. B. A. i. 1829, 132.

Myodes hudsonius, Wagn., Suppl. Schreb. iii. 1849, 604.—Midd., Bull.
Acad. St. Petersb. iii. xix. Dall, Alaska, 577.

Georychus hudsonius, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 81, pl. cxix.

Mus torquatus, Pall., N. Sp. Glir. 1778, pp. 77 and 205, pl. xi. B.

Myodes torquatus, Keys. and Blas. Wirb. Eur. 1840, pp. vi. and 32.—
Midd., Sib. Reise, ii. 1853, 87, pl. iv.-vii. and x.—Baird, M. N. A.,
1857, 558.

Mus lenensis, Pall., N. Sp. Glir. 1778, 195.

Mus grenlandicus, Traill, Scoresby's Greenland, 1823, 416.

Arvicola (Georychus) grenlandicus, Rich., F. B. A. i. 1829, 134.

Georychus grenlandicus, Aud. and Bach., Q. N. A. iii. 1854, 315.

Cuniculus granlandicus, Wagler, Isis, 1832, 1220.

Myodes grenlandicus, Wagner, Suppl. Schreber, 18453, 606.

Lemmus ungulatus, Baer, Baer and Helm., Beit. iv. 1841, 283.

Hudson's Rat and Hare-tailed Rat, Penn., Arct. Zool. i. 182, 133 ;
Quad. ii. 201.—Hare-tailed Mouse, Hearne, Journ. 387.— Hudson's
Bay Lemming, Aliq.— Wapiskooseesick (** White Bear Mouse") of
the Crees, Lunaguy (* White Mouse") of the Chippeways, Awing-
nack (** White Mouse") of the Esquimaux.

Hab. Arctic regions.

SYN.

Genus X. FIBER, Cuvier.
Castor, Tia S. N. i. 1766, 78 (not type).—Mus, Gm.) So NE
1788 (not type).—‘‘Myocastor, Kerr's Linn., 1792," partly, (type
Myopotamus coypus).—Fiber, Cuv., Legons, i. 1800 (type Castor
zibethicus, L.).—Lemmus, Fisher, Syn. 1829 (partly).— Ondatra,
Waterh., Charlesw. Mag. iii. 1839 (type zibethicus).

Obs. Although this well-known form presents many peeuliari-
ties, these are chiefly in adaptation to aquatic habits ; it is strictly
arvicoline in all essentials.

l. Fiber zibethicus, (L.) Cuv.

Syn

. Castor zibethicus, Linn., S. N. i. 1766, 79.

Mus zibethicus, Gm., S. N. i. 1788, 125.

Myocastor zibethicus, ** Kerr's Linn. 1792."

Fiber zibethicus, Cuv., R. A. i. 1817, 172, and of authors.
Lemmus zibethicus, Fisch., Syn. 1829, 289.

Ondatra zibethieus, Waterh., Charlesw. Mag. iii. 1839, 594.

? Fiber osoyensis, Lord, P. Z. S. 1863, 95 (British Columbia).
Hab. North America.

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