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THE

NEW AND HERETOFORE ITNFIOURED SPECIES OF

THE BIRDS

NORTH

OF

AMERICA.

BY

DANIEL (MAUD ELLIOT,

Chevalier de l’Ordre Italien de SS. Maurice et Lazarre; Fellow of the Linnean and Zoological Societies of London; Membre de la Societe Imperiale
Zoologique d’Acelimatation ; Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, of the New York Historical Society, of the
New York Lyceum of Natural History; Membre Correspondante Etrangere de l’Acad6mie Eoyale des Sciences de Lisbonne ;

Corresponding Member of the Boston Natural History Society; etc., etc. Author of a Monograph of the

Pittidse ; Monograph of the Tetraoninse, etc., etc.

YOL. II.

NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

1 8 6 9 .

LIST OF PLATES AND SPECIES

V O L . II.

41. FALCO CANDICANS.

42. — ISLANDICUS.

43. — AURANTIUS.

44. ACOIPITER MEXICANUS. (See Introduction .)

45. BUTEO MONTANUS. Do.

46. — ZONOCERCUS.

47. HALIiETUS PELAGICUS.

48. — ALBICILLA.

49. CATHABTES BURROVIANUS.

50. SCARDAFELLA INCA.

51. MELEAGRIS MEXIOANA.

52. PODASOGYS MONTANUS.

53. MACRORHAMPHUS SCOLOPACEUS.

54. PEL1DNA PACIFICA. (See Introduction.)

55. ACTODROMUS BAIBDII. Do.

50. EREUNETES OCCIDENTALIS.

57. ANSER FRONTALIS. (See Introduction.)

58. CHEN ALBATUS.

59. — CiERU LESCEN S.

60. EXANTHEMOPS ROSSII. -

61. CLCEPHAGA CANAGICA.

62. BUCEPHALA ISLANDIOA.

63. LAMPRONETTA FISCHERI.

64. PELIONETTA TROWBRIDGII. (Sec Introduction)

65. SOMATERIA Y-NIGRA. -

66. GRACULUS BAIRDII.

67. — PERSPIOJ LL ATUS.

68. GRACULUS CINCINNATUS. -

09. LARUS CALIFORNICUS. [

70. _ OCCIDENTALIS. j

71. — BRACHYRHYNCHUS. )

72. — HUTCHINSII. f

73. — GLAUCESCENS. ( See Introduction.)

74. — BOREALIS. Do.

75. RISSA KOTZEBUI. }

76. — NIYEA. j

77. STERCORARIUS CATARRACTES.

78. THALASSEUS CASPIUS. -

79. STERNA ‘FORSTERI. (See Introduction.)

80. HALIPLANA DISCOLOR.

81. DIOMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHUS. -

82. FULMARUS PACIFICUS. (See Introduction)

83. THALASSOICA GLACIALOIDES. Do.

84. OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA.

85. ASTRELATA HESITATA. ]

86. PRIOFINUS CINEREUS. j

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

XXX.

XXXI.

XXXII.

XXXIII.

XXXIY.

XXXY.

XXXYI.

XXXYII.

XXXYIII.

XXXIX.

XL.

XLI.

XLII.

XLIII.

XLIY.

XLY.

XLYI.

XLYII.

XLYIII.

XLIX.

L.

LI.

LII.

LIII.

LIY.

LY.

LYI.

LYII.

LYIII.

LIX.

LX.

87. CYMOCHOREA HOMOCHROA. (See Introduction .)

88. — MELANIA. )

89. HALOCYPTENA MICROSOMA, j

90. FREGETTA LAWRENCEI. (See Introduction.)

91. PUFFIN US CREATOPUS. Do.

92. — OP1STHOMELAS. Do.

93. NEOTRIS FULIGINOSUS. )

94. — AMAUROSOMA. j

95. COLYMBUS ADAMSI.

9G. — PACIFICUS. ( See Introduction .)

97. PODICEPS CALIFORNICUS.

98. — AFFINIS. ( See Introduction .)

99. FRATERCULA GLACIALIS. -

100. LOMVIA CALIFORNICUS. ( See Introduction. )

101. SAGMATORRHINA LATHAMI.

102. CERATORUYNCHA SUCKLEYI. ( See Introduction .)

103. PHALERIS KAMTSCHATICUS. Do.

104. — TETRACULA.

105. — CASSINII. (See Introduction .)

106. — PUSILLUS.

107. PTYC11 ORHAMPHUS ALEUTICUS.

108. OMBRIA PSITTACULA. -

109. BRACHYRHAMPHUS TEMMINCKII. -

110. — WRANGELII. (See Introduction^

111. — HYPOLEUCUS.

112. — - CRAYERI. (See Introduction.)

113. — BRACHYPTERUS. Do.

114. — KITTLITZII. Do.

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

PLATE

LXI.

LXII.

LXIII.

LXIY.

LXY.

LXYI.

LXYII,

LXYIII.

LXIX.

LXX.

LXXI.

LXXII.

(

FALCO CANDICANS.

GREENLAND FALCON.

FALCO CANDIOANS, Gjiel. Syst. Nat., p. 275 (1788). — Cassin. B. of N. Am., p. 13. — Wolley. Oothe Wolley, p. 11. — Boot.

Oonsp. Gen. Av., p. 23.

FALCO GROENLANDICUS. Daudin. Traite d’Orn., \ r oL, II., p. 107 (1800).

FALCO SACER, Cassin. B. of Cal., p. 89.

GERFAULT BLANC, DES PATS DU NORD. Buff Plan. Enlum. tab. 44G.

FALCO LABRADORA. Aud. B. of Am, pi. 196.

FALCO ISLANDICUS. Aud. B. of Am., Oct. edit, Yol. I, pi. 19.

FALCO GYRFALCO GROENLANDICUS. Sehleg. Mus. Pays-Bas, p. 13.

FALCO GROENLANDICUS. Hancock. Ann. Nat. Hist. (1838), p. 241 .

FALCO ISLANDICUS. Swain. & Rich. Faun. Bor. Amer, p. 27.

This beautiful hawk is a native of Greenland, but is also found amid the Arctic wilds of our continent, these stragglers, however, being in
the majority of cases young birds, which in the winter wander to the southward, even passing within the limits of the United States.

This species is light colored in all its stages of plumage, and the young assume with the first moult the mature dress. The change
occurs when they are about one year old. In the Fauna Boreali Americana, Messrs. Swainson aud Richardson speak of a white hawk, as
Falco Islandicus, which I have referred to this species with a query (?), the doubt arising from a statement which they make towards the close
of their article that, “the young Jerfalcons show little white on their plumage, being mostly of a dull brown color above,” while the young
of this species is light-colored ; yet still they say the adult is white, which term cannot be applied with propriety to F. Islandicus.

Richardson’s account of this hawk is as follows: “Wo saw it often during our journeys over the ‘Barren Grounds/ where its habitual
prey is the Ptarmigan, but where it also destroys Plover, Ducks and Geese. Iu the middle of June a pair of these birds attacked me as
I was climbing iu the vicinity of their nest, which was built on a lofty precipice on the borders of Point Lake, in latitude 65 T. They
flew in circles, uttering loud and harsh screams, and alternately stooping with such velocity that their motion through the air produced
a loud rushing noise ; they struck their claws w ithin an inch or two of my head. I endeavored, by keeping the barrel of my gun
close to my cheek, aud suddenly elevating its muzzle when they were iu the act of striking, to ascertain if they had the power of
instantaneously changing the direction of their rapid course, and found that they invariably rose above the obstacle with the quick-
ness of thought, showing equal acuteness of vision and power of motion. Although their flight was much more rapid, they bore
considerable resemblance to the Suow r y Ow r l. At the period at which I saw them, the ground was still partially covered with snow,
and the lakes covered with ice; but the Jerfalcon, like the Strix Nyctea of the same districts, is well calculated, from the whiteness
of its plumage, for traversing a snowy waste, without alarming the birds on which it preys. As the Ptarmigan partially migrate south-
ward in the winter, some of the Jerfalcons follow them ; but from the young birds being much more common about latitude 57/ than
the mature ones, the latter probably keep nearer to the breeding places in the more northern rocky, barren ground districts all the
year. When the Jerfalcon pounces down upon a flock of Ptarmigan, the latter endeavor to save themselves by diving instantly into
the loose snow, and making their way beneath it to a considerable distance.”

The adult is pure white; the upper parts marked irregularly with bauds and sagittate spots of brownish. The primaries are
spotted with brownish-black, and the outer tail feathers have transverse brownisli-black bands upon the outer webs. Bill and claws
yellowish- white. The young birds have more brown bars and spots interspersed throughout the upper parts; and the white of the
lower parts is marked with longitudinal lines of brown. The tail is barred with ashy brown. The ground color of the plumage is white.

The figure is life-size. OSI

Dr ami ±ronuS T ature'by J Wolf. L ondcm 1S6 8

Bowen & Co. litlx & c ol. Philada.

i* J AXi £i D (SASHMCGAE?

FALCO

ISLANDICUS.

ICELAND FALCON.

PALOO ISLANDICUS. Gmel. Syst. Nat., Yol. I., p. 275, (1788).— Cassin. B. of Am., p. 13.— Hancock. Ann. & Mag., Nat. Hist., 2nd.

Ser., Yol. NIII., (1854), p. 110.— Ibis. Yol. IY., (1862), p. 46.

PALCO GYRFALCO ISLANDICUS. Schlep, Mus. d’liist. Nat. des Pays-Bas, line. Livr., p. 14. — Ib. Rev. Crit. Ois. d’Eur., Yol. I., p. 1.

Ibid. Trait, de Paucon, pi. 2.

Although closely resembling tbe Greenland Falcon, tlie present bird is never in any stage of plumage as white as its relative.
Great confusion has existed in the synonoiny of the three so-considered species of Jcr-Falcons, and no one has contributed so much

information regarding them as Hancock, who, in the paper quoted above, thus characterizes the difference between this bird and the

F. Caudicans ; “ The former, (the Greenland Falcon), in fact, may be stated to have white feathers with dark markings, the latter
dark feathers with white markings ; besides that the mature Iceland Falcon is farther distinguished by conspicuous transverse bands
above and on the flanks, and by the blue color of the beak and bright yellow of the cere and feet.” Mr. Hancock derived his

information from observing the living birds in the gardens of the Zoological Society in London, and perceiving the changes undergone

by them in their different periods of moulting

Though we may consider the true habitat of this fine Hawk to be the island from which it takes its name, yet it is not confined
within its boundaries, but is frequently found in Greenland, sometimes in Great Britain even, and also penetrates into the high northern
regions of our own continent, and has been known in severe winters to pass within the borders of the United States.

In the days, when, in the Old World, Falconry was the principal sport of the highest in the land, for it was eminently a royal pursuit,
the northern Falcons were greatly esteemed, and immense prices were often paid for a well-trained bird.

The flight of this Hawk is powerful, well sustained, and extremely rapid. Its prey consists of hares, rabbits, grouse, ptarmigan,
ducks, etc., which it strikes with its talons. If the quarry is a bird, and endeavors to escape by means of its wings, the Hawk

by repeated circlings executed with great ease and beauty, mounts above its destined victim, and swooping upon it, bears it to the earth.

Dr. Sclater writing about this bird in Wolf’s Zoological Sketches, says: “In the days of the Danish Monarchy, the Royal Falconer
sailed once every year to Iceland to receive the tribute of these noble Falcons, which had been taken from their nests for that pur-
pose. The high value set upon such of these as survived the perils of the voyage, and the severities consequent on the discipline

practised on them whilst in training, is a matter of history.”

Professor Sciilegel in his magnificent work entitled “ Traite de Fauconnerie,” gives an account of this bird, a translation of which
I here insert : “ Mr. Thieneman is the only traveller who has furnished any facts regarding the manner of life of the Falcon in its wild

state. This naturalist states that these birds prefer to dwell during the summer in the interior of the island of Iceland. They con-

struct their nests, composed entirely of branches, in the clefts of the most precipitous and inaccessible cliffs. The eggs are two to
three in number, a little larger than those of the Kite, the color resembling those of the Hobby, that is to say, a greenish white
covered with reddish brown spots of various sizes, more or less distinct.

“ At this time of the year, the land and water birds, together with their young, become an easy prey to this Falcon, and thus they
provide abundantly for the wants of their offspring; but at the approach of winter, when the majority of the birds have migrated, this
falcon subsists almost exclusively upon ptarmigan. It visits then the borders of the sea, and often conies to the dovecotes in pursuit of
the tame pigeons. Those water-birds which are capable of diving do not fear his attack when they are swimming; but they fall into
the power of this dangerous enemy when he surprises them perched upon the rocks.”

Adult. Upper parts white, transversely banded with dark brown, as is also the white tail. Quills brownish-black at their tips.

Under parts white, with generally a few longitudinal brown lines. Bill blue, claws brownish-black.

Young. Brown, transversely banded with white; under parts whitish, profusely spotted with irregularly shaped marks of brown.
Primaries and tail dark brown, banded with dull w'hite.

The figure is life-size.

Drawn

trorn Mature by J. Wolf, London. 18 6 7.

33owen& Co.lith.& col. Pbdlada.

■a asMSwiem

f

FALCO AURANTIUS.

*

GOLDEN SPARROW-HAWK.

FALCO AURANTIUS. Gmf.i,. Syst. Nat. Vol. I., p. 283. (1788).
FALCO THORACICUS. Donovan. Nat. Rep. Vol. II., p. (1824).
FALCO DEIROLEUCUS. Temm. Plan. Col. pi. 348.

FALCO AURANTIUS. Cass. Pac. R. R. Rep., Vol. IN., p. 10.

It is doubtful if this handsomely plumaged Hawk may properly be included among the Birds of North America, as no individual
has been captured within the limits usually understood as bounding that division of the New World. A single specimen was obtained
by the then Lieut. Couch, in the State of New Leon, Mexico, on the Rio Grande ; and supposing it likely to extend its migrations
into the State of Texas, I have deemed it perhaps best to allot the species a place in this work.

It is a well-known bird of South America, and is common, I believe, in many parts of that continent. I am unable to give
any account of its habits, never having seen it alive.

The life-like representation of this handsome Hawk, taken from a very line specimen kindly loaned to me for the purpose by
Mr. G. N. Lawrence, is the result of Mr. Wolfs skillful pencil. Entire upper parts bluish slate color, the feathers having the centres
much darker. Under parts black, with narrow transverse bands of white. Cheeks black. Throat and breast yellowish white.
Abdomen, under tail coverts, and thighs, dark rufous. Under wing coverts black, with circular white spots. Primaries black, with
white transverse bands on their inner webs. Tail black, crossed with irregular bars of white, aud with narrow white tips. Bill
horn-color, black at tip. Feet yellow.

The figures are the size of life.

I . I .

"Drawn. fromXature by JWolE .London 186 8

Bowen & Co. litli. & c ol. Phil a da.

TJKLE 0

MmRmwm®*

1

BUTEO ZONOCERCUS.

BAND-TAIL HAWK.

BUTEO ZONOCERCUS. Sclat. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1858,) p. 263.

BUTEO HARLANI. Cass. B. of N. A., p. 21, —Id. Lawk. Ann. N. Y. Lyc., YoL Y., p. 220.

Tjits handsome species was described by Dr. Sclater, in the proceedings of the Zoological Society of London as above referred to, from a
specinen received by him from Mexico. Dr. T. 0. Henry also procured a specimen in New Mexico, which is now in the collection of the
Academy at Philadelphia, and Dr. Cooes obtained an example during his residence at Port Whipple in Arizona; while Dr. CoorER secured another
individual in Santa Clara County, California. Thus it would appear that, although it may properly be considered a Mexican species, yet it pene-
trates within our boundaries at various points.

Although so conspicuous and well marked as is this bird, yet we know nothing of its economy or habits, the opportunities afforded to observe
it in life not having been sufficiently frequent to enable those Ornithologists who met with it, to ascertain its breeding-places or mode of pro-
curing food.

Prom au examination of Mr. Lawrence’s specimens mentioned by him in the Annals of the Lyceum, quoted above, it would appear to be an
immature bird of this species, and not Harlani, as there named ; and the specimens in the Philadelphia Academy described by Mr. Cassin in the
Birds of North America, may with propriety also be referred to this species.

The spirited drawing which adorns my work is from the pencil of Mr. Wolf, to whom the type specimen contained in the Museum
of Norwich, England, was, at the request of Dr. Sclater, sent for the purpose of being drawn for this work ; and I take this opportunity of ex-
pressing my thanks to the gentlemen in whose care the maguificent collection of the Museum is placed, for their courtesy in thus enabling me to
give a representation of this bird.

With regard to the admirable manner in which Mr. Wolf, so justly esteemed as unrivalled for his power of delineating animal life, has per-
formed his part, I need say nothing — the figure will speak for itself. Dr. Sclater's description of the species is as follows : “In plumage this bird
is very much like the typical Urubitiugas, being of a nearly uniform ashy black, tinged with brown on the scapularies aud secondaries, and with
a broad white band across the tail. Above this are two other bands much narrower, and not quite complete, and tbe tail is likewise tipped with
white. The color of these bands is pure white on the undersurface, on the upper surface it is cinereous on the outer webs of the lateral rectrices,
and on both webs of the medial pair, but pure white on tbe inner webs of the lateral tail-feathers. The lowest band is about li inches in
breadth, the second not half an inch, and the highest is quite narrow. There are distinct traces of white cross bauds on the inner webs of the
wing-feathers. The wings are, however, much more elongated than in the Urubitiugas, the third primary (which is longest) extending four in-
hes beyond the secondaries. The fourth and fifth primaries are only slightly shorter than the third, the first being nearly of the same length
as the longest secondary.”

The figure is of the size of life.

ibitshe©

Drawn froniNature^y JWcMf .LoTulon,18B7.

"Bowen&. Co/lidi,& colPhxiada.

HALIAETUS PELAGICUS.

NORTHERN SEA-EAGLE.

aquila pelagioa.

AQUILA MARINA.

FALCO IMPERATOR.
FALCO LEUCOPTERUS.
HALIAETUS PELAGICUS.

Pallas. Zoog. Rosso-Asiat., Yol. I. p. 343.

Stellek. Mss. Pallas as quoted.

Kjttlitz. Kupf. Nat. Yog. pt. I. p. 3.

Tkmm. Plan. Col., Yol. I. p.

Cass. B. of Amer., p. 42. — Id. B. of Cal., p. 31, pi. 6.

The genus Haliaetus is composed of those species of this family which subsist in a great degree upon fish, and are accustomed to frequent
the sea-coasts of the various countries they inhabit. The magnificent bird which is the subject of this article, is the largest of all known Eagles,
and frequents the seas of Northeu Asia and America. Of great power of wing, its range is probably very extensive, yet it is not known to extend
its journeyings far to the south, preferring to dwell amid the vast solitudes of the extreme Northern portions of the old and new Worlds. There,
says Mr. Cassin, “ in the bleak regions of almost perpetual winter, the Great Sea Eagle reigns a mighty chieftain, without a competitor, and with
power unrivalled, finding ample subsistence in the arctic quadrupeds, and in the fishes of the northern seas, or occasionally levying tribute from
the hosts of feathered travellers that make their annual pilgrimage to the places of their nativity, and intrude on his domain.”

The nest of this mighty bird is placed on the rocky cliffs overhanging the sea, and the young are abundantly supplied by the parents with
fish until they are able to provide for themselves. As no American Ornithologist has ever yet met with this bird in its native wild, I am unable to
o-ive anv account of it derived from such sources, but Pallas, a distinguished Russian naturalist, who first described the species, relates the follow

© V 1

ing facts regarding it :

“ Stellek, worthy of a better fate, first observed this remarkable species, and in his manuscripts briefly described it. Now, also, I have
before me an elegantly prepared specimen from my friend Billings, wdio, with the last navigator, explored the ocean between Kamtchatka and
the American Continent, especially in the islands noted for the unfortunate shipwreck and death of Behring. It appears very rarely in Kamtchatka
itself. In the highest rocks overhanging the sea, it constructs a nest of two ells in diameter, composed of twigs of fruit and other trees, gathered
from a great distance, and strewed with grass in the centre, in which are one or two eggs, in form, magnitude and whiteness, very like those of
a swan. The young are hatched in the beginning of June, and have an entirely white woolly covering. While Steller was cautiously viewing
such a nest from a precipice, the parents darted with such an unforeseen impetuosity, as nearly to throw him headlong ; the female having been
wounded both flew away, nor did they return to the nest, which was watched for two days, but as if lamenting they often sat on an opposite
rock. It is a bold bird, very cunning, circumspect, observant, and of savage disposition. Steller saw a fox {Vulpes Lagopothis ) carried off by
one, and dashed upon the rocks, and afterwards torn in pieces. It subsists also upon dead substances cast up by the sea, and various off-
scourings of the ocean.”

It will be seen by the foregoing, that this Great Eagle does not confine itself to feeding solely upon fish, but will also seize quadrupeds, for
which it probably hunts, flying low over their places of refuge, and doubtless it wall not disdain to make a meal upon carrion, if met with, during
some of its long flights. The adult H. Pelagicus is truly a magnificent bird, and stands unrivalled in its regal appearance among its relatives.
The white of the shoulders, thighs and tail, forms a striking and beautiful contrast to the dark brown hue of the remainder of the plumage, and
serves to make it a highly Conspicuous object whenever seen.

The species may be described as follows : Shoulders and tail with upper and under coverts, pure white ; rest of plumage rich dark umber
brown. Quills black. Bill and feet yellow. The figure is about half the natural size.

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HA1MTUS ALBIOILLA.

“ In the breeding season, should two males encounter each other, they sometimes fight in the air, throwing themselves into singular
postures and screaming loudly. The cry of this species is so shrill that in calm weather one may hear it at the distance of a mile,
and it often emits a kind of clear yelp, which resembles the syllable Mick , Mick, Mick, or queek, queek, queek, and which seems to be the
expression of anger or impatience.” — Macgil. Brit. Birds, vol. 111.

The Sea-Eagle is frequently chased by smaller birds, and rarely makes its appearance upon the sea without being molested by the
Gulls, which “ mob it all the time.” On such occasions it never offers to return the assaults, but endeavors to get away from its
persecutors as quickly as possible. Mi'. Dunn states that he “ once saw, while sporting on Kona’s Hill, a pair of Skua Gulls chase
and completely beat off a large Eagle; the Gulls struck at him several times, and at each stroke he screamed loudly, but never offered to
return the assault. He was sailing along close to the steep part of the cliffs, and near the breeding place of these Gulls, and was
most probably looking out for a repast, which he doubtless would have secured had he not received the hint that his company coidd be
dispensed with. I have also seen from ten to fifteen Arctic Gulls attack an Eagle and beat him from their habitations.”

But he does not always receive such a reception when he sweeps majestically along the cliffs upon which the smaller Gulls and
other sea-birds are breeding, and when perhaps there may be no formidable Skuas to teach him propriety, his appearance creating
great consternation — the old birds in terror for themselves and for their defenceless young. The following note, furnished by II. Osborne,
Jr,, Esq., to Mr, Gould, and published by him in the Birds of Groat Britain, well describes the effect produced by the advent of this
Eagle :

“ An observer who carefully watched this depredator while beating tlie margin of a loch, not far from the edge of the rock, saw

him slip over the precipice and shoot along about half way between the top of the cliff and the sea. Hardly had he made his

appearance when a rush of birds seaward took place. Everything that could fly left the rocks, and the terror and confusion that ensued
was remarkable. This continued during the whole course of his flight, and his appearance was the signal for a hurrying of the scared
masses out of the reach of danger. So numerous and so very much frightened were the birds, that the progress of the Eagle could
be traced, long after he himself was invisible, by the string of sea-fowl of various kinds that persistently continued to seek safety
in flight. It was long before Gull and Guillemot got over their fright and matters assumed the even tenor of their way.”

The Gray Sea-Eagle may he described as follows : Head and neck light brown, each feather with a dark central line of the same

color : entire upper parts dark brown, each feather having a wide edging of light brown. Wings dark brown, the tertiaries tipped with

very light brown ; primaries very dark brown. Under parts lighter than the upper. Tail and coverts white. Bill, legs, and feet pale
yellow ; cere golden yellow ; claws blaek.

My figure, taken from a specimen obtained in Greenland, is a little more than one-third of the natural size.

HALILECTUS ALBICILLA.

GRAY SEA-EAGLE.

AQUILA ALBICILLA. Bliss. Ora., Tom. 1, p. 427.

AQUILA OSSIFRAGA. Briss. Ora., Tom. 1, p. 437.

PALCO OSSLPRAGA. Linn. Syst. Nat., Tom. 1, p. 124.

PALCO MELANOTUS. Gmel Syst. Nat., Tom. 1, p. 253.

VULTUR ALBICILLA. Linn. Syst. Nat., Tom. 1, p. 123.
IIALLETUS GRCENLANDICUS. Brelim. Yog. Deutsch, 1, 16 (1831).
HALIAETUS ALBICILLA. Cuv. Eegue Anim., eel. 1, p. 315.

This splendid bird is a native of the cold latitudes, and is fond of dwelling upon the rock-bound coasts, where it builds
and rears its young on the high, almost inaccessible cliffs overlooking the “ sounding sea.” It is met with in Great Britain,

Sweden, Russia, Siberia, Iceland, and Greenland, doubtless visiting, from the last-named country, the northern provinces of
country.

Ranking among the great Eagles of the world, exceeded in size and power by but few, it nevertheless does not seem to possess the
energy, courage, and stem independence which characterize some of even its smaller and more defenceless brethren. Its food consists
principally of fish, but it will also prey upon small quadrupeds and birds, these last being obtained by seizing them in its powerful talons
as it sweeps over their places of refuge ; and as this great bird partakes somewhat of the Vulture in its habits and disposition, it will
not disdain to make a meal upon carrion. But this fact should not perhaps be used as a reproach for this Eagle alone, since its noble
relative, the Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos), will not hesitate to stoop to a similar banquet.

The nest is formed of sticks, dried seaweeds, grass, Ac., and is of great size, sometimes five feet in diameter, and is usually placed

upon the most inaccessible cliffs, although it will also build in the top of some large tree. The female lays two white eggs, and the

young when first hatched are covered with a white down, giving to them somewhat the appearance of two rolls of cotton as they lie
in the centre of the nest. They grow very rapidly, and are supplied with food by the parents, even for some time after they have left

the nest, from which the old birds entice them before they are able to use their wings to any advantage.

The following account of a visit paid to the eyrie of this bird is published in the “Ootheca Wolleyana,” from the pen of Mr. John
Wolley :

“ On the coasts the Sea-Eagle chooses a roomy and generally sheltered ledge of rock. The nest was very slightly made of a little
grass and fresh heather loosely put together without any sticks; but two or three “ kek ’’-stalks were strewn about outside. There was
a good thickness of guano-like soil upon the rock, which made much nest unnecessary. Two or three Guillemot’s beaks, the only
unmanageable part of that bird, were not far off. The eggs were laid two days before, when I went to reconnoitre, and I never shall
forget the forbearance which a friend who was with me showed, at my request, as he lay gun in hand with the hen eagle in full view
upon her nest not forty yards below him. Her head was toward the cliff, and concealed from our sight, whilst her broad back and
white tail, as she stood bending over her nest on the grassy ledge, with the beautiful sandstone rock and the sea beyond, completed a
picture rarely to be forgotten.

“ But our ears and the air we breathe give a finish to nature’s pictures which no art can imitate ; and here were the effects of the
sea, and the heather, and the rocks, the fresh warmth of the northern sun, and the excitement of exercise, while the musical yelping
of the male eagle came from some stand out of our sight. Add to this the innate feeling of delight connected with the pursuit of wild
animals, w r hich no philosopher has yet been able to explain further than as a special gift of our Great Maker, and then say whether
it is not almost blasphemy to call such a scene a picture ! Upon this occasion I made some remark to my friend, when the hen eagle
showed her clear eye and big yellow beak, her head full of the expression of wild nature and freedom. She gave us a steady glance,
then sprang upon the rock, and with ‘slow winnowing wing’ — the flight feathers turning upwards at every stroke — was soon out at sea.
Joined by her mate, she began to sail with him in circles further and further away, till quite out of sight, yelping as long as we
could hear them, gulls mobbing them all the time. To enjoy the beauties of a wild coast in perfection, let me recommend any
man to seat himself in an eagle’s nest.”

Although not at all sociable, yet the young frequently keep together, even when able to take care of themselves, and several
individuals may be seen flying in company. It is a beautiful sight to witness this bird upon the wing, as it then appears to the
greatest advantage. Perhaps two or more will commence at the same time to mount into the upper air, and sailing in great circles
with the wings held nearly motionless — the only movement being the quivering at times of the flight feathers, — crossing each other
at regular intervals, they gradually ascend. Higher and higher they rise, until they seem to float without motion— their white tails
shining like molten silver as the bright rays of the sun fall upon them ; — and as we gaze they grow less and less distinct, until
only a few dark specks in the distance indicate the mighty birds, even these soon vanishing from our view

its nests,
Norway,
our own

Bowen &Co. lith.. &. col. PMLaxla

Drawn from Nature lay D. G-.Elliot.P Z, S .

Tix^TLeYigj ^Tro A~ r. -R^cc^c-riiuv,

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CATHABTES BUBBOVIANUS.

BURROUGHS’ VULTURE.

OATHARTES BURROV1AMIS. Cassi.v. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., p. 212. (1845.)

The family of the Vulturidse, although comparatively limited in the number of its species, has its representatives in every quarter
of the world, New Holland alone excepted. They are chiefly inhabitants of warm latitudes, and in their office of scavengers are
useful in the highest degree. Under the fierce rays of the tropical sun, everything bereft of life rapidly decays, and were it not
for the opportune services of the repulsive looking Vulture, epidemics would probably prevail. But from their lofty stations, high up
amid the “ethereal blue,” these birds, on untiring wing, sailing along in easy graceful flight, survey with their keen gaze the
landscape stretched out below them. Should any animal be overtaken by death, they immediately rush to the banquet, and perhaps
even before the body has become cold, are busily engaged in its removal. With snake-like hissings, strange contortions and angry
scufflings, their plumage disarranged and bedraggled, the naked heads and necks covered with blood, and their eyes jealously watching-
all intruders who may venture into the neighborhood of the unsavory feast, they tear the flesh and gorge themselves to repletion.
When they have satisfied their appetites, they wall sit, in a semitorpid state, upon the ground or on the branch of some tree close
at hand, hardly noticing anything- that may approach them ; but should one be suddenly seized upon, or wounded, it will endeavor
to regain its power of locomotion by disgorging what it may have swallowed.

This family contains, with the exception of the Ostrich and its congeners, the largest members of the feathered race, and although
they are provided with powerful beaks to enable them to tear their food, yet not being accustomed to seize or grapple with their
prey, their claws are generally feeble and slender. The majority of the Vulturidae are unseemly in appearance, sluggish in habits, and
not over tidy in their plumage, but exceptional cases are found among them, such as the Gypaetus Barbatus or Lammergeyer of the
Alps, which for elegance of form, courageous disposition, and activity on the wing, may be favorably compared with the Eagles.

North America has but two genera of this family, viz., Sa rewhatnp hus, containing the S. Papa, probably the most beautiful
species known, and Gathartes, including the California Yulture, — rivalling in size the mighty Condor of the Andes, — the Turkey Buzzard,
Black Yulture, and the species which heads this article.

The power of sight possessed by these birds is wonderful, enabling them to perceive their prey from so vast a height, that they
themselves are entirely beyond the reach of human vision. In the southern portion of our country, where some of the species
are common, I have often been present when an animal had been just killed, and although no Vulture was in sight at the moment,
in any direction, either on the plain or in the sky, but few minutes would elapse before they began to arrive, dropping seemingly out of
the very clouds. At first they would come singly, then a few together, until in a short time the grouud in the vicinity would be
covered with them, or they would alight close by upon the trees, waiting for me to retire, before commencing their onslaught upon
the quarry.

They walk easily, sometimes progressing by a succession of quick hops; but it is in the air they appear to the best advantage.
After the first few flaps made when rising they rarely move the wings, but seem to ascend and descend by simple volition, the momentum
increased or diminished without apparent effort. Many a time have I watched several of them together, sailing above me, crossing each
other’s circuit, and executing all manner of curves without any perceptible movement of the wing-feathers.

Burroughs’ Yulture is the smallest of the group to which it belongs, and is a native of Mexico and Lower California, without doubt

extending its range into Texas, although I am not aware that any specimen has been obtained within the limits of that State. It is

readily distinguished from all its relatives by a much smaller size, and by having the feathers ascend on the back of the neck nearly
to the top of the head, in this respect differing entirely from the 0. Aura to which it bears the closest resemblance. My friend Mr.
John Cassin, well known for his high attainments in this branch of science, first described this species, from a specimen obtained in
the vicinity of Yera Cruz by Dr. Burroughs, whose name was given to it.

It may be described as follows ; Head naked, red. Entire plumage of a very deep miiform blackish brown, paler beneath ; the

neck destitute of a ruff, but the feathers extended upwards on the back of the neck nearly to the occiput. Tail black ; shafts oi
the primaries white. Feet, light brown.

SCARDAFELLA INCA.

LITTLE DOVE.

SCARDAFELLA SQUAMOSA. Baird. B. of N. Amer., p. G05.
SCARDAFELLA INCA. Bonp. Consp. Gen. At., vol. 3, p. 85.

This pretty little dove is a native of Mexico, Guatemala, and other parts of Central America, but has lately been procured at Laredo, Texas,
by Dr. H. B. Butcher, who sent many specimens to the Smithsonian Institution, and it is from some of these that my plate was drawn. This species
is a diminutive representative of the Wild Pigeon, ( Etojnstes Migrator ia,) although it does not possess the beautiful changeable colors which
cause the neck of that species to be so brilliant and attractive ; but it closely resembles its relative in the length and markings of the tail-
feathers.

In the birds of North America by Messrs. Baird, Oassin and Lawrence, Prof. Baird has inadvertently described this species as Scardafella
Squamosa, his only specimen, a female in poor condition, having been obtained by Lieut. Couch, at Cadareita, New Leon, Mexico

I am happy to have been able to give the first figures of the S. Inca, from specimens obtained within our limits.

No accounts of its economy or habits has been recorded by any of the naturalists who have obtained it in its native country.

The male has the head light gray, each feather edged with dark brown. Entire upper part, rufous brown, all the feathers edged with
black. Throat, white. Upper part of breast, tinged with rosy. Primaries, rufous ; lower half of outer web and tips, dark brown. Abdomen
and flanks, yellowish brown, all the feathers tipped with dark brown, lightest on the breast. Middle tail feathers like the back, the next three
black, two following tipped with white, outer one white, black at the base. Bill, blackish brown. Feet, red.

Female like the male, wanting the red of the breast. Figures life-size. Plant, Rosa Rubiginosa. Sweet Briar.

TJ L-MMixiVomUature 'byD.G'EIUot, F. Z S.

’Bowen. & (’o.li'li & col Blrulada.

:S'C>

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1C

MELEAGRIS MEXIOANA.

MEXICAN TURKEY.

MELEAGRIS

MELEAGRIS

MELEAGRIS

MELEAGRIS

MEXIOANA. Gould. Proc. Zoo! Soc. (1856), p. 61.

GALLOP AYO. Gray. List. Gall. (1867), p. 42.

GALLO PAVO? Briss. Orn. Yols. 1 to 16.

MEXIOANA. Ooues. Proc. AcacL Nat. Scien. Phil. (1866), p. 93.

This magnificent species, which is without doubt the origin of our domesticated Turkeys, was described by Mr. Gould, as quoted
above, from a specimen obtained in Mexico, and from this typical example the Portrait now given was taken. It is somewhat of a
mooted question what the proper name of this bird should be, some considering it as the M. Gallopavo of authors ; but this does not
appear to be the correct view. All the old writers, such as Belon, Gessner, Aldeovandus, Johnston, Ray, etc., mention, and in some
instances figure the “Turkey,” but in most of the cases it is very difficult to understand exactly to what species they refer. Belon,
in his “Histoire de la Nature des Oiseaux,” gives a colored woodcut, which seems to be intended for the M. Gallopavo of authors, the
common Wild Turkey. Gessner’s illustration, although intending to rejiresent a Turkey, gives us no idea of the bird, so far as the par-
ticular species is concerned ; and the two colored woodcuts furnished by Aldrovandus are equally unsatisfactory.

All these authors have very confused ideas of the habitat of the Turkey, whether it came from the Old or New World; but Ray,
in his Synopsis Avium, gives us the first clue to the species he is describing when he calls it Gallopavo Sylvestris Novae Anglia;, or New
England Wild Turkey, which can be no other than our well-known species of the United States. Brisson, in his “ Ornithology,” page 158,
Yol. I, refers to what I consider the domesticated bird, as Gallapavo, quoting as synonyms the names used by the authors who preceded
him ; and if he was considered as an authority at the present time, the species here represented would have to take this name, as it is
the origin of the domesticated race ; but, on page 164 of the same work, he speaks of another bird as Gallapavo Sylvestris, which he

states is much larger than the first, and is also “ d’un noir beaucoup plus fonc6,” giving as a synonym of this Ray’s New England

Wild Turkey. For the first time we seem to have here a perception of two species, and an attempt to separate them. Linnajus, beyond
whom ornithologists have generally agreed not to go in their nomenclature, now steps in, and establishes his Meleagris Gallapavo upon

the bird of Ray and Brisson, which would seem to set at rest all doubts as to what name the common Wild Turkey of the more

northern portion of North America should bear; and that the appellation of M. Mexicana, given to the present species by Mr. Gould,
is the proper one for it to be known by. Yieillot, in the “Galerie des Oiseaux,” gives a figure of the common Wild Turkey, under
the name of M. Fera, which has been adopted by Gray in his recent list of the Gallime in the British Museum. I fail to discover
any reason for the establishment of this appellation.

The Mexican Turkey takes its place among the “ Birds of North America,” from having been discovered by my friend Dr. Coues in
Arizona. He says that “the Wild Turkey is a permanent resident of the mountains of the immediate vicinity of Whipple, but quite
rare, so much so that I procured no specimens. In some portions of the Southern Rocky Mountain region it is exceedingly numerous.”

The present species differs very materially from the M. Gallopavo, being much lighter in the general color of its plumage, and
having white upper tail coverts, and tail tipped with the same. These last characteristics are nearly always found in the domesticated
race, but are never met with in the common wild bird.

No account of the economy or habits of this species has been given by any of those naturalists who have seen it in its native
wilds, but it doubtless in these respects resembles very closely its northern relative.

Gould’s description of the type specimen now in the British Museum, as compared with the M. Gallopavo of the Northern United
States, is as follows : “ Shorter legs, considerably larger and more broadly expanded tail, conspicuously zoned with brown and black, and
terminating ivith white ; the tail coverts are very profusely developed, largely tipped with white, and bounded posteriorly with a narrow
line of black, their basal portions being rich metallic bronze. The same arrangement of coloring also prevails on the feathers of the
lower part of the flanks, and on the under tail coverts, where it is particularly fine; the centre of the back is black, with green,
purple, and red reflections ; the base of the neck, upper part of the back, and shoulders are in some lights bronzy, in others the color
of fire; the greater wing coverts uniform bronzy-brown, forming a conspicuous band across the wing. All the primaries are crossed by
mottled bars of blackish brown and white freckled with brown ; all the under surface is fiery copper, intensely brilliant in some lights,
and becoming darker toward the flanks.”

The figure is half the natural size.

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PODASOCYS MONTANUS.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PLOVER.

CHARADRIUS MONTANUS. Town. Jour. Acad. Scieu. Yol. VII. p. 192. (1837.)
AEGIALETES MONTANUS. Bon. List. (1838.)

PODASOCYS MONTANUS. Coitus. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (I860), p. 96.

The Rocky Mountain Plover was discovered by Mr. Townsend in the central table lands of the great range from which it takes
its name. He procured a female only, which he sent to Mr. Audubon with the following account : “ This remarkable species, so
much allied to the Charadrius Wilsoni, was scarcely seen by us for more than one or two days, and then on the central table land of
the Rocky Mountains, in the plains near the last of the streams of the Platte, pursued in our western and northern route. It being
the month of July when we saw it, there is little doubt but that it was breeding in this subalpine region.

“ The only individual shot was seen skulking and running through the wormwood bushes which so generally clothe those arid
and dry wastes. After running some time, it would remain perfectly still, as if conscious of the difficulty of distinguishing it from
the color of the gray soil on which it stood.

“ All that we saw were similar to the present individual, and none, however flushed, took to the wing. We do not recollect
hearing from it the slightest complaint or note of any kind, being intent probably on concealing its young or eggs by a perfect
silence.”

No further information regarding the habits of this species has been obtained. My plate contains representations of the male
in full summer plumage, which has never before been given.

It may be described as follows :

The forehead white, separated from the dull olive of the head add neck by a black stripe. Upper parts brown, with some of
the feathers frequently tipped with rufous. Upper tail-coverts pale brown. Primaries dark brown, their shafts white; tail brown tipped
with white, with a subterminal bar of brownish black, a white space on the outer webs of the primaries forming a white patch on the
wings. Entire under parts white, sometimes tinged with yellowish on the breast. Bill black ; legs yellow.

The figures are of the natural size.

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MACRORHAMPHUS SCOLOPACEUS.

LONG-BILLED SNIPE.

LIMOSA SCOLOPACEUS. Say. Long’s Exp. (1823), Yol. II. p. 170.

SCOLOPAX LONGIEOSTRIS. Bell. Ann. X. Y. Lyc. (1852), Yol. Y. p. 3.

MACRO RHAMPHUS SCOLOPACEUS. Law. Ann. X. Y. Lyc. (1852), Yol. Y. p. 4, pi. I. Cass. B. of X. Amei\, p. 712.

The present species has been generally confounded with its near relative the M. G-mens or Red-breasted Snipe, and indeed to a casual
observer little, if any, differences would be perceptible. But the student of Nature, accustomed to more critical examinations, easily detects the
variations which are thought sufficient to constitute species, and at length the bird now under consideration, has been generally acknowledged as
distinct from its ally. It is a native of the entire temperate regions of North America, though rather rare on the Atlantic Coast. Goes in
flocks, frequently associating with the Red-breasted Snipe, but may easily be distinguished from that species by its longer bill and tarsi, as well as
its generally larger size. It feeds upon small insects which it seizes as they pass, and is accustomed to probe the sand-bars and muddy flats
left exposed by the receding tide, in the same manner as do the Woodcock or Common Suipe. Its flight is easy, rapid, and often continued for a
considerable length of time. The note of this species is a soft whistle, and is frequently uttered when the bird is flying about looking for
companions or a suitable place to procure a meal. Gentle and unsuspicious in its nature, it is easily approached, and readily replies to the
sportsman’s call as he lures it to the fatal decoys. Nothing is known of the breeding-places of the members of this genus, but they doubtlessly
proceed far to the North for the purpose of incubation. The Long-billed Snipe in Summer has the head, neck, and entire upper parts ferrugi-
nous red, with circular narrow spots of black upon the former, but covered with large blotches of the same color upon the back, the feathers
of which are also tipped with ash. Wings light brown, each feather edged with bright ash ; primaries dark brown. Rump and upper tail
coverts white, spotted with black. Tail ferruginous, banded with black. Under parts pale red, with transverse bands on the sides. Bill greenish
black ; legs and feet dark brown.

In Winter the rufous coloring entirely disappears, and the head and neck is a dark ash, tinged with purplish. Entire upper parts dark
ash brown. Under parts pure white, marked on the sides with spots of dull ashy white.

The plate represents specimens in both the plumages above described. The figures are the size of life.

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eurenet.es occidentalis.

WESTERN SANDPIPER.

EURENETES OCCIDENTALIS. Lawk. Proc, Acad. Nat. Scieu., Phila. (1864), p. 107.

Mr. Lawrence was the first to bring this species to the notice of Ornithologists. It resembles somewhat the E. Pusillus of the Atlantic
coasts, but differs in having more of the chestnut markings on the back, this color being also much brighter in the greater size of the spots
upon the breast, and in the jet black color of its tarsi and feet, these members in its ally being light green. There is some difference in the size
of the bills, but this cannot he depended upon, as they vary greatly even among specimens from the same locality. T show this difference in the
figures of my plate, which were drawn from the types kindly lent to me by Mr. Lawrence.

Although the birds of this genus from both sides of America in a measure resemble each other, which is after all but natural, yet the
characters given above, appear to be constant in all specimens coming from the Pacific coast, and would appear to give greater evidences for this
bird to be considered distinct from its ally, than is usually found in the western analogues of species dwelling in the eastern portion of North
America.

Upper parts present a mottled appearance, each feather having chestnut edges, black centres and white tips, Upper tail coverts, brownish
black. Middle tail feathers, blackish brown ; outer ones, ash; primaries and secondaries, ash on the inner webs, blackish brown on the outer ;
lectials black in the centre margined with bright chestnut ; scapulars chestnut in the centre, black towards the end, tipped with white. Front,
sides of the head, throat, breast and sides, marked with spots of dark brown. Under tail coverts, white ; bill and feet, jet black. Figures are
life size.

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CHEN ALBATUS.

CASSIS’S SNOW GOOSE.

ANSER ALBATUS. Cassin.

Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., Phil. (1856.) p. 41.

This bird is very closely allied to the better-known Snow Goose, 0. llyperboreus, but may be distinguished from that species by its
much smaller size. Mr. Cassin, who first brought it to the attention of Ornithologists in the publication above referred to, thus
speaks of it :

“ A single specimen from Oregon is in the collection of the Exploring Expedition in the Vincennes and Peacock, and four specimens
which occurred in pairs have come under my notice in the market of Philadelphia in the. course of twenty years. These five
specimens are all that I have seen of this species, and it is very probably of rare occurrence on the coast of the Atlantic in this
latitude, much more so than the preceding. The four specimens alluded to, which are a pair of adults and a pair of young, are now in
the collection of the Philadelphia Academy.”

Three species of Snow Geese have been confounded by many authors, viz., the C. ITyperhoreus, or Common Snow Goose, the 0.
Ccerulescens, and the present species. The second one of these was considered as the young of the first species, as it never becomes
perfectly white, and too little was known of the C. Albatus, until Mr. Cassin obtained his four specimens, for any one to say whether
or not it was entitled to specific distinctness.

That portion of our continent inhabited by this species has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it will without doubt be

found in similar localities to those in which its allies dwell.

Mr. Bernard Ross, in lii.s paper, in the Natural History Review, No. 7, on the Fauna of the Mackenzie River District, remarks, that

“there can be no doubt of the existence of three species of Snow Geese exclusive of the Blue Wavey of Hudson’s Bay (Anas Crerulescens),

as the Slave Lake Indians have a different name for each land. The first which arrives is the middle sized species, which I believe
to be A. Albatus • next comes the smallest sort, A. Jtossii : and lastly, the A. lh/perboreas, which arrives when the trees are in the
leaf, and is called the Yellow Wavey by the Indians.”

The following is Mr. Cassia’s description of this species : Form : Smaller than the preceding (A. Hyperboreus) ; bill shorter, bare

space at the base of the upper mandible not extending so far into the feathers on the sides of the bill in front, Wing long, second

quill longest ; tail short, but comparatively rather long than in the preceding, which is also the case with the tarsus.

Dimensions: Male. — Total length of skin about twenty-five inches; wing, 15| ; tail, 53; bill measured along the culrnen from tip

to feathers, two ; to gap, two ; tarsus, three inches. Sexes alike, female slightly smaller. Colors, adult : Entire plumage white, except

primaries, which are pale cinereous at base, and black in the terminating two-thirds of their length. Front and cheeks spotted with
ferrugineous. Hab. Western and Northern America, Oregon, rare on the Atlantic.

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CHEN CJEIJLESCENS.

THE BLUE WAVEY.

ANSER OiERlTLESOENS. Lixx. Syst. Nat. Yol. I. (1766.) p. 198. — Cassis. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scieu. (1856.) p. 42. Bree, B. of Europe.
Vol. IV. p. 188. pi.

ANSER HYPERBOREUS. Wils. Vol. VIII. Am. Oru. pi. 69. fig. 5.

This species, generally confounded with tlie Snow Goose, [Chen Hyperboreas), aud considered as its young, is very distinct, as a
fiance at the plate here given, will at once testify. Immature specimens have been figured by both Wilson and Audubon, as the young
of the common species, but apparently the information they possessed regarding theso birds was hardly sufficient to warrant their
conclusions.

This Goose is of rare occurrence on our Atlantic coast during winter, and the specimens obtained are generally immature, without
the white under parts of the adult; but in the northern portions of our continent it is very abundaut, and goes in flockd containing
great numbers of individuals.

The following interesting account of the Blue Wavey is taken from an article ou the “ Swans and Geese of Hudson’s Bay, by
George Barnstox,” published in the “Ibis,” (1860.) p. 253. “The friendly intercourse that exists between these Geese ( A . Hyperboreus)
and the Blue Wavies (A. Ccerulescens). has perhaps induced some to suppose that they were merely varieties ; but this is a mistake,

The young white Wavies arrive from the North with their parents, without mixture of other geese in the flocks; and they have the

same white garb as the old birds, but with the head as if it had been soiled with rust of iron, and the bill, as is well known with
young birds, tender, soft, and compressible ; while, on the other hand, the Anser Gaerulescens comes down upon the Eastern coast, also in
perfectly distinct flocks, the young birds having a more diffused and darker blue color, as well as being of smaller size, with the beak
softer aud the flesh more tender. About this there can be no mistake. In the spring, James' Bay is frequently crossed by both species
of the Wavey, at Capes Jones and Henrietta Maria; aud, occasionally, two or three Blue may be seen in a large flock of White on the
Albany shore, while two or three White may also be observed accompanying the full flocks of Blue on the Eastmaiu side; but this

is not singular, as their cry is almost the same, and they are certainly closely allied species — but not varieties. By Indian report,

a great breeding-ground for the Blue Wavey is the country lying in the interior from the N. E. point of Labrador, Cape Dudley Digges.
Extensive swamps and impassable bogs prevail there ; and the Geese incubate on the more solid and driest tufts dispersed over the
morass, safe from the approach of man, or other than a winged enemy. Of all the Geese enumerated, the Anser Cwrulescens appears
to be least known, and, it is possible, frequents in summer only James’ Bay and tbe Eastmain of Labrador, at the extremity of which
peninsula it batches. Of its winter haunts I cannot speak with certainty, not having seen them either on the Columbia or on the

Northwest coast. It may he that they adopt the seacoast in a lower latitude as a home, and are to be found towards Southern

Mexico.”

My plate contains representations of this species of adult and young, aud is the only one, I believe, which has figures of this

bird, of tbe natural size. Tbe specimens are in the British Museum, to whose officers I am under many obligations for opportunities

of introducing in this work tbe rare birds contained in the National collection.

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EXANTHEMOPS ROSSII.

BOSS’ SNOW GOOSE.

ANSER ROSSII. Cassis. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1861,) p. 72.
HORNED WAVEY. Hearne. Journ. Nor. Ocean, p. 442.

This, the smallest Goose known to inhabit North America, is a native of the extreme northern regions of our continent, rarely
proceeding any distance to the southward. Kennicott was the first American ornithologist who met with it in its haunts, and he
sent specimens to the Smithsonian from Great Slave Lake, that great resort of Arctic wild-fowl. Hearne gives the first description
of the bird, in the work quoted above, under the name of Horned Wavcy. He says: “This delicate and diminutive species of Goose
is not much larger than the Mallard Duck. Its plumage is delicately white, except the quill-featliers, which are black. The bill is

not more than an inch long, and, at the base, is studded around with little knobs about the size of peas, but more remarkably so

in the males. Both the bill and feet are of the same color with those of the Snow Goose.

“ This species is very scarce at Churchill river, and, I believe, are never found at any ot the Southern settlements ; but about
two or three hundred miles to the southwest of Churchill, I have seen them in as large flocks as the common Wavcy or Snow
Goose. The flesh of this bird is exceedingly delicate ; but they are so small that, when I was on my journey to the North, I ate
two of them one night for supper.”

I have employed as a new generic term for this bird, that of Exanthemops, on account of the corrugated skin on the upper man-
dible ; a character entirely wanting in every other Snow Goose, aud which alone would serve to distinguish this species from all of
them, were there no other differences existing.

This species makes the fourth of this particular group of Snow Geese known at present, and I believe that the accompanying-
plate contains the first representation of the species ever given.

The drawing is the production of Mr. Wolfs pencil, from a specimen kindly lent to me by Prof. Baird, of the Smithsonian
Institution, and presents a very faithful portrait of the bird

The entire plumage of Ross’ Goose is snow white, excepting the ends of the primaries, which are black. Bill and feet, together

with the carunculated skin at the base of the former, red.

The figure is of the natural size.

CHLOEPHAG-A CAN AG-IC A.

ALEUTIAN GOOSE.

BERNICLA PICT A. Pallas. Zool. Boss. Asiat., p. 233-67.
CHLOEPHAGA CANAGICA Eyton Mon. Anat.

This very handsome and singularly-marked Goose is a native of our Northwest Coast, and of the islands stretching away to the
Asiatic shore. It is, I believe, abundant among the Aleutian Group, and has been received at the Smithsonian Institute from the
Pacific coast, near Yancouver Island, and also observed in British Columbia.

Prom its conspicuous plumage, it would not likely be passed unnoticed by any of the adventurous naturalists who have visited those
portions of our continent, and, as it is probably more particularly a sea-bird, obtaining subsistence from the ocean, or on the low islands
which abound in those northern latitudes, it may approach the mainland of either hemisphere but seldom.

I regret that nothing has ever been recorded of its habits ; but the absence of any published accounts from which a full history
of a species might be given, is one of the many disadvantages the ornithologist labors under when treating of new or little-known

birds.

Head and back-part of neck, white. Chin, throat, sides, and fore-part of neck, blackish-brown, with a few indistinct white spots
on the sides of the neck. Rest of plumage, bluish, each feather tipped with white, anterior to which is a narrow band of black.
Primaries, brown. Tail, white. Bill, legs, and feet, reddish-yellow.

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V

BUOEPHALA ISLANDICA.

BARROWS’ GOLDEN EYE.

ANAS ISLANDICA. Gmel. Syst. Nat.,. Vol. I. (1788), p. 541.

OLANGULA BAROYII. Sw. & Rich. Faun. Bor. Amer. (1831), p. 456, pt. LXX.
BUOEPHALA ISLANDICA. Baird. B. of N. Amer., p. 796.

This handsome duck is a native of the colder portions of our continent, rarely coming to the southward of the river St.
Lawrence. It hears a general resemblance to the common Golden Eye, but is very easily distinguished from it by its color and
markings. It, as its name implies, is a native of Iceland, and is also found in the Arctic regions of the Old World.

I have met with Barrows’ Golden Eye several times, when- shooting on the St. Lawrence in the vicinity of Ogdensburgh, and
the pair from which my plate was made, w T ere procured on one of those occasions. The small bill (particularly observable in the

female), high at its base, the crescent-shaped white mark before the eye, the black bar on the wing, and the rich purple gloss of

the head, are some of the characters found in the male which may serve to distinguish it from its relative.

Although, so far as I am aware, the habits of the two species are identical, yet the present one did not seem to associate
with the Common Golden Eye on the occasions when I had an opportunity of observing them ; but kept in small flocks by itself
of from three to six individuals, and I never knew of this bird coming into the decoys in company with the other species, I
I have watched them when, on a warm day in the early spring, a male and female having alighted just outside of my line of decoys,
I would leave them unmolested to watch their movements. After swimming quietly about, as I have represented them in the plate,
with their heads drawn close to their bodies, the male, turning suddenly towards his mate, and straightening himself, would raise
his bill until it was vertical, open wide his mouth, then drop it again, and puff out the feathers ol his head, which fairly shone in
the bright rays of the morning sun. This movement he would repeat several times in succession, all the time drawing closer to
his shy mate, who receded as he advanced. In this way he endeavored to convince her of his affection, and during nearly the whole
time they remained in my vicinity, the male would occupy himself in going through these curious movements.

This species is very expert at diving, disappearing beneath the water instantly, remaining under the surface for a considerable
period ; and it is next to impossible to recover one which may have been wounded. I have known them at such times, where the

water was not very deep, to dive and hold on to the grass which grew on the bottom until life was extinct.

Like its relative, the Barrows’ Golden Eye makes a shrill, whistling sound when flying, caused by the rapid movements of the
wings, by which the bird’s approach may be discovered, when it is still at a considerable distance.

About the beginning of May, they commence their journey to the far north, where amid the eternal solitudes of the ice-bound
coasts, they breed and rear their young, returning again to comparatively milder climes in the months of September and October. The
members of this genus make their nests in the hollow of some tree, the eggs being imbedded in the down plucked from the breast of
the female, and the young are carried to the 'water in her bill. The flesh of this duck is generally fishy and unfit to eat, although
when it has been living for some time in fresh water and feeding upon such food a3 it may find there, it becomes more palatable, and
loses to a great degree its disagreeable taste.

The male Bucephala Islandica has the head and neck of a rich purplish violet; a crescent-shaped white patch before the eye,
running the entire side of the bill. Under parts pure white. Upper parts and flanks black. Wings black, the greater coverts tipped
with white; secondaries white. Anterior scapulars white edged with black, the posterior ones black with a white central streak. Bill
black ; feet and tarsi orange ; webs black.

Female: Head and neck dark brown; upper parts very dark brown. A white ring round the neck; upper parts of breast and
flanks light brown, blotched with a deeper shade of the same color. Wings blackish, secondaries white, as in the male. Bill lighter
than in the male, orange at the tips— this color sometimes extending over nearly the entire bill. Feet and tarsi orange.

The figure of the male is life-size, that of the female reduced to about half the natural dimensions.

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LAMPBONETTA FISOHEBI.

SPECTACLED EIDER.

LAMPRONETTA FISOHEBI. Brandt. Mein. Acad. St. Petersb. 6th Ser., Sc. Nat. Vol. VI. (1849,) p. 10, pi. 1.
ARCTONETTA FISOHERI. Gray. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1855,) p. 212, pi. cviii.

LAMPRONETTA FISOHERI. Cassin. B. of N. Amer., p. 803.

Tins remarkable cluck has until very lately only been known in this country from the descriptions and figures given by Brandt and Gray,
in the works mentioned above. But within a few months, specimens of both sexes have been received by the Smithsonian Institute from its
collectors attached to the Russian Telegraph Expedition, thus proving that it is a native of our own coast. Brandt’s Specimens were obtained at
Norton Sound, Russian America. The L. Fischcri belongs to the same family which includes among its members the well-known Eider Duck, so
celebrated for the superior quality of its down, but far exceeds that species in the beauty of its plumage; tlie fantastic arrangement of various
colors upon the head of the male, causing it to appear as though wearing a mask.

Of the habits or economy of this species we have, as yet, received uo account, but we may safely infer that like the other members of the
family it haunts rocky shores and islands, goes in flocks of considerable size, resorts to deep water to seek its food, consisting of Crustacea, fry of
fish, &c., which it procures by diving. The nest, probably formed of grass or sea-weed, would be lined with down plucked from its own breast,

and placed upon the ground.

The male of this species has a broad white patch about the eye surrounded by a narrow line. Feathers between this and the bill,
dark green becoming nearly white at the base of the bill- Nape, occiput, and cheeks bright green. Chin, throat, back, tertils, and a
patch each side of the rump, white. Under parts, rump, and tad black. Primaries brown. Bill yellowish red. Feet yellow.

The female has the head and neck yellowish brown ; rest of body rich reddish brown, entirely covered with blackish spots or bars.
Chin and throat brownish white.

The plate represents figures of both sexes of the natural size.

/

SOMATEBIA V-NIG-BA.

PACIFIC EIDER.

SOMATERIA Y-NIGRA. G. R. Gray. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1855.) p. 211. pi. OYII. — Lawr. B. of N. Am. p. 810.

This new form of Eider Duck was first described by Gray, in the proceedings of the London Zoological Society for 1855, from
specimens obtained by Mr. Adams during the voyage of H. M. ship Enterprise in the North Pacific Ocean. Although somewhat similar
to the common species (S. Mollissima), it nevertheless has characters sufficiently different and conspicuous to enable it to be distinguished
from its ally without difficulty. A single specimen was first added to the collection in the British Museum in 1851, procured at Kotzebue
Sound by H. M. S. Herald.

Examples of this bird were obtained by the collectors attached to the overland telegraphic expedition, in the territory lately known
as Russian America, and sent to the Smithsonian Institution. It appears to represent the S. Mollissima on the Pacific coast, and to be
abundant in the districts it inhabits. The male has the upper part of the head, rump, and under parts, and two narrow, long lines,
commencing together near the base of the lower mandible, and extending on the sides of the throat, shaped like an inverted Y, jet black.
Occiput and nap® deep green. Primaries and tail brownish black. Cheeks, throat, upper part of breast, back, secondaiies, and a spot on
the side near the base of the tail, white. Bill, tarsi and feet yellow.

Female . — General color rich brown, each feather tipped with blackish-brown. Feet and bill blackish.

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G-RACITLUS BAIRDII.

0

BAIRD’S CORMORANT.

GRACULUS BAIRDII. Gruber MSS. Id. J. G. Cooper. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scieu., p. 5 (1866).

This bird has but lately been described as a distinct species, having been considered the same as G. Violaceus, from which, however, it differs
in many particulars. All that is known of it, is contained in Dr. Cooper’s article in the Philadelphia Proceedings as quoted, and which I
here insert for the benefit of my readers : “ This species is closely related to the G. Yiolaceus of the Oregon and Washington coasts,
and replaces it on the coast of Upper and Lower California. According to Mr. James Hepburn, it differs in a much more slender bill, and other
points of structure, as well as in the presence of the conspicuous white patches on the flanks.” Dr. Cooper then gives the following extract
of a letter directed to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. Hepburn, dated 30th December, 1862 : “ While at Barclay Sound, I noticed that there

appeared to be a Cormorant there about the size of the one from the Farrallons, but without any white spot ; I could only get one of them, and
that on the last day I was out. On examining it, I found that it was of the same size as the other as I have already insisted, has a dusky pouch,
with numerous bright red papillae, much too striking a point to be overlooked by any oue who sees the bird while in the flesh. Another
difference is, that the irides of the former are brown, those of the latter are green. The plumage, too, is dissimilar in color, though both of
them might fairly be called violet-green. In the Farrallons bird, however, the green greatly predominates, in the other the violet. With respect
to the white spot, I have seen the bird with it as early as February, and as late as the middle of July, at which time it showed no signs of disap-
pearing, though the G. Dilophus had months previously lost its crests. I have never been able to see the bird in autumn, which I am very
anxious to do. If, as I think, it then appears with the white patch, the question of its being the breeding plumage is disposed of. At any
rate the bird in Barclay Sound had no patch at the end of March. The only remaining conjecture is, that one may be the young of the other,
and this I find is Dr. Suckley’s idea, who appears to have remarked both kinds at Cape Disappointment. To this I object, that I do not know
of the patchless bird having been noticed in California, and I am very certain that I saw none with a patch about Vancouver Island. As to their
frequenting Cape Disappointment, that would only prove that to be the boundary line of their respective habitats. I am aware that it is danger-
ous work to build speculations, as I am doing, on a single specimen, but I shall do my best to find out when the northern bird breeds, and to
obtain a sitting bird with its eggs, and then should the differences be equally marked at that period, if there is any such thing as species, the
two birds must, I think, be pronounced distinct.”

I am not aware whether Mr. Hepburn was successful in obtaining a bird with its eggs or not, but since his letter was written a -good many
specimens of the G. Bairdii have been obtained. One very fine example in my cabinet was presented to me by my friend, the late Dr. A. L.
Heermann, who procured it on the Farrallon Islands, and it presents all the differences from the G. Dilophus, which are mentioned in the above
communications. My specimen is undoubtedly fully adult, and I should hardly feel inclined to call the G. Dilophus its young.

Head and neck, rich deep purple, violet in some lights ; top of head with dark green reflections. Back and wings, green, glossed with
purple. Primaries, blackish brown. Entire under parts, a rich dark green, purplish on the under tail coverts. A large conspicuous white patch
on the flanks, just below the wing. A short crest on top of head, green ; another longer, springing from the occiput, purple. Iris, green ; bill,
horn black ; feet, pure black. Gular sack black, marked with red, a narrow patch of naked skin under the eye.

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GRACULUS PERSPICILLATUS.

PALLAS’ CORMOEANT.

PHALAOROCORAX PERSPICILLATUS. Pall. Zoog. Rosso. Asiat. Yol. II. p. 303.

GRACULUS PERSPICILLATUS. Lawr. B. of X. Am. p. 877. — Gould. Toy. Snip. p. 49. pi. XXXII.

This rare bird was described by Pallas iu tlie publication referred to above. He says : “ Steller nowhere observed this species, except
on the unfortunate Behring’s Island, where he lived after having been shipwrecked. They were very numerous, but never came to the
shores of Kamtschatka. In size and plumpness they exceed the allied species, and since the flesh of one would easily satisfy three
hungry men, they were a great comfort to the shipwrecked mariners. Prom the rings around the eyes, and the clown-like twistings of
the neck and head, it appeared quite a ludicrous bird. In habits it resembles the allied species.”

Gould, in the voyage of the Sulphur, says, “ it is allied to, but differs from, the Pelecanus TJrile of Latham in its much larger size,
and in the ornamental plumes being dispersed over the face and sides of the neck, instead of on the front of the latter only.”

There is no specimen of this bird in any collection in this country, and the beautiful representation of the species, here given, is the
result of Mr. Wolf’s wonderful skill. The drawing was made from the example in the British Museum, to the managers of which I am
greatly indebted for facilities afforded, at all times, to figure rare and unique birds for this work.

Drawn from Nature by J.Wblf, London,

Bowen-& Co..lith.& col Philada.

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G-RACULUS OUST CINNATU S.

TUFTED CORMORANT.

CARBO CINCINNATUS. Brandt. Bull. Sc. Ac. Imp. Pet. Yol. III. (1837.) p. 55.

PHALACROCORAX CINCINNATUS. Bon. Consp. Av. Yol. II. (1855.) p. 168. — lb. Compt. Rend. Yol. XLII. (1856.) p. 766.
GRACULUS CINCINNATUS. Gray. Gen. Birds. (1854.) Yol. III.— Lawr. Pac. R. R. Report, p. 877 rev’d edit.

No specimen of tbis singularly marked Cormorant is in any collection of this country ; the unique example from which the
accompanying plate was made being among the rarities of the British Museum. It is a strongly marked species, and differs materially
from all others known. It was first described by Brandt, and is stated as having been procured at Sitka, on our Northwest coast,
but we have no knowledge of its economy or habits. The ear-tufts will at once serve to distinguish it from its allies, and render it a

conspicuous object. General plumage dark green; wings and their coverts, brown, each feather margined with green. Tail, black.

A line of brownish-white commences at the bill, goes over the eye, the feathers becoming greatly elongated at the back of the head,

and curl upwards. Gular sac, yellow. Bill, horny, stout. Feet and tarsi black.

The figure is life-size.

Drawn from Nature by J.Wolf, London,

Bowen-& Co.lith..& col. Phdlada.

&

LARUS OCCIDENT ALLS.

WESTERN GULL.

LARUS OOCIDENTALIS. Add, B. of Amer., Vol. VII., p. 161. Id. Orn. Biog., Vol. V., p. 320. Baird. B. of Amer., p. 845. Codes. Rev.
Larid. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., Phila., 1862, p. 296.

Although two species of this Gull were sent to Mr. Audubon by Mr. Townsend, he did not figure either of them in his great work, con-
tenting himself with giving' to the species the scientific name it now bears. One of these examples, he tells us, was “an adult marked, Male,
Cape Disappointment, October 7th, 1836 the other a young bird, “ Young male, Cape Disappointment, October 6th, 1836.” He gives no account
of its habits.

It is a well-marked species, one of its most striking characteristics being the very stout bill, conspicuous even in the young bird. It has
a darker colored mantle than the Larus Argentatus or Herring Gull, to which it is closest allied, and may always be distinguished from it by its
large bill.

The adult has back and wings a dark grayish blue; the primaries are black towards their tips, most extensive on the first, and lessening
on the others ; the tips themselves are white. Secondaries and tertials are also tipped with white. All the remainder of the plumage is pure
white. Bill yellow, a bright spot of orange-red on the angle of the lower mandible. Feet and tarsi, flesh-color.

The figures are life size.

LARUS CALIFORNICUS.

THE CALIFORNIA GULL.

LARUS CALIFORNICUS. Lawk. Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., Vol. VI., 1854, p. 79. Id. B. of N. Amer., p. 846. Codes. Rev. Larid®, Proc.
Acad. Nat. Scien., Phila., 1862, p. 300.

The type specimen from which my drawing was made was shot by Mr. E. S. Holden on the San Joachim River, near Stockton, California,
and described by Mr. Lawrence in the Annals of the New York Lyceum as above quoted. Unlike L. Occidentals, it is noted lor its weak,
slender bill In the private cabinet of Prof. Baird (as stated in his Birds of North America, page 846) are two examples of this species, both
of which were brought by Dr. Townsend from the Pacific, and labelled by him Larus Argentatus.

I am indebted to my friend, Air. Lawrence, for the opportunity of figuring this species, he having kindly lent me the type for that purpose.

Nothing has ever been recorded of the habits and economy of this bird, but it probably resembles, in both these respects, its representative
of the Atlantic coast.

Head, neck, rump, tail, and entire under parts, pure white. Back and wings, pearly blue, intermediate in line between L. Aryentatm and
L. Occidentalis. The primaries are black towards their tips, decreasing in extent from the first to the sixth, the tips are "white, and the
secondaries and tertials are tipped with the same. Upper mandible, grayish from the base to two thirds its length ; a black bar crosses both
mandibles near their tips ; rest of bill yellow. Feet and tarsi, flesh-color.

LAEUS HUT CHIN SII.

HUTCHINS' GULL.

LAEUS HUTOHINSII. Eigh. Fauna Bor. Avner., p. 419 . — Cassia. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1862), p. 325 . — Coues.

Mon. Larid., Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1862), p. 294.

Hutchins’ Gull is introduced into the avi-fauna of the United States, through an example which was killed in midwinter in Wash-
ington County, New York, while in the act of feeding upon a dead sheep. This specimen is the original of my plate, and was kiudly
lent to me for the purpose of appearing in this work, by the Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution, in whose care it was placed by
its captor.

The habitat of the species appears to be the North Pacific ocean, and Arctic America, as Mr. Stimpson, when attached to the
Exploring Expedition under Capt. Eodgers, U. S. N., obtained some examples in Behring Straits.

It is a rather singular instance that this bird should have waudered so far from its accustomed haunts as to reach the State of New
York, particularly as it has never been obtained within our limits on the Pacific coast.

Bichardson in a foot note on page 419 of the Fauna Boreali Americana, says, “Mr. Hutchins describes a pure white Gull, which
breeds on the Albany Eiver, as larger than our Ivory Gull, being twenty seven inches and a half in length, five feet from tip to tip of
the wings, and weighing two pounds. Its bill and legs are flesh-colored. It lays four white eggs, on the ground ; and the young, which
are blackish, do not attain their full plumage until they are three years old. It feeds on fish. Although the Ivory Gull, in common
with others of the genus, varies considerably in size, I have met with none which attain the magnitude of Mr. Hutchins’ bird, which if
it proves on examination to be distinct deserves the name of Larus Uutoldnsii.

In appearance this bird looks like a white L. Glaucus, although it may uot be quite so large as that species.

Mr. Cassin, in his list of the Birds collected by the exploring expedition under Capt. John Eodgers, U. S. N., gives the following
account of this bird as related by Mr. E. M. Kern, the naturalist attached to the command. “ Abundant on the shores of Semiavine
Straits, and in the fresh water lagoons of Arikamscheche Island ou the Asiatic coast of Behring Straits, in August, 1855 ; not shy, and
easily approached within gpu-shot. The native boys catch this bird with a sort of sling made of five or six strands of rope, to the
ends of which small stones are attached. This sling is thrown at the bird usually when flying, and is frequently successful in entangling
it so much that it cannot extricate itself before being captured. The skins of this and other birds are used by the Tchuchtchi people
for clothing.”

The adult has the entire plumage pure white, the shafts of the feathers yellowish. Bill flesh-color at base, blackish towards the tip.
Feet flesh-color.

The young is mottled on the upper parts with light reddish brown, becoming transverse bars on the rump. Under parts reddish
brown, barred with white on the under tail-coverts. Wings and tail pure white.

LARUS BRACHYRHYYCHUS.

SHORT-BILL GULL.

LARUS OANUS. Rich. Faun. Bor. Amer., Yol. II., p. 420. — Nutt. Man. Orn. Yol. II., p. 301.

LARUS SUCKLEYI. Lawr. Birds of K Am., p. 848.

RISSA SEPTENTRIONALIS. Lawr. Birds of A. Am., p. 854.

LARUS BRACHYRHYNCHUS. Rich. Faun. Bor. Amer., Yol. II., p. 422. juv. Coues. Mon. Larid., Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1862), p. 302.

The type of this species was procured by Richardson on the 23d May, 1826, at Great Bear Lake in Arctic America, and described in
the Fauna BoreaFt Americana as quoted above. It was a young bird. The adult was mistaken by the same author for the European L.
Canus, and so characterized. Considerable confusion has existed in the synonymy of this bird, but it has been satisfactorily unravelled by
Dr. Coues in his Monograph of the Lari dm, where such of my readers who may desire a more detailed account, will find the subject
fully treated.

Numerous specimens of this Gull were contained in the collections of Kennicott and Ross, and it doubtless is very abundant in the
districts it inhabits.

Mantle and wings pearl blue. Primaries bluish gray, which color, on the second, third, and fourth, extends further in the centre
towards the end than on the edges, so that the black of the tip borders it for some distance. This black tip takes in the outer web
and most of the inner of the first primary, but becomes less and less on the others, until the seventh has merely a black spot, sometimes
only on one web. Between the black edges of the first primary, there is an oblong white spot about two inches in length. The second
has also a similar spot but smaller. The extreme tips of all the primaries, excepting the first, are white. Remainder of plumage
pure white. Bill blackish, yellow at tip. Tarsi and feet greenish yellow; webs yellowish.

The figure is life size.

*

present species. The plate shows the hind toe somewhat developed, but not more so than would be the case with that of the
Academy’s specimen when alive. The plate, therefore, appears to represent the present bird, and I cannot agree with my friend Dr.
Cotjes, that the description, which is so limited and unsatisfactory, should “certainly have precedence” over the illustration. Pallas’

figure represents the present bird in every respect, save perhaps that the feet are too dark ; yet those of the specimen may have

become darker after drying, as those of the one in the Academy are certainly not a “light straw yellow.”

I regret that my investigations in this matter should lead to a different result from that of Dr. Coues, in his able review
of the LaridcC ; and unwilling though I may be to reopen any vexed question, yet, being convinced that Pallas’ figure represents a bird
identical with the R. BracJiyrhynehus of Gould, — if the law of priority has any force, — I am obliged to reduce the latter’s appellation
to a synonym, and replace that of Pallas to what I deem its rightful position.

The mantle is dark plumbeous gray, extending nearly to the tips of the secondaries and tertials, which are white. First primary
has the shaft and outer web black ; inner, gray at the base, narrowing as it proceeds, until, within two and a half inches of the tip,
it occupies not more than half the width of the web, and terminates. The second has the outer web gray to within four, and the inner
also gray to within three inches of the tip. The third is like the second, save that the gray extends to within two inches of the tip,
which has a small gray, apical spot. In the fourth the gray extends still farther, and the apical spot is larger. The fifth is tipped with

white, this separated from the gray by a bar of black. Sixth white at tip, with a subapical spot of black on one or both webs. Rest

like the last, but without any black. Bill light yellow. Tarsi and feet yellowish.

The figure is the natural size.

EISSA KOTZEBUI.

PACIFIC KITTIVAKE.

EISSA NIYEA. Bruch. Mon. Larid. Cab. Jo urn (1853), p. 103, sp. 31.

EISSA BBEYIEOSTEIS. Lawr. B. of N. Am., p. 855.

EISSA KOTZEBUI. Boot. Consp. Gen. Av. (1857), p. 226. Coues. Eev. of the Gulls of N. Ain., Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1862), p. 305.

This bird comes from the north-west coast of America, and bears a very close resemblance to the Kittiivake ( Rissa Tridactylus) of our
own shores. The chief differences are, that the Pacific Kittiwake has a somewhat longer bill, and a more developed hind toe; rather
unsatisfactory variations, it must be confessed, to establish a species of Gull upon. The specimen from which the figure in the plate
was drawn is a young bird, but the only one obtainable, for although it is common enough in its accustomed places of resort, but few
examples have yet been procured for the cabinet. I am not aware that a fully adult bird is in any American collection, Dr. Coues
not even having had one when he was investigating this family ; and until such are received, the exact relationship existing between
this bird and the common Kittiwake cannot, with any degree of certainty, be established. The mere fact of a widely different habitat,
would not, of itself, suffice for considering them distinct.

Nothing is known of its economy or habits.

The specimen may be described as follows :

Head and neck white, excepting a post ocular spot and nape, which are dark gray. Mantle grayish blue. Primaries blackish brown,
with black shafts, the inner webs white at the base, this hue narrowing as it proceeds towards the tips. The white increases in extent
and width on the different feathers, unto the fifth primary, which is bluish white, with a brownish black tip, and a dusky hue running
along the shaft. Eemainder of primaries similar to the back, but lighter, becoming white on their edges. Secondaries white, for almost
their entire length. Eest of plumage pure white ; an indistinct, imperfect, subterminal dusky bar on the tail.

Bill yellowish, tinged with olive ; tip dusky. Tarsi and feet olivaceous.

The figure is life-size.

YELLOW-BILLED GULL.

LAEUS NIYEUS. Pall. Zoog. Eoss. Asiat. Yol. II. (1810), p. 320, PI. XXIY,

LAEUS BEACHYEHYNCHUS. Gould. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1843).

EISSA NIYEA. Lawr. Eep. P. E. E., p. 855.

EISSA BEACHYEHYNCHUS. Coues. Eev. Larid., Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1862), p. 306.

This rare species is a native of Kamschatka, but probably, in some of its wanderings, it visits our own shores. A single specimen
is in the collection of the Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia, and is represented in my plate. Nothing has been recorded of its
habits, the distant regions where it finds its home being too difficult of access to enable many ornithologists to become acquainted
with it in its haunts.

There seems to be a certain amount of doubt among naturalists as to what is the proper name for this bird ; whether it is
the Larus Niveus of Pallas, or the Eissa Brachyrhynchus of Gould. Pallas gives an imperfect, unsatisfactory description, and refers to
a previous species (L. Cachinnans), when speaking of the primaries, which, if they should be identical in their markings, would, of
necessity, make Pallas’ bird a very different species from the one here represented. But the figure which he gives in the plate above
referred to, and which is certainly a very good one, presents to us a bird almost, if not entirely, identical with the one exhibited
in my plate. I say almost, as there are a few slight discrepancies, which have been deemed by some authors as sufficient to throw'
Pallas’ species on one side, so far as regards its claim to be considered the same as the present bird. The text says the bill is virescente-
flavum. The plate exhibits it as yellow. In the description, the feet are said to be fusel ; in the plate they are brownish. The
text refers the primaries to L. Cachinnans, which are black, with apical white spots. The plate represents these as they are in the

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STERCORARIUS CATARRACTES.

SKUA GULL.

LAEUS CATARRACTES. Linn. Syst. Nat. Tol. I. (1776.) p. 226.

LESTRIS CATARRACTES. Bon. Synop, (1826.) No. 304.

STERCOR ARIUS CATARRACTES. Temm. Man. <TO.rn. Yol. II. (1820). p. 792.— Gray. Gen. of Birds. Yol. III. p. 653, sp. 5.
LESTRIS ANTARCTICA. Less. Traite cTOrn. p. 616.

Among the feathered wanderers of the sea, this species is one of the boldest, most powerful, and tyrannical. It is an inhabitant of
the high latitudes of both hemispheres, passing the greater portion of its time upon the ocean, and is often met with a thousand miles
from any land. Examples have been obtained upon the California coast, but I am not aware that it has ever been procured on our
Eastern seaboard. It is to be met with in various parts of the world, is abundant along the coasts of Iceland, Norway, the Shetland
Islands, and visits frequently the shores of Great Britain. Also South of the equators it is found at the Falkland Islands, about Cape
Horn, Kirguellin’s Land in the Antarctic Ocean, the Cape of Good Hope, New Zealand, and the shores of Australia.

The Skua breeds upon high clilfs, sometimes 1,300 feet above the sea, the nest frequently a mere cavity in the ground, though some-
times a few weeds and grasses are collected together. The eggs are two to three in number, brown, spotted with reddish brown.
During the season of incubation it permits neither man nor beast to approach in the vicinity of the nest, but attacks all in the boldest
and most savage manner ; nor does it cease its onslaughts until the objects of its displeasure are driven away. The following account,
given by Gould in the Birds of Great Britain, is related by the Rev. Air. Low, as occurring on the Island of Foula, westward of the
Shetland Islands. “ As I approached the summits of the high mountains, I came near the Skua’s quarters, which are affixed on the very
peaks. I no sooner drew near, than I was attacked with such great fury, that every one who was with me as well as myself, were
obliged to do him obeisance at every stroke. He beat my dog entirely out of the pit, insomuch that he was obliged to run among our
legs for shelter, and could not be forced out again ; for although Bonxie, as the bird is called, had some respect for us when we kept
together, on him he had no mercy ; every whip he fetched him made his own wings crack, and the dog crouch into the hollows of the
moor, until we came up and relieved him. I followed one of them some distance from the rest of my party, and received some rude
salutes for my imprudence from three of these birds, which made at me with the utmost rage. I defended myself the best way I could
with my gun; fired several times at them; but as none dropped, the report did not startle them in the least, but rather seemed to
enrage them the more. When the inhabitants are looking after their sheep on the hills, the Skua often attacks them in such a
manner that they are obliged to defend themselves with their cudgels held above their heads, on which it often kills itself.”

The flight of the Skua is performed by heavy flappings of the wings, and at times is very swift. It feeds upon fish, which it
obtains chiefly by watching the larger gulls, and as soon as it perceives that any of them has captured one of the finny tribe,
immediately gives chase and compels the luckless bird to drop its prey, which the Skua usually succeeds in seizing before reaching the
water. Carcases of animals, or offal of any description furnishes food for this bird, and at times it will even attack young lambs.

The plate represents the species of the natural size, with a much reduced figure in the distance, giving chase to the Grey Sea Eagle
(II. Albicilla), which had approached too near its breed ing-grmmds ; for although the Eagle is much larger and more powerful, yet it is
compelled to yield to the impetuous attacks of this fearless bird.

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THALASSEUS CASPIUS.

CASPIAN TERN.

STERNA CASPIA. Pall. Nov. Com. Petr., Yol. XIY, p. 582. Ib. Lawr., B. of N. Amer., p. 859.
THALASSEUS CASPIUS. Boie. Isis., (1822), p. 563. Id. Goues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., (1862), p. 537.

This magnificent Tern is the largest known either in this country or in Europe. I can perceive no differences between specimens
obtained here and in the Old World, sufficient in mv opinion to separate them into two species, for, in color of plumage they are exactly
alike, and a slight difference in size can hardly be considered a sufficient reason to separate them, since those examples obtained here
constantly differ in their measurements from each other. The Caspian Tern seems to be a visitant of many portions of the world, as it is
found, not only on this continent and in Europe, but also in India, Africa, and Australia. The following account I transcribe from Gould's
< Birds of Australia/ than which, no more important work has ever been published on Ornithology. “ Its favorite breeding-places are the
promontories of small islands, spits of laud running out from the shores of the mainland, extensive flats at the entrance of large

rivers, and all similar situations. I never observed it breeding in company, and seldom met with more than a pair on an island,

unless it was of considerable extent. It lays two eggs on the bare ground, often within a very short distance of the water's edge.
No bird watches its eggs with greater assiduity, or defends them with greater courage ; and woe betides the unlucky Gull or other
natural enemy that may wander within the precincts of its breeding-place. 1 could always discover its eggs by the clamorous,
cackling, screeching note, which it constantly utters while flying over the place where they were deposited. The breeding-season
comprises the months of August, September, and October, during which period the crown of the head is of a deep black hue, which

gives place to a spotted appearance at other seasons. Both sexes are subject to precisely the same changes, and so much are they

alike, that it is only by the somewhat smaller size of the female that they can be distinguished. The extensive development of the
wings gives this fine species immense powers of flight ; it also plunges into the water with the greatest impetuosity, and brings from
beneath the surface fishes of a very considerable size. The eggs arc of a stone-color, marked all over with large and small blotches
of umber-brown, a great portion of which appear as if beneath the surface of the shell ; they are about two inches and five eighths
long by one inch and three quarters broad.

On this continent the Caspian Tern is found during the summer in the Fur Countries, Hudson’s Bay, and Labrador, coming south

during the winter along the Atlantic coast, sometimes as far as New Jersey.

The following interesting account of this species I extract from “ Meyer’s British Birds ” : “ The sea and salt-water lakes are at all

times preferred by the Caspian Tern where the w-ater is clear and open ; but either in deep or shallow water, on a rocky coast, or a flat,

sandy shore, this bird equally finds its home for the time of its residence. When disturbed, the Caspian Tern flies invariably towards the
open sea and disappears, but never seeks its safety by resorting to the sand, and its appearance on fresh-water lakes or rivers is

consequently very rare. The food of the Caspian Tern consists chiefly in lire fish of the species Clupea, its manner of taking which, is

by flying at a little elevation over the water, and hovering from time to time, in the manner of the Kestrel hawk, in order to watch its
prey the better ; when it has marked its fish, the bird pounces down and catches it in an instant, and swallows it whole ; the large
beak, and consequently wide gape, make the ingress of a good-sized herring an easy matter. It is said that this species dives after its
prey, but from our own information on the subject, we are enabled to say that it mostly watches for fish that swim near the surface
of the water, and which, consequently, it very easily obtains by dipping its beak and head only in the liquid element. The fish which

the present species takes are always of a size which it can swallow entire ; and as soon as it has obtained the fish, the bird pinches it

apparently, and turns it in its beak so as to be able to swallow it head foremost — an act which occupies very little time. Besides fish,
the young of other birds are also frequently consumed by the present species, the remains of which have been found m its stomach.

The nest is only a hollow scratched in the sandy ground, in which the eggs are deposited, being two or three in number ; and the young

are hatched in about twenty days. The nestlings are at first covered with a white down, spotted with dull grey marks; they soon run
about, and are brought up by the parent birds with small fishes. Although the birds use great exertions to prevent an intiudei fiom
approaching the nest and eggs, by flying over his head and making a considerable noise, yet it has been remarked, that when they
are once disturbed, they do not easily return to their nest, and are said even not to revisit the same spot the following jeai if they aie
fired at.”

The adult Caspian Tern has the upper part of the head and occiput, black. Wings and back, bluish- white. Primaries, dark grey

on their inner v'ebs ; shafts, white. Tail, greyish white. Entire under parts, pure white. Bill, V ermillion. Legs and feet, black.

The figures are life-size.

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HALIPLANA DISCOLOR.

ROCKY BIRD.

STERNA PANATA. Lath. Ind. Om, Yol. II., p. 808.

HALIPLANA PAN A YEN SIS. Salvin. Ibis., 1864, pp. 381 and 385.

HALIPLANA DISCOLOR. Coues. Ibis., 1864, p. 392.— Lawk. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., Yol. YIII , p. 104.

This Tern is an inhabitant of the West India islands and the sea-coast of British Honduras, and is included among the birds of
North America from the fact of one specimen, now in the collection of Mr. Geo. N. Lawrence, having been obtained by Mr. Audubon,

on the coast of Florida, where it is doubtless however only a straggler. In the article quoted above, Mr. Lawrence gives the follow-
ing account of this bird, furnished him by Mr. A. A. Julien, who observed it on the island of Sombrero, AY. I. :

“Egg bird. So called I presume, from the abundance of the eggs derived from it; for I am inclined to believe that in former

years the number of individuals visiting this Key has been surpassed only by that of the Noddy and Royal Tern. It is peculiar
especially for its social habits in regard to the Noddy ; whatever may be its numbers upon the Key, it is almost always to be found in
the flocks of Noddies. They arrive in March and depart in August. This species makes its nest about after the same fashion as the
Noddy, and lays but one egg. It often flies high with a noisy chatter, very different from the discordant 'caw, caw' of the Noddy,
and a quick darting motion. I have never noticed the two species to quarrel, though the individuals of both will often fight long
and obstinately with each other.”

Salvin, in his very interesting communication to the Ibis on the sea-birds of British Honduras, gives a short account of this bird.
“Remembering the Terns we had left the previous day about the old snags on the reef, I returned in the schooner to Saddle Cay,
shooting a specimen of Thalasseus acuflavidus by the way. At Saddle Cay we found a fresh arrival of Terns and Laughing Gulls
{Laras atricilla). The former all belonged to a second species of Sooty Tern (. Ilaliplana panaya). No time had been lost by the
Terns, for on searching the Cay we found four eggs had already been laid. A little sand was scratched away for a nest, under such
shelter as the bushes that grew nearest the beach afforded. This ifaUplana is known to the Creoles as the “Rocky Bird.” It is a
very graceful species, though its flight is rather heavy for a Tern, not having the same dash about it that so strikes one on watching its
congener, H. Fuliginosa. The eggs are rather less ruddy and smaller than those of the commoner species, but similar in other respects.”

Dr. Coues has separated this bird from the well-known H. Panayensis Gmel, and Mr. Lawrence sustains him in so doing, while Mr.
Salvin takes exception to this proceeding, and considers that this bird is identical with the species from Australia, etc.

I have examined the type H. Discolor and other specimens from similar localities, with the example of H. Panayensis, figured in Gould’s
Birds of Australia, and which is now in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and find the following slight differences:

H. Panayensis has the back dark brown. Inner-web of outer tail-feather, brown for half its length, and the outer web for about
one-third ; remainder white. Rest of tail-feathers brown, light at base.

H. Discolor. Type, has the back brownish-grey. Outer tail-feather pure white for its entire length, next dark brown on inner web
for about an inch from the tip, remainder white. The third is brown for half its length, white at base. Rest of the feathers brownish
grey, light at base.

It will thus be perceived that the specimens to which Dr. Coues -has given a separate specific name, are rather lighter in color than
those of Mr. Gould, and rather differently marked upon the tail-feathers. But I must farther state that all the specimens of LI. Discolor
did not entirely resemble the type, for in some the outer tail-feather, instead of being pure white, was blackish-brown on the inner web
for about one and a half inches from the top.

I have represented the bird as H. Discolor, and have thus given Dr. Coues the benefit of any doubt there may exist upon the sub-
ject, but in view of the very slight differences existing between the representatives of the species from the different localities in which
they are found, all of which have been included in the comparison given above, it would seem that the characters are hardly sufficient
to constitute a specific distinctness, particularly as some of them do not appear to be constant, and that it will probably be far better
to consider the two birds as but one species ; the H. Panayensis.

I am indebted to Mr. Lawrence for the loan of his specimen to be figured in this work.

Crown, nape, and lores black; front, line over the eye, cheeks and throat white; upper parts brownish-grey; wings sooty brown,
primaries brownish-black. Tail like the back, outer-feather white, rest as described above. Under parts white washed with grey. Bill,
feet, and tarsi, black.

The figures. are life-size.

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DIOMEBEA CHLOEOBHYNCHOS.

THE YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS.

DIOMEDEA CHLORORHYNCIIOS. Gund. Syst. Nat. (1788), Yol. I. p. 568.

Gould. B. of Aust., Yol. YII. pi. 42.
Baird. B. of North Amer., p. 822.

The Yellow-Nosed Albatross is an inhabitant of the Pacific Ocean, and specimens have been obtained on our west coast, off the mouth of the
Columbia River. Possessed of great power of flight, it traverses rapidly the seas over which it is accustomed to roam, feeding upon such refuse
as it may find tossed upon the surface of the waves. It will follow in the wake of vessels for days, picking up any eatables that may be cast
overboard, its strength of wing enabling it easily to keep up with the swiftest ship. Gould, in the Birds of Australia, gives the following account
of this bird: “This species came under my observation for the first time on the 24th July, 1838, in Lat. 30° 38' S., and Long. 20° 43' W . ; from
which period until we reached New South Wales scarcely a day passed without the ship being visited by it ; upon some occasions it a pp cared in
considerable numbers, of which many were apparently birds of one year old, or at most, two years of age ; these may be easily distinguished
from the adults, especially while flying, by the darker coloring of their wings, back, and tail, and by the culmen of the bill being less distinctly
marked with yellow. The Yellow-nosed Albatross is plentiful off the Cape of Good Hope, and in all the intermediate seas between that point and
Tasmania ; I also observed it off Capes Howe and Northumberland, on the southern coast of Australia, and Gilbert states that he saw it flying
about Rottnest Island on the western coast.”

The Yellow-nosed Albatross has the head grayish-white, with a dark gray line around the eye, and the hind part of the lower eyelid white.
Back and wings dark brown. Primaries brownish black, growing lighter on their edges. Rump and upper tail coverts white. Tail brown,
becoming grayish on the outer edges of the webs. Breast and entire under parts pure white. Bill black ; the ridge of the upper mandible
bright yellow, but becoming red towards the end. Legs and feet yellow. Length about 36 inches ; wing 22 ; bill 41 ; tarsus 31.

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OSSIFBAGA GIG-ANTE A.

GIGANTIC FULMAR.

PROCELLARIA GIGANTEA, Gmel„ Syst. Nat. Vol. I, (1788), p. 568. Id. Lawr., B. of N- Ataer., p. 825,
OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA. Eon., Consp, Av., Yol. II p. 186.

Among the Procellavidae or Petrels are found the largest as well as the smallest of the inhabitants of the ocean. The great
Albatross with its immense expanse of wing, sails majestically on tireless pinions over the wide seas that cover with their restless
waters the larger portion of the globe, while the little Mother Carey’s Chicken, light as the spray, is often seen sporting with
the tempest, and seeking its food hundreds of miles from any shore.

The Gigantic Fulmar is a true Petrel, although, from its great size, it is often mistaken for an Albatross, as it gracefully sweeps
over the waves.

It is a native of the Pacific Ocean, and has been seen on our coast off the mouth of the Columbia River. It is strictly a
marine bird, and rarely approaches the shore, except for the purpose of nidiftcatiou, subsisting upon fish, or any refuse which it
may find floating upon the surface. The great power of flight possessed by this species, would readily enable it to perform the
circuit of the globe, and, as it obtains its food from the sea, it doubtless does protract its wanderings over many different oceans.

The following account of this bird is taken from Gould's “Birds of Australia”; “An Albino variety of this species followed
the vessel for three weeks while we were running down our longitude between the Cape of Good Hope and Van Diemcu’s Land,
the ship often making nearly two hundred miles during the twenty-four hours ; it must not, however, lie understood that the bird
was merely following the vessel's speed, nor deemed incredible wheu 1 state that, during the twenty-four hours, it must have
performed the enormous distance of nearly two thousand miles, since it was only at intervals of perhaps half an hour that it was
seen, hunting up the wake of the vessel for the distance of a mile to secure any offal, &c., that had been thrown overboard, the
interim being employed in scanning the ocean in immense circles of at least twenty miles, at a speed of eighty or a hundred miles
an hour.”

Capt. F. W. Hutton, in his account of the “'Birds inhabiting the Southern Ocean,” published in the “Ibis” for 1865, p. 284,
says that “ this bird breeds in the cliffs of the Prince Edward Islands and Kerguelen’s Land, but the nests can be got at occasionally,

The young are at first covered with a beautiful long, light-grey down ; when fledged they are dark brown, mottled with white. When

a person approaches the nest, the old bird keeps a short distance away, while the young ones squirt a horridly smelling oil out

of their mouths to a distance of six or eight feet. It is very voracious, hoveriug over the sealers when engaged cutting up a

seal, and devouring the carcass the moment it is left — a thing the Albatross never does. It is the ‘Mother Carey’s Goose of
Cook, and the ‘Nelly’ of sailors.”

The entire plumage of this Petrel is a dark, chocolate brown. Bill, light horn-color. Bides, very dark brown. Feet and legs,
brown.

but retires to Kerguelen’s Land and other places in September or October to breed. Each pair burrows horizontally into wet, peaty
earth from two to eighteen feet. At the end of the hole they form a large chamber, and construct in the centre of it a nest
similar, except in size, to that of the Albatross (D. Exulans), in the hollowed top of which the female lays one white egg. They seldom
leave their burrows in the daytime, and when one happens to do so, it is at once hunted by a ‘Kelly’ ( Ossifraga Gigantea), although
no such jealousy exists at sea. From this habit of flying only by night it is called 'Kiglit Hawk’ by the sealers. Mr. Harris’s party,
when wrecked on Kerguelen’s Land, used to dig these birds out of their burrows and eat them ; and, in order to save useless digging,
for their spades were only made from the staves of old casks, they w ould hold one to the mouth of a hole and make it cry out, when,
if another was inside, it would answer. This is by far the best diver of all the sea-going Petrels. It seems even fond of it, and more-
over remains under water for several minutes, when it comes up again, shaking the water oft’ its feathers like a dog. Sometimes I have
seen it poise itself for a moment in the air at a height of about twenty or twenty-five feet above the sea, and shutting its wings,
take a header into the water. It dives with its wings open, and uses them under water much in the same manner as when flying.”

Upper parts cinereous, some of the feathers with light tips ; crown of the head a little darker than the rest. Primaries blackish on
their outer w r ebs, grayish on their inner. Tail brownish black, under coverts blackish brown. All the rest of the plumage is pure white.

Ridge of the upper mandible bluish black, as are also the lateral grooves of the lower mandible ; rest of bill yellow.

Tarsi and feet yellowish green, the webs yellow, claws light brown, with black tips.

The figure is of the natural size.

AESTEELATA HCESITATA.

NORTHERN FULMAR

PROOELLARIA HESITATA. Kuiil. Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool. (1820), p. 142, No. 11. Temm. Plan. Color., No. 416. Newton. Zool.

(1852), p. 3691. Schleg. Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, (1863), p. 13.

PROOELLARIA MERIDIONALIS. Lawk. Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. (1848), p. 475. Id. (1852), p. 220, PI. XV. Id. B. N. Am. (1858), p. 827.
FULMARUS MERIDIONALIS. Lawk. Bon. Compt. Rend. 1855.

AESTRELATA DIABOLIOA. Bonk. Consp. Gen. Ay., Yol. II. (1855), p. 89.

AESTRELATA HCESITATA. Coues. Mon. Procell. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1866), p. 139.

Much confusion has existed in the nomenclature of this species, as a glauce at the above list of synonyms will prove, although those
given are only a few taken from the many names bestowed at various times upon this luckless bird. For a full elucidation of its bib-
liography and synonomy, I would refer such of my readers who may desire to investigate the matter to Prof. Neavton’s paper in the
“ Zoologist/’ and to Dr. Coues’ “ Monograph ” in the “ Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy,” in both of which the subject is fully treated.

This bird inhabits the Atlantic Ocean, and appears at times upon the_ coasts of America and Europe. Its proper home is on the
Avaves, Avhere it subsists, like so many of its relatives, by seizing upon whatever eatables it may find floating on the watei’s. It is a well-
marked bird, and one Avould suppose not very likely to be confounded with any other species of Petrel.

Top of head and occiput dark broAvn ; forehead, lores, and sides of head Avhite. Back dark -brown, some of the feathers having ashy
margins. Primaries and Avings blackish broAvn. Upper tail coverts Avhite. Tail brownish black, basal half Avhite. Entire under parts pure
Avhite. Bill black. Tarsi flesh-color. Toes flesh-color at the base, remainder, Avith claws, black. The figure is life-size.

PRIOEINUS

CINEREUS.

CINEREOUS PUFFIN.

PROOELLARIA CIHEREA. Ga IE l. Syst. Nat., Yol. I. (1788), p. 563.

PROOELLARIA HESITATA. Forst. Descript. Auim., ed. Licht. (1844), p. 208. Gould. B. of Aust., Yol. VII., PI. XL VII.
PUFFINUS HESITATUS. Lawk. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. (1853), Yol. VI., p. 5.

ADAMASTOR TYPUS. Boxr. Consp. Av. (1856), Yol. II., p. 187.

PROOELLARIA ADAMASTOR. Schleg. Monog. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas. (1863), p. 25.

ADAMASTOR CINEREA. Gould. Hand-Book B. of Aust., Yol. II., p. 446. Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1844), p. 119.

PRIOFINUS CINEREUS. Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1866), p. 192.

PUFFINUS CINEREUS. Lawk. B. N. Am. (1858), p. S35.

This species has a very wide range, having been obtained on the Coast of California, and is also found on the shores of the distant
continent of Australia. The following accounts I extract from Gould’s Hand-Book on the Birds of Australia. He says that “its powers
of flight are very great, and in its passage over the ocean it often mounts higher in the air than most other members of the group,
and descends again with the utmost eagerness to seize any fat substance thrown overboard. Its action and flight differ slightly from
those of the other Petrels, and more closely resemble those of the Albatrosses.”

“ This bird,” says Capt. Hutton, “ combines the appearance of a Procellaria 'with some of the habits of a Puffinus. Its feathers fit
very close, and have a glossy look. Like all other Petrels, it flies with its legs stretched out straight behind, and as they are rather long,
they make the tail appear forked. Its cry is something like the bleating of a lamb. It is very common at sea from May to August,

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HALOCYPTENA MICEOSOMA.

(MEATE-TAIL PETREL.

HALOGYPTENA MICROSOMA. Coues. Rev. Procell. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1864), p. 79.

This Petrel, one of the most delicate of the family, is at once to be distinguished from all others by possessing a cnneate tail, and was pro-
cured by Mr. Xantus, in May, 1861, at San Jose del Caba, Lower California. No other specimen has as yet been obtained, and therefore the type
from which my drawing was made is unique. I regret not to be able to give any account of its economy or habits.

The entire plumage is brownish black, darkest on the upper parts. The greater coverts and tertials are brownish gray. Primaries and tail
pure black, as are also the bill, feet and claws.

The figure is life size.

CYMOCHOEEA

BONAPARTE’S

MELANIA.

PETREL.

PROCELLARIA MELANIA. Bonp. Compt. Rend. (1854) vol. xxvii, p. 662.
CYMOCHOREA MELANIA. Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1864), p. 76.

Like the preceding species, this bird was also procured by Mr. X antes, who obtained the only specimen as yet in any American Cabinet, at
Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. It was first described by Bonaparte, as above referred to, and placed in a new genus by Dr. Coues, in his Review
of the Procellaridse.

It is one of the largest of this division of the Petrels, and has the entire upper parts a deep brownish black, changing to a lighter hue on the
belly and under tail-coverts. Bill and feet black.

The figure is the size of life.

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NECTRIS FTTLIG-INOSUS.

SOOTY PETREL.

PUFFINUS FULIGINOSUS. Strick. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1832), p. 129. Lawk. B. of N. Ain. (1858), p. 803.

NECTRIS FULIG4XOSA. Keys. & Blas. Wirbelt, Europ. (1840), p. Coues. Proc. Acad Nat. Scien. Phil. (1804), p. 123.

This species is ati inhabitant of the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. It has been known to ornithologists for many years,
having been first described by Mr. Strickland, in 1832. The term Fuliginosus given to this bird, was subsequently applied to
others of the same family, and much confusion caused thereby. Perhaps no birds are so inextricably involved in a mass of
synonymy as are those which compose the family of the P r ocellar iidee j and uo one has done more real service, in trying to throw
some light upon them, aud unweave the tangled web, than Dr. Coues, in his admirable and conscientious monograph.

Although this species has been so long known, but little has been recorded regarding its habits. It wanders over the ocean,
searching for such refuse as it may find floating on the surface, aud follows in the wake of vessels, ready to appropriate to its own
use anything that may be cast overboard suitable for its food.

The upper parts are brownish black, deeper on the primaries and tail-feathers ; under parts grayish, lighter on the throat ;
bill, brownish black ; inner side of tarsi, and interdigital membrane, flesh-color.

The figure is life-size.

NECTRIS AMAUEOSOMA.

PACIFIC SOOTY PETREL.

NECTRIS AMAUROSOMA. Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1864), p. 124.

This bird, described by Dr. Coues, was among the novelties obtained by Mr. Kantus, at Cape St. Lucas, who procured but a
single specimen. It is closely allied to the previous 'species, but seems to present sufficient characters to separate it.

Nothing is known of its habits or economy, and, fortunately, having only very lately been described, it is not burdened with
any synonyms.

The specimen from which the drawing was made is the type of the species, and is unique It was entrusted to my care for
the purpose of being illustrated in this work, by Prof. Baikd of the Smithsonian Institution, who has generously placed at my
disposal all the new and uufigured species of American Birds contained in the magnificent collection under his charge, aud to whom
I am thus indebted for aiding this work, since its commencement.

Upper parts, chocolate brown, darker on the rump ; primaries, black on their outer webs and tips, brown ou the inner ; tail-
feathers, brownish black; under wing-coverts, white, marbled with brown; entire under parts, lighter than the back, having a grayish
hue. The figure is the natural size.

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COLYMBUS ADAMSII.

WHITE-BILLED LOON.

COLYMBUS ADAMSII. G. B, Gray. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1859), p. 167.

The various species composing this genus are shy, retiring birds, inhabiting the more secluded streams and inland waters of our
land, where they breed and rear their youug, departiug for the Sea-board only when their retreats have become frozen over by the
chill breath of winter. What person, who has ever encamped, in the summer time, upon the shore of some one of our beautiful lakes
lying deep within the t silent woods, does not remember seeing a large bird swimming slowiy along, disappearing at intervals beneath
the surface of the water, and usually emerging with a fish in its bill, the spoil of its successful pursuit after the finny prey? At
intervals it gives utterance to its cry, so plaintive and sad in tone, that it seems as though it came from some person in distress, and
to cause even the virgin forest which surrounds its abode to appear more lonely. Should the bird discover any strange object,
which it is very quick to do, as its watchful eye is ever scanning the limits of its retreat, the body is immersed deeper into the
water, to atfect concealment, and a few quick short notes are heard, like a mocking laugh, as it gradually increases its distance from
that which has excited its suspicion. It dives frequently and with great rapidity, and is capable of remaining under water for a
considerable length of time. When desirous of taking flight, it rises with difficulty, beating the surface of the lake with both feet
and wings, for some distance, and, gaining the level of the surrounding w r oods by repeated circling of its watery limits, determines its line
of flight, and is soon lost to sight behind the intervening forest. This bird is the Great Northern Diver, well known to every frequenter
of the wilderness, and to which the present species bears a strong resemblance; and although the White-Billed Loon is a native of
the more northern lakes and Watters, rarely, if ever, coming far to the southward, yet we can have little doubt but that its habits
are the same, and that its plaintive note is often heard in those far-olf wilds, and its mocking laugh often greets the intruder who
ventures near its abode.

Like its relative, it feeds on fish, which it pursues beneath the surface, and water is its native clement, as it rarely comes upon
the laud unless for the purpose of incubation.

This fine species was first made known to Ornithologists by Mr. Gray, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London,
as above quoted, and named after Mr. Adams, Surgeon of EL M. S. Enterprise, commanded by Captain Gollinson, in the voyage
through Behring's Straits. It resembles the Colymbus Glaclalis (Great Northern Diver), but its great white bill will always serve to
distinguish it from that species.

My figure was taken from a very fine specimen received at the Smithsonian Institution from Arctic America.

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PODICEPS CALIFORNIO U S.

CALIFORNIA EARED GREBE.

PODICEPS CALIFORNICUS. Heekmann. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., Yol. VII. (1851.) P. 179. Lawr. B. of N. Amer., p. 896.

Audubon, in his great work on our native birds, figures an Eared Grebe, which was lent to him for that purpose by the Earl of
Derby, and which was said to have come from America. Neither his plate nor description shows any difference from the European
species (P. Nigricollis) : and, from the examples of Eared Grebes obtained in this country, all of which present characters sufficient to
raise them to an independent specific rank, we may suppose that our distinguished author and his noble friend were misled as to the
locality from which their specimen came.

Dr. Heermaun first described the present species, (from specimens obtained by him in California,) in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia
Academy, as quoted above. lie, however, only procured the birds in the winter dress, and it is but lately that we have received, through
the efforts of the Smithsonian Institute collectors, an example in full summer livery. Dr. Heermaun says, that “ at first sight this bird
appears very closely allied to the P. Cornutus and P. Aunius , but, on comparing them, marked differences are at once perceived, both
in size and form. I observed this Grebe on the inland fresh-water ponds, as well as on the seashore, where it was abundant,
passing its time on the water in pursuit of insects and small fish, with which, on dissection, I found its stomach filled. Having

procured it only during the winter, I am unable to describe its spring livery, and between the two seasons there is much difference

of plumage in this genus.”

All the Grebes possess the power of diving with great rapidity, and are able to remain beneath the surface for a considerable
length of time. On account of having their feet placed far behind the centre of their bodies, they are unable to walk upon the
land, to which indeed they seldom resort, but push themselves along upon their breasts. The nests are usually built among reeds by
the water-side, or upon some convenient tuft of grass, or sedge, in the middle of a lake. As the California Grebe has only lately
been observed in the United States, its habits have not been recorded by any of those who were fortunate enough to meet with it
in its native haunts; but, as closely allied species of the Old and New Worlds seldom differ in their manner of life, we may fairly

conjecture that it would resemble in this respect its relative, the P. Nigricollis of Europe. In his interesting notes upon the birds

of Algeria, my friend, the Rev. H. B. Tristram, of Castle Eden, England, thus pleasautly relates his exploits, when seeking the Eared
Grebe and its eggs : “ At length, in a little secluded opening, entirely surrounded by tall reeds, through which we had the greatest
difficulty in forcing the punt, we came upon a colony of Eared Grebes, the chief objects of my search. There appears to be this
singular difference between the Eared and the Crested or Lesser Grebes — that while the latter, though abundant throughout the Lake,
are not strictly gregarious, the former builds in societies more densely crowded than any rookery. It is also later in its nidification ; for,
of nearly fifty nests I examined, not one was incubated, though most contained their full allowance of four or five eggs. The nests,
formed like those of other Grebes, were raised on artificial islets, frequently almost touching each other, and sometimes piled on stout
foundations rising from more than a yard under water. We shot several of the birds, which of course were in very fine plumage,
but we were not a little puzzled by the sudden disappearance of several which had fallen dead within twenty yards of us. At length,

on pushing out in our punt into the open water, I detected the water tortoises carrying off at great speed our wounded and dead

birds, and, following the streak of blood through the water, at length seized one struggling with his captor, who maintained so tenacious
a grasp, that I hauled him on board along with the bird, and took care to secure him too for my collection.” Doubtless the young of
many species of water-birds fill a prey to such robbers, who are ever on the alert, seeking what they may devour.

In winter, the California Grebe presents a very different appearance from that depicted in the plate, and is at that season a very
plain-looking bird, having the entire upper parts a dark brown ; flanks, brownish-gray ; under parts, silvery-white, with no trace of the
long, beautiful, hair-like feathers, which are so conspicuous upon each side of the head, and the chestnut color of the flanks entirely
vanishes. The example from which my drawing was made, was procured by Mr. Kennicott, near Fort Resolution, Great Slave Lake. This
would make it appear that the species had quite an extensive range on our western coast, and it is probable that it passes the winter
in California and countries to the south of that state, and goes to the far north in the spring for the purpose of rearing its young.

The California Grebe has the upper part brownish black. Head, neck, and upper part of breast, deep black. Tufts of long, liair-

like feathers, commencing at the eye and covering the sides of the head, golden-yellow above, red on the lower half. Wings of
a lighter brown than the back. Secondaries, white. Primaries, reddish brown. Shafts, black. Flanks, chestnut. Lower part of breast
and under parts, silvery-white. Bill and feet, black. The figures are life-size.

St^Ensrnr.cr d.

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FRATERCULA GLACIALIS.

LARGE-BILL PUFFIN.

FRATERCULA GLACIALIS. Leach. Stcph’s. Gen. Zool. Yol. XIII. p. 40. pi. 4. fig. 2. 186S.— Newton. Ibis, (1865.) p. 521. — Coues.
Proc. A. N. S. 1868.

MORMON GLACIALIS. Naum. Isis. (1821.) p. 783. tab. VII. fig. 2.

The accompanying plate contains a figure of the bird to which the name of “ Glaeialis ” has been given, as distinguishing it from
the well known F. Arctica. The chief, in fact the only difference, is in the greater size of the bill, and its corresponding change of
outline, which, unfortunately for the claims of its possessor to a separate specific rank, varies greatly among individuals from the same
locality. Prof. Newton, in the Ibis, as quoted, gives a list of measurements of various examples of this species, so considered, and the
F. Arctica. and among these last are two from Iceland, which approach so nearly to the Spitzbergen specimens, that it can be no easy
matter to separate them. At certain ages, the -two forms are not to be distinguished from each other, and when it is impossible to
draw a limit where Arctica ends and Glaeialis begins, it seems hazardous to claim that there are two species, since the assertion appears
incapable of proof, and consequently untenable. The measurements of other portions of the body, as given by Prof. Newton, show how
even these vary, as hardly any two are alike in any particular.

In addition to my plate, I also present here life-size representations of the heads of both forms, and also of F. Corniculata, in order
that comparisons may be easily and satisfactorily made. The drawing of the head of F. Glaeialis is from one of the Spitzbergen
specimens kindly furnished me by Prof. Newton, (to whom I take this opportunity of returning thanks for his aid, accorded at various
periods during the publication of this work), and in every respect does the species (?) full justice, as the bill is one of the most
exaggerated forms witnessed among the examples obtained in that remote portion of the earth.

FKATERCtrLA OORNICCX.ATA.

I believe that my plate contains the first life-size representation of this style of Fratercula that has been given, a» Naumann
only exhibits the head; Stephens’ figure is reduced, while Audubon’s and Gould’s so-called Glaeialis is a very different species,
the F. Corniculata.

T'rmvii fl - -j 1 1 Xnlm-e In* JAVolf, London.

z.rro fl

AS1KL13

•j

Bowen-& Co.litli.& col Plolada.

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SAGMATORRHINA LATH AMI.

LATHAM’S GUILLEMOT.

SA GMATOBRHINA LATHAMI. Boot. Proc. Zool. Soe. (1851,) p. 202.

SAGMATORRHINA LABE ABORT A. Cass. B. of N. Am. p. 904.

This curious bird, the largest of the particular group it represents, is au inhabitant of our Northwestern coast, and the single specimen
as yet obtained, is in the collection of the British Museum.

The Prince of Musigna.no, in his paper published in the Zoological proceedings above quoted, says of this bird, that “ It is the largest
species of the sub-family, which is well known to contain 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. Tire proportion of wings, tail, feet and toes are the same ; the bill and toes must have been
reddish, the cere and membrane black. Like the Ceratorrhina, it seems to be confined to the Northwestern Arctic regions of America,
and iv e are led to believe it does not extend to the Siberian shores, from the circumstance of its uot having been noticed by
Russian naturalists.”

It is not at all improbable that the present specimen is immature, from the absence of any hair-like feathers about the head, so
characteristic of many members of this family, as well as the exhibition of a few r wdiite feathers upon the sides and lower part of the
abdomen, as shown in the plate, which would seem to indicate that, like its ally, the C. Monocerata, the lower parts would be white
in the adult.

Below is a life-size representation of the head of an immature specimen, received lately by the Smithsonian Institution, from the
island of Kodiak, Alaska Territory, which is considered to belong to this species. I am indebted to the Secretaries for the privilege of
introducing it here.

Drawn freon Nature Pv J.Wolf, L ondon, 1868.

sAmiA'i 1 mmEmA MmEmm*

BowenA Co. lithL&. col Pbilada

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PHALERIS TETEACULA.

PACIFIC DOVEKIE.

ALCA TETRACULA. Pallas. Spitz. Zool. Yol. X. (1769), p. 23.

PHALERIS TETRACULA. Steph. Shaw’s Zool. — lb. Cass. B. of N. Amer., p. 907.

This little Auk is another of that curious family of sea-birds which seem to abound upon our Northwestern Coast. Not at all
conspicuous in plumage, it is only remarkable for its strange form, and crest of feathers curving forward over the bill. It is also
found in Kamschatka and Unalaschka, and seems to be confined to the cold northern regions, never coming to the southward. It
passes most of its time at sea, and is very expert at diving. When upon the land, it usually sits upright near to the water, into
which it throws itself on the approach of danger.

The Pacific Dovekie has the entire upper parts dark brown ; a few feathers behind the eyes, white, making a rather conspicuous
spot. Crest, black. Under parts, cinereous, becoming lighter upon the abdomen. Bill, blackish. Feet, light green.

The figures are life-size.

PHALERIS PUSILLA.

LEAST AUK.

URIA PUSILLA. Pallas. Zoog. Rosso- Asiat., vol. II. (1811), p. 373, pi. 90.
PHALEIIIS PUSILLA. Cass. B. of North Amer., p. 909.

This diminutive Auk is one of the smallest of the birds which inhabit the sea, certainly of those which compose the family it represents. It
is quite rare in collections, and my plate was taken from specimens procured by Capt. Rodgeks when in command of the North Pacific Exploring
and Surveying Expedition. The Least Auk is found on our Northwest coast, and on the coast of Kamtschatka, and in size approaches nearest to
the P. Microeeros of Brandt, but may be easily distinguished from it by its pure white breast, that of its relative being spotted, and also by
having white scapulars, these last forming very conspicuous marks.

The bleak and sterile shores of the northern portion of our continent, robed for the greater portion of the year in snow and ice, would be
forbidding and cheerless in the extreme, were it not for the myriads of sea-birds which frequent them, making the rocky caverns vocal with their
varied notes, and enlivening the scene with their active ceaseless movements.

Every shelf, presenting a suitable space, overhanging the sea, is occupied in the spring by happy pairs, intent upon the duty of incubation,
or attending to the wants of their helpless half-fledged young, while the arrivals from, and departure for the sea, of those bringing or seeking
food, renders the scene animated and cheerful.

The Least Auk has the entire upper parts black. Scapulars and tips of secondaries white. A light spot over the eye, and a few hair-like
whitish feathers before and behind the eye. Entire under parts white. Bill black ; edge of both mandibles at their base yellow. Legs and feet
yellowish brown.

The figures are the size of life.

WEESm<E CTTE't'J -'J -V J i -cE

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PT YCHORH AMPHU S

ALEUTICUS.

PACIFIC AUK.

URIA ALEUTICA. Pall., Zoog. Rosso- Asiat., Vol. II. p. 370 (1811).

MERGT7LUS CASSINII. Gambel, Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., Vol. II, (1845,) p. 2G6.

PTT CHOE1I AMPHUS ALEUTICUS. Brandt, Bull. Scien. Acad. Imp. dcs Scien., St. Petersb., Vol. II, (1837,) p. 344. Id. Cassiu, B. of
N. America, p. 910,

The great family of the Alcidae, or Auks, is represented in the Old and New Worlds by many species of various forms, some
of which are common to both continents. They are natives of the cold northern regions of the globe, and frequent the rocky
coasts, that rise above and overhang the sea.

The Great Auk, Aka Impennis , was the giant of this family, and was remarkable for being the only species which had not
the power of flight ; resembling in this respect the Penguins of the Southern Ocean. But of late years, this bird lias entirely

disappeared from the localities it was in the habit of frequenting, and in all probability has become extinct.

Formed to pass their lives upon the water, the Auks are never seen inland; and, on account of their inability to walk

without great effort, they evince a decided disinclination to remove any distance from their beloved sea. Some of the birds of
this family lay their eggs in the fissures of the rocks, as is the case of the Razor-Bills and Black Guillemots; others upon low
islands, where they congregate in great numbers, and deposit their eggs on the bare ground, as is the habit of the Foolish Guillemot ;

or in burrows, which they excavate in the earth often to the depth of three feet, at the extreme cud of which the single egg

is placed, as is the custom of the Puffin.

The Auks pass much of their time sitting in long rows of many individuals on the edge of the cliffs, presenting their pure

white breasts to the sea. If alarmed, they allow themselves to drop from the dizzy height, and either disappear beneath the waves,

or wing their way far over the ocean, until they arc safe from all danger.

The species which heads this article has long been known as an inhabitant of our western coast, and was first included in our

fanua by Dr. Gambel, who described it in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy under the name Merguhs Cassinii, which

appellation, however, could not stand, as the bird had already been called Ur'ia Akutica by Pallas. Brandt, in his paper on the
Alcidae, formed it into a distinct genus, which he styled Ptgehorhamphus.

No account of the habits or economy of this curious little bird has ever been published, and 1 regret that T am unable to

furnish a complete history of its mode of life.

Head and entire upper parts, brownish black. Throat, sides of the neck and flanks, ash. Rest ot under parts, white. Bill,
brownish black ; a bright yellow spot at base of under mandible. Feet, light yellow.

The figures are life-size.

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OMBEIA P SIT TACIT LA.

PAR ROT- BILLED AUK.

ALGA PS1TTACULA. Pallas. Spic. Zool. Part V. (1769), p. 13.
OMBEIA PSITTACULA. Eschsholtz. Zool. Atlas, 1Y. (1831), p. 3.

This curious little bird is a native of the Northwest coast of America, and, as its structure shows, is accustomed to pass its

time upon the water. Its short and feeble wings incapacitate it from performing any lengthened flight, and by having its legs

placed far behind the centre of its body, it is rendered unable to walk with any facility upon the land. But upon the surface of
the sea it is active and rapid in its movements; buoyant as a cork, it swims swiftly, propelled by quick strokes of its legs, and,
diving beneath the waves, pursues and easily captures its prey.

Of the habits of the Parrot-Billed Auk, little has been narrated, but they would not differ from those of other species of the
same family with which we are more familiar. Its home is upon the sea, but it returns to the land at dusk to pass the night
upon the ledges of rocks near the water, or else in the holes or fissures in which it is accustomed to have its nest. When on
land, this bird always assumes an upright position, and moves with an awkward waddle.

The conical shape of the bill would be sufficient to distinguish this species from all others, and according to Mr. Cassin, “ it
seems to attain a maximum of oddity amongst the queer bills of this family of birds. The whole affair looks as if it might be a
nose of wax badly pinched and jerked upwards, especially to the disadvantage of the under mandible."

Head and upper parts brownish black : a line of white hair-like feathers extends from the eye down the sides of the neck ;

breast mottled with dark brown and white ; rest of under parts white. Bill deep red ; feet yellowish.

The figures are life-size.

c

BRACHYRAMPHUS TEMMINCKII.

TEMMIN CK’S AUK.

URIA UNIZUSUME. Temm. Fauna Jap. Aves, p. 123.

BRACHYRAMPHUS TEMMINCKIJ. Brandt. Bull. Acad. St. Petersb., vol. II. (1837), p. 346.— Casses. B. of N. Amer., p. 916.

Many of the members of this genus, as well as those belonging to closely allied ones, are inhabitants of the North Pacific Ocean, and of
the islands lying between our own coast and that of Asia. The various species resemble each other greatly in their modes of life, and also in
the coloring of their plumage. The present bird is not only a native of America and Asia, but has also been found in Japan, from which country
specimens were brought by the naturalist attached to the expedition of Commodore Perrt. Mr. Cassin, in his article on this species, published
in his account of the birds collected by that expedition, gives the following note furnished him by Mr. Heine ; “ The officers engaged in the

survey of the harbor of Simoda had frequently observed numbers of small birds swimming at some distance from the shore, but at the approach

of the boats, the birds invariably dived and disappeared. On one occasion, when returning from Rock Island, the boat in which I was came
suddenly upon a number of these little fellows, swimming and braving a rough sea in fine style; calling all the time with a chirping voice. Two
specimens were secured, when all the others rpiickly disappeared. This bird is common in the harbor of Simoda.”

Temminck's Auk is distinguished from other members of the genus, by having, when adult, a crest of cpiite long feathers rising from the

fore part of the head near the base of the bill.

Brandt has described three other species of this genus, coming respectively from the Aleutian Islands, Unalaschka, and Kamtschatka, but no
specimen of these has ever reached this country. The B. Temmiuckii seems to be fond of frecpienting rocky cliffs near the sea, often congre-
gating in considerable numbers, but the greater portion of its time is passed upon the water.

In giving a name to this species I have followed Brandt, Cassin, et al, for, although Temminck’s appellation has precedence by the law of
priority, vet it is so barbarous as to make it undesirable.

The specimens of this bird which have been received at the Smithsonian Institution, captured within our limits, all came from Washington
Territory.

Head brownish black. Orest black. Wide stripe over each eye, uniting at the occiput, white. Entire upper parts light cinereous. Wings
and tail brownish black. Under parts white. Bill light born color. Feet flesh color. Young, without crest ; throat browni ; flanks ashy.

The figures are life-size.

BRACHYRAMPHTJS HYPOLEUCUS.

CAPE ST. LUCAS GUILLEMOT.

BACHYRAMPHUS HYPOLEUCUS. Xantus. Proc. Acad. Nat Scien (1859), p. 299.

Among the new and curious forms obtained by Mr. John Xantus during the period in which he was collecting obiects of Natural History at
Cape St. Lucas, not one was more unexpected and seemingly out of place, than the present species. Inhabitants of high northern latitudes coming
south only during severe winters, the family of Auks were always associated with ice and snow, and the chilling blasts of winter, therefore it
appeared almost unnatural that one of these strange birds should be found domiciled at so southern a point.

The present species resembles more the B. Marmoratus, than any other member of the family inhabiting our coast, in its slender bill and small
size. Only one specimen was obtained by Mr. Xantus, and as this seems to be in its winter dress, we cannot form any idea of what it looks like
when arrayed in the nuptial plumage. Nothing of its habits or economy are known.

Head and upper parts brownish black; sides of neck and breast ashy. Rest of plumage pure white. Bill black. The figures are the natural

size.

QL

Elliot, Daniel Giraud,

674

1835-1915,

,E45

The new and heretofore

1869

unfigured species of the

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birds of North America /

v. 2

SCNHRB

1869.