324: PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



"On the coast of the Island of Niphon, Japan, north of the Bay of Sendai, 

 June, 1855. Collected by Lieut. Brooke." (Mr. Stimpson.) 



131. Uria akra, (Pallas.) 



From Herald Island, Arctic Ocean. The only specimen of this species that 

 has ever reached the naturalists or museums of the United States from a lo- 

 cality on the western or north-western coasts of America. In mature plumage, 

 and showing strongly the dilated edges of the basal third part of the upper 

 mandibles by which this species is easily distinguished. 



" Herald Island, Arctic Ocean, August, 1855." (Mr. Stimpson.) 



132. Fratercula cirrhata, (Gmelin). 



From the Sea of Ochotsk. Formerly very rare in museums, but is now 

 brought in nearly all collections from the Pacific coast of America, and is evi- 

 dently of frequent occurrence. 



"Ochotsk Sea, August, 1855, collected by Capt. H. K. Stevens." (Mr. 

 Stimpson.) 



133. Mormon corniculata, Naumann. 



Mormon corniculata, Naum., Isis 1821, p. 782. 

 Mormon glacialis, Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. p. 599. (1835.) 

 Gray, Oen. iii. pi. 174. Aud. B. of Am. pi. 293, Oct. ed. vii. pi. 463. 

 From Behring's Straits and the Sea of Ochotsk. Several specimens in ma- 

 ture plumage, all of which seem to be that entitled to the name here given. 

 The species is, however, nearly related to the common glacialis, and may be 

 identical. 



"Behring's Straits, August, 1855; Ochotsk Sea, August, 1855." (Mr. 

 Stimpson.) 



134. Phaleris pusilla, (Pallas.) 



Uria pusilla, Pallas, Zoog. Ross. Asiat. ii. p. 373, (1811.) 



From Behring's Straits. Specimens of this little bird are amongst the most 

 interesting in the collection of the Expedition, and are probably the first ever 

 obtained since this species was described by the distinguished Russian natu- 

 ralist above mentioned. Usually this bird has been regarded as identical with 

 Phaleris microceros, (P. nodirostris), but it is entirely distinct, and also from 

 Alca pygmeea of authors. 



This curious little bird is probably the very smallest of the sea birds, and 

 is easily distinguished by the clear black of its upper plumage and pure white 

 of the iinder parts, with the additional character of having white scapulars. 

 It is about an inch shorter in total length than P. microceros, and smaller in 

 all other measurements. The rediscovery of this bird is an important contri- 

 bution to ornithology, and the specimens are an exceedingly valuable addition 

 to the National muse^^m. 



"In the Straits of Semiavine and along the coast of Arikamcheche Island 

 this little bird was quite numerous in September, 1855. It was always seen 

 in the water and was constantly diving, as though seeking food beneath the 

 surface, but remaining submerged a short time only. It has a short chirping 

 note, and is so very small in size and gentle in its actions and appearance that 

 some of our party were disposed to insist that it was a very young bird, or 

 chicken of a larger species. All admitted that it was the very smallest sea- 

 bird that they had ever seen." 



"Though rather shy, it was occasionally killed by a blow from the paddle 

 of a hiak or native boat, and sometimes an attempt to row into the midst of a 

 flock for that purpose was successful. Several specimens were preserved for 

 the ornithological collection, and large numbers were eaten, and with other 

 birds proved an agreeable addition to our limited stock of fresh provisions." 

 (Mr. E. M. Kern.) 



135. Pelecanus fuscus, Linnaeus. 



"San Francisco, California, November, 1855." (Mr. Stimpson). 



[June, 



