278 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



ORDER VI. NATATORES. 



Bill of various forms. Legs for the most part placed far behind. Lower part 

 of the tibia more or less naked. Tarsus compressed. Toes most usually 

 four ; the three anterior united by a membrane. Hind toe sometimes wanting. 

 Nails short, depressed, not retractile. Plumage unusually compact, with 

 shorter feathers beneath. 



FAMILY ALC1DJE 



Bill much compressed, generally high at the base. Legs placed at the extremity of the body. 

 Tibia partly naked. Feet three-toed, entirely palmated. Neck short. Wings very short, 

 sometimes wholly unfit for flight. Tail very short. 



GENUS URIA. Brisson. 



Bill moderate, strong, straight, compressed, sharp-pointed, smooth. Upper mandible slightly 

 deflected at the tip. Nostrils basal, pervious, sublinear, half concealed by a feathered 

 membrane. Tarsus short and robust. First and second quills longest. Tail short, rounded, 

 of twelve or more feathers. 



THE BLACK GUILLEMOT. 



Uria grylle. 



plate uxxxix. fig. 303. 



(COLLECTION OF H. C. DE RHAM.) 



Colymbus grylle, Linn.eus, p. 220. Uria id. Latham, Vol. 2, p. 797. 



Black Guillemot. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 516. Sabine, App. Parry. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. 



Vol. 2, p. 423. 

 U. grylle. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 478. Ndttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 523. Audubon, B. of A. 

 Vol. 7, p. 272, pi. 474. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 377. 



Characteristics. Feet red : a large white spot on the middle of the wings. Summer, black ; 

 wing-coverts white. Winter, varied with black and white. Length, 

 13 inches. 



