BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 253 



ON - THE SPECIFIC DISTINCTION OF THE BRIDLED GUILLEMOT (lIRIA LACHRY- 

 MANS, TEMMINCK). BY THE REV. F. 0. MORRIS, A. M., ETC.* 



In the study of the science of Natural History, the very first lesson the 

 student has to learn is to attempt to establish no conclusion upon a mere 

 opinion, his own, or that of any other person, but to let facts themselves 

 alone guide him to the result. This is plainly the case with regard to 

 questions of specific identity, and naturalists must reverse the analogous 

 motto "Ubi Scriptura silet, ibi Ecclesia loquitur," and speak alone 

 with confidence where Nature herself speaks with the eternal and un- 

 erring truth of the God of Nature. This remark applies to the subject 

 on which I propose to offer some observations to you to-day — a question 

 in itself of some interest to those who are studious in such matters, and 

 especially so when viewed in reference to one or two other kindred 

 cases, with which it has not, so far I am aware, been hitherto compared. 

 (Since making the above remark, I must here observe that M. Temminck 

 has pointed out, in a pass'age I shall have occasion to refer to by-and-by, 

 one of the parallel cases to which I refer, but in ambiguous words, which 

 may intend a contrary conclusion.) 



There are four species of the present restricted genus, Uria. I say 

 four, not as defining the number myself, but as stating the generally 

 received opinion, with which, however, as I shall presently have to 

 state, I myself coincide, though some, with what has appeared to them 

 sufiicient reason, have thought differently. As to two of these species 

 there is no manner of doubt on any side ; on these, therefore, I shall 

 offer no remarks. Neither is there any doubt that there is another, a 

 third, British species ; the question is, whether there are two other ones 

 — whether three, or four, in all, or not. 



Now, excepting in one main particular, the two species, Uria troile, 

 and Uria lachrymans, have been described to be exactly alike, or as 

 nearly so as possible. There are, however, some minor differences 

 which, equally occurring in many other species, may, in such cases, be 

 real specific distinctions, and that, although allied species may possibly 

 at times exhibit the like, as variations from the usual type, — perhaps 

 even exhibit them in these exceptional instances more decisively marked. 

 I allude, with reference to the species before us, to the particulars of 

 size and colour, the common species, Uria troile, being by some said to 

 be, if anything, rather larger and rather darker, while by others the 

 Uria lachrymans is so described, and the bill rather stouter. This last, 

 though perhaps not a common variation, is certainly a mere variation, 

 as in the instance of the Crossbill, and perhaps in the Nutcracker. And 

 so also with regard to size ; the fact is, there are found larger and smaller, 

 and heavier and lighter birds in each case. In addition, however, to 

 these, there is another, which maybe called an " ocular demonstration" 



* Kead before Section D at the Meeting of the British Association, Dublin, August 26, 

 1857. 



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