A 





340 MERGULUS. ROTCHE. 



than the outer, which is ahout equal to the third. Claws 

 moderate, arcuate, compressed, acute. 



Plumage dense, blended ; feathers oblong. Wings small, 

 narrow, convex, pointed; primary quills tapering, the first 

 longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries very short, 

 rounded. Tail very short, slightly rounded, of twelve 

 feathers. 



The habits of the only species are similar to those of the 

 Auks and Guillemots. 



