812 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PYGOPODES. 



some dusky mottling about base of bill ; the white of the under parts extending on head nearly 

 to eyes, and far around on sides of nape, so that only a narrow median line is left dark. Sides 

 of body under wings merely dusky, not continuous over the Hanks, where the feathers are 

 partly white, and scarcely advancing in front of wings. The course of the seasonal plumages, 

 or those dependent upon age, is not yet fully traced for this species ; the clarity of the ash, the 

 intensity of the black, and the purity and distinctness of the white striping, indicate the more 

 perfect feathering, and conversely. N. Pacific, both Asiatic and American, S. in winter to 

 the U. S., breeding from Sitka, Alaska. Accidental in one instance in Wisconsin. 

 865. S. umizu'sume. (The Japanese name. Fig. 550.) Japanese Murrelet. Temminck's 

 Auk. Bill more elongate and acute than in the type of the genus, less compressed, not so deep 

 for its length. Bill yellow, with black ridge ; feet livid-bluish, with dusky webs. A large crest, 

 of a dozen (more or fewer) feathers springing from extreme forehead, not recurved, but 

 drooping backward over the occiput. A conspicuous series of white feathers on each side 



of head, from origin of the crest over eye to nape, 

 where more or less confluent with those of oppo- 

 site side, and then dispersed in streaks over the 

 sides of the neck to the shoulders. Rest of head, 

 including throat, sooty or ashy-blackish, this color 

 extending as far as the interscapulars, whence the 

 upper parts are more plumbeous, only darker on 

 wings and tail. Sides under the wings plumbeous- 

 black to the flanks, this color advancing in front 

 Fig. 550.- Japanese Murrelet, nat. size. ^f ,,,jjjgg .^^^ continuous with that on che sides of 



neck and head. Lining of wings white, except some dark mottling along the edge ; bases of 

 primaries, and most of their inner webs, white, shading through gray to their dusky tips. 

 Whole under parts white, except as said. Length 10.50-11.00; extent 18.00-18.50; wing 

 5.50; tail 1.75; tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw 1.25, outer 1.20, inner 1.00; bill along 

 eulraen 1.00, gape 1.10 ; gonys 0.40 ; height or width at base 0.25-0.30. Younger : No crest : 

 bill obscured; little or no trace of white about head, which is dusky plumbeous; other upper 

 parts similar, the back lighter ; white of under parts extending to bill and far around on sides 

 of neck. There is much variation in difi"erent specimens, the full significance of which remains 

 to be determined ; but the species is unmistakable. N. Pacific, both Asiatic and American ; 

 S. to U. S. and Japan. 

 344. BRACHYRHAM'PHUS. (Gr. ^paxvs, brachus, short; pdfjL<pos, hrampJios, beak.) Peaked- 

 nosed MuRRELETS. Approaching Uria in generic character. BiU small, slender, mucli 

 shorter than head, not longer than tarsus, compressed, very acute; culmen gently curved, 

 rictus and gonys straight ; tomial edge of upper mandible much inflected toward base, notched 

 near tip. Nasal fosste small and shallow, nearly filled with feathers, reaching to the broadly 

 oval nostrils. Wings very narrow, falcate, pointed, with extremely short secondaries. T;iil 

 nearly square, with obtuse feathers. Feet very small and short ; tarsus of variable lengtli 

 relative to the toes, entirely reticulate. Outer and middle toes of equal lengths, the claw 

 of the former smaller ; inner toe short, its claw not reaching base of middle claw. Claws all 

 email, compressed, acute. Containing several species of diminutive murres, all confined to 

 the Pacific. 



Analysis of Species. 



Tarsus shorter than middle toe without claw. 



Upper parts Wackish and chestnut, lower blackish and white (summer), or upper parts cinereous and 



white, lower white (winter) marmoratus 8C6 



Upper parts ashy, barred and spotted with dull yellowish ; under parts whitish barred with dusky. 



Uttlitzi mi 

 Tarsus as long as middle toe without claw. 



