XXXVIU INTRODUCTION. 



Order A L C ^. 



Family ALCID.E. 

 Subfamily Alcin^. 



Alca, Liniuciis. — Bill straight, large, compressed, very much decurved towards 

 the point, basal half of both mandibles covered with feathers, grooved towards 

 the point, the superior mandible hooked, the under one forming with it a 

 salient angle. Nostrils lateral, marginal, linear, near the middle of the beak, 

 the aperture almost entirely closed by a membrane covered with feathers. 

 Wings short. Tail pointed. Legs short, very far back ; only three toes, all 

 in front and entirely webbed ; claws slightly curved (p. 695). 



Uria, Brisson. — Bill of moderate length, strong, straight, pointed, compressed ; 

 upper mandible slightly curved near the point, with a small indentation or 

 notch in the edge on each side. Nostrils basal, lateral, concave, pierced 

 longitudinally, partly closed by membrane, which is also partly covered with 

 feathers. Wings short, first quill the longest. Tail shorter than in Aha. 

 Legs short, slender, placed behind the centre of gravity in the body ; only 

 three toes, all in front and entirely webbed (p. 699). 



MERGtiLUS, Vieillot. — Bill shorter than the head, thick, broader than high at the 

 base ; ciilmen arched ; upper mandible indistinctly grooved, under mandible 

 with the symphysis very short and oblique ; the tips of both notched ; com- 

 missure arched. Nostrils lateral, round, situated at the base of the bill, and 

 partly covered with small feathers. Wings and tail short. Legs far back, 

 short ; three toes, all directed forward and united by a membrane (p. 705). 



Subfamily Fraterculin.^. 



Fratercula, Brisson. — Bill higher than long, much compressed ; both mandibles 

 arched, transversely grooved, notched towards the point. Nostrils lateral, 

 naked, almost closed by a membrane. Wings and tail short. Legs far back ; 

 feet with three toes, all in front and fully webbed ; claws curved (p. 707). 



Order PYGOPODES. 



Family COLYMBID.E. 



CoLVMBUS, Linnceits. — Bill about as long as the head ; strong, straight, rather 

 compressed, pointed. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, perforated. W'ings 

 short, the first quill the longest. Tail short and rounded. Legs thin, 

 compressed, placed very far backwards, and closely attached to the posterior 

 part of the body ; three toes in front united by membranes, one toe behind 

 with a small membrane, articulated upon the tarsus ; claws flat (p. 709). 



Family PODICIPEDID.E. 



PODiciPES, Latham. — Bill of n\oderate length, straight, hard, slightly com- 

 pressed, pointed, forming an elongated cone. Nostrils lateral, concave, 

 oblong, open in front and perforated, closed behind by a membrane. No true 

 tail. Wings short, first three primaries nearly equal and the longest in the 



