hitherto observed in Gi'eenland. 15 



in 1853, I have since received a third from Greenland in 1855, 

 the examination of which has confirmed rae in considering the 

 bird a distinct species. It is not only its much larger size 

 which distinguishes the Greenland bird from its European rela- 

 tive, but also the very sensible difference in the shape of the 

 bill. In P. holboellii it is, comparatively to its length, not so 

 high at the base as in P. griseigena, and of course much more 

 gradually tapering towards the point. In my opinion P. hol- 

 boellii indeed differs more from P. griseigena than many other 

 North-American birds, now generally admitted as distinct, do 

 from the allied European species, as, for instance, Anas caro- 

 linensis from A. crecca, or Fuligula affinis from F. marila. 



87. ^Podiceps cornutus (Gmel.). 



Only a few young birds, obtained in the southern part of 

 Greenland. 



88. Alca impennis, Linn. 



The " Geirfugl " now being nearly extinct, it would be in vain 

 to hope to meet with it on the coast of Greenland; but even 

 formerly, when the bird was still numerous at its breeding- 

 places, it seems to have visited Greenland only in winter, and in 

 limited numbers, chiefly of young birds. In the present century, 

 a specimen is known to have been killed at Disco Island in 1821, 

 and one more may perhaps have been captured some years 

 earlier ; but the accounts of other instances in which the bird is 

 said to have been obtained in Greenland are hardly to be con- 

 fided in. 



89. Alca torda, Linn. 



90. Fratercula arctica (Linn.). 



91. ^Fratercula glacialis, Leach. 



All the Puffins which I have received from Greenland I con- 

 sider to be of the common species. As Mr. Cassin, however, 

 mentions (Rep. Expl. ix. p. 903) that he has seen specimens of 

 the F. glacialis from thence, I do not hesitate to include this 

 species also in the Greenland Avifauna ; but I think it must be 

 considered an accidental visitor. 



