8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



Comparatif des Pelagiens which regards the Auks represents very nearly the 

 classification now most in vogue, founded by Mr. G. R. Gray. The family is 

 divided into three subfamilies— ^4^cma?, embracing only two species; Phaleridince, 

 comprising all the Starikis ; and Urinse, inclad'ing the Guillemots. It is thus 

 the same as Gray's arrangement, except in excluding the Penguins ; but in its 

 minor details it is unique in several features. The genus Pinguinus^ Bonna- 

 terre, is adopted, and Alca left for torda. Simorhi/nchus, Merrem, is taken for 

 its type, {oris tat ellus) and Phaleris, Temminck, for its type, [psittacnla ;) the 

 other small Phaleridines are ranged under Tiilorhamphus Brandt, except micro- 

 ceros, which is put under Ciceronia, Reichenbach. Ifria is subdivided into 

 Lomvia Brandt for the larger species, and " Cephus " Pallas for the smaller 

 ones. Most of these points are tenable, but some are not. Some very obvious 

 improprieties are evident in the handling of the species. Thus Bonaparte in- 

 sists on retaining " occidentalis " and " nodirostra," two names of his own 

 that he knew were antedated, one by monocerata Pallas, and the other by 

 microceros, Brandt. Uria columba is ranged as a synomym of grylle, while 

 Mandtii is allowed to take its place. The Uria "unicolor" Benicken, 

 which, according to the best authority, is only a state of plumage of grylle^ 

 is given as a valid species, and referred to a different subgenus. In this 

 paper, as in others M'ritten towards the close of the life of the great ornithol- 

 Qo-ist, may be discerned an inclination to lead opinion by the mere weight of a 

 name, or force of personal authority. 



(1858.) Cassin, in Baird s Birds of North America. — Bonaparte's article just 

 spoken of is made the basis, in a general way, of Mr. Cassin's paper, but with 

 some important modifications. Only two subfamilies are admitted, Alcinx and 

 Urinie, the former comprehending the Auks proper and the Starikis. Chenalo- 

 pez Moehring is used as a subgeneric appellation for Alca impennis. Mormon 

 lUiger is used for the Puffins, with Lunda Pall, and Fratercula Briss. as sub- 

 generic divisions. Fhaleris Temm. is employed generically for the majority of 

 the Phaleridine forms, with Simorhynchus Merrem, Tylorhamphus Brandt, and 

 Ciceronia Reichenbach, as subgeneric divisions. The erroneous assignment of 

 Tylorhamphus is the same as that made by Bonaparte. The forms not included 

 under Fhaleris are each given independent generic rank. A new species of 

 Cerorhina is described — C. Suckleyi — for a discussion of which the reader is re- 

 ferred further on. Among the Urince, the genus Uria Moehring is subdivided, 

 after Keyserling and Blasius, into two subgenera — Uria proper and Cataructes 

 Moehring. Brachyrhamphus Brandt is adopted for the Murrelets,* with Apobap- 

 ton Brandt as a subgenus. 



This article treats of all the known species of the family, and is, in fact, a 

 monograph of the subject, at once very accurate, and, as far as it goes, com- 

 plete. Excellent descriptions, in most cases original, are given, together with 

 many synonyms, lists of specimens in the museum of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution and Philadelphia Academj', and critical and explanatory remarks. 

 Although the present writer does not endorse all of the opinions maintained 

 in this article, he considers it as by far the best that has ever appeared in 

 print. (Species now twenty-nine.) . 



(1859.) Xantus, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phila. — Brachyrhamphus hypoleucus, 

 a new species, described. (Species now thirty.) 



(1861.) Bryant, Pvoc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. — " A monograph of the genus 

 Cataracles Moehring," with full lists of synonyms, and very accurate descrip- 

 tions. The family is named " Plautidie " after Klein. The genus is considered 

 in its restricted sense, including only troile Linn., ringvia Briinn., and lomvia 

 Linn., to which a new species, U. Californicus, is added. This is a very valua- 

 ble contribution. (Species now thirty-one.) 



* The present writer proposes this English name for the species of Brachyrhamphus. 



[Jan. 



