BIRDS — ALCIDAE — UEIA QRYLLE. 



911 



Under parts of body from tlie breast white ; sides under the wings spotted willi ashy brown ; tibiae ashy brown ; under wing 

 coverts dark ashy brown. Bill reddish orange, darker at base ; feet dark greenish. 



Total length about 9 inches ; wing, Sj ; tail, 1 j inches. 



Hab. — Northwestern coast of America ; Kurile islands ; Kamlschatka, (Pallaa.) 



The very singular bill of this bird strongly characterizes it, and seems to attain a maximum 

 of oddity amongst the queer bills of this family of birds. The whole affair looks as if it might 

 be a nose of wax badly pinched and jerked upwards, especially to the disadvantage of the under 

 mandible. 



Though nearly related to Fhalens, it is quite probable that the stronger relationship of this 

 curious bird is to the genus Mormon. It appears to be not uncommon on the northwest coast of 

 America. 



List of specimens. 



Sub-Family URINAE. 



URIA, Mo eh ring. 



Uria, MoEHRiNG, Av. Gen., 1752. Type, Colymbus grylle, L. 

 Ch. — General form short and robust. Head moderate, bill rather long, straight, somewhat compressed, pointed, angle of the 

 under mandible distinct; nostrils in a groove at base of upper mandible, the membrane of which is covered with short velvet-like 

 feathers. Wings short, pointed ; tail short; legs short and robust; tarsus shorter than the middle toe, compressed, toes rather 

 long, fully webbed ; claws rather strong, curved. 



The size in this genus varies considerably, but is never large, and all the species present a 

 general similarity of dark and white colors. There are not more than seven species, all of 

 which inhabit high northern latitudes, migrating more southwardly. 



According to Keyserling and Blasius the two sub-genera of Uria are characterized as follows : 



Uria, Moehring. — Upper jaw near the tip entire, and without groove. Culmen not more 

 than half the keel. Adult colors black, with patches only of white. 



Cataractes, Moehring. — End of upper jaw with a lateral furrow running into a notch behind 

 the tip. Culmen or ridge more than half the keel. Dark above, with lines or stripes of white. 

 Much white beneath. 



Uria, Moehring. 



URIA GRYLLE, (Linnaeus,) Latham, 



The Gnillemot. 



Akagrylle, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1, 1758, 130. 



Colymbus yryUe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1, 1766, p. 220. 



Uria grylle, Latham, Ind. Orn. II, ]7S)0, 797.— Bon. Syn. 1828, 423.— AuD. Orn. Biog. Ill, 1835, 148 ; V, 627 : pi. 219 



Uria grylloidcs, Brdnnich, Orn. Bor. p. 28, (1764.) 



Uria balthica and groenlandica, Brunnioh, Orn. Bor. p. 28, ( 1764.) 



Una scapularis, Stephens, Shaw, Gen. Zool. XII, p. 250, (1824.) 



Cepphus ludeola, Pallas, Spicil. V, 33. 



