described — Sagmatorrhina Lathami, with which Alca labradoria Gm. is 

 identified. (Species now twenty-eight.) 



(1856.) Bonaparte, Comptes Rcndns, x!ii. — That portion of the Tableau 

 Comparatif des Pelagiens which regards the Aiilcs represents very nearly the 

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

 divided into three subfamilies— .4/cm<T, embracing only two species; Pholeridince, 

 comprising all the Starikis ; and Urinse, including 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 tarda. Siniorhynchus, Merrem, is taken for 

 its type, [cristatellus) and Phaleris, Temminck, for its type, [psittacula ;) the' 

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

 ceros which is put under Ciceronia, Reichenbach. Uria 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 columha 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 gri/lle, 

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

 paper, as in others written towards the close of the life of the great ornithol- 

 ocrist 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. Gassin's paper, but with 

 some important modifications. Only two subfamilies are admitted, Alcina; and 

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

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

 Illio-er is used for the Puffins, with Lunda Pall, and Fratercula Briss. as snb- 

 gen'eric divisions. Phaleris Temm. is employed generically for the majority of 

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

 Ci'cfT-omrt Reichenbach, as subgeneric divisions. The erroneous assignment of 

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

 under Phaleris 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 UrincB, the genus Uria Moehring is subdivided, 

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

 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 Academy, 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, froc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. — " A monograph of the genus 

 Cataractes 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 



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



