45 



SiMORHTNCHua Cassini, Cotics, n. sp. 

 Phnleris Cassini, Coues, mss. 



DiAO. — S. rostro parvo, breve, valde compresso, longiludine rix altitudinem 

 exc-edente, latitudine dimidii nltitudinis ; fere triangulare a spectu laterale ; 

 simplice, nee ullis additanicntis coriieis instructo ; culmine leviter dcclinato- 

 coiivexo, rictu recto, carina fere recta, a scendente; supra nigro-plumbeus, 

 Venice, alis caudaque nigerrimis ; subtus griaeo-plumbeus, abdomiue cris- 

 soque sensim albicantibus ; longitude tota corporis 7-75 (poll. Ang.); alae 

 4-25 ; caudaj 1'40 ; tarsi -80 ; digiti medii cum ungue 1-20 ; rostri -40, alt. -30, 

 lat. -15! rictiis -60. 



Typical and unique specimen, No. 46,564 of the Smithsonian Museum; a 

 male (adult?) collected Aug. 3, 1866, at Ounimak Pass, Russian America, 

 by W. H. Dall. 



Bill very small and short, 

 only half as long as the tarsus ; 

 extremely compressed, being 

 hardly more than half as wide 

 as high at the base ; its height 

 at base three-fourths the length 

 of culmeu; lateral aspect of the 

 bill nearly triangular ; culmen 

 regularly lightly convex in out- 

 line ; rictus perfectl}' straight ; 

 gonys almost straight, ascend- 

 ing ; tip of bill rather obtuse; 

 no tubercles, sinuosities, or 

 other irregularities of surface 

 or of contour. Nasal fossse 

 well marked, oval in outline, 

 Tig. 10.— Simorhynchua Casstni, nov. sp. Nat. size, reaching the culmen at its base, 

 separated by a ridge from the commissural edge of the upper mandible; nos- 

 tril? low down in the fossa, small, short, narrowly linear. Frontal feathers 

 laid straight across the base of culmen, descending nearly perpendicularly 

 along the posterior edge of the nasal fossae, just attaining the posterior end of 

 the nostrils, then retreating obliquely backwards and downwards. Feathers on 

 side of lower mandible extending to a point opposite those on culmen ; some- 

 what further into the interramal space, which is densely feathered. Wings 

 and tail of usual size and shape. Feet small, tarsi moderately compressed, 

 much shorter than the middle toe and without its claw; only two-thirds the 

 middle toe and claw; outer toe as long as, or slightly longer than the middle, 

 its claw much smaller than that of the middle ; tip of inner claw just reach- 

 ing base of middle claw. 



Entire upper parts blackish-cinereous, or very dark lead color, deepest and 

 very black on the crown, wings and tail. Entire under parts much lighter 

 and more grayish plumbeous, insensibly blending with the color of the upper 

 parts on the sides of the head, neck, and body, fading very gradually into, 

 whitish on the abdomen and under tail coverts. Inner webs of primaries, 

 secondaries and tail feathers dusky gray; the outer glossy black ; under sur- 

 face of wings dusky gray, nearly black along the edge. Bill dusky, tinged 

 with red ; tarsi behind and toes below black ; rest of feet an undefinable 

 color in the dried state; perhaps reddish in life. " Eyes white and black," 

 (collector's label). 



This is a very strongly-marked species, differing to a remarkable degree 

 from any other of the family. The chief peculiarity of form lies in the bill ; 

 so small, simple, extremely compressed, destitute of appendages, and otherwise 

 unique, as will be seen by the description, and still more clearly by the dia- 

 gram. As regards color, the tinge of clear plumbeous which pervades the 

 uniform dark color is very characteristic. There is no trace of a £rest, nor 



