BIRDS—ALCIDAE—URIA GRYLLE. 911 
Under parts of body from the breast white; sides under the wings spotted with 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, 52; tail, 1! inches. 
Hab.—Northwestern coast of America ; Kurile islands; Kamtschatka, (Pallas.) 
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 Phaleris, 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. 
| 
Catalogue No. Locality. | Whence obtained. Nature of specimen. 
| 
= pies was 
8099 Northwest coast of America...| John Gould_...------- Headvs: 22-25 See 
S100; Wason doesn sre dozcseseus |------ dos. teen eee ee iSkinges eccce ese = 
Sub-Family URINAE. 
URIA, Moehring. 
Uria, Morurine, Ay. Gen., 1752. Type, Colymbus grylle, Li. 
Cu.—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 : 
Unta, 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. 
Cararactrs, 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 Guillemot, 
Alca grylle, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 130. 
Colymbus grylle, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, p. 220. 
Uria grylle, Laruam, Ind. Orn. II, 1790, 797.—Bon. Syn. 1828, 423.—Aup. Orn. Biog. IIT, 1835, 148; V, 627: pl. 219 
Uria grylloides, Brunnicu, Orn. Bor. p. 28, (1764.) 
Uria balthica and groenlandica, Brunnicu, Orn. Bor. p. 28, (1764.) 
Uria scapularis, StePHENS, Shaw, Gen. Zool. XII, p. 250, ( 1824.) 
Cepphus lacteola, Pattas, Spicil. V, 33. 
