of the United States. 427 



87. CERORIIINCA. 



Phaleris, Nob. Suppl. Am. Gen. in Zool. Journal. (29) 

 Bill shorter than the head, much compressed throughout, 

 much longer than high ; perfectly smooth, base not much 

 feathered, covered by a callous membrane, surmounted by a 

 long, obtuse, horn-like process, (rising perpendicularly on 

 the base of the bill) ; both mandibles curved and slightly 

 notched at tip ; lower strongly angular beneath, not trunca- 

 ted, acute, from the angle to the base each side inferiorly 

 a very deep, linear, inconspicuous groove ; edges sharp, those 

 of the upper mandible much dilated, of the lower remarkably 

 bent in at base : nostrils situated beneath the callous cere, 

 marginal, long, linear, pervious, very apparent, half closed 

 by the membrane ; tongue short, slender, depressed and bifid 

 at tip ? Head globular, orbits feathered ; eyes small ; neck 

 short, stout: body plump. Feet placed exceedingly far 

 back ; tibia almost entirely drawn in ; tarsus moderately com- 

 pressed, one-third shorter than the middle toe, very rough 

 behind ; toes long, slender, smooth beneath ; middle longest ; 

 inner one third shortest, equal to the tarsus: webs moderately 

 broad, entire : nails compressed, curved, acute; middle one 

 largest, dilated internally into a sharp edge. Wings short, 

 slender, rather acute ; quills blunt, first a little the longest, 

 secondaries much abbreviated. Tail very short, slightly 

 rounded, of fourteen feathers, much rounded at tip. 



Changes and habits most probably similar to those of the 

 allied genera. 



Inhabits the sea between America and Asia, hitherto only 

 obtained from the western coast of North America. Well en- 

 titled to generic distinction. Not more allied to any other 

 genus of Pygopodes than they are to each other, intermedi- 

 ate between Phaleris and Mormon, but more closely related 

 to the latter by the sheath covering the bill, which differs in 

 form only, and the great depression of that member. 



