NATATORES — ALCIDiE — ALCA. 283 



partly encircling the neck behind. A darker tint of brownish black within the ashen disk, 

 including the eyes, and extending to ihe angle of the mouth and the base of the bill. Re- 

 maining parts beneath pure white. Sides and thigh-feathers brown. 



Length, 12-0-13-5. 



The Arctic Puffin visits the coast of this State almost every winter, but in inconsiderable 

 numbers. Breeds from the coast of Labrador northwardly. Feeds on fish. Egg single, 

 white. Ranges from 32° to 58° north latitude, and is common to the northern parts of 

 Europe and America. 



[EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



M. glacialis, Leach. (Aud. 1. c. Vol. 7, p. 236, pi. 463.) Bill inordinately large and higher than 

 the head, moderately compressed : both mandibles with at least two grooves before the nostrils ; 

 lower mandible much curved. Bill and feet yellow; crown and wings blackish brown; back and 

 collar bluish black ; beneath white. Length, 13*0. Maine and northwardly. 



M. cirrhatus, Tem. (Aud. 1. c. Vol. 7, p. 234, pi. 472.) Bluish black; beneath purplish brown; 

 face white. A tuft of long slender pale yellow feathers from over and behind the eyes. Bill with 

 a horny sheath at base, orange: feet red. Length, 15 # 0, Maine and northwardly. 



GENUS ALCA. Cuvier. 



Bill robust, compressed, broad at the base, higher in the middle, feathered to the nostrils, 

 tumid, grooved and plaited on the sides, hooked at the point. Nostrils medial, half closed 

 by the feathered membrane, and scarcely perceptible. Wings short ; in one species, 

 totally unfit for flight. Tail of twelve or sixteen acute feathers> 



THE RAZORBILL. 



Alca torda. 



plate cxxxix. fig. 304. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Alca torda (adult), pica (young). Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. 12 ed. p. 210. 



Razorbill Auk. Peknant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 509. 



A. torda. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 509. 



Vtamama torda. Leach. Bohaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 66. Aud. Birds of Am. Vol. 7, p. 247, pi. 466. 



A. id. PEABODy, Orn. Mass. p. 401. GtRAUD, Birds of Long island, p. 374. 



Characteristics. Black ; beneath white. Wings, when folded, reaching to the rump. Tail 

 wedge-shaped, of twelve feathers. Adult : bill with three or four lateral 

 grooves. Summer, whole head black ; a white line from the bill to the 

 eye. Young: bill smooth. Length, 16" 5. 

 36* 



