304 



ANSERES. ALCAD^E. 



birds of this Family; some of which roam hun- 

 dreds of miles out to sea. 



GENUS FRATERCULA. (Bmss.) 



This is a remarkable genus, in which the beak 

 rivals, in its development, the monstrous propor- 

 tions which are seen in the Toucans and Horn- 

 bills. This organ, shorter than the head, is 



BEAK OF PUFFIN. 



higher than its length, somewhat triangular in 

 outline, very much compressed, with both mandi- 

 bles arched to the point: the culmen or ridge as 

 high as the top of the head, with a cutting edge, 

 the sides cut into transverse furrows ; the corners 

 of the mouth bordered with a dilatable skin ; the 

 nostril is a narrow slit placed close to the inner 

 angle of the mandible, The wings are short, 

 narrow, and pointed ; the legs, placed far back, 



