jour other new Species of Cretaceous Birds. 215 



millims. 



Least transverse diameter of shaft 15 



Transverse diameter of distal end of fourth metatarsal . . 16 



Transverse diameter of third metatarsal ■ 8'5 



Transverse diameter of second metatarsal 8 



Length of proximal phalanx of fourth toe 45 



Length of second phalanx 39*5 



Length of third phalanx 40 



Length of proximal phalanx of third toe 41 



The various remains of the present species already dis- 

 covered belonged to five individuals, which differed but little 

 in size or in any important particular. Taking the great 

 Northern Diver [Colymhus torquatus, Briinn.) as a standard of 

 comparison for the portions that are wanting, the skeleton of 

 Hesperoi-nis regalis would measure about 5 feet 9 inches 

 from the apex of the bill to the exti-emities of the toes. 



The affinities of Hesjjerornis have already been mentioned. 

 The characters given in the above description show plainly 

 that, although a comprehensive type, it belongs to the Palmi- 

 pedes ; and while most nearly allied to the Colymhidce.^ it still 

 differs so widely from that group in the structure of the p'elvis 

 and posterior limbs as to demand a place in at least a separate 

 family, which may be called Hesperornidce. 



All the remains of the species now known were found by 

 the writer, last summer, in the grey shale of the upper Cre- 

 taceous, near the Smoky-Hill River, in Western Kansas. 



Graculavus velox, gen. et s]d. nov. 



Among the vertebrate remains in the Yale Museum, from 

 the Cretaceous greensand of New Jersey, are fragments of the 

 skeletons of two aquatic birds, which apparently belong to 

 the same genus, although to quite distinct species. Both of 

 these differ essentially from all recent birds, but are evi- 

 dently most nearly allied to the Cormorants. The largest 

 of these birds, to which the above specific name may be given, 

 is mainly represented, at present, by the proximal half of a 

 left humerus, in perfect preservation, and hence a very cha- 

 racteristic specimen. In its general features this humerus 

 resembles that of the Common Cormorant {Gracidus carhoj 

 Linn.), although indicating a somewhat smaller species. 

 The articular head is much more compressed transversely, its 

 apex is more prominent, and its anconal margin is strongly 

 deflected. The median ridge on the anconal side, below the 

 head, is rounded instead of angular, and the ulnar crest is 

 much less produced distally. 



