2004 The Zoologist— February, 1870. 



Symonds, and am promised one of the progeny of that whicli sub- 

 milted so quietly to the plundering of its nest in my presence, I hope 

 that I shall be able to ascertain, by the aid of some eminent English 

 naturalist, whether they belong to the same or to two different species. 

 At present they present no difference in appearance that an unscien- 

 tific eye can detect. 



I may mention that there is some difficulty in bringing up young 

 crocodiles by baud, as they obstinately refuse every kind of food that 

 T have ever presented to them. One, which was brought to me some 

 years ago, died of Inanition, although, for a week or ten days that it 

 was in my possession, I constantly tempted it with both flesh and fish. 

 Those which I now have I feed by forcing bits of raw meat down 

 their throats with a stick, two or three times a week. Under this 

 treatment they seem to thrive, having about doubled in size since 

 they left the egg; but the operation is not a pleasant one, and requires 

 some dexterity, as their teeth are exceedingly sharp, and they lose no 

 opportunily of turning upon the hand that feeds ihem. 



Exlracls from a Memoir iiilUiiled ' A Monograph of the Alcidas.^ 

 By Elliot Coues, A.M., M.D. 



[Tliis admirable nicinuir was published in ihe ' Proceedings of ihe .Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Pliiladelpliia' in 18fi8, more tlian a year ago, but its inieicst is 

 enduring, and as very few in tliis country ever see the works in question, I am con- 

 fident that the extracts I am about to make will be acceptable to the readers of the 

 'Zoologist.' The first section of the memoir is confined entirely to authorities, 

 I therefore commence with the second. — Edward Newman^ 



Of the CHARACTEnS OF THE FaMILY, AND ITS SUBDIVISIONS. 



The auks form a very natural family of birds, distinguished by 

 marked and unmistakable characters from any other. With a single 

 exception,* there is no bird found to present in any notable degree a 

 leaning towards the peculiarities of the Alcida3 ; and the members of 

 the family, without exception, preserve intact those characters which 

 define the group so technically, showing in no single instance a 

 tendency to aberration. The rigidness with which it is possible to 

 circumscribe the Alcidae is in the highest degree satisfactory, in a 



* The genus Pelecanoides, of the Halodrominae (ProcellariidEe), Id all details of 

 external form, except those of the bill, is essentially like Mergulus. 



