2010 The Zoologist— February, 1870. 



With the feathering of the nostrils as a fundamental feature, Uiia and 

 its subdivisions must come next, then Brachyrhamjjhus ; this leading 

 through Mergulus into the true Phaleridines, by means of Ptycho- 

 ramphus. Beginning with those Phaleridines with the simplest bills, 

 he progresses to those with more complex bills, ending with Ombria, 

 which last, through Cerorhina, conducts to Fratercula, which ends the 

 series. There is nothing strained or forced in this ; the succession of 

 the genera is perfectly natural. But it so happens that Fratercula is 

 as closely, or even more closely, allied to Alca proper than Uria is. 

 We cannot disturb in any essential degree the generic series of Prof 

 Brandt, but we could with entire propriety go directly from Alca to 

 Fratercula, and thence backwards over the same track, ending with 

 Uria, which would then be at the opposite extreme of the series. It 

 is asserted, without fear of reasonable contradiction, that to begin any- 

 where in this natural series of genera, and progress through it, is to be 

 brought back to the starting point. 



It is not, perhaps, possible to divide this generic circle without the 

 exercise of some arbitrary jurisdiction. If there be included in it two 

 or more subfamilies capable of precise definition, the fact has eluded 

 the writer's research. Therc^ are, however, in the series two places 

 where a dividing line may be drawn. Prof Brandt drew but one, 

 relying upon the single character which he found to a])ply so well, 

 albeit it may be an arbitrary one. Other writers have made likewise 

 but two subfamilies, differently framed, however; the Alcinae, in- 

 cluding the true auks, together with the Phaleridiue forms, united 

 because of their short, stout, high bills; and the Urinie, separated on 

 the ground of their long, slender, subulate bills. Others again, par- 

 ticularly Mr. G. R. Gray and Prince Bonaparte, have drawn two lines, 

 recognizing three subfamilies; and this course seems to be the one 

 that holds closest to nature, provided the family be really susceptible 

 of subdivisions higher than generic. By simply reducing Prof Brandt's 

 fundamental character to the level of one, drawn from the general 

 structure of the bill, three subfamilies stand forth wilh tolerable dis- 

 tinctness. The Aicinaj have feathered nostrils and cultriforra bills; 

 the Phaleridiiuc naked nostrils and cullriform bills; the Urina) 

 feathered nostiils and subulate bills. 'I'his certainly appears to be 

 a distinction with a difference, and will be so held in the present 

 paper. 



The arrangement of the Alcidse here submitted is a modification of 

 Prof Brandt's, providing for the recognition of three in place of two 



