2250 The Zoologist — August, 1870. 



falcate, narrowing rapidly at the tip to an acute point, first longest, 

 rest equally graduated. Tail short, broad, rounded, contained about 

 three and a half times in the length of wing from the carpal joint; the 

 feathers broadly rounded at their tips. Tarsus much shorter than the 

 middle toe without its claw ; about two-thirds as long as the middle 

 toe and claw ; greatly compressed, covered with small, very irregularly 

 shaped polygonal reticulations ; no large transverse scutella. Outer 

 lateral toe as long as, or slightly shorter than, the middle ; its claw not 

 reaching the lip of the middle claw. Tip of inner claw reaching base 

 of middle one. Claws compressed, acute, moderately arched, the inner 

 edge of the middle one dilated. 



This genus was instituted in 1837 by Prof. Brandt, for the reception 

 of the Uria aleutica, of Pallas, its type and only species. It is strongly 

 characterized by the bill, which is of a shape not even approximating 

 towards that of any other Alcidine bird. Its points of structure in 

 other respects are shared by the majority of the family, 



Ptychorhamphus aleuticus (Pall.), Brandt. — Habitat: Pacific coast 

 of North America, south to San Diego, California. Breeds on the 

 Farralone Islands, Aleutian Islands (Pallas), Russian America, and 

 whole west coast of the United States. (Mus. Smiths. Inst, and Acad. 

 Philad.) 



Adult. — Bill black, base of lower mandible whitish or yellowish. 

 Legs anteriorly and toes superiorly bluish ; legs posteriorly and toes 

 inferiorly, with the membranes, blackish. A slight touch of white 

 about the eyes. Entire upper parts blackish plumbeous, the head, 

 wings and tail nearly black. This colour, gradually diluted until it is 

 much more grayish plumbeous, extends around the under parts and 

 sides of the head, the throat, upper part of the breast, and whole sides 

 of the body under the wings. Greater part of breast, with abdomen 

 and under tail-coverts, pure white ; the grayish plumbeous of the 

 upper breast merging very gradually into the white of the belly. 

 Under surface of wings dark lustrous gray. 



Young. — Very similar to the adult ; differing chiefly in being more 

 decidedly blackish on the upper parts. 



Moulting specimens have the upper parts much duller and grayer, 

 the old wing and tail-feathers faded, especially towards their tips, into 

 light brownish gray. 



Length 830 to 9*50 ; extent 16-00 to 1850; wing 4*75 to 5-25; 

 tail 1*50 to 1'75; tarsus about 1*00; middle toe and claw I'40; outer 



