2252 The Zoologist — August, J 870. 



Nostrils subbasal, short, more broadly oval, or more nearly circular 

 than in any other genus except Synthliborharaphus. Wings rather 

 longer than usual in this family, acutely pointed. Tail of ordinary 

 length, much rounded, the feathers rather narrow and subacuminate at 

 lip. Feet small and weak; tarsus scarcely compressed, anteriorly 

 broadly scutellate, posteriorly finely reticulate. Toes of the usual 

 proportionate lengths. Size very small ; general form very compact, 

 stout. 



A peculiar genus of the Alcidae, the most essential characters of 

 which, as usual in this family, are found in the bill, though the other 

 members offer some appreciable, if not salient, features. The squat 

 bunchy shape of the single species is very noticeable. 



This is the genus through which a certain type of structure found 

 among the Longipennes inosculates with the Pygopodes. The 

 relationship of Pelecauoides urinatrix to Mergulus alle is one of 

 strong analogy, if not of actual affinity, as has been elsewhere already 

 pointed out by the writer.* Aside from the obviously Procellaridian 

 characters of the bill, Pelecanoides (representing the subfamily Halo- 

 drominae) is strictly a Pygopodous genus, and is very nearly identical 

 with Mergulus in all the details of external structure, and has much 

 the same general habit. It is certainly the connecting link between 

 the macroplerous and brachypterous natatores, holding so strangely 

 anomalous a position betwixt the two, that it cannot be with much 

 propriety included under either. It seems entitled to the rank of a 

 family, to take place between the Procellariidae and Alcidae. 



Mergulus alle, (Ray), Vieill. — Habitat: European and American 

 coasts of the North Atlantic. On the United States coast, in winter, 

 south to New Jersey. Numerous specimens in Mus. Acad. Philad., 

 Smiths. Inst., Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Essex lust.. Cab, G. N. Lawrence, 

 author's Cab., etc. 



Adult, summer plumage. — Head and neck all around, and entire 

 upper parts glossy black, with a beautiful metallic lustre of a shade of 

 blue, when in highest plumage; scapulars edged with white ; shafts 

 and inner webs of primaries brown, lighter at base; secondaries 

 tipped with white ; under surfaces of the wings brownish gray ; under 

 parts from the breast pure white, with a few elongated feathers of the 

 sides and flanks varied with black on the outer webs; bill black ; legs 

 and feet posteriorly blackish, anteriorly flesh-coloured (dull yellowish 

 in the dried state). 



* Cf. Pr. A. N. S. Philad,, May 1866, pp. 172, 189. 



