The Zoologist— October, 1870. 2327 



their smaller size from some eggs of S. raoUissima (common eider). 

 No. 12447. Taken Franklin Bay, Anderson River. 



Larus atricilla. Length 2"20 by 1*50. Colour pale olive, blotched 

 all over with brown of three shades. No. 6989. Taken Hog Island, 

 Virginia. Dr. Hitz. 



I had a difficulty in measuring these eggs, as they were most 

 unfortunately broken en route. I shall be happy to lend these for 

 inspection, or to be figured by any naturalists of repute. 



Henry Reeks. 

 Thruxton, Andover. 



Extracts from a Memoir intituled ^ A Monograph of the AkidcB.' 

 By Elliott Coues, A.M., M.D. 



(Continued from S. S. 2296). 



Genus Beachyrhamphus, Brandt. 



With the general habitus of Uria proper, but of much more 

 delicate build, different pattern of coloration, and very small size. 

 Bill small, slender, much shorter than the head, not longer than the 

 tarsus, greatly compressed, acutely tipped ; culmen gently curved, its 

 ridge sharp, rictus nearly straight, gonys straight ; tomial edge of 

 upper mandible greatly inflected towards the base, notched near the 

 tip. Nasal fossae small and shallow, nearly filled with feathers, 

 which mostly cover the extremely minute oval nostrils. Wings of 

 ordinary length, very narrow, pointed, falcate, the secondaries ex- 

 tremely short. Tail of ordinary length, almost square, the feathers 

 obtusely rounded. Feet very small, short, slender and weak ; tarsus 

 scarcely compressed, variable in length, never longer than the middle 

 toe without its claw (except in brachypterus ?). Outer and middle 

 toes equal in length ; the claw of the former much smaller than that 

 of the latter ; the inner very short, its claw not reaching the base of 

 the middle claw. Claws small, weak, moderately curved, very acute. 



The genus which comprises the Murrelets — to coin an English 

 word, needed for the Brachyrhamphi — is a very natural and strongly 

 marked one. It comes nearest to Uria proper, from which, however, 

 it is sufficiently distinguished, as will be seen by the above diagnosis. 

 It contains four or five species, all inhabitants of the North Pacific, 



