2328 The Zoologist.— October, 1870. 



and more particularly of the west coast of North America. These 

 may readily be diagnosticated as follows : — 



I. Tarsus much shorter than the middle toe without its claw. 



Upper parts blackish and chestnut, lower parts blackish and 



while. - - - - - - 1. marmoratus. 



Upper parts cinereous and white, lower parts pure white. 2. Wiangeli. 

 II. Tarsus just as long as the middle toe without its claw. 



Under surface of wings white. - - . 3. hypoleucus. 



Under surface of wings dusky. - - - 4. Craveri. 



III. Tarsus longer thau the middle toe without its claw (teste Brandt). 5. brachypterus .-* 



Brachyrhamphus viarvioratus [Gva.) Brandt. — Habitat: coasts and 

 islands of the North Pacific. On the American side, south in winter 

 to California; breeds as far south as Vancouver's Island. 



Form typical of the genus, as just described. Bill along culmen 

 just the length of the tarsus; tarsus scarcely three-fourths the middle 

 toe without its claw. 



Adult, breeding plumage (description from a male specimen in the 

 Museum of the Smithsonian Institute, procured June 9, 1867, from 

 Vancouver's Island), Bill black. Tarsi posteriorly and both surfaces 

 of the webs blackish ; legs anteriorly and toes superiorly livid flesh- 

 colour, or dull bluish gray. Iris brown. Entire upper parts brownish 

 black, everywhere transversely barred with chestnut-brown, or bright 

 rust-colour, except on the wings, which are uniform brownish black, 

 the primaries darkest, their inner webs brownish gray towards the 

 base. Under surface of wings smoky brownish black. A few whitish 

 feathers variegated with chestnut and dusky on the scapulars. Entire 

 under parts, including sides of head, neck and body, marbled with 

 sooty brownish black and white. The feathers are white, with the 

 tips of the dark colour. The white rather predominates on the 

 middle of the breast and belly, the dusky on the other parts; the 

 latter colour being nearly uniform across the throat, and on the long 

 feathers of the sides and flanks. Specimens vary a great deal in the 

 precise amount of rusty brown on the upper parts, and of dusky 

 mottling on the lower; but, so far as known, are never without this 

 distinctive coloration in some degree ; and it becomes heightened at 

 the breeding season. 



Length about 10-00; extent about 1800; wing S'OO ; tail I'SO ; 

 tarsus "70; middle toe TOO, its claw "20; outer toe and claw 1"15, 

 inner toe and claw "90; bill along culmen '70, along rictus r35, 



