The Zoologist — December, 1870. 2401 



of the upper mandible not covering the toinial edge until very near 

 the aiigula oris ; gonys perfectly straight and very long, with a cor- 

 responding shortness of the mandibular rami ; the angle at symphysis 

 prominent, acute. *' Iris white" (collector's label). Length 1600; 

 extent 27-00 (label); wing S'OO; tail 2-25; tarsus 1-40, middle toe 

 and claw 2-25; outer toe and claw 2'10; inner toe and claw 1'70; 

 bill along culnien 1-90, along rictus 290, along gonys ISO ; its depth 

 at angle of gonys '60, its width opposite base of nostrils "35. 



Winter plumage. — In this specimen (from Sitta, November, 1866) 

 the bill is shorter (r75 along culmen) than in the type above described, 

 and the culmen and rictus are more decurved. The peculiar shape, 

 however, is still preserved, the lower mandible being deep and very 

 prominent at the eminentia symphysis. The bird is probably one of 

 the first winter. The plumage is entirely parallel with that of L. troile 

 at the corresponding season. The upper parts are fully as dark as in 

 the average of winter specimens of the latter species. The white of 

 the under parts extends to the bill, and along the edge of the under 

 mandible and eyes. Further back it invades the sides of the occiput 

 and nape, where it is separated from the white of the throat by a 

 prominent well-defined spur of dark colour protruding from the eye. 



As stated by Dr. Bryant, the dark parts of this species are rather 

 paler in tint than the average of those of L. troile. But this is not a 

 diagnostic feature, for it does not hold good in perhaps even a majority 

 of instances. The iris, according to the label, is white ; but Dr. Bryant 

 remarks that he can hardly credit this ; though if constant it would be 

 a strong character. The only reliable diagnostic features are found in 

 the shape of the bill, as just described. In spite of the moderate 

 amount of individual variation to svhich the bill is subject, it always 

 preserves its peculiar shape, which is sufficiently diff'erent from that of 

 L. troile to attract attention without direct comparison of specimens. 

 One feature which appears to have escaped Dr. Bryant's attention lies 

 in the inflation and eversion of the basal portion of the tomia of the 

 upper mandible, and their comparatively scanty feathering. This is 

 an approach towards the peculiar character of L. svarbag, though by 

 no means attaining such development as in that species: it is readily 

 appreciable in amount in the majority of specimens. It is worthy of 

 note that the peculiarities of bill which characterize this species as 

 compared with I>. Iroile, are very much the same as those found in the 

 bill of Uria Columba as compared with U. grylle. It is also to be 

 observed that the ringvia style of murre has not been found on the 



