2G 



UTAMANIA. RAZOR-BILL. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum rectum, compres- 

 sum, ad apicem valde cur- 

 vatum ; mandibular basi 

 plumulis tecta?, apice sul- 

 cata?. 



Narcs laterales, marginales, 

 lineares, in medio rostri 

 sitse, membrana semi- 

 clausse. 



Pedes breves, tridactyli, pal- 

 mati; tingucs paulo cur- 

 vati. 



Atcc mediocres. 



Beak straight, compressed, 

 much curved towards the 

 tip ; the base of the man- 

 dible clothed with feathers, 

 the tip grooved. 



Nostrils lateral, marginal, 

 linear, placed in the middle 

 of the beak, and half closed 

 by a membrane. 



Legs short, three-toed, pal- 

 mated; the nails rather 

 curved. 



Wings mediocral. 



UTAMANIA. Ray, Leach. 



ALCA. Linn., Grael., Lath., Temm., &c. 



XvAZOR-BILLS frequent the northern regions, 

 and appear to be extended over all the seas within 

 the Arctic Circle ; they are, however, rarely observed 

 at a distance from land : their manners greatly re- 

 semble those of the Guillemots, and, like those birds, 

 the female lays but a single egg : they fly with great 

 velocity, and swim and dive with much dexterity. 



