BIRDS — ALCIDAE. 919 



NOTE TO ALCIDAE, 



In order to facilitate tlie comprehension of the genera of Alcidae, as given ahove, we present 

 the following synopsis of Brandt's p^per, in the "Bulletin Scientifique, public par I'Acad. Imp. 

 des Sciences de St. Petersbourg," II, 1837, 344, which has served, with some modification, as the 

 basis of our article on the subject : 



I. Ptbrorhines. — Nostrils covered more or less with short feathers. 



1. Alca, Briss. — Bill transversely sulcate, compressed ; lateral profile oval. Species, 

 A. torda, impennis. 



2. Uria, Briinn. — Bill not sulcate, sub-conical, compressed, about equal to the head. 

 Nostrils entirely covered above with feathers. Feet stouter. 



Lomvia. — Bill higher and broader. Species^ U. troile, hrunnichi, ringvia. 

 Grylle. — Bill narrower, sub-conical. Species, U. grylle, mandtii, carbo. 



3. Brachtrhamphtjs, Brandt. — Bill much shorter than the head, hooked at tip, com- 

 pressed laterally. Nostrils half covered by feathers. Feet weaker. 



Apohapton, Brandt. — Bill less elevated, more narrow. Species, B. marmoratus, 



wrangelii, hrachypterus, Tcittlitzii. 

 Synthliborhamphus, Brandt. — Bill short, high, lateral outline almost oval. Species, 



B. antiquus, temminckii. 



4. Mergtjlus, Kay. — Species, M. melanoleucus. 



II, GrTMNORHiNES. — Nostrils not covered by feathers. 



5. Ptychorhamphus, Brandt. — Bill conical, sub-acute, moderately elongated. Basal part 

 of maxilla covered above with narrow, transverse, cutaneous folds. Species, P. aleuticus. 



6. Phaleris, Temm. — Bill short, almost triangular. Maxilla without appendix at base, 

 hooked at tip. Upper edge of mandible straight, or nearly so. Species, P. tetracula, 

 dubia, pygmaea, microceros, camtschatica, 



T. Ttloehamphus, Brandt. — Maxilla at the base with a tubercle near the angle of the 

 mouth. Upper margin of mandible emarginate. Species, T. cristatellus. 



8, Ombria, Esch. — Bill much compressed and elevated, lateral outline almost oval. 

 Maxilla emarginated beneath the tip ; mandible with the tip acute and directed 

 upwards, falciform. Species, 0. psittacula. 



9. Cbrorhina, Bon. — Bill compressed, elevated, lateral outline almost oval. Maxilla 

 hooked, with a compressed horn on the basal part of ridge. Mandible hooked, the tip 

 directed downwards. Species, C. orientalis, (occidentalis.) 



