808 



SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PYGOF ODES. 



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Fig. 543. — "Wliiskered Auk, young, nat. size. 

 (From EUlott.) 



webs from the shaft, as in the genus Lophortyx. A slender series of white filamentous feathers 

 over and behind each eye, di'ooping downward and backward. The whole plumage otherwise 

 sooty — more brownish-black above, more brownish-gray below. Feet bluish, with dark 

 webs. Aside from the transformation of the bill, the young only differ in lacking the crest and 

 white filaments ; but both are early acquired ; there is a white spot below eye. The summer 

 and winter plumages are alike. Iris said to be in winter white, in summer with a blackish 

 outer and bluish inner ring ; in the young, brown. Length 8.50-9.00; wing 5.25-5.50; tail 

 1.5S; tarsus 0.90-1.00; middle toe and claw 1.35 ; chord of culmen 0.45. N. Pacific, both 

 coasts and islands, on the Asiatic side to Japan, but not known to come S. to U. S. Nesting 

 in every respect like S. psittacufus ; single egg, similar, smaller, 2.10 X 1-40. 



860. S. pygmse'us. (Lat. pygmceus, dwarf. Pigs. 543, 544.) Whiskered Auk. Kbd-nosed 

 Auk. Bill smaU and simply conic-compressed, little longer than high, resembling the young 

 or winter bill of the preceding ; having but one pair 

 of accessory pieces, the small shields which fill the 

 nasal fosssB, and are doubtless shed in winter. Adult : 

 A very long curly crest of slender filamentous feath- 

 ers curving over forward in arc of a circle to droop 

 upon the bill: the crest dark-colored and of same 

 general character as that of 8. erisiatelhts, but of 

 fewer and more thready feathers. A maxillary series 

 of slender filaments from the commissure of the bill 

 along the side of the jaw; another series from base 

 of culmen to eye ; a postocular series adown the side 

 of the neck, all these white or yellowish-white. 

 Crest and general plumage as in the last. Bill (dry) orange-red, more salmon color or yeUow 



enamel at end ; feet (dry) undeflnably dark. Length 

 8.00 or more; wing 5.60; tail 1.25 ; tarsus 1.00; 

 middle toe and claw 1.55 ; outer do. 1.60 ; inner 

 do. 1.10 ; chord of culmen 0.45 ; depth of bill at 

 base 0.30; gape 0.90;. crest outstretched 1.50; 

 longest white filaments on head 1.00. Young: 

 Bin very small and weak, much compressed. THo 

 sign of crest nor of white feathers on head. Above 

 blackish-cinereous, quite black on head, wings, 

 and tail ; under parts lighter and more grayish- 

 plumbeous, bleaching on the belly and crissum. 

 BiU reddish-dusky; tarsi behind and soles black; 

 eye black and white. (& cassini, Coues.) N. 

 Pacific ; apparently rare in most localities ; there 

 are as yet but few specimens in any museums. 



861. S. pusil'lus. (La,t.pu8ilhis,-pnen\e. Figs. 545, 546, 547.) Least Auk. Knob-nosed Auk. 

 Adult in summer : Bill small and simple, but stout for its length, scarcely higher than vidde at 

 base, rather obtuse at tip. A small knob or tubercle at H;he base of the culmen, which is 

 deciduous. No crest ; but front, top, and sides of head more or less thickly lined with delicate 

 white thready feathers ; a similar series, exceedingly fine, from the eye along sides of hind head 

 and nape. Excepting these filaments, the entire upper parts glossy black ; region about under 

 mandible, a-nd a few feathers along the sides of body and flanks, blackish ; under parts white, 

 more or less extensively mottled or clouded with blackish. Lining of wings white, with dank 

 feathers along the edge. Bill red, the knob and base of upper mandible daik. Legs (dry) 

 undeflnably dark, the front of tarsus and tops of toes lighter. Length 6.50; wing 3.7S; 



Fig. 544. — Whiskered Auk, adult, nat. size. 

 (From Elliot.) 



