232 LEAST PETREL. 



Fig. 3 represents: — the proventricular sac thrust forward, f g h; the 

 gizzard, h; the duodenum, i j k, pulled to the right side; the convolutions 

 of the intestine, / m, under the kidneys; the coeca, n; the rectum, o; and 

 the cloaca, p. 



The proventricular glands are very numerous, but not so closely placed as 

 is usual, although scattered over a much larger extent, from e to g, in Fig. 2. 

 Between the termination of the glands and the stomach there is a portion 

 destitute of glandules. The stomach or gizzard has its muscular coat thick, 

 its tendons moderate, its inner surface covered with a rather thick but not 

 very hard epithelium, which is more prolonged on two opposite sides, 

 although in the fundus it is complete. 



This curious digestive apparatus agrees very nearly with that described 

 and figured by Sir Everard Home as that of Alca Mle. The stomach, it 

 is seen, is excessively large in proportion to the size of the bird; but why it 

 should be so, and moreover be curved in this manner, is not very obvious. 

 Conjectures are easily made, and might run in this form. This little bird, 

 which wanders over the face of the ocean, subsisting upon garbage, oily and 

 fatty substances, small fishes, and even sea-weeds, requires a large stomach 

 for the reception of its heterogeneous fare, which not being always very 

 nutritious or easily digestible, must be very plentifully intermixed with the 

 gastric juices, and detained a considerable time; which conditions are 

 accordingly provided for by the very great number and extensive dispersion 

 of the proventricular glandules, and the curve of the organ. Should any 

 hard substances, as Crustacea, be introduced, they are pounded by the gizzard; 

 but as the bird is little addicted to feeding on such substances, that organ is 

 reduced to a very small size. 



The aperture of the glottis is \\ twelfths long. The trachea is 1 inch 7 

 twelfths in length, wide, flattened, its diameter from 2 twelfths to 1^ 

 twelfths; its rings unossified, S2 in number. The bronchi are short, wide, 

 of about 12 half rin°;s. 



