808 
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOPODES. 
webs from the shaft, as in the genus Lophortyx. A slender series of white filamentous feathers 
over and behind each eye, drooping 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 
861. 
Fig. 543. — Whiskered Auk, young, nat. size. 
(From Elliott.) 
coasts and islands, on the Asiatic side to Japan, but not known to come S. to U. S. Nesting 
in every respect like S. psittaculus ; single egg, similar, smaller, 2.10 X 1.40. 
S. pygmae'us. (Lat. pygmceus, dwarf. Figs. 543, 544.) Whiskered Auk. Eed-nosed 
Auk. Bill small and simply conic-compressed, little longer than Mgh, resembling the young 
or winter bill of the preceding ; having but one pair 
of accessory pieces, the small shields which fill the 
nasal fossae, 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 S. cristatellus, but of 
fewer and more thready feathers. A maxillary series 
of slender filaments from the commissure of the bUl 
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 yellow 
enamel at end ; feet (dry) undefinably 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: 
Bill very small and weak, much compressed. No 
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. 
Bill reddish -dusky; tarsi behind and soles black; 
eye black and white. (S. cassini, Coues.) N. 
Pacific ; apparently rare in most localities ; there 
are as yet but few specimens in any museums. 
S. pusil'lus. (Lat. i9Ms^7^^^s, puerile. Figs. 545, 546, 547.) Least Auk. Knob-nosed Auk. 
Adult in summer: Bill small and simple, but stout for its length, scarcely higher than wide at 
base, rather obtuse at tip. A small knob or tubercle at the 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, and 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 dark 
feathers along the edge. Bill red, the knob and base of upper mandible dark. Legs (dry) 
undefinably dark, the front of tarsus and tops of toes lighter. Length 6.50; wing 3.75; 
