812 
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOPOBES. 
some dusky mottling about base of bill; the white of the under parts extending on head nearly 
to eyes, and far around on sides of nape, so that only a narrow median line is left dark. Sides 
of body under wings merely dusky, not continuous over the Hanks, where the feathers are 
partly white, and scarcely advancing in front of wings. The course of the seasonal plumages, 
or those dependent upon age, is not yet fully traced for this species ; the clarity of the ash, the 
intensity of the black, and the purity and distinctness of the white striping, indicate the more 
perfect feathering, and conversely. N. Pacific, both Asiatic and American, S. in winter to 
the U. S., breeding from Sitka, Alaska. Accidental in one instance in Wisconsin. 
865. S. umizu'sume. (The Japanese name. Fig. 550.) Japanese Murrelet. Temminck's 
Auk. Bill more elongate and acute than in the type of the genus, less compressed, not so deep 
for its length. Bill yellow, with black ridge ; feet livid-bluish, with dusky webs. A large crest, 
of a dozen (more or fewer) feathers springing from extreme forehead, not recurved, but 
drooping backward over the occiput. A conspicuous series of white feathers on each side 
of head, from origin of the crest over eye to nape, 
where more or less confluent with those of oppo- 
site side, and then dispersed in streaks over the 
sides of the neck to the shoulders. Rest of head, 
including throat, sooty or ashy-blackish, this color 
extending as far as the interscapulars, whence the 
upper parts are more plumbeous, only darker on 
wings and tail. Sides under the wings plumbeous- 
black to the flanks, this color advancing in front 
Fig. 550.- Japanese Murrelet, nat. size. ^ingg and continuous with that on the sides of 
neck and head. Lining of wings white, except some dark mottling along the edge ; bases of 
primaries, and most of their inner webs, white, shading through gray to their dusky tips. 
Whole under parts white, except as said. Length 10.50-11.00; extent 18.00-18.50; wing 
5.50; tail 1.75; tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw 1.25, outer 1.20, inner 1.00; bill along 
culmen 1.00, gape 1.10 ; gonys 0.40 ; height or width at base 0.25-0.30. Younger : No crest ; 
bill obscured ; little or no trace of white about head, which is dusky plumbeous ; other upper 
parts similar, the back lighter ; white of under parts extending to bill and far around on sides 
of neck. There is much variation in difi"erent specimens, the full significance of which remains 
to be determined ; but the species is unmistakable. N. Pacific, both Asiatic and American ; 
S. to U. S. and Japan. 
BRACHYRHAM'PHUS. (Gr. /3paxu?, hrachus, short ; pdfxcpos, hramphos, beak.) Peaked- 
nosed MuRRELETS. Approaching Uria in generic character. Bill small, slender, much 
shorter than head, not longer than tarsus, compressed, very acute; ,culmen gently curved, 
rictus and gonys straight ; tomial edge of upper mandible much inflected toward base, notched 
near tip. Nasal foss£e small- and shallow, nearly filled with feathers, reaching to the broadly 
oval nostrils. Wings very narrow, falcate, pointed, with extremely short secondaries. Tail 
nearly square, with obtuse feathers. Feet very small and short ; tarsus of variable length 
relative to the toes, entirely reticulate. Outer and middle toes of equal lengths, the claw 
of the former smaller ; inner toe short, its claw not reaching base of middle claw. Claws all 
small, compressed, acute. Containing several species of diminutive murres, all confined to 
the Pacific. 
Analysis of Species. 
Tarsus shorter than middle toe without claw. 
Upper parts blackish and chestnut, lower blackish and white (summer), or upper parts cinereous and 
white, lower white (winter) marmoratus 866 
Upper parts ashy, barred and spotted with dull yellowish ; under parts whitish barred with dusky. 
kittlitzi 867 
Tarsus as long as middle toe without claw. 
