42S 
Synopsis of Birds 
377. Cerorhinca occidejntalis, Nob. Blackish, belly whitish; 
a few slender, elongated, white feathers at the corners of the 
eyes and mouth : bill yellow. 
P holer is cerorhinca , Nob. 1. c. Id. Am. Orn. iv. pi. Not 
mentioned in my catalogue. 
Inhabits the western coasts of North America. 
88. MORMON. 
Alca , L . Gm. Lath. Spheniscus , Moehring. Fratercula, 
Briss. Cuv. Mormon , 111. Temm. Ranz. Larva , ( since Fra - 
tcrcula), Vieill. 
Bill shorter than the head, exceedingly compressed, higher 
than long, at base as high as the head, obliquely sulcated on 
the sides, covered at base by a wrinkled, callous membrane ; 
both mandibles much curved and notched ; upper with the 
base on a level with the crown, ridge sharp, higher than the 
front ; lower a little shorter, obtuse : angles of the mouth 
margined with an extensible membrane : nostrils placed near 
the callous cere, marginal, long, linear, obsolete, almost en- 
tirely closed by a naked membrane : tongue short, compres- 
sed, very acute. Head globular ; orbits naked ; eyes small ; 
neck short, thick: body plump. Feet placed exceedingly 
far back ; thighs almost entirely drawn in ; tarsus one third 
shorter than the middle toe, rather slender, carinated above 
and behind ; toes slender ; middle somewhat longest ; inner 
one third shorter than the outer: webs moderately broad, 
slightly indented, projecting a little beyond the toes : nails 
compressed, much curved, very acute, middle one largest, 
the inner most incurved. Wings short, slender, acute. Tail 
short, of sixteen feathers, the middle and outer shortest. 
Female similar to the male. Young differing but little 
from the adult, except by their small and smoother bill. 
Moult twice a year, colors of their plumage changing but 
