BIRDS-ALCIDAE. 
919 
NOTE TO ALCIDAE. 
In order to lacilitate the comprehension of the genera of Alcidae, as given above, we present 
the following synopsis of Brandt’s paper, in the “ Bulletin Scientifique, publie par l’Acad. Imp. 
des Sciences de St. Petersbourg,” II, 1837, 344, which has served, with some modification, as the 
basis of our article on the subject: 
I. Pterorhines. —Nostrils covered more or less with short feathers. 
1. Alca, Briss.—Bill transversely sulcate, compressed; lateral profile oval. Species, 
A. torda, impennis. 
2. Uria, Briinn.—Bill not sulcate, sub-conical, compressed, about equal to the head. 
Nostrils entirely covered above with feathers. Feet stouter. 
Lomvia. —Bill higher and broader. Species, U. troile, brunnichi, ringvia. 
Grylle. — Bill narrower, sub-conical. Species, U. grylle , mandtii, carlo . 
3. Brachyrhamphus, Brandt.—Bill much shorter than the head, hooked at tip, com¬ 
pressed laterally. Nostrils half covered by feathers. Feet weaker. 
Apobapton, Brandt.—Bill less elevated, more narrow. Species, B. marmoratus, 
wrangelii, brachypterus, Tdttlitzii. 
Synthliborhamphus, Brandt.—Bill short, high, lateral outline almost oval. Species, 
B. antiquus, temmincJeii. 
4. Mergulus, Bay.—Species, M. melanoleucus . 
II. G-ymnorhines. —Nostrils not covered by feathers. 
5. Ptychorhamphus, Brandt.—Bill conical, sub-acute, moderately elongated. Basal part 
of maxilla covered above with narrow, transverse, cutaneous folds. Species, P. aleuticus. 
6. Phaleris, Temm.—Bill short, almost triangular. Maxilla without appendix at base, 
hooked at tip. Upper edge of mandible straight, or nearly so. Species, P. tetracula , 
dubia, pygmaea, microceros, camtschatica. 
7. Tylorhamphus, Brandt.—Maxilla at the base with a tubercle near the angle of the 
mouth. Upper margin of mandible emarginate. Species, T. cristatellus. 
8. Ombria, Esch.—Bill much compressed and elevated, lateral outline almost oval. 
Maxilla emarginated beneath the tip ; mandible with the tip acute and directed 
upwards, falciform. Species, 0. psittacula. 
9. Cerorhina, Bon.—Bill compressed, elevated, lateral outline almost oval. Maxilla 
hooked, with a compressed horn on the basal part of ridge. Mandible hooked, the tip 
directed downwards. Species, C. orientalis, (occidentalis.) 
