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Show 187.1.] MR. J. E. HARTING ON ARCTIC BIRDS. 121 from both M. corniculata and M. arctica, has figured it with a black throat (cf. < Ibis,' 1865, pp. 212, 213, pl. vi.). Case 31. CRESTED PUFFIN. Phaleris cristatella, Bonap. Comp. List (1838) nee Temm.; Baird, Birds N . Amer. p. 906. Alca cristatella, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v. p. 18. Three procured in Behring's Straits, 1849-50, by Capt. Moore, H.M.S. ' Plover.' This remarkable genus, of which the present collection contains four species in good preservation, is peculiar to Kamschatka, the islands contiguous to Japan, and Bird Islands between Asia and America. In most collections this genus is very poorly represented, owing to the great difficulty of obtaining specimens; and it would not be easy to find anywhere a better series than is here exhibited. The present species, Phaleris cristatella, Bonap., is the largest of the genus. It is easily recognized by the upright horny caruncles on the bases of both mandibles. In a fresh state the colour of the bill and of these caruncles is bright orange-red at the base, and yellow at the tip. Case 32. PARROT-BILLED PUFFIN. Phaleris psittacula, Stephens, Gen. Zool. xiii. p. 44 (1826). Alca psittacula, Pallas, Spic. Zool. v. p. 13. Ombria psittacula, Eschscholtz, Zool. Atlas, iv. 3; Baird, Birds N. Amer. p. 910. Three specimens, also procured in Behring's Straits by Capt. Moore, who found the species most numerous towards the western shores of America. Prof. Baird, who has included this species in his ' Birds of North America' under the title of Ombria psittacula, appears to think that, although nearly related to Phaleris, it has a stronger relationship to Mormon. Alluding to the very singular bill which characterizes this species, and which seems to attain a maximum of oddity amongst the queer bills of this family of birds, he adds, " the whole affair looks as if it might be a nose of wax, badly pinched and jerked upwards, especially the under mandible." Case 33. LITTLE HORNED PUFFIN. Phaleris microceros, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. i. p. 346 (1837); Baird, Birds N. Amer. p. 908. Phaleris nodirostra, Bonap. Comp. List, p. 66 (1838). Three from the same source as the last named. The species appears to be common on the coasts of North-western America and North-eastern Asia. Case 34. TUFTED PUFFIN. Phaleris cirrhala (Gmelin). |
