xvm. 6 



PENGUINS 



5*5 



Fig. 309. Restoration of hypothetical proavian. (From Heilmann, The Origin of Birds, 



H. F. & C. Witherby, Ltd.) 



throughout South America. They show similarities to the ratites in 

 the palate and other features and may be placed among the Palaeo- 

 gnathae. Probably, like the more typical ratites, they are an early 

 offshoot that has long developed independently. 



6. Penguins. Superorder Impennae 



The penguins (Spheniscus) are birds that early lost the power of 

 flight and became specialized for aquatic life. They may have a 



