ALCID.1<:. 



527 



SUB-FAMILY III. 



SpHENISCINtE. 



The Peii'juins. 



Gen. Chakac. — Bill more or less long and straight, with the sides compressed 

 and grooved, the culmen rounded and curved at the tip, which is acute ; the 

 nostrils placed in the lateral groove, and linear ; the wings short, imperfect, 

 being only covered with scale-like plumes ; the tail more or less short, and 

 composed of narrow rigid feathers; the tarsi very short and depressed; the 

 toes moderate and depressed, with the anterior toes united l)y a web, the 

 hind toe very small and united to the side of the tarsus. 



Fig. 2()j.— penguins. 



These birds are found on the rocky islands of 

 the Southern Ocean, and the southern portions of 



* (y(p!]v, sphen, a ived'je ; so called from the shape of their bodies. 



