198 STUART-SUTHERLAXI), Types of Pe>u/iii>,s Rf fa?" 



Types of the Australasian Genera of Penguins 



R. STUART-SUTHKRLAXD, R.A.O.U., 

 Puysegur Point, X.Z. 



The Penguins here dealt with are those of the Australasian 

 region, or more properly all the genera of Penguins with the 

 exception of Sphoiisciis. In allowing for five genera, I pass 

 over that classification which is based on geographical distribu- 

 tion, where the family is divided into three, genera, the first 

 containing Aptenodytes and Pygoscelis, with a distribution from 

 the Antarctic Regions up to 50 deg. S. The second combines 

 the genera Mc(/adyptcs and Budyptcs, which are f(jund i)etween 

 55 deg. S. and 38 deg. S. Eitdyptitla and Sphcu'iscus form the 

 third, which ranges from 50deg. S up to the northern hmits of 

 the order. It can be readily shown by records, and is shown 

 by the given figures, that the genera cross each other's limits, 

 and so render such a geographical classification entirely futile. 



Professor Newton, following Dr. Coues, admits only three 

 genera, but neither of these authors takes any account of 

 Budyptula. Their scheme is: Genus 1, Aptenodytes (five 

 species — Aptenodytes two and Pyc/oscelis three) ; genus 2, 

 Budyptes (five species — Me<jadyptes one and Budyptes or 

 Catarrhactcs four); and genus 3, Splieniscits (four species), 

 thus giving fourteen species in three genera with no mention of 

 Budyptula. Sir W. L. Buller (Manual of the Birds of N.Z., 

 1882), treats the single species of Megadyptes with the various 

 species of Budyptes in one genus Budyptes, and gives seven 

 species and a melanistic form. Later (Supplement to the Birds 

 of N.Z., 1905), he treats Megadyptes separately, and refers the 

 remainder of Budyptes to Catarrhactes, and gives five species. 

 Hutton and Drummond (Animals of X.Z.. 1904) also give ihe 

 name as Catarrhactes instead of Budyptes, and allow four 

 species. 



The order Sphenisci has been divided into two families: Ap- 

 tenodytidcc, the Thin-billed Penguins, and Sphcmscidcc, the 

 Thick-billed I'enquins. Megadyptes is then included in the 

 latter. This peculiar species, forming a distinct genus, should, 

 I consider, be placed, if this system be allowed, in a .separate 

 family midway between the other two. 



Ap'te>iodytes differs from Pygoscelis greatly in size, slightly 

 in shape of skull, shape and structure of the feet, length of tail 

 and curvature of fiippers, as well as in colour of plumage and 

 mode of nidification — differences which I consider are ample 

 to separate the two genera. The stoutness of the bill and the 

 I)resence of a crest or tuft and the shai)e of the skull effectively 

 part Budyptes from Aptenodytes and Pygoscelis. Megadyptes 

 might possibly be classed with Budyptes, if due notice is taken 

 of the bill, which is swollen at the base of the latericorn more 



