388 ZOOLOGY. 



The little auks of the genus Phaleris are arranged here. They inhabit 

 exclusively the northern regions, and partake of the general characters of 

 the other birds of this group. 



Suh-fam. 2. SpheniscincB, or Penguins. Bill rather long, straight, com- 

 pressed ; wings very short or rudimental, and covered with scale-like 

 feathers; tail short, stiff; tarsi very short; toes moderate. Size generally 

 rather large. 



The penguins, of which about twenty species are known, are found in the 

 Southern Ocean, having been observed in the highest southern latitudes yet 

 visited by voyagers, though some species inhabit the islands of the extreme 

 south of both continents. They are mostly seen in small parties in the open 

 sea, or standing upright on the floating fields of ice ; but, as the breeding 

 season advances, they approach the islands in immense flocks. Their power 

 of swimming is extraordinary; and, assisted by their fin-like wings, they dart 

 with great swiftness through the most stormy sea. These birds have been 

 observed swimming in the ocean at a distance of three hundred miles from 

 land. The crested penguin, Eudytes cristahis {pi. 92, fg. 2), the Patagonian 

 penguin, Aptenodytes jmtagonica [pi. 91, fg. 13), and other species, are fre- 

 quently seen in collections. 



Suh-fam. 3. Urince, or Guillemots. Bill rather long, slender, and strong ; 

 wings and tail short ; tarsi short and compressed ; toes moderate. Size 

 small. # 



A group of birds almost entirely confined to the northern regions, whence 

 they occasionally migrate into more temperate latitudes. The little guille- 

 mot (Mergulus alle), the black-throated guillemot (Uria antiqua), the foolish 

 guillemot (Z7. troile), the black guillemot (JJ. grylle), and about ten other 

 species are known. 



Fam. 4. Procellarid^. Embraces the albatrosses and petrels, birds of 

 great power of flight, inhabiting the sea-shores of the whole world, but most 

 abundant in southern latitudes. 



Suh-fam. 1. Diomedeince, or Alhatrosses. Bill long, robust, curved at the 

 tip ; wings very long, narrow ; tail short, rounded ; tarsi short, robust ; feet 

 large. Size large. 



These, which are the largest of sea-birds, inhabit both hemispheres, but 

 are most abundant in the Southern Ocean. They are sometimes seen at 

 great distances from the land, and are capable of long-continued and vigor- 

 ous flight. The great white albatross, Diomedia exulans {pi. 91, fig. 12), 

 the green-billed albatross {D. clilororhyncha), the sooty albatross {D. fuli- 

 ginosa), are the principal known species. 



Suh-fam. 2. Procellarina, or Petrels. Bill rather short, slender, com- 

 pressed, tip hooked ; wings long, pointed ; tail moderate, sometimes forked ; 

 tarsi generally long, slender ; feet moderate, fully webbed. Size small. 



A group of about sixty birds, mostly of small size, known to seamen by 

 the names of sea-pigeons, petrels. Mother Carey's chickens, &c., inhabiting 

 the seas of the whole world. During heavy gales, some of the species are 

 most active, and appear to walk, with their wings expanded, on the tops of 

 the waves. They f^d on small marine animals and sea-weeds, and will 

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