NATATORES. 521 



Sp. 670. EUDYPTULA UNDINA, Gould. 

 Faiiiy Penguin. 



Aptenodytes undina, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part xii. p. 57. 

 Eudyptula minor, Bonap. Compt. Rend, de PAcad. Sci., 1856. 



Spheniscus undina, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pi. 85. 



Tills is undoubtedly the smallest Penguin yet discovered, 

 for it is considerably less in size than the S. minor, from 

 which it also differs in its comparatively smaller wing, and in 

 the deeper blue colouring of the upper surface of the body : 

 by many persons it might be regarded as the young of S. minor, 

 but I invariably found the young of that species, while still 

 partially clothed in the downy dress of immaturity, to exceed 

 considerably in size all the examples of this species, even when 

 adorned in the adult livery, and possessing the hard bill of 

 maturity ; there can be no question, therefore, of the two 

 birds being distinct. 



For the first example that came under my notice I am 

 indebted to the kindness of Ronald C. Gunn, Esq., who in- 

 formed me that it was one of some hundreds that had been 

 thrown ashore dead at Circular Head, during one of those severe 

 gales that occasionally occur in Bass's Straits ; subsequent to 

 this the bird came under my own observation, and I obtained 

 another example on Waterhouse Island, where it was breeding. 



Its habits, manners, mode of life, and food are precisely 

 similar to those of S. minor. 



The whole of the upper surface, flanks, and upper side of 

 the wings glossy light blue, with a narrow stripe of black 

 down the centre of each feather, the black mark being broadest 

 and most conspicuous on the back ; all the under surface of 

 the body, the under side and the inner margin of the upper 

 side of the wings, and the inner webs of the tail-feathers 

 silky white ; bill reddish brown beneath, black above ; feet 

 yellowish white. 



Total length 13^ inches; bill \\; tarsi 



