BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Third Family, AI*CID1E, or Auks, 



have^ the bill more or less strong, generally compressed on 

 the sides, and the culmen usually curved to the tip, which is 

 sometimes hooked; the win ^s generally short, and more or 

 less imperfectly formed; the tail short and graduated; the 

 tarsi usually short and compressed ; the toes entirely webbed, 

 with the hind toe small or wanting. 



The Sub-Family, SPHENISCINJE, or Penguins, 



have the 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 and 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 by a web ; the hind toe very small, and 

 united to the side of the tarsus. 



Genus SPHENISCUS, Brisson. 



Bill moderate, much compressed, and strong, with the 

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

 tip of the lower mandible suddenly truncated, and the gonys 

 moderate and curved upwards ; the nostrils rather rounded, 

 and placed in the lateral groove near the middle of the bill ; 

 wings imperfect, and covered with scale-like plumes ; tail 

 very short ; tarsi very short, thick, flattened, and covered 

 with small scales ; toes long, the lateral ones unequal, and 

 united to the middle toe by a web ; the hind toe very small, 

 and united to the tarsus at the base oi the inner toe ; the 

 claws long, compressed, and slightly curved 



. - 



695. Spheniscus Demersa. (Mnn.) Temm, PI. 



Enl. 382 ; Aptenodytes Torquata, Sonn. (?) Edw. Birds, 

 PI. 94 ; Common Penguin. 



GENERAL colour, blueish-grey ; below white; a band, the 

 colour of the back, extends from the front of each thigh, up 

 the flanks and side, passes in front of the root of the 

 wings, and forms an arch at the base of the neck ; a patch of 

 the same colour includes the eye, ear, chin, and a portion of 

 the side of the neck. Length, 26" ; wing, 7" 3'" ; tail, 1". 



The whole plumage is of a stiff character, resembling strips of 

 whalebone. The wiugs are mere paddles for progression under wa'er, 

 and are incapable of flight the feet placed so far back as to cause 



