220 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



from six to ten inches deep. Except this vegetable- mould, there is little soil anywhere. 

 The rocks, various kinds of gray wacke, are mostly covered with lichens, especially Usnea, 

 which, with various species of moss, form the entire terrestrial flora of the island. 



Concerning climatic conditions, Mr Mossman informs me that, in spite of their low 

 latitude, the climate of the South Orkneys is essentially polar. One of the most 

 powerful factors in determining the temperature of the air over this region is the cold 

 Antarctic current which carries streams of ice and numerous icebergs to a latitude 

 corresponding with that of the northern part of England. The mean annual tempera- 

 ture, based on nearly two years' observations, was found to be 22'7 F., the means of 

 the seasons being: summer 31'4, autumn 227, winter 13 - 7, and spring 23'3. The 

 most remarkable feature was the low and equable summer temperature, which rarely 

 rises above 37 or falls below 25.* In winter, owing to the freezing up of the sea to 

 the south, the islands are virtually on the edge of a continent, and the temperature at 

 that season is thus characterised by great variability, the range of the thermometer 

 frequently exceeding 60 in twenty-four hours. If the wind is in the south, very low 

 temperatures, as low as 40 below zero F., are recorded ; but with a change of wind to 

 the north the thermometer may rise, even in the depth of winter, above the freezing- 

 point. Summer is characterised by almost continuously overcast skies, and the finest 

 and clearest weather occurs in winter. Owing to the large amount of cloud which 

 hangs over the islands in summer, the temperature is much the same as at places ten 

 degrees further south. The snowfall is excessive, the sunshine is very deficient, and 

 strong gales are frequent. 



The first landing on the archipelago was effected at Saddle Island, which was 

 fortunately clear of ice, on February 4th, 1903. Here the explorers were met by a host 

 of Ringed Penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica), which had a large " rookery," where many 

 young and some eggs were found. Cape Petrels or " Pigeons " (Daption capensis), 

 Sheathbills(C/M0ms alba), and Skuas (Megalestris antarctica) were also nesting, and 

 specimens of both young and old were obtained. Gulls (Larus dominicanus), Giant 

 Petrels (Ossifraga gigantea), and Shags (Phalacrocorax atriceps) were observed on 

 the adjacent islets and rocks, and were apparently nesting there. 



From Saddle Island the Scotia sailed for the far south, and, having made a success- 

 ful voyage in the southern waters of the Weddell Sea, the Expedition returned to 

 the South Orkneys on' March 21st. This was followed by a quest for suitable winter- 

 quarters, during which Leathwaite Strait and the east side of Coronation Island were 

 explored, and, finally, on March 25th, a bay, afterwards named " Scotia Bay," on the 

 south coast of Laurie Island, was selected. 



It was now autumn, and the birds were beginning to emigrate in search of more 

 genial winter-quarters to more northern latitudes, or, in the case of some species, the 

 nearest open water to the archipelago, wherever that may have been. Even in mid- 

 winter (June and July) Laurie Island was not devoid of feathered inhabitants, for the 



* Subsequent data slightly alter these values, but not as much as a degree EDITOR. 



