ON THE BIRDS OF THE SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS. 233 



Emperor and Adelie Penguins, and as having a yellow patch under each eye [? the 

 yellow angle of the gape] and a red superciliary crest three or four inches long. 

 This might well be regarded as a glorified description of fully adult examples of the 

 present species. 



It is probable, too, that this is the species of Catarrhactes observed and obtained 

 by the Swedish Expedition on Nelson Island, one of the South Shetlands, which was 

 thought to belong to C. chrysocome. Most unfortunately the specimens were lost with 

 the wreck of the Expedition (cf. Lonnberg, Wissen. Erg. Schivcd. Siidpolar-Exped., 

 Bd. v. Lfg. 5, p. 3). 



Aptenodytes forsteri G. R. Gray. 

 Aptenodytes forsteri Cat. B., xxvi. p. 626. 



The Emperor Penguin claims mention for the South Orkneys on the strength of the 

 following incident : 



On November 21st, 1903, two sailors reported having seen, by some open water at 

 the mouth of Scotia Bay, a large penguin, which was "three times the size of an 

 Adelie," but having black feet and a bill like a Gentoo, though with no mark on the 

 head like the latter species. 



The bird unfortunately escaped into the water when the men attempted to capture 

 it. There can be no doubt about the size of the bird having been correctly described, 

 as the Adelies were close at hand for comparison. The two men who reported these 

 facts were among the most careful and trustworthy of the crew, and the conclusion 

 come to at the time was that the bird seen by them was an immature Emperor 

 Penguin. 



Note. As reported by Mr Mossman,* two Emperor Penguins were captured by 

 Mr Paulsen, of the Argentine Government Meteorological Station at Scotia Bay, South 

 Orkneys, on May 4th and 31st, 1907, respectively, and individuals visited the islands 

 also in the years 1905 and 1906, usually during the autumn and winter. EDITOR. 



Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl). 



Oceanites oceanieus Cat. B., xxv. p. 358. 



Wilson's Petrel is a common summer visitor to the archipelago, and though not 

 nearly so abundant as either the Cape or Snowy Petrels, yet resorts in thousands to 

 Laurie Island to nest on the cliffs of its remarkably extensive coast-line. It was also 

 observed at Saddle Island during the short visit of the Expedition on February 4th, 

 1903, and was probably breeding there. 



In the autumn of 1903 it was last seen on March 23rd, as the Scotia was approaching 

 the islands from the south, on her first voyage from the Weddeli Sea. It was never 

 observed during the winter months, and did not appear until late in the spring, namely 



* Scottish Geographical Magazine, xxiv., 1908, p. 354. 



