Birds of tin- South Orkney Islands. 1 17 



thermometer may rise, even in tiie depth of winter, above the 

 Breezing- poi at. Summer is characterised by almost con- 

 tinuously 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 snow- 

 fall is excessive, the sunshine is very deficient, and strong 

 gales are frequent. 



The first landing on the archipelago was effected at 

 Saddle I., which was fortunately clear of ice, on February 4th, 

 1903. Here the explorers were met by a host of Hinged 

 Penguins [Pygoscelis antarctica ).. which had a large "rookery/ 3 

 where many young and some eggs were found. Cape Petrels 

 or " Pigeons" [Daption capensis), Sheathbills (Chionis alba), 

 and Skuas [Megalestris antarctica) were also nesting, and 

 speei incus of both young and old were obtained. Gulls 

 (Larus dominie anus), Giant Petrels {Ossifraga gigantea), and 

 Shags [Phalacrocorax atriceps) were observed ou the 

 adjacent islets and rocks, and were apparently nesting 

 i here. 



From Saddle I. the ' Scotia ' sailed for the far south, and, 

 having made a successful voyage in the southern waters 

 of the Wcddell Sea, the Expedition returned to the South 

 Orkneys on March 21st. This was followed by a quest for 

 suitable winter-quarters, during which Lewthwaite Strait and 

 the east side of Coronation I. were explored, and, finally, on 

 March 25th, a hay, afterwards named "Scotia Bay," on the 

 south coast of Laurie I. (see map Plate V.) 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 I. was not devoid 

 of feathered inhabitants, for the following birds were observed 

 more or less frequently, though not abundantly : — Snowy 

 Petrels [Pagodroma nivea) , Giant Petrels [Ossifraga gigantea) , 

 Gulls [Larus dominicanus), and Sheathbills [Chionis alba). 

 The Skuas (Megalestris antarctica) and the Hinged Penguins 

 [Pygoscelis antarctica) departed during the last days of April, 



l 2 



