Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 175 



experiences among the petrels^ penguins, and sea-elephants 

 of South Georgia during a visit to that desolate island 

 undertaken on behalf of the museum and the Brooklyn 

 Institute^ much interesting information being also given 

 with regard to the eight whaling stations on the island. 

 One of the most interesting photographs shows a king- 

 penguin incubating its single e^^, which is supported on the 

 " instep," where it is covered by a fold of the skin on the 

 under-surface of the body, the bird standing all the time in 

 the upright posture, and the two sexes relieving one another 

 in the duties of incubation. 



The Colonial Office has recently sent a Commission under 

 the leadership of Major Barrett-Hamilton, M.B.O.U., to 

 investigate the condition of the whale and seal fisheries 

 in that desolate antarctic island, and he will doubtless 

 bring us additional information in regard to the bird-life 

 there. 



General Index to ' The Ibis.' — Since the last number of 

 ' The Ibis ' appeared, a circular has been issued to the 

 Members of the Union asking them to record their wishes 

 in regard to the proposed General Index to ^ The Ibis' for 

 the years 1895-1912. 



The number of answers received from Members is suf- 

 ficient to justify the Committee of the Union in proceeding 

 with the work, and it is quite evident that the majority of 

 Members would wish the Index to be prepared on the same 

 lines as the previous one, edited by the late Mr. O. Salvin. 



As the cost of this Index volume will be very considerable, 

 and must inevitably strain the financial resources of the 

 Union, the Committee would be very glad to obtain promises 

 of as many subscriptions as possible. The price to Members 

 has been fixed at £1 Is. 



Arrangements have been completed for the preparation of 

 the Index ; the work is now in hand, and it is hoped the 

 yolume may be ready for publication some time in the 

 present year. 



