Order ANSEKES.] [Fam. SPHENISCID^E. 



EUDYPTULA UNDINA. 



(LITTLE BLUE PENGUIN.) 



Aptenodytes imdina, Gould, P. Z. S. 1844, p. 57. 

 Splwniscus imdina, Gould, B. of Austr. vii. pi. 85 (1848). 

 JEudyptula undina, Bonap. C. R. xlii. p. 775 (1856). 

 Eudyptila imdina, Gray, Hand-1. of B. iii. p. 99 (1871). 



Ad. similis E. minori, sed minor, et supra dilutius et laetius cyanescens. 



Adult. Crown, nape, hind neck, and all the upper parts bright glossy pale blue, the shafts of the feathers 

 black ; sides of the head bluish grey ; throat, fore neck, and all the underparts pure silvery white ; 

 upper surface of flippers bright blue, each feather with a lanceolate mark of black down the centre ; 

 along the inner edges of flippers a narrow band of white. Bill blackish brown, paler on the under 

 mandible ; feet yellowish white, with black claws ; the webs and soles blackish brown. Total length 

 145 inches; length of flipper 3; tail 125 ; bill, along the ridge 1*25, along the edge of lower mandible 

 15 ; tarsus "75 ; middle toe and claw 1*75 ; hind toe and claw *4. 



This Penguin is equally, if not more abundant on our coasts than the preceding one ; and the 

 foregoing account is applicable to both species. 



Dr. Finsch refuses to admit any specific distinction. Dr. Coues, also, in writing of Gould's 

 types in the Museum at Philadelphia, says : — " These specimens are slightly smaller than average 

 minor, bluer than usual, but not bluer than No. 1338, for example, and with rather weak bills. 

 ... I cannot distinguish these specimens even as a variety." Mr. Gould, however, who originally 

 described this bird, observes : — " By many persons it might be regarded as the young oiE. minor; 

 but 1 invariably found the young of that species, while still partially clothed in the downy dress of 

 immaturity, to exceed considerably in size all the examples of this species, even when adorned in 

 the adult livery, and possessing the hard bill of maturity ; there can be no question, therefore, of 

 the two birds being distinct." 



