XVI. 
ZOOLOGY: 
BIRDS. 
By HowarpD Saunpers, F.LS. F.Z.S. F.R.GS. 
In giving a short account of the Birds of the South Polar regions, 
it has seemed advisable to begin by according prominence to those 
species which are known to occur within the Antarctic Circle, and 
thence enlarge the radius northwards to lat. 60°, or even a little 
beyond, so as to include many other inhabitants of the Southern seas. 
It is true that, by the adoption of this plan, scientific arrangement is 
subordinated temporarily to convenience of treatment, but this irre- 
gularity can be rectified by giving a systematic list in an Appendix, 
with cross-references to the earlier portion.* 
The PENGUINS seem to be the most characteristic birds of the 
Antarctic regions, and, as regards dimensions, the most remarkable 
of these is the gigantic EMPEROR PENGUIN (Aptenodytes forstert), the 
weight of which ranges from 57 lbs. to 78 lbs. This, and the Adélie 
Land Penguin (to be mentioned hereafter), are the only members of 
the family which inhabit the seas within the Antarctic circle during 
that part of the year which is called summer; the Emperor Pen- 
guin, therefore, ranges much further to the Southward than does 
its handsomer, but smaller congener, the King Penguin (Aptenodytes 
patagonica). Examples of the Emperor Penguin were taken on the 
expedition of the Hrebus and Terror as far south as lat. 78°, off 
Victoria Land, where the Southern Cross expedition has recently 
obtained specimens ; and Wilkes secured a single individual at Pea- 
cock Bay, in 65° 55’ 8. and 151° 18’ E., which is not very far from 
Adélie Land, where, however, Dumont d’Urville does not seem to 
have observed the species. From the area known as Enderby’s Quad- 
rant it has not yet been recorded. Ross, on his third attempt at the 
South Polar regions, found the Emperor Penguin in considerable num- 
* The names of the species found within the Antarctic Circle are printed in small 
vapitala, 
Q 
