1871.] 241 [Hyatt. 



ers differ from the dorsal ones only in their smaller size and generally 

 attenuated proportions. 



The term u scales " used for the abortive feathers of the wing is an 

 awkward substitute for a more technical expression. These are 

 really feathers in which a simple shaft alone is developed, and this 

 becomes very broad and lanceolate in the outer feathers of the wings. 

 The former are merely fringed by the short barbs, but in the centre 

 of the wing true feathers are developed, though the shaft still re- 

 mains the principal part, and the color of both shaft and barbs is 

 dark nearly to the base. The form and shape of these feathers also 

 accord with those on the back. In Spheniscus and Aptenodytes the 

 shaft is gradually tapering, the terminal and lateral barbs long ; in 

 Pygoscelis there is a much more sudden tapering at both extremities, 

 though the barbs are still long; and in Eudyptes there is a gradual 

 tapering with very short terminal barbs. 



The feathers of Aptenodytes confirm the conclusion deduced from 

 its other characteristics, that it is nearly allied to Spheniscus minor. 

 The differences and resemblances between it and Pygoscelis are pre- 

 cisely what might have been anticipated if both of these had de- 

 scended from a type having similar characteristics, and standing in 

 the same relative position as Spheniscus minor does. 



The toes are scutellate on the distal portions, but higher up re- 

 ticulate with hexagonal and finally tetragonal or rhomboidal plates 

 on the tarsi. The legs are situated posteriorly, the bird standing- 

 erect when on land; most of the crura are buried; the tarsi very 

 short, flat and very broad, the tibio-tarsal joint nearly covered by the 

 feathers, the four toes extended forward and are webbed, the hallux 

 very short, lateral, 1 and attached to the base of the tarsus on the in- 

 ner side. Nails remarkably broad and flat; the middle toe invari- 

 ably the longest, all of them straight, and webs complete. The bill 

 has the maxilla curved at the tip, and usually divided by lateral 

 grooves in which the nostrils are situated. 



Aptenodytes. 



Coloration is markedly distinct. The long narrow horns of orange 

 on the sides of the head, the black of all the fore parts of the head, 



1 Whether the hallux is elevated or insistent cannot be decided satisfactorily, it 

 seems to vary — in some species or rather specimens to be elevated, and in others 

 the nail bends under, touching the ground, and perhaps might be considered 

 as insistent rather than elevated. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H.— VOL. XIII. 16 MAB.CH, 1872. 



