388 ZOOLOGY. 
The little auks of the genus Phaleris are arranged here. They inhabit 
exclusively the northern regions, and partake of the general characters of 
the other birds of this group. 
Sub-fam. 2. Spheniscine, or Penguins. Bill rather long, straight, com- 
pressed; wings very short or rudimental, and covered with scale-like 
feathers; tail short, stiff; tarsi very short; toes moderate. Size generally 
rather large. 
The penguins, of which about twenty species are known, are foils in the 
Southern Ocean, having been observed in the highest southern latitudes yet 
visited by voyagers, though some species inhabit the islands of the extreme 
south of both continents. They are mostly seen in small parties in the open 
sea, or standing upright on the floating fields of ice; but, as the breeding 
season advances, they approach the islands in immense flocks. Their power 
of swimming is extraordinary ; and, assisted by their fin-like wings, they dart 
with great swiftness through the most stormy sea. These birds have been 
observed swimming in the ocean at a distance of three hundred miles from 
land. The crested penguin, Hudytes cristatus (pl. 92, fig. 2), the Patagonian 
penguin, Aptenodytes patagonica (pl. 91, fig. 13), and other species, are fre- 
quently seen in collections. 
Sub-fam. 3. Urine, or Guillemots. Bill rather long, slender, and strong ; 
wings and tail short; tarsi short and compressed; toes moderate. Size 
small. 
A group of birds almost entirely confined to the northern regions, hee 
they occasionally migrate into more temperate latitudes. The little guille- 
mot (Mergulus alle), the black-throated guillemot (Uria antiqua), the foolish 
guillemot (U. troile), the black guillemot (U. grylle), and about ten other 
species are known. 
Fam. 4. Procennartipa. Embraces the albatrosses and petrels, birds of 
great power of flight, inhabiting the sea-shores of the whole world, but most 
abundant in southern latitudes. 
Sub-fam.1. Diomedeine, or Albatrosses. Bill long, robust, curved at the 
tip; wings very long, narrow; tail short, rounded ; tarsi short, robust; feet 
large. Size large. 
These, which are the largest of sea-birds, inhabit both hemispheres, but 
are most abundant in the Southern Ocean. They are sometimes seen at 
great distances from the land, and are capable of long-continued and vigor- 
ous flight. The great white albatross, Diomedia exulans (pl. 91, fig. 12), 
the green-billed albatross (D. chlororhyncha), the sooty albatross (D. fult- 
ginosa), are the principal known species. 
Sub-fam. 2. Procellarine, or Petrels. Bill rather short, slender, com- 
pressed, tip hooked ; wings long, pointed ; tail moderate, sometimes forked ; 
tarsi generally long, slender ; feet moderate, fully webbed. Size small. 
A group of about sixty birds, mostly of small size, known to seamen by 
the names of sea-pigeons, petrels, Mother Carey’s chickens, &c., inhabiting 
‘the seas of the whole world. During heavy gales, some of the species are 
most active, and appear to walk, with their wings expanded, on the tops of 
the waves. They feed on small marine animals and sea-weeds, and will 
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