NATATORES. 



353 



Voy. Ast. and Zel. Ois. Plate XXXIII, fig. 1. 



This is another of the most handsome birds of this group, and like 

 the preceding, has only comparatively recently become known to 

 naturalists. We much regret that we find so little in relation to these 

 interesting and little-known birds recorded by the naturalists of the 

 Expedition. They did not, however, accompany the Expedition on 

 its cruise towards the South Pole, during which the great discovery 

 was made of the Antarctic Continent, and on this cruise the birds now 

 before us were noticed and specimens obtained. 



Mr. Peale observes with reference to this species : 



" These birds were not seen, excepting in the vicinity of ice in the 

 Antarctic regions, south of the sixtieth degree of latitude. Their cry 

 is loud, wild, and somewhat human in sound. They frequently fol- 

 lowed our vessels, apparently from motives of curiosity, making the 

 most rapid progress beneath the surface, and frequently leaping en- 

 tirely out of the water, and plunging again like porpoises, which in 

 marks and actions they resemble. 



" Penguins generally, when migrating, have all the manners and 

 appearance of small porpoises [DelijMni) . They pursue their course 

 under water, rising to the surface to breathe, and frequently pitch 

 themselves into the air above, falling head foremost into the sea again. 

 They generally migrate in flocks." 



Numerous specimens in the collection of the Expedition are in ma- 

 ture plumage and excellent preservation. This bird is very carefully 

 represented in the Ornithological Atlas to the Voyage of the Astrolabe 

 and Zelee, as above cited. 



7. Genus SPHENISCUS, Brisson, Orn. VI, p. 96 (1760). 



1. Spheniscits magellanicus (Forst). 



Aptenodytes mageUaniriis, Forst. Comm. Gott. Ill, p. 143 (1781). 

 Spheniscus Humholdtii, Meyen, Nov. Act. XVI, p. 110, PI. XXI? 



Shaw and Mill. Cim. Phys. Plate XXXIV; Comm. Gott. Ill, 

 Plate V. 



In numerous specimens that we have examined of this bird, there 



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