EUDY PTU LA MINOE (B parte). 



LITTLE PENGUIN. Genus: Budypttjla. 



SPECIMENS of tlii-. bird or of its eggs may l)n obtained without difficulty in many parts of the 

 Tasinanian and southern Australian ooasl line. Its favourite haunts are those localities where many 

 small, Bcattered islets OCCUr, whose sides slope gently towards the water, so as to admit of the birds easily 

 ratting inland to some distance, to deposit their eggs. Travellers state that on some of these islands, 

 largeh frequented b) the Little Penguins, beaten tracks have been formed by them which, owing to the 

 care with which they are made Level, and every obstacle thrown aside, resemble in miniature well- 

 OOnstrUCted highways formed by human care. 



The food consists of marine vegetables, small crustaceans, and fish ; in the pursuit of the latter 

 it exhibits wonderful swimming powers. Like all the other varieties of the Penguin, this one is easily 

 caught on land : it offers DO resistance but a harmless peck at the hands. Its note is loud and harsh, and 

 when uttered by multitudes and heard at a short distance the noise is described as being painful. 



As the young are kept so long under the care of the mother, in order to enable them to gain 

 sufficient strength to battle with the rough seas they are exposed to, the process of breeding and rearing 

 the progeny takes up a large pari of the year. The young retain their first coat of down till they grow 

 to a considerable size, when it is quickly replaced by the feathers of the adult, and not until after this 

 takes place do they venture into the water. 



The eggs aie always found two in number, and are laid in a shallow depression in the ground. 

 They are white, and each egg measures two and a-half inches long by two inches broad; a small egg, 

 when the size of the bird is considered. 



Bach Bex takes an equal share in the incubation : no diversity of colour exists between the sexes. 



I pper surfaces light blue, each feather having a fine black line down the middle. The whole 

 under surface silvery, sheeny white, with a margin of light buff; wings blue, with a line of yellow along 

 the under edge. hides, pale yellow; eyes, flat, with a grey-brown margin and a yellowish ring next the 

 pupil, giving the appearance of a double iris: bill, dull grey, almost black at the tip ; feet, dull yellow, 

 with black nails. 



Habitats: Coasts of Tasmania and Southern Australia. 



EUD YP T U L A U N D I N A ( Gould). 



FAIRY PENGUIN. Genus: Eudyftula. 



1 DESCRIPTION of the habits of the Little Penguin applies also to this variety, which follows 

 precisely similar methods j n its mode of incubation, feeding, and tending of its young. 



Tli- distinguishing peculiarities of the Fairy Penguin, which stamp it as a distinct species, consist 

 in it- lesser size, it being considerably the smallest of the SpheniscidcB yet discovered; the further differences 

 "t a much smaller wing and a variation in colouring from its allied species, will be easily perceived by 

 glancing at the accompanying plate 



I pper surfaces, light blue, with broader markings of black on each feather than in the accompanying 

 species, especially on the back, the side feathers being marked with white in the centre. Under surfaces, 

 inner surfaces of wings, and tail feathers, glossy white; bill, dark slaty-blue above and light brown 

 beneath : feet a reddish- white. 



Total length, L3£ inches: bill. \\ inch; tarsi, : , ! inch. 



Habitats: Southern coast of Australia and the Tasinanian coast. 



