Oedeb IMPENNES.] 
[Eam. SPHENISCID^. 
ETIDYPTES ATEATES. 
(BLACK PENGUIN.) 
Eudyptes atrata, Hutton, Ibis, 1875, p. 114. 
jid. onmino nigricans : dorsi plumis cyanesceute medialiter lineatis ; subtus pallidior, pliiniis cyanescenti-griseo 
medialiter obscure lineatis : supercilio distincto a naribus ducto et pileum marginante, postice conspicue 
brunneo : rostro rufescenti-brunneo : pedibus nigris. 
Adult. General plumage black, but a different shade of colour observable on the upper and lower surfaces, and 
this is produced in the following manner : on the upper parts each feather has a central stripe of dark blue, 
which deepens almost to black on the head ; on the underparts each feather has the centre bluish grey ; 
over the entire surface of the body the feathers are black save as to this narrow median stripe ; an obscure 
patch of yellow commencing at the angle of the upper mandible passes over the eyes, and then widening 
develops into a crest immediately beyond, the occipital plumes being pale golden yellow and two inches in 
length ; flippers black, with obscure bluish points on the feathers ; tail entirely black ; bill uniform reddish 
brown; legs and feet black; claws dark brown. Total length (approximate measurement) 27 inches; wing 
or flipper 6‘5 ; tail 4'5 ; bill, along the ridge 2'5, along the edge of lower mandible to gape 3 ; expanse of 
foot 2 ; middle toe and claw 3. 
This remarkable Penguin, so conspicuously different in its coloration from all other known members 
of the genus, was obtained from the Snares, a group of sea-girt rocks lying about sixty miles to the 
south-west of Stewart’s Island. 
Apart from its black plumage it may be distinguished by its powerful bill, the peculiar form of 
its crests, and the long, stiff tail-feathers. 
There is only one known example, and this belongs to the fine collection of birds in the Otago 
Museum. I have to thank Prof. Parker for allowing me to bring this unique specimen to England, 
in order to figure it in the present work. 
The black coloration of its under surface separates this form from all the other known species, and 
its massive deep bill, its very small hind toe, and long tail afford other distinguishing characters. In 
size it somewhat exceeds the well-known Crested Penguin {Eudyptes fachyrhjncJms). 
