Order PROG ELLA III I FORM ES. 
Family PELECANOJDIDE. 
No. 119. 
PELAGODYPTES GEORGICUS. 
SOUTH GEORGIAN DIVING PETREL. 
(Plates 85 & 86.) 
Pelecanoides GEORGiCA Murphy and Harper, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. XXXV., p. 66, 
April 1st, 1916. Cumberland Bay, South Georgia (Lat. 54° 16' S., Long. 36° 26' W.). 
id. ib., Vol. XLTV, p. 519, Dec. 23rd, 1921 ; Oliver, New Zeal. Birds, p. 95, Aug., 1930. 
Pelagodyptes georgicUR Mathews, Syst. Av. Austral., pt. n., p. 907. July 11th, 1930. 
Pelagodyptes georgicus novus Mathews, Nov. Zool., Vol. XXXIX., Aug. 30th, 1936, in Key, 
Macquarie Island, New Zealand. 
Distribution. South Georgia and Macquarie Island and waters adjacent to each. 
This species was recorded from the Macquarie Islands by the above authors and worked up by them 
in the references given, and I quote the following :— 
General characters. Small size, approximating that of P. nr matrix chathamensis , bill proportionately 
wider at the base, and laterally more tapering than in other Pelecanoididse ; mottling 
of jugulum decidedly variable, becoming very pronounced in some specimens. Bill black, 
rami of mandible slaty ; iris .seal-brown : tarsi and toes flax flower blue ; webs black. 
Natal down grey.... Average measurements of skin : Male, length 202.6 m.m. ; wing 112.7 ; 
tail 37.7 ; exposed culmen 14.9 ; width of bill S.9 : depth of bill 5.S ; tarsus 24.4 ; middle 
toe and claw 301. Female, length 198.2 m.m, ; wing 113.8 ; tail 38.2 : culmen 14.7 : width 
of bill 8.8 ; depth 5.7 ; tarsus 24.2 ; middle toe and claw 29.9. 
Adult feinale. Lores and a band over the bill, black with no gloss ; top of the head, mantle, back, 
rump and upper tail-coverts black, slightly glossed with dull purple, the bases of the feathers 
greyish-white ; scapulars grey with the outer web blackish towards the tip ; wing-coverts 
like the mantle ; secondaries dark grey, margined with white ; primaries blackish-white, 
becoming whitish towards the inner web : tail blackisli-grey, very faintly bordered with 
wLite ; cheeks and sides of the face dark slate-grey with w r hite bases to the feathers ; chin, 
throat and remainder of under-parts white ; sides of the body light grey ; under aspect of 
wing wiiite ; eyes brown ; bill black ; legs and feet flax blue ; webs black. Total length 
200 mm.: wing 109, tail 37, culmen 14, tarsus 23 ; middle toe and claw 27. Figured. Col¬ 
lected at Macquarie Island. October, 1899. 
This bird is smaller than the average from South Georgia. There is no brow n on the wings, 
and the gloss-less feathers on the fore-head are not brown. 
The sexes are alike. 
Nestling. Protoptyle or primary natal, down light mouse-grey on the upper surface of the body, 
pallied mouse-grey beneath, where it is also much shorter ; throat and sides of the head nearly 
bare. Mesoptyle down drab grey ; longer, less dense and of looser texture above than on the 
ventral surface. Contour, feather appearing first on the bare parts of the head and throat, 
then on the wings, tail and back. Down lost progressively from head, wings, back, flanks 
and breast, clinging longest on the belly and fading decidedly with age. 
Nest. A chamber, unlined except for a little down, etc., at the end of a winding burrow. Entrance 
to burrow r 7 cm. 
Eggs. Clutch one, ovate, short ovate or oval ; pure wiiite, lusterless ; measure average 39.4 mm. 
by 31.3. 
Breeding -season . December, January and February (November to March, South Georgia). 
10G 
