Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/146

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142
POLAR EXPLORATION

overshadowed the record of its having bred at South Georgia, as mentioned by Pagenstecher, in the southern summer of 1882–83."

Other interesting discoveries made by the Scotia naturalists were the finding the eggs of the Cape pigeon (Daption capensis) and the young of the Snowy petrel (Pagodroma nivea). From their observations, too, it may almost certainly be forecasted that the Antarctic fulmar (Thalassæca antarctica) and the Silver petrel (Priocella glacialoides) will be found to breed in the South Orkneys. Such a series of records made in one order of birds in one locality by the efforts of Mr. Wilton, Dr. Pirie and Dr. Rudmose Brown, apart from many other valuable records, may safely be said to be without parallel in the history of Polar exploration.

Petrels, next to penguins, are scattered most widely all over the Antarctic Regions, and are in most cases common, not only in that region, but also in the Great Southern Ocean, where many other species which do not penetrate into the ice zone occur. One of the most striking of these is Wilson's petrel, which can be followed from British waters to the farthest southern limit of Antarctic seas, and which is found breeding, as I have indicated, in the South Orkneys, Kerguelen, and probably other Antarctic islands. In all probability the birds