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Introduction
Dr. George Murray Levick, Surgeon R.N. (1876-1956), published two important accounts of the Adélie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae (Hombron and Jacquinot 1841) during his lifetime. As surgeon and officer on the British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition, 1910, his position gave him considerable opportunity to study Adélie penguins at the four Victoria Land colonies (known in Levick's day and up to the 1960s as 'rookeries') that he visited: firstly, Cape Royds (77°34'S, 166°11'E) in January 1911, then extensive studies at Cape Adare (71°18'S, 170°09'E) from mid February 1911 to early January 1912, which included a short visit to Duke of York Island (71°37'S, 170°02'E) in October 1911, and lastly brief observations at Evans Cove on Inexpressible Island (74°53'S, 165°45'E) in February 1912.
Levick was one of the six members of the 'Northern Party' led by Lieutenant Victor L.A. Campbell, R.N (1875-1956). Originally named the 'Eastern Party', they were initially charged with scientifically researching and exploring King Edward VII Land, a large, ice-covered peninsula that forms the north-western extremity of Marie Byrd Land and, projecting into the ocean between Sulzberger Bay and the northeast corner of the Ross Ice Shelf, the eastern boundary of the Ross Sea. After finding Roald Amundsen's South Pole expedition (1910-1912) encamped at the natural ice harbour at the Bay of Whales, Campbell's party was hastily re-named the 'Northern Party', with the equally scientific aim of exploring the coast westward of Cape North (Lambert 2004; Hooper 2010). This was undoubtedly one of the most important endeavours of the entire British Antarctic Expedition and included a wide range of investigations by Campbell (surveying and magnetic observations), Levick (photographer and zoologist) and Raymond E. Priestley (1886-1974) (geology, microbiology and meteorology). They were ably assisted by their three 'adaptable helpers': Petty Officer George P. Abbott, R.N. (d. 1926), Petty Officer Frank V. Browning, R.N., and Seaman Harry Dickason, R.N (1885-1943).
The Northern Party arrived at Ridley Beach, Cape Adare, Victoria Land (the north westernmost point of the Ross Sea), on 13 February 1911. They remained to study the area for 11 months through the following winter and summer, until they were retrieved by Terra Nova on 3 January 1912. Following a ten-day sledging trip from 4-14 October...