Haemoglobins of chicks, yearlings and known-age sub-adults of the royal penguin were investigated by starch-gel electrophoresis at pH 8·6.

Two haemoglobin components were observed in yearlings and sub-adults. These were assumed to be the haemoglobins of adults.

Another three haemoglobin components were observed in 3-week-old chicks.

Tn seven out of eight fledging chicks, these chick haemoglobins had disappeared.

The existence of other haemoglobin components in royal penguin embryos is predicted.

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