58 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



in its progress over the land. The plumage 

 is exceptionally dense and compact; covering 

 the entire body. Penguins assume a ventro- 

 podal or erect attitude when on land, and 

 present a very comical appearance as they 

 stand in regiments at their breeding-places, 

 where it may be mentioned they are so absurdly 

 tame that their numbers, in not a few places, 

 have been terribly reduced by man's wanton 

 persecution. Fortunately, they do not frequent 

 the land much except during the breeding 

 season. The water is their natural element, 

 and here they dive and swim with great celerity, 

 aided by wings and feet, very often progressing 

 for long distances just below the surface, appear- 

 ing every now and then for a moment to 

 breathe. Their notes are harsh and barking. 

 Their food chiefly consists of crustaceans and 

 other marine animals, with fish and scraps of 

 vegetation. Penguins breed in large companies, 

 known as '' rookeries," congregating on rocky 

 islands for the purpose, and making a rude 

 nest of grass and leaves, placed in holes, under 

 heaps of boulders, in caves, or amongst the 

 tussocks of vegetation. Their two eggs are very 

 pale bluish-green, coated thickly with a chalky 

 substance, and closely resembling those of 



