THE FASTING PERIOD 



penguins as day after day they passed into the 

 rookery. 



When tobogganing, turning to one side or the 

 other is done with one or more strokes of the 

 opposite flipper. When fleeing or chasing, both 

 flippers as well as both feet are used in propulsion, 

 and over most surfaces tobogganing is thus their 

 fastest mode of progression, but when going at full 

 tilt it is also the most exhausting, and after a short 

 spurt in this way they invariably return to the 

 walking position. 



By October 20 many of the nests were complete, 

 and the hens sat in them, though no eggs were to 

 be seen yet. In the middle of one of the frozen 

 lakes rose a little island, well suited for nesting 

 except for the fact that later in the season, prob- 

 ably about the time when the young chicks were 

 hatched, the lake would be thawed and the approach 

 to the island only to be accomplished through 

 about six inches or more of dirty water and ooze. 

 Until then, however, the surface of the lake would 

 remain frozen, and was at this time covered with 

 snow. 



Not a penguin attempted to build its nest on 

 this island, though many passed it or walked over 

 it in crossing the lake. How did they realize that 



29 



