THE FASTING PERIOD 



once there, the birds seemed collected and at home. 

 This was a matter of surprise to me then, but I 

 remember now my own sensations on arriving home 

 after my life in the Antarctic, and that I felt only 

 slightly the sudden return to the bustle of civilization. 



Our presence among them made little or no 

 difference to the penguins. When we passed them 

 closely they would bridle up and swear or even 

 run at us and peck at our legs or batter them with 

 their flippers, but unless their nesting operations 

 were interfered with this attack was short-lived, 

 and the next moment the birds would seem to 

 forget our very existence. If I walked by the side 

 of a long, nest-covered ridge, a low growl arose 

 from every bird as I passed it, and the massed 

 sound, gathering in front and dying away behind 

 as I advanced, reminded me forcibly of the sound 

 of the crowds on the towing-path at the 'Varsity 

 boatrace as the crews pass up the river. 



Walking actually among the nests, your temper 

 is tried sorely, as every bird within reach has 

 a peck at your legs, and occasionally a cock 

 attacks you bravely, battering you with his little 

 flippers in a manner ludicrous at first but aggravat- 

 ing after a time, as the operation is painful and 

 severe enough to leave bruises behind it, and 



c 33 



