DOMESTIC LIFE 



near by, so that the inhabitants were generally- 

 covered with mud and very disreputable to look at. 



During the fasting season, as none of the penguins 

 had entered the water, they all became very dirty 

 and disreputable in appearance, as well may be 

 imagined considering the life they led, but now 

 that they went regularly to swim, they immediately 

 got back their sleek and spotless state. 



From the ice-foot to the open water, the half 

 mile or so of sea-ice presented a lively scene as 

 the thousands of birds passed to and fro over 

 it, outward bound parties of dirty birds from the 

 rookery passing the spruce bathers, homeward 

 bound after their banquet and frolic in the sea. So 

 interesting and instructive was it to watch the 

 bathing parties, that we spent whole days in this 

 way. 



As I have said before, the couples took turn and 

 turn about on the nest, one remaining to guard and 

 incubate while the other went off to the water. 



On leaving their nests, the birds made their way 

 down the ice-foot on to the sea-ice. Here they 

 would generally wait about and join up with others 

 until enough had gathered together to make up 

 a decent little party, which would then set off 

 gaily for the water. They were now in the greatest 



73 



