NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



Jackass Penguin {Spheniscus demersus). (Vol. II., 



P- 309O 

 Description. — Black and white, as in the illustration. Iris 

 hazel. Bill black with a bar of grey across the mandibles. 

 Base of bill pink, occasionally with a blue tinge. Legs mottled 

 black and grey. 



Lengthy averages 24 in. 



Sexes are outwardly alike. The young bird is dark brownish 

 above and white below. 



Distribution. — The coasts of South Africa and adjacent 

 islands, mostly on the western side and east to Algoa Bay. 



Habits. — The jackass penguin lives entirely on fishes which 

 it captures by diving. It is an expert swimmer, both above 

 and below water. When nesting they dig a hole in a sandbank 

 or in any firm sand with their feet. The hole is usually from 

 I to ih ft. deep, and about 6 in. in diameter. At the end of 

 this burrow a few fragments of seaweeds, etc., are arranged to 

 form a rough nest. Two eggs is the average, although only 

 one is occasionally noticed ; they are chalky white with a 

 tinge of blue ; size, 2.65 by 2.0. The penguins resort to the 

 islands to lay their eggs in April, May, and June, although 

 a few remain and breed at other times of the year. The eggs 

 are collected by the Government and sold for human con- 

 sumption. If collected before the penguins become broody, 

 they go on laying until about August, when they are allowed 

 to sit. When the ground is rocky the penguins make their 

 nests in crevices, under overhanging ledges, and sometimes 

 on the open bare ground. Large numbers of penguins 

 inhabit Bird Island, near Port Elizabeth. The name "jackass " 

 has been given to the bird because of its loud braying call, 

 which is supposed to resemble that of a donkey. 



Rock - Hopper Penguin {Catarrhactes chrysocome). 

 (Vol. II., p. 309,) 



Description. — Above, general colour slaty, including sides 

 efface, chin, throat, and wings. The feathers on the crown are 

 somewhat elongate, forming a slight crest. On each side of 



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