PENGUINS. 



417 



that are scattered over that dreary region. Penguins are utterly 

 incapable of flight ; their paddle-like wings are covered with 

 short rigid feathers, resembling scales, disposed in regular order. 

 Their legs are placed so completely at the hinder end of the body, 

 that, in resting, these birds naturally assume an upright attitude; 



i^Sl' 



FlL, -Oj —1 



the toes are webbed, and the tarsi very short and stout, so that 

 they are essentially aquatic, seldom visiting the shore except 

 during the breeding season. From the weight of its body and 

 the density of the plumage, a penguin swims very deep in the 

 water, the head, neck, and upper part of the back only being 

 seen above the surface. Its powers of progression in its proper 

 element are truly astonishing. It bounds through the sea like a 

 porpoise, and uses its short fin-like wings to assist its progress : 

 with these it stems the most turbulent waves with the greatest 

 facility, and during the severest gale descends to the bottom, 

 where it paddles about in search of crustaceans, small fishes, or 



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