IMPENNES SPHENISCUS 519 



It is most abundant from the neighbourhood of Ichaboe Island, 

 near Angra Pequena in German South-west Africa, to the Island of 

 St. Croix in Algoa Bay and resorts to all the islands off the coast, 

 between these two points, to breed. Eastward of Algoa Bay, 

 however, it is only occasionally found, generally after severe storms 

 at sea, which drive it beyond its accustomed limits. 



Habits. This Penguin has been known from the earliest days 

 at the Cape ; only a few months after the founding of the settlement 

 in 1652 van Biebeeck made an excursion to Kobben Island in Table 

 Bay, and brought back 600 birds and a number of eggs to feed his 

 half-starved settlers with, while Kolben, le Vaillant and all the other 

 early travellers notice it. 



The Penguin is the most thoroughly aquatic of all birds ; its 

 wings are useless for flight and cannot be bent except at the 

 shoulder joint. They are only used when the bird is diving, when 

 they are rapidly waved to and fro and act as propelling paddles, the 

 legs being outstretched behind, parallel to the tail and working like 

 a rudder. 



The Jackass Penguin is very abundant along our coasts but 

 very seldom, if ever, comes ashore voluntarily on the mainland; 

 it resorts to the small islands, especially Dassen and Jut Islands, 

 near Saldanha Bay. 



The food consists entirely of fishes caught by diving, and of these 

 they must consume enormous quantities. When captured they are 

 almost invariably very fat, with a thick layer of blubber underlying 

 the skin, and in consequence of this are able to live for a long time, 

 sometimes for weeks, without feeding. When at sea they swim 

 very low in the water, and on the least appearance of danger pop 

 below the surface very quietly and without jump or splash, forming 

 a great contrast in this respect to the Duikers, which spring up above 

 the surface to take a "header" before diving. 



When on land the Penguin waddles slowly along in an upright 

 position with its flippers hanging down parallel to its body on either 

 side. If hustled at all it will often fall flat on its belly and wriggle 

 along at a somewhat faster pace with the help of its flippers. Its 

 voice is a loud bray-like call somewhat resembling that of a donkey ; 

 hence its name. 



A few Penguins can be found breeding on the islands all the year 

 round, but the greater number of the birds land for this purpose in 

 May or June. As the eggs are collected and taken away they go on 

 laying until about August, when they are allowed to sit. On the 



