BIRDS OF KERGUELEN'S LAND 103 



washed backwards and forwards, then form attachments 

 defying the power of the sea. . . . [The only use in Nature 

 I can assign to it is the shelter it affords to a species of Patella 

 from the attacks of the gulls, which prowl about during low 

 water and secure as their prey any other unfortunate shell- 

 fish which is exposed. The weight of the fronds of the 

 Laminaria hanging down over the dry rocks forms an in- 

 surmountable obstacle to the birds.] 



The birds, unused to man, were devoid of fear. In the 

 shallow bay next to the Arch Point, were myriads of the 

 beautiful Sheathbill as the sailors called it (a Chionis), so 

 tame that it allows you to come quite close to it. It was 

 something like a pigeon, black legs (not webbed), beak and 

 eyes ; it ran with great agility among the rocks [like ptar- 

 migan, helping itself by the first joint of the wings, which is 

 provided with two callous extremities admirably adapted for 

 this purpose] and came close to examine me ; its plumage is 

 of a spotless white, with a sHght pink tinge on the primaries 

 of the wings ; the bill was a sheath common to the two 

 nostrils. On one occasion I thoughtfully sat down on a stone 

 and commenced whisthng a tune when, on turning my head, 

 I found I had unwittingly been performing an Orpheus's 

 part, for upwards of twenty of these beautiful birds had 

 gathered about me, and were gradually approaching, declin- 

 ing their heads and narrowly watching my motions, and 

 would even perch on my foot, rocking their heads on one side 

 in the most interesting manner. Amorg them were some 

 penguins, peering over the rocks ... so tame that they 

 allowed me to take them by the beaks. 



Among the stones were feathers in amazing quantities 

 and 



many skeletons, especially Penquins', which are, I suspect, 

 destroyed by a very large gull, whose bill is like that of a 

 hawk, and its webbed feet terminated by hooked claws of 

 great strength. The penguins' food is, I suspect, fish, at least 

 the stomach of a common one was full of such matter ; and 

 the white birds are omnivorous, eating flesh, seaweeds, and 

 insects. One that we kept on board used to run about the 

 decks after the sailors, and at their dinner used to help itself 

 from their dishes, eating meat boiled or raw, raisins, rice, 



