SmG ULAB HABITS OF THE PENG UINS. 335 



rabbits, if they happen to be inhabitants of the same local- 

 ity. On the Bass Rock, the holes in the ruins of the old 

 fortifications afford a retreat. The Puffin is used as an arti- 

 cle of food by various islands and northern tribes in whose 

 vicinity they breed. They are caught by stretching a 

 piece of cord along the stony places where they chiefly as- 

 semble, to which nooses are attached. 



The Penguins occupy habitually the most northern 

 points and islands of Europe, of Asia, and of America; but 

 they cannot remain at sea, except in calm weather. When 

 the tempest surprises them far from shore, great numbers 

 of them perish. Though they usually only shave the surfVice 

 of the water in flying, they can elevate themselves to a certain 

 height. By night they retire into the clefts of rocks and cav- 

 erns. In their tottering walk they seem to rock from one 

 side to the other. Their food consists in crustaceous ani- 

 mals, and they also live on shell mollusca and small fish, 

 which they take in diving. They make their nests in holes 

 on the sea coasts, which they enlarge with their bills and 

 feet. These birds are singular in their habits. Darwin 

 relates: 



''One day, having placed myself between a penguin and 

 the water, I was much amused by watching its habits. It 

 was a brave bird, and until reaching the sea it regularly 

 fought and drove me backwards. Nothing less than heavy 

 blows would have stopped him: every inch gained he 

 firmly kept, standing close before me erect and determined. 

 When thus opposed he continually rolled his head from side 

 to side in a very odd manner, as if the power of vision lay 

 only in the anterior and bassel part of each eye. This bird 

 is commonly called the 'jackass penguin,' from its habit 

 while on shore, of throwing its head backwards, and making 

 a loud, strange noise, very much like the braying of that 

 animal ; but while at sea and undisturbed, its note is very 

 deep and solemn, and is often heard in the night time. In 



