208 A HISTORY OF 



and every stroke from their feet only tends to sink them the fastei 

 In this manner they ca-n either dive at once to the bottom, or swim 

 between two waters, where they continue fishing for some minutes, 

 and then ascending, catch an instantaneous breath, to descend once 

 more to renew their operations. Hence it is, that these birds, which 

 are so defenceless, and so easily taken by land, are impregnable by 

 water. If they perceive themselves pursued in the least, they instantly 

 sink, and show nothing more than their bills, till the enemy is with- 

 drawn. Their very internal conformation assists their power of keep- 

 ing long under water. Their lungs are fitted with numerous vacui- 

 ties, by which they can take in a very large inspiration ; and this 

 probably serves them for a length of time. 



As they never visit land, except when they come to breed, their 

 feathers take a colour from their situation. That part of them which 

 nas been continually bathed in the water, is white ; while their backs 

 and wings are of different colours, according to the different species. 

 They are also covered more warmly all over the body with feathers, 

 than any other birds whatever ; so that the sea seems entirely their 

 element : and but for the necessary duties of propagating their species, 

 we should scarcely have the smallest opportunity of seeing them, and 

 should be utterly unacquainted with their history. 



Of all this tribe, the Magellanic Penguin is the largest, and tne 

 most remarkable. In size it approaches near that of a tame goose. 

 It never flies, as its wings are very short/ and covered with stiff hard 

 feathers, and are always seen expanded, and hanging uselessly down 

 by the bird's sides. The upper part of the head, back, and rump, 

 are covered with stiff black feathers ; while the belly and breast, as is 

 common with all of this kind, are of a snowy whiteness, except a line 

 of black that is seen to cross the crop. The bill, which from the base 

 to about half way is covered with wrinkles, is black, but marked 

 crosswise with a stripe of yellow. They walk erect, with their heads 

 on high, their fin-like wings hanging down like arms ; so that to see 

 them at a distance, they look like so many children with white aprons. 

 From hence they are said to unite in themselves the qualities of men, 

 fowls, and fishes. Like men, they are upright ; like fowls, they are 

 feathered ; and like fishes, they have fin-like instruments, that beat 

 the water before, and serve for all the purposes of swimming, rather 

 than flying. 



They feed upon fish ; and seldom come ashore, except in the breed- 

 ing season. As the seas in that part of the world abound with a va- 

 riety, they seldom want food ; and their extreme fatness seems a proof 

 of the plenty in which they live. They dive with great rapidity, and 

 are voracious to a great degree. One of them, described by Clusius, 

 though but very young, would swallow an entire herring at a mouth- 

 ful, and often three successively before it was appeased. In conse- 

 quence of this gluttonous appetite, their flesh is rank and fishy ; though 

 our sailors say, that it is pretty good eating. In some the flesh is s6 

 tough, and the feathers so thick, that they stand the blow of a scimitar 

 without injury. 



They are a bird of society ; and, especially when they come on 

 shore, they are seen drawn up in rank and file, upon the ledge of a 

 rock, standing together with the albatross, as if in consultation. This 



