392 HISTORY OF 



minutes, and then ascending, catch an instantan- 

 eous 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 them- 

 selves pursued in the least, they instantly sink 

 and show nothing more than their bills, till the 

 enemy is withdrawn. Their very internal confor- 

 mation assists their power of keeping long under 

 water. Their lungs are fitted with numerous 

 vacuities, 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 has 

 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 bird 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 op- 

 portunity of seeing them, and should be utterly 

 unacquainted with their history. 



Of all this tribe, the Magellanic Penguin is the 

 largest, and the most remarkable. In size it ap^ 

 preaches 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 



