396 HISTORY OF 



their single egg in a common nest, and sit upon 

 this, their general possession, by turns ; while 

 one is placed as a sentinel, to give warning of ap- 

 proaching danger. The egg of the penguin, as 

 well as of all this tribe, is very large for the size 

 of the bird, being generally found bigger than 

 that of a goose. But as there are many varieties 

 of the penguin, and as they differ in size, from 

 that of a Muscovy duck to a swan, the eggs dif- 

 fer in the same proportion. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



OF THE AUK, PUFFIN, AND OTHER BIRDS OF THE 

 PENGUIN KIND. 



OF a size far inferior to the penguin, but with 

 nearly the same form, and exactly of the same 

 appetites and manners, there is a very numerous 

 tribe. These frequent our shores, and, like the 

 penguin, have their legs placed behind. They 

 have short wings, which are not totally incapable 

 of flight ; with round bills for seizing their prey, 

 which is fish. They live upon the water, in which 

 they are continually seen diving ; and seldom 

 venture upon land, except for the purposes of 

 continuing their kind. 



The first of this smaller tribe is the Great Nor- 

 thern Diver, which is nearly the size of a goose : 



