34 



PLATE XVIIL THE ADELIE PENGUIN. 





 FIG. 1. A young Penguin clamouring for food ; from a photograph by Mr FORD 



(Fo. 35, i-plate), Cape Adare, Jan. 9, 1902. 



FIG. 2. Adelie Penguins changing place upon the nest, the cock and hen 

 taking turns at incubation ; from a photograph by C. R. ROYDS 

 (R. 184, 5" x 4" film), Cape Crozier, Nov. 12, 1902. 



The nest of the Adelie Penguin is a mere heap of pebbles (see Fig. 1). 

 The parent birds produce two eggs, and when these are hatched by their 

 combined exertions (see Fig. 2), the chickens are fed in the nest until hunger 

 drives them to worry passers-by, in addition to their own parents, for food. 

 In this chase they often wander far, and thoroughly exhaust themselves, and 

 often too they fall victims to the marauding Skua Gulls. But the mere fact 

 that they thus depend for food upon their own exertions, tends to sort out the 

 weaklings, which not only become exhausted by their efforts to get fed, but are 

 half-starved in failing to do so. Under the law of the " survival of the fittest " 

 they are soon eliminated by such a very literal race for life. 



See Nat. Hist. Rep., vol. ii., Aves, p. 48. 



