The Steamer-Duck 53 



narratives of Captain Cook and the early navigators, but 

 the best resume of the history of the species is that 

 given by Professor Cunningham, from whose work, the 

 J Naturalist in the Straits of Magellan/ I take the following 

 extract — 



" The first detailed account of the habits of the Steamer- 

 Duck is given by that intelligent and accurate observer of 

 nature, Captain Philip Parker King, in his narrative of the 

 voyage of the Adventure and Beagle. He states that, at 

 Eagle Bay, beyond Cape San Isidro, in the Strait of 

 Magellan, he ' saw, for the first time, that most remarkable 

 bird the Steamer- Duck/ and observes that, ' before steam- 

 boats were in general use, this bird was denominated, from 

 its swiftness in skimming over the surface of the water, the 

 u race-horse," a name which occurs frequently in Cook's, 

 Byron's, and other voyages. It is a gigantic duck, the 

 largest I have met with. It has the lobated hind toe placed 

 far backwards, and other characteristics of the oceanic 

 Ducks. The principal peculiarity of this bird is the short- 

 ness and remarkably small size of the wings, which, not 

 having sufficient power to raise the body, serve only to 

 propel it along, rather than through, the water, and are used 

 like the paddles of a steam-vessel. Aided by these and 

 its strong broad-webbed feet, it moves with astonishing 

 velocity. It would not be an exaggeration to state its 

 speed at from twelve to fifteen miles an hour. The peculiar 

 form of the wing, and the short rigid feathers which cover 

 it, together with the power this bird possesses of remaining 

 a considerable time under water, constitute a striking link 

 between the Ducks and the Penguins. It has been noticed 

 by many former navigators. The largest we found measured 

 forty inches from the extremity of the bill to that of the 

 tail, and weighed thirteen pounds ; but Captain Cook 

 mentions in his voyage, that the weight of one was twenty- 

 nine pounds. It is very difficult to kill them, on account 



