AND OTHER BIRDS 61 



On the 22nd of that month we visited an island 

 rookery; for, although the birds do not sit in 

 very close quarters to one another, or congregate 

 in very huge numbers, still their nesting sites 

 deserve that appellation. At this early date 

 there were only a few birds to be seen. One 

 of them had evidently been collecting nest 

 material, for its bill was soiled with peat and 

 earth. Another was sitting on an empty but 

 fully completed nest, and a third bird was cover- 

 ing a single egg. Its egg must have been 

 newly laid it was still clean and fresh-looking, 

 oval, and in size similar to a turkey's egg. The 

 carelessly constructed nest, composed of small 

 twigs and sticks and lined with leaves and bits 

 of fern frond, was sheltered by an ironwood's 

 recumbent bole. The owner of this fresh egg 

 when very nearly approached, sloped off that 

 is the proper word, and no slang with the 

 awkward shambling gait of the species. The 

 departure was by short low hops, and ever and 

 anon the bird glanced over its shoulder as if 

 fearful to be taken unawares, and unfairly, by 

 a sudden rush, like a child inviting pursuit, but 

 bargaining as he still flies for a fair start. The 

 pace of this disturbed Penguin, at first slow, 

 had in it some semblance of decorum, but with 

 every fresh slip and stumble over supple-jack 

 and vine she became more and more flurried 

 and fussed, until, utterly losing her head, the 

 orderly retreat became a shameful rout. 

 Broody birds when disturbed merely rise and 

 stand upright; then, if let alone, subside again 

 on to the eggs with a motion so slow as to be 

 imperceptible. Sometimes also a slight hiss is 

 emitted; and, if teased, the bird will raise the 



