214 BIRD WATER TRESPASSERS. 



ever, the distinctions of rank which are carried out by 

 the birds. Instinctively, they divide themselves into 

 great masses, according to their age, sex, and con- 

 dition. For example, as Mr. Bennett says, " The 

 young birds are in one situation, the moulting birds in 

 another, the sitting hens in a third, the clean birds in 

 a fourth, etc. And so strictly do birds in similar 

 condition congregate, that should a bird that is moult- 

 ing intrude itself among those which are clean, it is 

 immediately ejected from among them" 



I suppose that after the moult is complete, and the 

 ejected bird takes its place with the full-feathered 

 brigade, none of them would be more zealous in driving 

 out any Penguin that still wanted a few feathers to be 

 completely attired. We all know that a man who has 

 just escaped being blackballed when he desired admis- 

 sion to a club, becomes one of the most uncompromis- 

 ing handlers of the black ball himself, and the strictest 

 scrutinizer into the antecedents of every new candidate 

 for admission. 



When the Penguin is in its natural element, the 

 sea, its movements are full of spirit and grace. It 

 feels this contrast so much, that if it be disturbed 

 when on land, it makes its way to the sea through all 

 obstacles. Mr. Darwin gives an interesting account 

 of its behaviour when cut off from its natural element, 



" One day, having placed myself between a Jackass 

 Penguin and the water, I was much amused by watch- 

 ing its habits. It was a brave bird, and until reaching 

 the sea, it regularly fought and drove me backwards. 

 Nothing less than heavy blows would have stopped 

 him. Every inch gained he firmly kept, standing 



