BIRDS. 393 



sink them the faster. In this manner they can either dive at 

 once to the bottom, or swim between two waters ; where they 

 continue fishing for some minutes, and then ascending, catch an 

 instantaneous breath, to descend once more to renew their opera- 

 tions. Hence it is, that these birds, which are so defenceless, 

 and so easily taken by land, are impregnable by water. If they 

 perceive themselves pursued in the least, they instantly sink, and 

 show nothing more than their bills, till the enemy is withdrawn. 

 Their very internal conformation assists their power of keeping 

 long under water. Their lungs are fitted with numerous vacui- 

 ties, by which they can take in a very large inspiration ; and this 

 probably serves them for a length of time. 



As they never visit land, except when they come to breed, 

 their feathers take a colour from their situation. That part of 

 them which has been continually bathed in the water, is white ; 

 while their backs and wings are of different colours, according to 

 the different species. They are also covered more warmly all 

 over the body with feathers, than any other birds whatever ; so 

 that the sea seems entirely their element : and but for tlie 

 necessary duties of propagating their species, we should scarcely 

 have the smallest opportunity of seeing them, and should be ut- 

 terly unacquainted with their history.* 



» The Cretted Penguin, which is the most beautiful of the penguin tribe 

 5r nearly two feet in length. 'Jhe bill is red, and three inches long ; the up- 

 per mandible curved at the end, and the lower obtuse. The head, neck- 

 back, and sides, are lilack. Over each eye there is a stripe of pale yellow 

 feathers, which lengthens into a crest about four inches long ; tliis is decum. 

 bent, but can be erected at pleasure : tlio feathers of the liead above this aro 

 longer than the rest, and stand upward. The wings are black on the out. 

 Kide, but the edges and the inside are white. The legs are orange-coloured 

 and the claws dusky. The femiUe is destitute of the cri^st. These birds 

 have also the names of hopping penguins, and jumping jack, from their ac. 

 tion of leaping quite out of the water, sometimes three or four feet, on meet- 

 ing with any olittacic in their course ; and, indeed, they frequently do thi.l 

 >vithout any otiii'r apparent cause than the desire of advancing by that 

 means. They are inbabitants of several of the South Sea islands. 



This species seems to have a greater air of liveline.'ss in itji countenance 

 than almo.st any of the others ; yet it is a very stupid liird, and so regardless 

 of its own safety as even to sutler any person to lay hold <if it. When pro. 

 voked it erects its crest in a very beautiful manner ; .and when attacked by 

 our voyagers, we are told it ran at them in Hocks, jiecked their legs, and 

 spoiled their clothes. Mr I'orster, in his accoutit of one of the South Sea 

 islands, says, " When the whole herd was beset, they all became very bold 

 at once, and ran violently at us, biting our lej{S, or any part of our dollies." 



