352 



BIRDS. 



The Penguins (Alcidce) are known by the beak being much compressed 

 and elevated vertically, presenting a sharp ridge on its upper margin, and 

 generally grooved transversely. The feet are completely webbed and have 

 no posterior toe. This family is divided into the Puffins and the Penguins. 



_ WMIMPFR 



FIG. 389. PUFFIN. 



The Puffins (Fratercula) have the beak shorter than the head, and as 

 wide at the base as it is long, a structure which gives these birds a very re- 

 markable appearance: the root of the beak is bedded in a fold of skin, while 

 the nostrils are only narrow slits placed near its margin. Their little wings 

 can scarcely sustain them in the air for an instant. They live upon the sea 

 and make their nest among the rocks. Puffins are found in great numbers 

 on our northern shores. 



The Penguins, properly so called (Alca), have the bill elongated like the 

 blade of a knife, and covered with feathers as far as the nostrils. Their wings 

 are so decidedly too small to sustain their weight that they never fly at all. 



The manner in which they feed their young is curious and rather amusing. The old 

 bird gets on a little eminence, and makes a great noise, between quacking and braying, 

 holding its head up in the air, as if it were haranguing the penguinary, while the young 

 one stands close to it, but a little lower. The old bird having continued its clatter for 

 about a minute, puts its head down, and opens its mouth widely, into which the young 

 one thrusts its head and appears to suck from the throat of its mother for a minute or 

 two, after which the clatter is repeated, and the young feed again : this continues for 

 about ten minutes. DARWIN. 



The Common Penguins (Alca torda and pica) are about the size of ducks, 

 while the Great Penguin (Alca impennis} equals that of a goose.* The latter 

 lays but a single egg, which is spotted with purple. 



* Perhaps we ought rather to say equalled that of a goose, for although a few years 



