INTRODUCTION 



The wings of Ad^lies, like those of the other 

 penguins, have taken the form of paddles, and are 

 covered with very fine scale-like feathers. Their 

 legs being very short, they walk slowly, with a 

 waddling gait, but can travel at a fair pace over 

 snow or ice by falling forward on to their breasts, 

 and propelling themselves with all four limbs. 



To continue the sketch, I quote two other 

 writers : 



M. Racovitza, of the " Belgica " expedition, well 

 describes them as follows : 



" Imagine a little man, standing erect, provided 

 with two broad paddles instead of arms, with head 

 small in comparison with the plump stout body ; 

 imagine this creature with his back covered with a 

 black coat . . . tapering behind to a pointed tail 

 that drags on the ground, and adorned in front 

 with a glossy white breast-plate. Have this creature 

 walk on his two feet, and give him at the same 

 time a droll little waddle, and a pert movement 

 of the head ; you have before you something 

 irresistibly attractive and comical." 



Dr. Louis Gain, of the French Antarctic expe- 

 dition, gives us the following description : 



"The Adelie penguin is a brave animal, and 

 rarely flees from danger. If it happens to be 

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