252 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



did a molested Gentoo stand firm and show fight. Later on it was noticeable, however, 

 that an occasional Gentoo would defend its chick, fighting with flippers rather than beak. 

 In fact, their timidity and peacefulness seem to result in their being unable to hold 

 their own in competition with the Adelias for the rookeries. They build fairly large 

 nests, and use, in addition to pebbles, bones and tail-feathers. Some of the latest 

 arrivals, however, laid their eggs in mere holes in the snow. Their eggs frequently fall 

 a prey to the rapaciousness of the skuas. In all their movements the Geritoos show less 

 activity and alertness than the Adelias, and are altogether less interesting birds. The 

 cry of the Gentoo is strangely like the bray of an ass so much so, in fact, that the 

 closely allied Falkland Island species (Spheniscus magellanicus) gets the name of the 

 Jackass Penguin. 



The Bridled or Ringed Penguin (P. antarctica) occurs in large numbers at Saddle 

 Island, Nigg Rock, and Eillium Island, but around Scotia Bay and the shores of Laurie 

 Island in general no rookeries were discovered. This is more pugnacious than either 

 of the two common species, and a Ringed Penguin has been known more than once 

 deliberately to attack a man on the floe and only to retreat after receiving several hard 

 blows. The quagh of the Ringed Penguins is harsher than that of the other species. 



For the first few weeks after their arrival the penguins live on their thick coats of 

 blubber and abstain altogether from fishing. After the eggs are laid, however, the male and 

 female take turns at making excursions to the nearest open water in search of food. The 

 one that remains behind looks after the eggs. In fine weather the penguin sits upright 

 against the eggs, partially enveloping them in a ventral groove in its coat of feathers. 

 In windy weather or a blizzard the bird lies prone and completely covers the eggs. 

 Sometimes in a blizzard the birds are almost snowed up, but the eggs rarely suffer. 



A large rookery of penguins, such as the one at Graptolite Island, may contain several 

 million birds. At Route Point Dr Pirie estimated there were at least 200,000 Ringed 

 Penguins in one rookery. As rookeries fringe all Antarctica and its bounding islands, 

 wherever a site offers, it can be realised how enormous is the wealth of penguin life. 

 The nests occur at intervals of a few feet, and this gives a strangely regular appearance 

 to a rookery. If viewed from the right point of view, the birds seem to be arranged in 

 long streets. Some of the photographs reproduced in this volume illustrate that 

 symmetry. 



About the middle of December the Adelia and Gentoo chicks were hatched, those of 

 the Ringed Penguin some weeks later. For a study of the rookeries and the habits of the 

 penguins at this season I am largely indebted to Dr Harvey Pirie, who was one of the 

 party left at the South Orkneys while the Scotia went to Buenos Aires to refit. The 

 young Adelias are covered with a dark, almost black down, the Gentoos and Ringed 

 Penguins of a light grey, the former becoming darker before the down is cast, the 

 latter always darker on the dorsal surface. The chick is fed by the adult bird. 

 Dr Pirie, describing the mother feeding her youngster, says : " She bends her head down 

 till her bill is inclined at about 45, with upper mandible lowermost. Then the chick 



