154 Mr. W. Eagle Clarke on the 



with tlieir congeners higher up as well as all over the ground 

 between them and the sea. Although massed together 

 they apparently get on with their neighbours as well (or 

 as ill) as with each other, The nests were poor affairs 

 composed of a few pebbles, varied occasionally by the bones 

 of deceased ancestors. Woe betide the inhabitant of these 

 cities and villages that strays beyond the boundaries of his or 

 her domain ; then the beaks of all the Penguins around dart 

 out at the intruder and soon drive it back to its own territory. 

 There was one point where the path up the cliff was very 

 narrow, and here a constant stream of Penguins of both 

 species used to go up and down on their way to the water, 

 flight on the track were some nests of the ringed species, 

 and how these birds managed to hatch their eggs is a mystery, 

 for all day long they were incessantly engaged in pecking at 

 the passers by, who, though often in a hurry, frequently stopped 

 and retaliated. The cry of this bird is harsher than that of 

 the other species, and during the breeding-season it is active 

 and always on the move, though at other times it is solemn 

 and phlegmatic in temperament. Its pugnacious disposi- 

 tion made a visit to the rookery a painful adventure, for the 

 protection of long sea-boots did not always suffice. This bird 

 is a good strategist and believes in getting in the first blow. 

 Dr. Pirie has seen one take a run of several yards, jump, and 

 fasten on to an intruder above his boots, at the same time 

 lashing out vigorously with its flippers. When on the beach 

 or ice-foot mingled with other species, the Ringed Penguins 

 seemed always to take the lead in entering the water. They 

 took the lead, too, in repelling the attacks of the Samoyede 

 dog"R,uss." He could out-manoeuvre any Adelie or Gentoo 

 Penguin, but he had frequently to retire before the on- 

 slaughts of the present species, which would face up to him 

 and sometimes deliberately attack him. It was decidedly 

 the "boss" and jockeyed both the Adelies and the Gentoos. 

 Occasionally three eggs are laid, usually two, and some- 

 times only one. A considerable number of eggs were 

 obtained, and these vary in size from 7*70 cm. x 5'40 cm. to 

 G'95 cm. x 5'50 cm. A small egg, one of a clutch of 



