THE ZooLocist—JANuARY, 1875. 4277 
for so short a time, the ordinary standing position of the feathered 
tribes. Turning then to the Gentoo penguin (Pygosceles teniatus), 
which was so nearly being lost off Southampton through the folly of 
its custodians, as already recorded (S. 8. 4243), I felt satisfied that 
here at least we have a sea-bird walking, after the most approved 
book fashion, on its tarsi, and waddling along with the most un- 
couth gait, and helplessly dangling its flapper-like wings, when 
suddenly it fell prostrate on its belly, and after a very brief interval 
began to make similar exertions to those so graphically described 
by Dr. Saxby. 
On the subject of egg-collecting we have some very sound advice. 
It is an occupation far more dangerous than that of gathering sam- 
phire, which has acquired such a world-wide celebrity. The Shet- 
landers, who are celebrated cragsmen, pride themselves on the 
danger of their calling, and it is not many years since that it was 
thought as glorious to die on the “banks,” as the cliffs are denomi- 
nated, as in slaying the Chinese, Ashantees, or other defenceless 
inhabitants that fallin our way. In the remote islands of Foula 
and Papa Stour death on the banks when seeking for guillemots’ 
eggs was the most honourable a man could die. “ When two people 
were quarrelling the crowning reproach of all sometimes took the 
form of the remark, ‘ Aye, but my father died like a man—on the 
banks; your’s died like a dog—in his bed.” But the advice to 
amateur cragsmen, and such among the enterprising race of Britons 
there always will be, is to abstain from spirits when on the “banks,” 
and not only spirits, but from tobacco also, the very merits of which 
narcotic become suicidal weapons when enjoyed in such dangerous 
localities. 
After all that has been written upon the subject, it is almost needless 
to remark that to obtain the eggs for one’s self requires a good head as well 
as some little experience in climbing, but I here would most strongly 
protest against the dangerous plan of using spirits ‘to steady the nerves.’ 
When the climbing is over, by all means allow the adventurer to sit down 
by the nearest burn, enjoy his biscuits or his sandwiches, and empty his 
flask, if it suit his inclination; but when among the guillemots, with the 
sun beating down upon him, and in the midst of a stench almost unbearable, 
and perhaps with the monotonous swell of the sea below causing a third rather 
uncomfortable sensation, a slight feeling of giddiness is not unusual ; and if 
the descent have been prefaced by even a very moderate dram, the result 
may prove yery alarming, if not fatal. Young beginners in the art of 
SECOND SERIES—VOL. X. Cc 
