144 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



to plunge into a mass of heavy kelp twisting about in the surging sea, 

 and returning were thrown up in such a violent way that one would 

 think every bird would be injured. Beyond the breakers bands of 

 "Rockies" would paddle lazily about not in the least disturl)ed by 

 schools of large porpoises that often swam about them. 



About the colony these birds are very tame and upon the visitors 

 becoming seated, will walk up in small groups with much bowing and 

 swinging of wings until within three or four feet. After watching 

 one a few minutes they sit idly about, hop around, on their own 

 particular business, or engage in the popular penguin recreation of 

 fighting. They do not fight with the wings as much as Gentoos, but 

 prefer a kind of "set to" suggesting young domestic roosters. Two 

 birds will face each other, and with heads extended, bills open and 

 almost touching they will peck at each others bill, each turning its 

 head and attacking from every angle at its command. 



The young are far more pugnacious than young Gentoos and never 

 miss an opportunity to peck and tear each other. 



The only sound I have heard Rock-hoppers utter is a hoarse, grating 

 .sound. 



According to Kidder the tarsi and toes arc white. In the living bird 

 one finds a delicate pink suffusion, becoming white immediately after 

 death. The nails are black. 



Spheniscus magellanicus (Forster). 

 "Jackass Penguin". 



This is an abundant species on the Falklands, though my only 

 opporturtity to visit a colony was at Kidney Cove near Port Stanley. 

 This was October 17, the day that they, like the Gentoos had com- 

 menced laying. 



The colony contained many burrows in the soft peat-banks, and 

 those without eggs generally had both birds inside twisting their 

 heads about to better observe the intruder. A considerable number 

 were standing at the entrances suggesting prairie dogs; their sight 

 is quite keen for they would retire within the burrow while we were 

 some distance away. 



The burrows are three or four feet deep, about right for using a 

 walking-stick for removing the eggs. This species is the worst biter; 

 it docs not peck but tears ribbons of Hesh from the hands, which with 



