638 CLASS AVES. 



ever, attribute to stupidity what is only a natural consequence 

 of their conformation, which will not permit them to with- 

 draw with sufficient rapidity from dangers, of the nature of 

 which, moreover, they can know but little in their desert 

 habitations. If surprised, they defend themselves by strik- 

 ing violently with their bills against the legs of their assail- 

 ants. They sometimes even have recourse to stratagem, and 

 pretending to run away, return quickly, and strike with so 

 much force as to tear away the skin, when the legs of those 

 who attack them are not well guarded. They appear, how- 

 ever, but seldom on land, except in the breeding time, which 

 takes place in the small islands bordering the coast. They 

 hold themselves upright upon their nest, where the females 

 in general lay but two or three eggs. 



The Aptenodytes Patagonica, Patagonian Pinguin of 

 Latham, when its voice, which resembles the braying of an 

 ass, is heard, elongates its neck, which, says Bougainville, 

 gives it something of a noble air. They are usually seen in 

 flocks, sometimes to the number of forty. But though appa- 

 rently arranged in order of battle, when attacked, they make 

 for the water-side, when they have sufficient time ; and as 

 soon as they find water enough to cover their head and shoul- 

 ders, they plunge down, and swim with so much quickness, 

 that no fish, it is said, can follow them. When they meet with 

 any obstacle, they spring four or five feet out of the water, 

 and then plunge in again, to continue their route. Bougain- 

 ville thought of transporting into Europe an individual of 

 this species, which had been so far tamed as to know and fol- 

 low the person who fed it. It would eat bread and meat, as 

 well as fish ; but these aliments, without doubt, were insuffi- 

 cient, and it became emaciated, and died. 



The Aptenodytes Chrysocoma belongs to our author's sub- 

 genus Cattaractes. It has been found by travellers in the 

 Magellanic lands, in that of Van Diemen, in the island of 



