THE DIVERS. 265 



The PENGUINS (Aptenodytes) have their wings completely converted into fins, and only 

 available as instruments of natation. In their appearance they present but a distant relationship with 

 the Auks and Divers, and form a distinct family, recognisable by well-marked characters. The 

 general shape of their bodies may almost be called conical, as it seems gradually to taper off from the 

 tail upwards, the middle of the trunk presenting scarcely any perceptible enlargement. Their neck is 

 of moderate length, but extremely thick, the head small, and the beak, which is nearly of the same 

 length as the head, straight, strong, hard, and somewhat compressed at the sides ; frequently it is 

 marked externally with transverse furrows. Its cutting edges are sharp, but it is somewhat blunted 

 at its apex. The structure of the foot is quite peculiar, seeing that the four toes with which it is 

 provided, three of which are joined together by a broad web, are all directed forwards. The wings are 

 so short that they might almost be called fins, moreover the feathers that cover them rather resemble 

 scales than ordinary quills. Even the plumage reminds us of the closely-imbricated scales, of fishes ; in 

 short, from their whole formation they are evidently inhabitants of the water rather than of the air. 

 Their internal structure corresponds with their external appearance ; all their bones are hard, thick, 

 and heavy, they present no openings or cavities for the reception of air, and even the humerus and 

 femur are filled with oily matter. 



Birds belonging to this remarkable family are inhabitants of the southern hemisphere, and there 

 occupy a zone extending from 30 to 75 south latitude, living entirely upon the surface of the ocean, 

 and only visiting the land during the period of incubation. All the various species of Penguins are 

 utterly incapable of flight, but their powers of progression in their proper element are truly astonishing. 

 They bound through the sea like porpoises, using their short fin-like wings to assist their progress ; by 

 the aid of these they stem the most turbulent waves with the greatest facility, and during the severest 

 gale descend to the bottom, where they paddle about in search of crustaceans, small fish, and marine 

 vegetables. Owing to the thickness and weight of their plumage they swim very deep in the water, 

 so that very little is to be seen except their head and neck. Upon dry land they also exhibit 

 considerable agility. The position of their legs compels them to keep their bodies perfectly erect, and 

 they thus walk, putting one foot before another almost like human beings ; their gait, however, is 

 waddling, and they get along but slowly ; when alarmed, therefore, they throw themselves down upon 

 their breasts and push themselves along both with feet and wings, and that so rapidly, that a man has 

 some difficulty in overtaking them. In this manner they throw themselves from the rocks or roll down 

 some deep declivity into the sea, apparently knowing full well that as soon as they reach the water 

 they are safe from pursuit. Sometimes large parties may be seen from a ship, going in a given 

 direction as though on a journey, cutting through the waves with a celerity far surpassing that of the 

 swiftest vessel. During a considerable portion of the year these birds are employed in providing for 

 their young, as it is necessary that their progeny should acquire sufficient vigour to resist the raging 

 element on which they are destined to dwell, and which they most probably will never leave, except 

 when in their turn they seek land for the purpose of reproduction. 



Of the enormous numbers in which the Penguins are seen upon their breeding-places in Arctic 

 Regions, Sir J. C. Ross writes thus:— "In Possession Island, situated in latitude 71° 56' north, and 

 longitude 71 7' east, and composed entirely of igneous rocks, we saw not the smallest appearance 

 of vegetation, but inconceivable myriads of Penguins completely and densely covered the whole 

 surface of the island, along the ledges of the precipices, and even to the summits of the hills, 

 attacking us vigorously as we waded through their ranks, and pecking at us with their sharp beaks, 

 disputing possession ; this, together with their loud coarse notes, and the insupportable stench from 



Lthe deep bed of guano which had been forming for ages, and which may at some period be valuable 

 to the agriculturists of our Australian colonies, made us glad to get away again, after having loaded 

 vot„ iv, — 1 ^2 



