348 



impulse of nature, they in turn seek the land for the purpose of reproduction. Notwithstanding 

 this care for the preservation of the young, heavy gales of wind destroy them in great numbers, 

 hundreds being occasionally found dead on the beach after a storm ; and when the sudden trans- 

 ition from the quiet of their breeding-place to the turbulence of the ocean, and the great 

 activity and muscular exertion then required, are taken into consideration, an occurrence of this 



kind will not appear at all surprising Its powers of progression in the deep are truly 



astonishing ; its swimming-powers are in fact so great that it stems the waves of the most tur- 

 bulent seas with the utmost facility, and during the severest gale descends to the bottom, 

 where, among beautiful beds of coral and forests of sea-weed, it paddles about in search of crusta- 

 ceans, small fish, and marine vegetables, all of which kinds of food were found in the stomachs 

 of those I dissected." 



I once had a live one in my possession for a considerable time ; and although very savage 

 when first taken, severely punishing the captor's hands with its beak, it soon became quite tame, 

 and exhibited, for such a bird, a remarkable degree of intelligence. 



On land its mode of progression is very ungainly, and it frequently topples over when at- 

 tempting to run. Its usual attitude is that represented in our Plate ; but it sometimes crouches 

 low, with its breast nearly touching the ground. The sea, however, is its natural abode ; and 

 on observing its movements there, it is at once manifest that the flippers are intended to perform 

 the office of fins, or paddles, for propelling the body through the water. On the surface it swims 

 low and in a rather clumsy fashion ; but the moment it dives under it trails its legs behind like 

 a bird on the wing, and, using its flippers in the manner indicated, glides forward with the 

 same ease and freedom that the Sea-Gull cleaves the air above it. In clear deep water I have 

 watched its graceful evolutions with considerable interest ; and I have been astonished at the 

 length of time the bird could remain under before rising to the surface to breathe. 



Whether it is nocturnal in its habits I am unable to say ; but I am inclined to think not, 

 inasmuch as my captive bird seemed to be far less active after dark than during the day, and 

 when disturbed appeared to stumble about in a very blind manner. 



It produces a loud croaking noise ; and where large companies are breeding together they 

 appear to keep up a constant angry altercation. The eggs, which are usually two in number, 

 are deposited in a shallow artificial burrow, or in a natural crevice among the rocks. Sometimes 

 three or four birds are found associated ; and it is said that the sexes assist each other in the labour 

 of incubation. The eggs are of a very rounded form, measuring 2*2 inches in length by 1*7 in 

 breadth, greenish white originally, but always much soiled or stained by the bird, and often 

 smeared with a white chalky substance. 



