Vol. xv.] 50 



cliff. Here the stream of birds becomes congested, and 

 perhaps only sufficient space is left to allow them to pass 

 in single file or two abreast. In such places the rocks over 

 which they pass become deeply scratched (fig. 3). Occa- 

 sionally these Penguins try and take a bee-line from the 

 landing-place to the rookery, and struggle up the almost 

 vertical rocks by the aid of their wings and feet. Two 

 photographs (figs. 4 and 5) show one of these steep tracks 

 and the scratched rocks in such a pathway. 



" During every spring, when the Penguins return to their 

 respective rookeries, their first occupation is to construct 

 their nests. These are very roughly put together, and are 

 made of diddle-du twigs (Empetrum rubrum) or tussac- 

 grass (Poa ccespitosa). Near a Penguin-rookery on West 

 Point Island there is a dense growth of tussac-grass located 

 on a hill-side, the birds having to climb up a steep bank of 

 peat in order to collect this grass for their nests. Here the 

 peat-banks become scarred with vertical lines of irregular 

 shape and outline, resembling exactly the scratches on the 

 rocks. Of course these scratches on the peat-banks soon 

 vanish after a heavy rain. 



" One can always detect the footprints of a Penguin of this 

 species on the soft peaty soil. Their feet are always placed 

 fiat on the ground, and the three sharp nails always leave 

 three clear impressions at the end of each footprint. 



" The localities from whence all my specimens of scratched 

 rocks have been obtained are situated at least 100 feet above 

 high-water mark/' 



A discussion followed, and Dr. Sharpe reminded the 

 members that similar specimens of rocks had previously been 

 sent to the Club for exhibition by the same gentleman, and 

 that expert geologists had then expressed their opinion that 

 the scores on the rocks were caused by the action of water &c. 

 and not by the claws of the Penguins. [Cf. Bull. B. O. C. 

 xii. no. hxxix. p. 67 (1902).] 



Though some were inclined to entertain Mr. Vallentin's 

 assertions as a possibility, the general opinion of the members 



