366 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL, 
three-quarters of a mile off its south end. Passing within a short 
distance of it, they did not observe any of the signals of the squadron 
flying as they had anticipated. They, notwithstanding, stood in, 
lowered a boat, and despatched several officers to put up the signal, 
make experiments, and collect specimens. The boat approached an 
indentation on the west side, too open to be called a bay, and found that 
MACQUARIE ISLAND, 
the surf was running high, and beating with great violence against the 
rocks, which, together with the kelp, rendered it dangerous to attempt 
landing. They made for several other places which looked favourable 
at a distance, but on approaching them, they were found even less acces- 
sible. The boat then returned to the first place to make another 
attempt, which was attended with great difficulty. The boat’s anchor 
was dropped, and she was backed in with great caution to the edge of 
the rollers; the surf was very high, and rolled in with a noise like 
thunder, breaking furiously upon the rocks, so as to make the boat fairly 
tremble, and threatening every moment to overwhelm her; once or 
twice she was prevented from getting broadside-to by hauling out 
towards her anchor. At length, after a dozen fruitless attempts, and await- 
ing a favourable opportunity, Mr. Eld, and a quarter-master, succeeded 
in getting ashore, but not without being immersed up to their breasts. 
Tt was found impossible to land any instruments, and the quarter-master 
was despatched to erect the necessary signals, while Mr. Eld proceeded 
to visit the penguin-rookery uot far distant. On approaching the 
island it had appeared to be covered with white spots ; these excited con- 
jecture, but after landing, the exhalations rendered it not long doubtful 
that it was birdlime. 
Mr. Eld, in his journal, gives the following account of his visit :— 
« Although I had heard so often of the great quantity of birds on the 
uninhabited islands, I was not prepared to see them in such myriads as 
here. The whole sides of the rugged hills were literally covered with 
them. Having passed a deep fissure in the rocks, I ascended a crag that 
led to what I thought was their principal roost, and at every step my 
astonishment increased. Such a din of squeaking, squalling, and 
yabbling I never before heard, or dreamed could be made by any of the 
feathered tribe. It was impossible to hear one’s self speak. It appeared 
as if everyone was vying with his neighbour to make the greatest 
possible noise. I soon found my presence particularly displeased them. 
