SPHENISCIDJE. 349 



of African guano ; but its value is somewhat diminished 

 by its habit of scratching the ground which it occupies, 

 in consequence of which the real guano becomes much 

 mingled with sand. 



From the latter end of March to late in May these 

 Penguins go to sea in a body, and may then be seen forty 

 or fifty miles away from land. 



The egg of this species is bluish white, very large, 

 round at one end, but tapering towards the opposite 

 extremity. In the breeding-places frequented by these 

 birds they always occupy the highest parts, the Gannets 

 coming next, and nearest to the sea the Cormorants. 



This Penguin, if undisturbed, breeds about September 

 and October — but if judiciously deprived of its eggs, will 

 continue to lay for seven or eight consecutive months. 

 It makes no particular nest ; but sometimes it surrounds 

 its sitting-place with a few seaweeds, remnants of de- 

 cayed birds, scraps of bones, and even broken bottles. 

 The number of eggs is one or two, and occasionally, 

 though rarely, three. The bird sits quite upright on its 

 egg or eggs, which it keeps close between its heels and 

 tail ; and if compelled to move off, it frequently shuffles 

 away its eggs unperceived. 



These Penguins sit very close together, and when in- 

 cubating are not only perfectly fearless but somewhat 

 vicious ; and a man cannot then move amongst them 

 without the probability of being bitten, which is no 

 laughing matter, for the bite of this Penguin will not 

 unfrequently take a piece of flesh clean out of a man's 

 leg. The guano-collectors always use a stout stick when 



