INTRODUCTION 



When seen for the first time, the Adelie penguin 

 gives you the impression of a very smart little man 

 in an evening dress suit, so absolutely immaculate is 

 he, with his shimmering white front and black back 

 and shoulders. He stands about two feet five inches 

 in height, walking very upright on his little legs. 



His carriage is confident as he approaches you over 

 the snow, curiosity in his every movement. When 

 within a yard or two of you, as you stand silently 

 watching him, he halts, poking his head forward 

 with little jerky movements, first to one side, then 

 to the other, using his right and left eye alternately 

 during his inspection. He seems to prefer using 

 one eye at a time when viewing any near object, 

 but when looking far ahead, or walking along, 

 he looks straight ahead of him, using both eyes. 

 He, does this, too, when his anger is aroused, 

 holding his head very high, and appearing to squint 

 at you along his beak, as in Figure 1. 



After a careful inspection, he may suddenly lose 

 all interest in you, and ruffling up his feathers sink 

 into a doze. Stand still for a minute till he has 

 settled himself to sleep, then make sound enough 

 to wake him without startling him, and he opens 

 his eyes, stretching himself, yawns, then finally walks 

 off, caring no more about you. (Figs. 2 and 3.) 



3 



