CHAP, 1x.) HABITS OF SOME BIRDS. 199 
thought inexplicable transportal of the erratic boulders, which 
are strewed over the plains of Europe. 
I have little to remark on the zoology of these islands. Ihave 
before described the carrion-vulture or Polyborus. There are 
some other hawks, owls, and a few small land-birds. The water- 
fowl are particularly numerous, and they must formerly, from 
the accounts of the old navigators, have been much more so. 
One day I observed a cormorant playing with a fish which it had 
caught, Hight times successively the bird let its prey go, then 
dived after it, and although in deep water, brought it each time 
to the surface. In the Zoological Gardens I have seen the otter 
treat a fish in the same manner, much as a cat does a mouse: I 
do not know of any other instance where dame Nature appears 
so wilfully cruel. Another day, having placed myself between 
a penguin (Aptenodytes demersa) and the water, I was much 
amused by watching its habits. It was a brave bird; and till 
reaching the sea, it regularly fought and drove me backwards. 
Nothing less than heavy blows would have stopped him; every 
inch he gained he firmly kept, standing close before me erect 
and determined. When thus opposed he continually rolled his 
head from side to side, in a very odd manner, as if the power of 
distinct vision lay only in the anterior and basal part of each 
eye. This bird is commonly called the jackass penguin, from its 
habit, while on shore, of throwing its head backwards, and 
making a loud strange noise, very like the braying of an ass; 
but while at sea, and undisturbed, its note is very deep and 
solemn, and is often heard in the night-time. In diving, its 
little wings are used as fins; but on the land, as front legs. 
When crawling, it may be said on four legs, through the tus- 
sucks or on the side of a grassy cliff, it moves so very quickly 
that it might easily be mistaken for a quadruped. When at sea 
and fishing, it comes to the surface for the purpose of breathing 
with such a spring, and dives again so instantaneously, that I 
defy any one at first sight to be sure that it was not a fish leaping 
for sport. 
Two kinds of geese frequent the Falklands. The upland 
species (Anas Magellanica) is common, in pairs and in small 
flecks, throughout the island. They do not migrate, but build 
