THE ALBATROSS. 281 



Peculiar affection for the penguin. 



gum is not formed either for flying or climbing. 

 In such places their nests are seen together, as if 

 they stood in need of mutual assistance and pro- 

 tection. Captain Hunt, who for some time com- 

 manded at our settlement upon Falkland Islands, 

 has declared, that he was often amazed at the 

 union preserved between these birds, and the re- 

 gularity with which they built together. In that 

 bleak and desolate spot, where the birds had 

 long continued undisturbed possessors, and no 

 way dreaded the encroachments of men, they 

 seemed to make their abode as comfortable as 

 they expected it to be lasting. They were seen 

 to build with an amazing degree of uniformity ; 

 their nests, by thousands, covering fields, and re- 

 sembling a regular plantation. In the middle, 

 on high, the albatross raised its nest, on heath 

 sticks and long grass, about two feet above the 

 surface: round this the penguins made their 

 lower settlements, rather in holes in the ground; 

 and most usually eight penguins to one albatross. 

 Nothing is a stronger proof of M. BufTon's fine 

 observation, that the presence of man not only 

 destroys the society of meaner animals, but their 

 instincts also; for we have it as a positive fact, 

 that these nests are now totally destroyed ; the 

 society is broke up, and the albatross and pen- 

 guin have gone to breed upon more desert shores, 

 where they conceive themselves safe from his in- 

 trusion, and where they can securely preserve 

 that peace and safety, which he is constantly 

 sure to interrupt. 



VOL. iv. NO. 28. 2 N 



