167 



quent the water, where they feed upon fish, aquatic- 

 plants or insects. 



Of these, the principal is the penguin (diomcdea 

 Chiiensis). This bird, on the part of the feathered 

 tribe, forms a link of union between the classes of 

 birds and fishes, as the flying-fish does on that of the 

 finny race. The feet are palmated like those of a 

 duck, but its plumage is so fine that it appears more 

 like hair than feathers, and instead of wings it has 

 two pendent fins, covered with very short feathers 

 resembling scales, which are of great use to it in 

 swimming, but much too small for the purpose of 

 flying. It is of the-size of a common duck, but i^s 

 neck is much longer ; the head is compressed at the 

 sides, and very small in proportion to the size of the 

 body ; the bill is slender, and bent a little towards 

 the point ; the upper part of the body, the wings and 

 the tail, which is nothing more than an extension of 

 the feathers of the rump, are of a changeable grey 

 and blue, and the breast and belly are white. The 

 feet, which have but three toes, are situated near the 

 anus, and it walks in an erect posture, with its head 

 elevated like that of a man, keeping it constantly in 

 motion in order to preserve its equilibrium. This 

 gives it at a distance the appearance of a child just 

 beginning to walk, whence the Chilians have de- 

 nominated it the child-bird. 



Although the penguin is an excellent swimmer, 

 it cannot keep the sea during a storm, and the bodies 

 of those which have perished at such times are fre- 

 quently found upon the beach. I have never known 

 it eaten in Chili," though several navigators repre* 



