E9*rJ THE SKUAS NESTING 101 
does wc will cover more sledges in a similar manner. We 
shall also try Day's new undcr-runners to-morrow. After 
48 hours of brilliant sunshine wc have a haze over the sky. 
List of sledges : 
, ( 1 1 in use 
12 ft. < 
K 14 spare 
10 ft. 10 not now used 
9 ft. 10 in use 
To-day I walked over our peninsula to see what the 
southern side was like. Hundreds of skuas were nesting 
and attacked in the usual manner as I passed. They fly 
round shrieking wildly until they have gained some 
altitude. They then swoop down with great impetus 
directly at one's head, lifting again when within a foot 
of it. The bolder ones actually beat on one's head with 
their wings as they pass. At first it is alarming, but 
experience shows that they never strike except with their 
wings. A skua is nesting on a rock between the ponies 
and the dogs. People pass every few minutes within a 
pace or two, yet the old bird has not deserted its chick. 
In fact, it seems gradually to be getting confidence, for 
it no longer attempts to swoop at the intruder. To-day 
Ponting went within a few feet, and by dint of patience 
managed to get some wonderful cinematograph pictures 
of its movements in feeding and tending its chick, as well 
as some photographs of these events at critical times. 
The main channel for thaw water at Cape Evans is 
now quite a rushing stream. 
Evans, Pennell, and Rennick have got sight for 
meridian distance ; we ought to get a good longitude fix. 
