[ 95 ] 
time ; they form burrows under ground* 
like rabbits ; and the illes they frequent 
are perfedfly undermined by them, lb 
that it is difficult to walk without falling 
into their holes, or linking through the 
furface up the fhoulders. Such ren- 
contres are difagreeable, as thefe birds 
bite extremely hard ; and commonly 
three or four are found to neftle toge- 
ther in the fame hole. 
Their eggs are faid to be rather lefs than 
that of a goofe ; and that they begin to 
lay the latter end of September, or be- 
ginning of October. 
Their attitude on land is quite eredt ; and 
on that account they have been com- 
pared by fome to pygmies, by others to 
children with white bibs 
On land they are exceffively aukward, by 
reafcn of the fituation of their legs, which 
are placed quite behind : they are very 
tame, and may be drove like a flock 
of Iheep ; when prefled, they feek for 
fhelter either in their burrows, or the 
fea, which feems to be their more na- 
tural element... 
In the water they are remarkably aditive, 
and fwim with vafl: ftrength, affiiling 
by their wings, which, ferve inftead of 
fins. 
Their food in. general is fifh, not but that 
they will eat grafs like geefe ; for Sir 
* Narborcugh’s voyage, p. 59. 
Richard 
