BIRDS OF KBRGUELEN'S LAND 103 
washed backwards and forwards, then form attachments 
defying the power of the sea. . . . [The only use in Nature 
I can assign to it is the shelter it affords to a species of Patella 
from the attacks of the gulls, which prowl about during low 
water and secure as their prey any other unfortunate shell- 
fish which is exposed. The weight of the fronds of the 
Laminaria hanging down over the dry rocks forms an in- 
surmountable obstacle to the birds.] 
The birds, unused to man, were devoid of fear. In the 
shallow bay next to the Arch Point, were myriads of the 
beautiful Sheathbill as the sailors called it (a Chionis), so 
tame that it allows you to come quite close to it. It was 
something like a pigeon, black legs (not webbed), beak and 
eyes ; it ran with great agility among the rocks [like ptar- 
migan, helping itself by the first joint of the wings, which is 
provided with two callous extremities admirably adapted for 
this purpose] and came close to examine me ; its plumage is 
of a spotless white, with a sHght pink tinge on the primaries 
of the wings ; the bill was a sheath common to the two 
nostrils. On one occasion I thoughtfully sat down on a stone 
and commenced whistling a tune when, on turning my head, 
I found I had unwittingly been performing an Orpheus's 
part, for upwards of twenty of these beautiful birds had 
gathered about me, and were gradually approaching, declin- 
ing their heads and narrowly watching my motions, and 
would even perch on my foot, rocking their heads on one side 
in the most interesting manner. AmoLg them were some 
penguins, peering over the rocks ... so tame that they 
allowed me to take them by the beaks. 
Among the stones were feathers in amazing quantities 
and 
many skeletons, especially Penquins', which are, I suspect, 
destroyed by a very large gull, whose bill is like that of a 
hawk, and its webbed feet terminated by hooked claws of 
great strength. The penguins' food is, I suspect, fish, at least 
the stomach of a common one was full of such matter ; and 
the white birds are omnivorous, eating flesh, seaweeds, and 
insects. One that we kept on board used to run about the 
decks after the sailors, and at their dmner used to help itself 
from their dishes, eating meat boiled or raw, raisins, rice, 
