258 
BREEDING PLACES, 
intersection of these paths, an Albatross constructs 
her nest, while in the centre of each little square is 
a Penguins nest. 
In this regular manner is the whole space taken 
up by Penguins and Albatrosses, with the addition 
of a few other sea-birds, which find places in unoc- 
cupied spots. But although these Penguins and 
Albatrosses are on such intimate terms, and appear 
to go on so well together, they not only form very 
different nests, but the Penguin, when she can, will 
rob her neighbours. She merely makes a slight 
hollow in the earth, just deep enough to prevent 
her single egg rolling out; whereas the Albatross 
throws up a little mound of earth, grass, and shells, 
eight or ten inches high, about the size of a small 
water-bucket, on the top of which she sits. None 
of their nests are ever left unoccupied for a single 
moment, until the eggs are hatched, and the young 
ones old enough to take care of themselves. The 
male goes to sea till he has satisfied his hunger, and 
then returning, takes the place of his mate, when she 
flies off for the same purpose ; the egg being con- 
veyed to him by the hen placing her toes* together, 
and rolling it towards the male, the beak being used 
to place it properly. 
During this season, the Penguins may be seen 
marching round, or up and down the pathways of 
this marine rookery, as it may be termed, while the 
air is darkened by thousands of Albatrosses, hover- 
ing like a cloud, — some continually alighting and 
meeting their companions, while others are as con- 
stantly rising and shaping their course towards the sea. 
* Weddell’s Voyage to the South Pole . 
