INACCESSIBLE ISLAND. 
51 
the interval of a couple of days, on the 12th or 13th August, the females came ashore in 
bodies of six or seven, and the instant they landed made their way into the tussock grass, 
this being probably their pairing-time. Fighting was now incessantly going on amongst the 
birds. None of the penguins at this time ever went out to sea, although a few of them 
appeared occasionally to wash in the surf. A fortnight later the female commenced laying 
her eggs, never leaving the shore. Not more than three were laid ; the rule seemed to be 
two. Both male and female assisted in keeping the eggs warm, and the female plucked out 
feathers to make a hatching-spot in which to cover the eggs. The change of sitter was made 
with great care, the two birds sidling up to one another so closely that the egg was visible 
for a moment only when the change was made. The hatching occupies about six weeks. It 
is a peculiar circumstance that the penguins leave their eggs exposed a couple of days before 
sitting. One or other of the parents frequently went to sea for a short time in search of 
food, which was transferred to the beaks of the young birds. In December, young and old 
left for the water, and almost all disappeared for a fortnight; at the end of this time the 
moulting season commenced. They now spread themselves about more than usually, and 
some might be seen in what would appear inaccessible spots. They remained ashore until 
the middle of April, when all took their departure. This event took place at night on 
both the years we spent on the island ; in the evening the penguins were with us, the next 
morning all were gone, except two or three who seemed to suffer from some disease. I have 
passed many hours in studying their habits, and have been struck with the evident joy evinced 
at the return ashore of a mate, both flapping their wings, and caressing each other in an 
unmistakable manner. After landing on the beach, they are careful to remain a time on 
the stones cleaning and drying their feathers before joining their companions. In bad 
weather, with a heavy surf, this landing is no easy matter ; the penguins watch for a heavy 
breaker and endeavour to land in it, avoiding the crest, and if taken off by the backwash, 
they dive at the moment the next wave breaks, and are carried ashore by it. I have been 
unable to distinguish any difference in their cry, which appears to be always in the same note. 
When relieved from sitting on the eggs, the penguin goes into the water with the greatest 
satisfaction, and may be seen rolling over and cleaning itself, using both wings and feet for 
this purpose. When procuring food for their young, they enter the water and disappear 
immediately on their errand. They appear to be very fond of drinking fresh water, gathering 
the drops from their feathers with their beak during rain ; they also drink salt w^ater. When 
procuring food, they nearly always work in parties ; I have seldom seen single penguins at 
such times, either landing or going afloat. There is no difference in size between the male 
and female penguins, but the former have a stronger beak. The roads apparently left clear 
for highways are really only water-courses. There are always main entrances to the rookery, 
but on these, nests are to be found. The birds invariably travel by the same roads to 
and from the water, although the rookery may extend a very long distance on either side. 
Penguin eggs are palatable.” 
Besides penguins, the island is frequented by the albatross, the molly-mawk, the pieu, 
