er if they will
receive us kindly. D'you think they are hospitable, Jack?"

"Don't talk, Peterkin, but pull away, and you shall see shortly."

As we drew near to the island we were much amused by the manoeuvres and
appearance of these strange birds. They seemed to be of different
species, for some had crests on their heads while others had none, and
while some were about the size of a goose others appeared nearly as large
as a swan. We also saw a huge albatross soaring above the heads of the
penguins. It was followed and surrounded by numerous flocks of
sea-gulls. Having approached to within a few yards of the island, which
was a low rock, with no other vegetation on it than a few bushes, we lay
on our oars and gazed at the birds with surprise and pleasure, they
returning our gaze with interest. We now saw that their soldier-like
appearance was owing to the stiff, erect manner in which they sat on
their short legs,--"Bolt-up-right," as Peterkin expressed it. They had
black heads, long sharp beaks, white breasts, and bluish backs. Their
wings were so short that they looked more like the fins of a fish, and,
indeed, we soon saw that they used them for the purpose of swimming under
water. There were no quills on these wings, but a sort of scaly
feathers; which also thickly covered their bodies. Their legs were
short, and placed so far back that the birds, while on land, were obliged
to stand quite upright in order to keep their balance; but in the water
they floated like other water-fowl. At first we were so stunned with the
clamour which they and other sea-birds kept up around us, that we knew
not which way to look,--for they covered the rocks in thousands; but, as
we continued to gaze, we observed several quadrupeds (as we thought)
walking in the midst of the penguins.

"Pull in a bit," cried Peterkin, "and let's see what these are. They
must be fond of noisy company, to consort with such creatures."

To our surprise we found that these were no other than penguins which had
gone down on all fours, and were crawling among the bushes on their feet
and wings, just like quadrupeds. Suddenly one big old bird, that had
been sitting on a point very near to us, gazing in mute astonishment,
became alarmed, and, scuttling down the rocks, plumped or fell, rather
than ran, into the sea. It dived in a moment, and, a few seconds
afterwards, came out of the water far a-head, with such a spring, and
such a dive back int