way} — again the horizon becomes vacant, and
again I retire to my lodging with increased
melancholy and disappointment!
A few days since, walking along the
beach, I discovered a number of penguins
just landed; their extraordinary appearance
at first startled me, they do not fear the approach
of man, but stand still and suffer
themselves to be taken or knocked on the
head. Those I saw are called the Macaroni
Penguin. They are about the size of a common
duck; they stand bolt upright; the back
and head are of a glossy black, the belly,
neck, and part -of their legs a beautifully
clear white, and from the head, just over the
eyes, is placed a bunch of bright yellow feathers,
hanging down on each side the face,
which gives the animal an animated and
beautiful appearance; it is from these fantastic
feathers (I should imagine) they receive
their name of “ Macaroni.” The eyes are
very bright, large, round, and sparkling ; they
have two small flippers, which in the water
serve as fins, and on shore in place of wings,
not to fly withal, but merely to assist in swimming
and running. I caught one of them,
and took him home, in order that he should
sit for his picture, but had to take especial
care of his beak, which was large and strong,
and which he used most unceremoniously,
making desperate pecks at my hands, and I
received several severe wounds before I
reached my dwelling with my captive. They
are very heavy and fa t; but too fishy for eating,
unless in a case of great necessity, which
too often happens to the people of this island;
but their eggs are quite as good as those of a
duck, and are most abundant during the
season, and as they are laid upon the sands,
they are easily procured, and prove a very
comfortable addition to our frugal repast.
July 15th. — The weather has been for
some time very fair, and the wind moderate,
but again I have encountered the excitement
of hope and despair, another vessel has passed,
and must have seen our signals, and yet kept
too far out to sea to afford the least possibility
of our boats reaching her! Nothing else has
occurred to change the monotony of the life
I now lead.
z