Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-29

two creatures with the beaks OF birds but
with the eyes more fiat and fishlike THAI
those of the ordinary featnered being Sew
eral times, on hot days when flies were
Troublesome, one OF these insects has been
observed 10 crawl directly over the eve of
one of the penguins. without even causing
IL TO wink with the nictitating or third eye
lid. with which birds are provided. This
shows how hard Is the exterior conjunction
or outer covering OF the eyehall-a splendid
adaptation 10 enable the bird 70 stand the
pressure OF the icy waters OF the far south.
and TO see clearly In their depths as an
ordinary bird can see in the air.
The black and white markings OF tho
penguins are most peculiar. Fishlike. tho
birds are in general color blacksh above
and white beneath: but they have a bla *
facial mask. while a band OF the black ex-
tends up and encircles the breast. The legs
are almost wholly within the skin OF .he
body. hardly more than the feet and toes
being outside. Although webhed, IL Is ,vl-
dent that the feet are of little use further
than for waddling awkwardly about. Thu
tai is short. but from the occasional Wigs
orous shaking We Judge that II is well
muscied. The covering of the body consists
OF short. stiff feathers which on the wing
reach their greatest similitudr to the scales
of reptile. Now We know that the feath-
ers OF all birds. even the beautiful plumes
of the ostrich and bird of paradise. are
only metamorphosed scales, but in tho
feathers on the pengui1's wing We see
structures which. once :OuhtleSs SO fcath-
cry that the owner could at least sail or
skim through the air. have now, through
the new use to which they have heen Put,
reverted TO the ancient prototype - fiat.
horny. plate-like scales.
OF all the external organs OF these birds,
the wing most holds our interest. II IL n
broad. fiat structure. sloping gently back
ward from its insert on into the body. and
of nearly equal breadth, until near the tip,
where II suddenly narrows to the point.
Reading over the above description We find
that we have accurately defined the I'm OK
a shark: and. indeed. this is what the wing
OF the penguin resembles even more closely
than Il does the Ripper OF seal. For tho
latter organ is bent and modified. that IL
serves as a front foot in progression on
land. and it's five digits are distinct even
ON the exterior, while IN the air the pen
gums wing bangles uselessiy, but under
water shows its perfect adaptation to It's
use Both wings are used simultaneously in
swimming, and the motion brings 10 mind
the fippers OF a sea turtle. When a penguin
plunges into the water lie does not dive
head first. but hops from the shore feet
first. presenting a very comical sight. Many
curious little habits may he noticed. tell
ing Of the wild Hfe OF these birds. For ex-
ample. whe- even the Two individuals at
the Geological Park walk. or rather waddle.
from one end OF their iuclosure to the other.
they invariably progress IN single file, one
behind the other. Does not this lock step
hint of the deep SHOWS which often cover
their antarctic haunts thus neccssiiating
an advance in single hle thousands Of these
birds following each other s footsteps, and
thus packing hard. narrow trails through
the drifts?