Domestic Affairs On Penguin Island

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 3

Domestic Affairs On Penguin Island

Penguin Island. By Cherry Kearton. Hutchinson. 112 pp. Many New Zealanders take a lively interest in Antarctica nowadays and have an affectionate regard for the principal inhabitants of that region—the penguins. Mr Kearton’s latest book will interest them, although it is true that he looks towards’ the Antarctic from a different angle, from the Atlantic. However, the penguins are the same, no matter from what angle they are observed.

Penguin Island is a dot in the wastes of the South Atlantic, and here the penguins come twice a year to mate and to rear their families. Mr Kearton prints a map at the beginning of his text, and it is at once apparent that Penguin Island has a certain kinsliip with the celebrated Treasure Island. Many approaches are labelled “rocky.” The legend “reef,” or “rough seas” or even “very rough seas” occurs frequently. There is no Spyglass Hill: but there is a camp clearly marked, and on the desolate south coast a beaming lighthouse. Occasional groups of penguins represent the five million visitors who come and go. No mermaids are indicated, although the author wonders about their presence in chapter. 11. Three highpooped galleons stand off shore to the N.E., N.W., and S.S.E 9

Here Mr and Mrs Kearton lived for many months, observing, sketching and taking photographs of penguins. This book is a detailed but informal account of nearly everything that goes on there in a normal year. Many creatures are mentioned: but naturally the penguins have the limelight. Their story is an eventful one. Courtship is a period of fatiguing exhibitionism, and the trials of married life are considerable. Some penguins try to steal the homes more regular couples have constructed. and fierce combats follow. Gulls and ibises endeavour to steal eggs and to devour the chicks. When they are being taught to swim, the young ones may be seized by octopuses, and in deeper waters the sharks wait hungrily. On the other hand, some -creatures are quite friendly. Penguins and tortoises get on well together, although the author once saw a pair fall out. when a tortoise began to nibble a twig a penguin wanted for his home. One of the best chapters in the book, as might be expected. is the one called "The Bathing Parade.” “In

the water some penguins are performing solo feats, floating. rolling, so that the sea splashes their backs, then turning sudden somersaults, diving and rising like porpoises. and spinning round' and round like catherinewheels, or (to be more exact) in the manner of blue-bottle flies that have fallen on their backs in a cup of water. Others are playing in groups, diving under one another, or having a regular tug-of-war with some floating epiece of seaweed."

In his last chapter Mr Kearton gives some remarkable facts. He records that penguins can swim up to 100 miles a day. and that the same bird has been seen at points nearly 2000 miles apart. "There is reason to believe that one year a bird will swim to the Island of Kerguelen, only 500 miles above the Antarctic Circle, while the next year the same bird may swim—or perhaps in part be blown by heavy weather—as far north as the Gulf of Madagascar.” It is fitting that the preface to this attractive book should bei written by the celebrated naturalist, Peter Scott.