PENGUIN-EGG COLLECTING,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14223, 20 November 1909, Page 5 (Supplement)

PENGUIN-EGG COLLECTING,

> AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY. Lying off the south-western corner of Cape Colony, and a little to the north of Capetown, are a group of islands of which Dassen, Jutten, and Malagassen Islands are the largest and most prominenC: They appear nothing more than rocky islets, whose jagged rocks projecting above the level of the sea offer an emphatic warning to the navigator not to venture too closely. Should the passing vessel approach sufficiently near, the traveller will observe the islands to be crowded with birds, and probably will dismiss, them from his mind with the thought that they are merely the isolated and wellnigh v inaccessible strongholds . of the seafowl clustering on their barren sides.

Such, however, is far from being the case. Although the three above-named islands, which constitute the largest and most important of the; group, do not cover in the "aggregate more than/from 20 to 30 acres of ground, yet they are the centre of two flourishing industries.'. • The islands are the property of the Government, and their sanctity is carefully preserved. No one is allowed to intrude upon their shores without express permission. They are as closely protected as a hoard of treasure, and upon each. island is stationed a resident official or ranger, for whom comfortable quarters are provided, and who on behalf of his employers maintains a practically autocratic sway. Though one might probably search in vain for traces of precious metals or gems, the existence of which might be suggested by the thoroughness of the reservation, yet they yield two articles of • commercial value which represent a satisfactory revenue to the Colonial Government. The first of these is guano, of which huge deposits are to be found on these sea-girt rocks; the other is penguineggs. The last-named industry is becoming •of more importance every year, and a decided stimulus has been imparted to the trade by the recent successful introduction of the eggs into Britain. In South- Africa the edible is as common as the ordinary hen's egg, and is a favourite addition to the break-fast-table. In fact, owing to its peculiarly ', easy digestible qualities, combined with an appetising flavour, it.is greatly preferred to the smaller product of the domestic fowl; while the fact that it is considerably larger renders it a good square meal in itself.

In general appearance the* egg resembles somewhat that of the goose, to which it also approximates in size. A peculiarity in cooking, however, is that the white or albumen never becomes solidified and white, as is the case with the hen's ! egg, ;J but preserves its jelly-like consistency of a very pale-blue colour. .No matter how long cooking may be prolonged, it will always retain this character, though the yolk itself will become set in the usual manner. It is . owing to this> peculiarity that the albumen of the penguin's egg is so easily digestible and con-. stitutes such a valuable.' dietetic for invalids. In view of the fact -that the bird depends for '; its . sustenance upon fish, it ' might be conceived that the egg will necessarily have a fishy flavour ; but such a conclusion would be quite fallacious. / .

Upon these islands the penguins thrive in their thousands, or it might truthfully be said in their millions, for they jostle and fight one another for their very existence. Being under severe protection, they multiply exceedingly, and although their nests are remorselessly robbed of their contents during, a certain season of the year, their ranks suffer no diminution. Among their. native haunts the birds * are : very tame, . and : will allow the visitor to walk among them without being molested. - ; In fact, to wend your path over the beach is a somewhat difficult matter, since, owing to their great numbers, they stand, shoulder to shoulder, and refuse «to budge an inch to make room for you to pass. - Should,. therefore, one be in your way, to effect progress ■ without injuring it you must unceremoniously push it on one side, an unprovoked summary assault which the bird will often immediately resent by attacking its neighbour. Such tameness is, somewhat extraordinary since those that occasionally become cast up ;on the mainland, which is only a few miles away, by unfavourable currents, exhibit extreme timidity, and immediately beat a retreat to, a safe refuge upon man's approach. So den- - sely are the islands covered by these birds that the quarters of the Government rangers, have to, be surrounded.with, low s walls to keep • them from flocking .: into the private precincts of the; dwelling. . ' A ; WEIX-OBPERED. OOMMT7NITY. ';: Under the peculiar ; conditions prevailing, the islands offer unique advantages for studying the habits and movements of these birds at close range, ■ and from the results of such privileged investigations our knowledge concerning these interesting birds has been considerably extended. They | are a well-ordered community, and carry out the law of self-preservation to the letter. They have a code of laws to which they adhere very closely, and woe betide the venturesome one who should - dare to exceed its limits. In the first place, . each bird selects its own particular site for its nest, which is the '■: crudest : structure. it lis ' possible to conceive, existing in many cases in,, name only. Upon its return • from a - foraging \or other expedition a bird will immediately return to its home, and although one is as like another as two peas it never makes a mistake. At the same .time, the bird is [ rather fond of embellishing its rude home with any odds and ends which it may find. It may be the rim of a discarded piece of headgear, a scrap of iron,; a < nail, or a ".screw. This it bears triumphantly to its home, ] lays it •in the desired position, and then stands guard over it.. Possibly other birds, jealous of such decoration, ■■ attempt to > take forcible possession of the trophy, or: will perhaps resort to surreptitious theft during the owner's absence. '% In any event the upshot ;is the same.. A terrific combat ensues. between rightful owner and purloiner, ; the other, birds observing the battle-royal with- the utmost

As the penguins, from their" peculiar build, must necessarily live on the strip of land fringing the sea, other winged inhabitants must take up their abode beyond the -limits of their settlement. Should one inadvertently settle in the penguins' domain, the latter make an attack in force and the intruder is either despatched right away or beats a hurried; retreat. The result is that a state of civil war is eternally raging on the islands between the various kinds of birds. This is illustrated more strikingly on Malagassen Island, where the internal districts constitute the abode of the indigenous goose. There is an understood frontier-line dividing the colonies of the two species, and should one or the other trespass over that invisible line of demarcation a general melee ensues. Hordes of each. community . hurry up to the scene of action, and a conflict all along the line is waged, the contest being.maintained for hours. The two colonies of birds are thus jin a constant state of suspicion and suppressed warfare, but so long as either side keeps religiously to its own preserves peace prevails. ; .-••'' ART OF WARFARE. At the same time, however, the birds show a highly developed intelligence in ihe art of warfare. In some instances, when the penguins wish to land upon another island already indisputably tenanted by some other s representatives of the winged tribe, they do not ,'make individual sallies at various points, but select a suitable land-ing-place. Then they assume a wedge formation and make a combined attack, literally forcing their way through their opponents' ranks, viciously fighting inch by inch. It might be thought that, being unable to fly, the penguins are at a great disadvantage, but this is by no means the case. They are veritable Spartans in .warfare, and each member will' fight until he drops, when another is immediately available to fill his place. The result is that in 99 cases out of a hundred the efforts of the penguins prove successful, and they cut their way through the; forces of the defenders until they reach a suitable spot, where they will assume possession and defy to. the bitter end any efforts^ to dislodge them. Under such strategic circumstances the penguins invariably remain the victors. ; These birds are most prolific layers, and the ; collection of eggs sis attended with a certain amount 1 of. excitement. The collect-