A STEANGE TOAST.

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

A STEANGE TOAST.

ing period is prescribed by tho Government, and falls into the months of March, April, and May. The egg-gathering is systematically set about. Upon a certain day the whole of the nests will be cleared, and then a few days allowed to elapse before another similar wholesale raid is made. The right to exploit the islands is allotted by contract, and about seven men are despatched from the mainland with the requisite instructions, to be carried out under the supervision of the resident ranger. ■ : The collectors protect their legs with some stout material to preserve them from the snapping bites of the birds, and are equipped with a short stick having an iron crook at the end. Naturally, the birds resent such robbery of their homes, and vigorously contest the depredations. They cannot be frightened from their nests, and sit over their eggs in sullen obstinacy. To attempt to remove a bird from its. position by hand would to invite a savage snap, so the collector unceremoniously inserts his crook beneath the bird, scoops the eggs out, and then picks them up. The eggs when collected are packed in boxes and despatched to the mainland at frequent intervals during the season. On the last day of this ordained period the collectors make a final onslaught. upon ' the nests; and pick up every egg they can. find,, so that hot one is left.: From-this time on- ' wards, however, the penguins are permitted to continue the even tenor of their way without fear of molestation. During the whole of the breeding-season the rangers maintain an unceasing vigilance to protect the penguins from any disturbance: Owing to the thorough character of, this preservation the ranks of the birds suffer no depletion from sportsmen or other visitors to the islands bent on securing the plumes of the neck and head, which are of commercial value for tippets and other forms of feminine decoration. Similarly, during the guano season, which is , similarly officially prescribed, the birds suffer no untoward interference. i .

Some idea of the extent pf, the penguinegg industry and the value of these isolated rocks to the revenue coffers of the' Government may be gathered from the fact that on the average some five million eggs are annually collected. They find a ready market in South Africa, as already stated, constitute appreciated comestibles. Lately, in the search for a new market, the Cape Colonial Government despatched a consignment to Britain. Britishers who had already become familiar with the digestive and nourishing qualities of the penguin-egg while in South Africa rapidly availed them•selves of the opportunity to renew their acquaintance therewith, and, as their characteristics were soon recognised in other quarters, a certain steady demand was produced. At first, however, they rather constituted an addition to the table of the epicure, being sold on the average at about six shillings a dozen but as the supply has since been increased the market price has fallen by over 50 per cent., and in a short time the eggs will: be brought within the reach of all. :

As in domestic circles, the penguin has his marital and matrimonial troubles. . The fancies of a male bird will be centred upon some* fascinating member of the opposite sex. The chances are that he will find within a short time that the latter's admiration has already been bestowed upon another, or she has been already mated. Having no court of law to appeal to for redress, the intended or* husband, promptly takes the matter in his own hands, and proceeds to administer- timely castigation to the impertinently amorous one. A savage conflict takes place, invariably in the presence of the cause of the controversy, who stolidly stands by or maintains occupation of her nest, regarding the combat with complete indifference. -Such battles are often maintained for several hours on end, until the rival is vanquished, when the conqueror returns to the company of his lady-love.— Chambers Journal.