Young Curtis was a student of Nature, and had many other scientific attainments, which made him an excellent companion. There was no finding one’s self weary where Arnold was. The rocks, the birds, the fossils, the seaweeds, and medusæ, the fish, and the flora, all too rare or scarce, formed the subject of most fascinating conversation.
And this young and brave officer had already explored much of Kerguelen, and taken many observations which were bound to be useful in many branches of science. So to-day he was capable of acting as guide to the little picnic.
It was more than springtime in these latitudes. It wanted but little over a month till midsummer, so the birds were very busy indeed. The penguins were an especial study, and their droll ways amused the boys greatly.
“Arrant thieves, they are,” said Curtis. “They are at present too busy examining us. But if one sees a chance, he does not hesitate a moment to steal his neighbour’s eggs, and stick to them too.”
“It is a good thing,” said Ingomar, “we did not bring the dogs with us.”
“Yes, indeed, Hans. They would have caused much destruction and havoc.”
The men followed the officers, and brought bags of matting, in which to stow a few hundred eggs.
Birds’-nesting is sinful, but eggs are needed for food, and those of gulls and penguins are very nice eating indeed. The flesh of the birds may have a fishy taste, if the creatures have not been skinned, but the eggs have no bad taste whatever.
The females sat quietly on their nests, as fearless as frogs, and satisfied themselves with dabbing or pecking at the trousers or boots of the intruders. The cock penguins also take turn about with the hens to sit on the eggs, but at present they were not on watch. They lined the streets of this strange feather-land, and were always ready to fight if any one went too near them.
“Why are there so many birds down yonder on the water or flying about the rocks?” Walt asked.