Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/164

90 with, although so late in the season, fully fledged, and ready to commence their long flight over the Antarctic seas.

The duck was obtained in abundance, and formed a delicious addition to our table. It is like the teal of England, and lives chiefly on the seeds of the cabbage, before mentioned, which is profusely scattered over all parts of the island.

The penguins, notwithstanding the disagreeable dark colour of its flesh and extreme fatness, were found to make excellent soup, which from its colour and flavour so much resembled hare soup, that it was always called by that name.

Of insects, only three or four specimens were found, viz. a curculio, amongst the umbelliferous plants; a small brownish moth, and two flies; but probably in the summer time many others would make their appearance.

The level beach at the head of the harbour afforded us convenient sites for our observatories, which were immediately erected; that for magnetic purposes being placed at the north extreme, under the protection of the hill to the north, which effectually prevented the sun's rays deranging the temperature, and within a few feet of high-water mark; that for the astronomical and pendulum observations on nearly the same level, at more than a hundred yards distant from it towards the centre of the beach; and close by this two small huts were erected for the convenience of the officers and men employed at the observatories.