It was followed and surrounded by numerous flocks of sea-gulls.

Having approached to within a few yards of the island, which was a low rock, with no other vegetation on it than a few bushes, we lay on our oars and gazed at the birds with surprise and pleasure, they returning our gaze with interest.

We now saw that their soldier-like appearance was owing to the stiff, erect manner in which they sat on their short legs,--"Bolt-up-right," as Peterkin expressed it.

They had black heads, long sharp beaks, white breasts, and bluish backs.

Their wings were so short that they looked more like the fins of a fish, and, indeed, we soon saw that they used them for the purpose of swimming under water.