For a time we had been rather hard put to it in the matter of having
baths, but the disability had been overcome by means of sawing a cask in
two; an expedient which answered very well. The bath was also used as
a wash-tub, each man taking charge as his cooking week came round. The
clothes were dried inside the Shack along a number of strings arranged
at the back of the stove. Darning and mending took a little time, and
our experiences in this direction were such as to demonstrate the wisdom
of putting in "a stitch in time."

In going over to the meteorological screen one morning I saw a giant
petrel flapping about in the tussock, gorged to such an extent that it
could not rise. I killed the loathsome bird with the rib-bone of a sea
elephant, and Hamilton made a fine specimen of it later on.

These birds, properly called giant petrels, are usually known as
"nellies" or "stinkers"; the latter title being thoroughly justified
on account of the disagreeable smell which comes from them. As may be
inferred from the name, they are the largest of all the petrels, and
measure about seven feet from tip to tip when on the wing. The
colour ranges through various shades from almost pure white to a dark
greyish-brown; some even appearing almost black. Very large and ungainly
when on the ground, they become most graceful when in the air, and soar
about without the slightest effort even on the stormiest days. I have
seen them flying into a forty-mile wind with absolute ease, never
moving a wing, but occasionally adjusting their balance. They are gross
scavengers, and eat apparently for the sake of eating. A carcase on the
rocks or beach attracts them in large numbers, and very soon they can be
seen pulling and tearing at it until thoroughly gorged, when they waddle
away into the water and sit there wholly unable to rise till digestion
takes place. If disturbed, they immediately disgorge and fly off. They
nest on the ground and lay one large white egg. When sitting, they
are reluctant to leave the nest and will squat there, vomiting
evil-smelling, partly digested food and fluid at any intruder. The
young, even in the downy stage, have the same habit.

When mating they go on with a queer kind of performance, which consists
of running around each other on the shore with wings outspread as if
displaying their charms, finally flying off or waddling into the water.

The persistently windy weather during March had an effect on everythi