One after another they jibbed at being first to approach their enemy, and it was only with much chattering and mutual support that they gradually edged towards him.
They couldn't reach him as he was perched on a block, but when they got quite close the skua, who up to that time had appeared quite unconcerned, flapped away a few yards and settled close on the other side of the group of penguins.

The latter turned and repeated their former tactics until the skua finally flapped away altogether.

It really was extraordinarily interesting to watch the timorous protesting movements of the penguins.

The frame of mind producing every action could be so easily imagined and put into human sentiments.
On the other side of the ship part of another group of penguins were quarrelling for the possession of a small pressure block which offered only the most insecure foothold.

The scrambling antics to secure the point of vantage, the ousting of the bird in possession, and the incontinent loss of balance and position as each bird reached the summit of his ambition was almost as entertaining as the episode of the skua.