Catharacta maccaroni the scenes. There have been no blizzards so far and mortality among the penguin chicks very low & the adults very defensive probably even defending carcasses of dead chicks in the nest from predation. Peter Martin has seen skuas attempting to kill large healthy chicks but they were unsuccessful. The birds being about the nests half in number, another indication of food shortage. The death & disappearance of some chicks from company, also seems to suggest this. Dec 31 The eaten carcasses of a penguin chick placed out doors attracted approximately 55 skuas. The size of this turn out suggests again a general food shortage in the area. Jan 1. On Dec 27 28 Modoc became weak in the legs. He could stand but with difficulty, walking was very difficult for him. I thought at first it was slipped tendon disease but the legs didn't slip out of joint in any way characteristic of that condition. At any rate on the 29 we gave him 4p for vitamin cpill. He showed no improvement on the 30 but on 31 he was standing & walking about better & today he is more improved. He doesn't move about much yet however.