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RockhopperMascotOur club takes its name from the Rockhopper penguin, a crested penguin known for living up steep rock gullies overhanging the sea. As their name suggests they jump up the gullies and over rocks and crevices with a series of stiff, feet together hops. For those who don't know we have a club mascot - a stuffed Rockhopper - who lives in a glass case in the home of the current President. As a crested penguin the mature Rockhopper develops brightly coloured feathers on its head which look like long eyebrows. This band is usually yellow but this has faded to a cream colour on our mascot Attach:Rockhopper Δ Mascot #1.ext. Note also that the feather band doesn’t join at the front. If it did she would be a Marcaroni – another crested penguin. Why ‘she’? Well, Rockhoppers are one of the smallest penguins only growing to 45-55cm, females often being smaller but with similar plumage. Our own mascot is only 33cm tall but with full mature plumage suggesting she probably is female. Rockhoppers are known for being noisy and aggressive to those who bother them and for showing no fear – Small Penguin Syndrome perhaps? There are three sub-species of Rockhopper: Southern, Eastern and Northern. Rumour has it that ours is a Southern bird, brought back from the Falkland Islands by a club member returning from a stint working on the British Antarctic Survey in the 1960s. She makes twice yearly appearances at the AGM and the Annual Dinner. For those who haven’t seen her then do enjoy the photographs attached Attach:Rockhopper Δ Mascot #2.ext or arrange with the Pres for a private viewing – by appointment only - Pres@rockhoppers.org.uk |