COMMON GANNET. 411 



ing each otlier with their open bills and loud clamour. In 

 leaving the nest they generally scatter about a quantity of 

 the materials of Avhich it is composed, for they are extremely 

 aAvkward in their motions when on the ground, hobbling and 

 limping along, aiding themselves with their wings, and drag- 

 gling the abdominal feathers and tail. 



In launching from the cliiFs, they frequently utter a single 

 plaintive cry, perform a curve, having its concavity upwards, 

 then shake the tail, frequently the whole plumage, draw the 

 feet backwards, placing them close under the tail, on each 

 side, and cover them with the feathers. In some the feet 

 were entirely covered, Avhile in others parts of the toes were 

 apparent. In flying, the body, tail, neck, and bill, are nearly 

 in a straight line, the wings extended, and never brought 

 close to the body, and they move by regular flappings, alter- 

 nating with short sailings. In alighting, they generally 

 ascend in a long curve, keeping their feet spread, and come 

 down rather heavily, often finding it difficult to balance 

 themselves, and sometimes, when the place is very steep, or 

 when another bird attacks them, flying oif, to try it a second 

 time. On the rocks they stand Avith the body nearly hori- 

 zontal, or they lie on their belly, although some may be seen 

 in an oblique or nearly erect posture. They usually repose 

 with the head resting between the shoulders, the bill con- 

 cealed among the feathers of the back. I caught one in that 

 state, by walking up to it, and seizing it by the tail and the 

 tips of the wings, which cross each other over it. 



Owing to their so often interfering with each other, a 

 constant noise is kept up amongst them. Their cry is hoarse 

 and harsh, and may be expressed by the syllables carra, 

 carra, or kirra, kirra, sometimes it is crac, crac, or era, era, or 

 cree, cree. The cry varies considerably in difF(;rent indivi- 

 duals, some having a sharper voice than others, and when 

 unusually irritated they repeat it with great rapidity. 



The young are at first covered with very beautiful close 

 snow-white down ; at the age of about six weeks the feathers 

 make their appearance among the down ; when about two 

 months old the birds are pretty well fledged, and at the end 

 of three months they are able to fly. The old bird at first 



