FOOD AND FISHING 399 



by permission from Mr. Dresser's work, shows the coracoid 

 bones, two -thirds the natural size, as well as the large pro- 

 jecting wedge on the front part of the sternum, between which 

 and the base of the coracoids there is a strong fibrous muscle. 

 It also shows the powerful clavicle arch, which, unlike that 

 of other birds, is fused into the ridge of the sternum, and 

 which is probably capable of movement with the coracoids. 

 With such a peculiar way of getting its livelihood one expects 

 a very specialized form of skeleton, and accordingly we find 

 it. The strong pointed beak and hard flat skull, the great 

 strength of the fifteen cervical vertebrae, the prolongation of 

 the sternum to afford protection to the abdomen, the absence 

 of nostrils, and the smallness of the ears, are all designed 

 to be of assistance to the Gannet in its plunges. 



Mark the splash of the concussion, very audible if near 

 and instantly a column of spray is thrown up, sometimes 

 ten feet into the air, according to Mr. Hudson.* I know it 

 is visible to good sight a mile away. Well do the fishermen 

 of Cornwall and Devon realize what that splash means, 

 for a flock of Gannets fishing is an indication where to 

 shoot their pilchard nets. Down goes the Gannet far 

 below — lost to view for the time — a spot of foam 

 alone marking the place where it was last seen. Possibly 

 some fascination has momentarily seized the fish, which one 



* "The Land's End," by VV. H. Hudson, p. 76. 



