THE HAWK'S-BILL TURTLE. 177 



Turtle-catching is another means by which ex- 

 cessive turtle-population is kept in check — whether 

 to supply the tables of epicures with the dainty 

 " green turtle," or to secure the horny plates of the 

 " Hawk's Bill " for conversion into combs, card-cases, 

 &c, for the use of the elite of the civilized world. 

 One method adopted is to watch the females as they 

 come on shore to deposit their eggs, to turn them 

 on their backs, and let them lie, helplessly vibrating 

 their " flappers," till their hunters think fit to kill 

 them, or carry them away. Another method is 

 described by Mr. Darwin as adopted at Keeling 

 Island. The water is so clear and shallow that, 

 although at first a turtle quickly dives out of sight, 

 yet in a canoe or boat under sail the pursuers, after 

 no very long chase, come up to it. A man standing 

 ready in the bows at this moment dashes through the 

 water upon the turtle's back ; then clinging with 

 both hands by the shell of the neck he is carried 

 away till the animal becomes exhausted, and is 

 secured.* A more curious mode of capture is that 

 by means of the Remora, or sucking-fish. A num- 

 ber of these fish are carried in tubs in the boats 

 that go in search of turtles. To the tail of each 

 fish is attached a strong cord. When the fishermen 

 perceive the turtle basking on the surface of the 



* Darwin's " Journal of Researches." 



