GANNET. 
17 
a battle between a Gannet and two full-grown male Swans, 
the latter both attacking at the same time, and following 
up the contest most vigorously with the former^ who defended 
himself most resolutely for a very long time, and ultimately 
defeated the Swans, beating them both off, and laying them 
prostrate, totally disabled, helpless, and seemingly seriously 
injured. The Gannet, much exhausted by the protracted 
struggle, was easily caught alive, and very little the worse 
for fighting.’ 
The following singular circumstance has been communicated 
to me by Miss Rickaby, of Burlington Quay:— 
‘On the 22nd. day of April, 1838, after exceeding stormy 
snowy weather for two or three days before, an old full- 
feathered Gannet was found dead on Swainby Moor, in 
Cleveland, about twenty miles from the sea-coast. This bird 
had evidently been driven that same night inland by the 
force of a tremendous wind from the north-east, and had flown 
in a state of blindness as long as strength lasted, it being 
found scarcely stiff, and with about two inches and a quarter 
of the sharp beak, or snout, of the Garfish forced into one 
eye, leaving only about half an inch visible, when it was 
brought by the person who picked it up to the late Rev. 
George Marwood, of Busby Hall, who on making this 
discovery of the mode of its death, pulled the instrument 
of it out, and sent it the next day to Mr. Chapman, of 
York, to be preserved. It was returned in the course of a 
few weeks after to Mr. Marwood, in a case, and the eye, 
with the portion of the beak of the Garfish placed through 
it as when found, was preserved in spirits, and sent with it 
to Busby Hall, where the whole were when this account 
was written, March 4th., 1840, in the possession of the late 
Rev. George Marwood.’ 
It is described as a beautiful sight to watch the Gannet 
hawking for, and stooping on its prey. It flies with great 
power, agility, and freedom, the wings being quickly beaten, 
or at times skims along in a steady sailing manner: thus 
coursing on at a greater or less height, or catching sight 
of a quarry, it is down upon it like a thunderbolt, straight, 
or in a slightly slanting direction, the wings partly closed, 
dashing the water into foam as it plunges, and soon re¬ 
ascends, rarely without its prey. The time that elapses 
between the plunge and the emersion, is about fifteen 
seconds. Sometimes after the bird has arrested its flight 
VOL. Y1H. C 
