I02 Anthony, The Fulmars of Southern California. lADril 



the craft immediately alight a few yards to the windward. Those 

 that are on the water and have drifted away hasten to the 

 spot with wings outspread and feet pattering along on the water. 



It is more than likely that in hauling up the net one or more 

 fish become detached from the hooks ; such fish, if loosened after 

 having been raised twenty fathoms, are sure to rise to the 

 surface a few feet to the windward of the boat. The pressure of 

 the water being suddenly removed, the internal pressure becomes 

 so great that the fish is greatly distended and rises helpless to the 

 surface. 



With a hoarse croak and wings outspread the nearest Fulmar 

 pounces upon the unfortunate cod, keeping all others at bay with 

 threatening beak. A few hasty snaps at the eyes or air bladder 

 protruding from the mouth convinces him that codfish are tough, 

 and the first floater, if a large one, is abandoned for the moment, 

 for the second, should there be more than one, or for a snap at 

 the bait on the hooks. 



Their excitement by this time has attracted the attention of 

 several Western and American Herring Gulls which hover 

 screaming over the sloop, too shy to attempt to touch the fish 

 while it is so near. Another ocean wanderer meantime has 

 arrived ; a Short-tailed Albatross, sweeping along, has noticed 

 the commotion among his lesser brethren, and with a groaning 

 note settles down by the floating fish, keeping all trespassers 

 away by a loud clattering of mandibles ; though not infrequently 

 a Fulmar will dispute possession for some time with an 

 Albatross before leaving a fish he has torn open, and I think 

 a Fulmar will usually rout a Western Gull entirely. 



In attacking a fish under the above conditions the eyes and air 

 bladder are first eaten, after which the abdomen is torn open, if 

 possible, and the entire contents of the skin torn out piecemeal. 

 I have, however, seen birds seated on the water by the side of fish 

 from which they had eaten the eyes, but were unable to tear open 

 the tough skin. 



The bait on fish hooks left hanging over the sides of the boat is 

 often taken within a few feet of the fisherman, and birds are not 

 infrequently hooked, much to the disgust of both the fisherman 

 and the bird. Their confidence in mankind is at all times very 



