246 SOLAN GOOSE. 



the scapulars and wings, and a few on the back, with 

 sometimes one and sometimes both the centre tail- 

 feathers. The flight and habits at sea are also very 

 interesting to witness ; when returning to the rock, 

 it pursues a straightforward course, at a considerable 

 elevation, without turning to the right or left ; but 

 when fishing, it may be seen suddenly to turn, and 

 prepare itself for the plunge, and then follow its 

 survey, the sight having either been mistaken, or 

 the prey disappeared ; but, when certain, the course 

 is in a moment stopped, the wings closed to the 

 sides, and a perpendicular descent is made, often to 

 a considerable depth, if we may judge from the 

 period of immersion ; the spray dashes up, and the 

 bird is for some time lost, until it again appears with 

 a fish in its beak, which is soon got into the proper 

 position, and swallowed head downwards. The 

 Solan Goose is said to be taken by a fish attached 

 to a board, the force of the stroke killing the bird ; 

 but we have not been able to ascertain whether its 

 ordinary prey is pursued after the plunge, or is at 

 that time transfixed, like the prey of the herons. 

 It ranges far from its breeding-place to fish, pur- 

 suing the species that swim in shoals, or tracing 

 the resort of some particular food; it roams up- 

 wards, opposite to Leith, and seawards to and beyond 

 the Fern Islands ; it will turn from its course to 

 look at any unusual object, and its curiosity is some- 

 times fatal to it ; we have procured birds that have 

 thus come to inspect our craft, generally sailing 



