504 THE COMMON GANNET. 



when they are killed, that it is impossible to conceive it ; and 

 still more surprising it must appear, yet nevertheless it is 

 strictly true, and stands confirmed by many that have made 

 their observations, that though the loon's neck is long and 

 slender, and it would be difficult to thrust down two fingers 

 into it, yet the bird can distend the musculous parts of his 

 throat so wide, as to swallow a flounder half-a-foot broad, 

 such having been found in his stomach. 



" When the loon comes ashore," the worthy Bishop goes 

 on to say, " he stretches himself upon his legs against the 

 wind, that he may be thoroughly dried ; but as this seldom 

 happens, we call, in this country, anybody that is wet, 

 slovenly, and disagreeable, a loon ; or if they have their 

 clothes but seldom dry, we say : He is as wet as a loon. 



" As these birds harbour together in great numbers," he 

 tells us farther, " the farmers use this piece of art to catch 

 them : In the evening, when they are all got together, they 

 take their boats and row under the rocks, and make a large 

 fire ; the sudden heat and smoke intoxicates them, and they 

 drop down in heaps, and are easily killed." 



The Common Gannet (Hafs-Sula, Sw. ; Hav-Sule* 

 Norw. ; Sula Bassana, Briss.) was only seen during the 

 winter, and then very rarely, in the neighbouring Skargard, 

 where by all accounts it was formerly pretty common. It 

 went by the name of Sill-Bas, meaning, probably, herring- 

 persecutor, in consequence of its always appearing in com- 

 pany with that fish. It is said not to be uncommon on the 



* Sule is an old Norwegian word, still used in the fjall districts, signifying 

 swallow ; hence Hav-Sule, or Sea-Swallow a designation which this bird has 

 obtained in consequence of its lofty and imposing flight. The black stork is 

 for the same reason called Odin's Swallow. 



