34 FLYING-FISH. 



support for a short period, and then its repeated 

 flights are merely another term for leaps. The 

 fish make a rustling noise, very audible when 

 they are near the ship, dart forward, or some- 

 times take a curve to bring themselves before 

 the wind, and when fatigued fall suddenly into 

 the water. It is not uncommon to see them, 

 when pursued, drop exhausted, rise again almost 

 instantly, proceed a little further, again dipping 

 into the ocean, so continuing for some distance 

 until they are out of sight, so that we remain 

 in ignorance whether they have been captured 

 or have eluded pursuit. 



The flying-fish swim in shoals, for on one day 

 they are seen rising about, and in the vicinity 

 of the ship, in great numbers ; and on the day 

 following, or latter part of the same day, only a 

 few stragglers are seen. When disturbed by 

 the passage of the ship through the shoal, they 

 rise in numbers near the bows of the ship, and 

 the consternation seems to spread among those 

 far distant : the same may be observed when 

 dolphins and albicores are pursuing them. On 

 passing between the islands of Fuego and St. 

 Jago, (Cape Verd group,) in December, 1828, 

 I witnessed a number of bonito in pursuit of 

 flying-fish ; the former springing several yards 

 out of the water, in eager chase, whilst large 



