262 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



gorged fish-bones lying here and there. When the 

 old birds are feeding their young, should the latter 

 by any chance miss taking the fish from the parent 

 bird's bill, it falls on the ground at their feet ; and as 

 they never attempt to pick it up again, this also 

 accounts for many of the bones lying near. In 

 years gone by fishermen used to visit this rock in 

 large boats, bringing with them barrels and salt, for 

 preserving the young Gannets, and when a good 

 cargo was obtained, returning to shore to sell it. 

 Though the young birds are exceedingly fat, they 

 are very strong and fishy in taste. The Gannet, 

 when he sees his prey some distance under water, 

 sails quietly along with head bent down, watching 

 his chance, when suddenly his wings are partly 

 closed, enough to guide his fall, and down he goes, 

 perhaps three fathom deep under water, throwing 

 up, as he strikes the surface, a column of spray 

 several feet high. In clear water, and from a height 

 only, he may be seen careering along with wings 

 folded as a rule, yet at other times partially ex- 

 panded. If his prey swim within a few feet of the 

 surface, the downward plunge, nearly always taken 

 in a slanting direction, is sufficient to make sure of a 

 capture. I have seen Gannets remain a full twenty 

 seconds under water after making the plunge. On 

 coming to the surface they rise with great buoyancy, 

 even with a spring, that lifts them nearly out of the 

 water. Though this may be caused by the reser- 

 voir of air inflated ere diving, it would on the other 

 hand hinder their progress under water, which is 

 marvellous in its speed and freedom from exertion. 

 THE COMMON CORMORANT (Gracidits car&d), which 



