458 NATATORES. SULA. SOLAN GANNET. 



with which it descends in this operation, may be conceived 

 from the fact of Gannets having been taken by a fish fastened 

 to a board sunk to the depth of two fathoms, in which cases 

 the neck has either been found dislocated, or the bill firmly 

 fixed in the wood. PENNANT, and some other writers, de- 

 scribe this bird as having a gular pouch similar to that of 

 the Pelican, and capable of containing five or six herrings ; 

 this, however, is not correct, as that part is not more dilat- 

 able than the rest of the gullet, which, as well as the skin of 

 the neck, can occasionally stretch to much extent, readily 

 allowing a passage to the largest herring, or even to a fish of 

 still greater dimensions. MONTAGU observes, that he was 

 not able to keep the Gannet alive in confinement ; but this 

 probably arose from the want of a due supply of fish, as I 

 have known them to live for a long time in a domesticated 

 state, and my friend Mr NEILL of Canonmills, near Edin- 

 burgh, (well known to the scientific world as a botanist and 

 a lover of natural history), has at present, or at least within 

 a very late period had, one in the full enjoyment of health 

 for many years past. This bird, when herrings could not be 

 procured, was fed with flounders, which it swallowed with 

 the greatest apparent ease, the gape readily accommodating it- 

 self to their greater breadth. It is almost unnecessary to 

 add, that all fish are swallowed with the head foremost. 

 Sometimes the Gannet becomes so gorged with food, as to 

 be compelled to alight on the water, and to repose there in a 

 lethargic state; and when thus situated, it may, by being 

 advanced upon in a boat from the windward, be easily run 

 down and captured. This arises from its being unable to 

 leave the water except when breasting the wind, and it never 

 makes any attempt to dive, of which power it seems to be 

 totally divested. This species is widely distributed through- 

 out the northern parts of Europe, and is also common to 

 North America. The body of this bird is long and much 

 flattened, with the neck elongated, and thick and muscular, 

 in order to support its powerful bill ; the wings are of great 



