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. Monracu observes, that he was 
not able to keep the Gannet alive in confinement; but this 
probably arose ioe 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 Neitt 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 ina 
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 
