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COMMON GANNET. 
SULA BASSANA, LACEP. 
PLATE CCCXXVI. Aputr Mate anp Youne. 
On the morning of the 14th of June 1833, the white sails of the 
Ripley were spread before a propitious breeze, and onward she might 
be seen gaily wending her way toward the shores of Labrador. We 
had well explored the Magdalene Islands, and were anxious to visit 
the Great Gannet Rock, where, according to our pilot, the birds 
from which it derives its name bred. For several days I had ob- 
served numerous files proceeding northward, and marked their mode 
of flight while thus travelling. As our bark dashed through the heay- 
ing billows, my anxiety to reach the desired spot increased. At length, 
about ten o’clock, we discerned at a distance a white speck, which our 
pilot assured us was the celebrated rock of our wishes. After a while 
I could distinctly see its top from the deck, and thought that it was 
still covered with snow several feet deep. As we approached it, I 
imagined that the atmosphere around was filled with flakes, but on my 
turning to the pilot, who smiled at my simplicity, I was assured that 
nothing was in sight but the Gannets and their island home. I rubbed 
my eyes, took up my glass, and saw that the strange dimness of the 
air before us was caused by the innumerable birds, whose white bodies 
and black-tipped pinions produced a blended tint of light-grey. When 
we had advanced to within half a mile, this magnificent veil of floating 
Gannets was easily seen, now shooting upwards, as if intent on reach- 
ing the sky, then descending as if to join the feathered masses below, 
and again diverging toward either side and sweeping over the surface 
of the ocean. The Ripley now partially furled her sails, and lay to, 
when all on board were eager to scale the abrupt sides of the mountain 
isle, and satisfy their curiosity. 
Judge, Reader, of our disappointment. The weather, which hi- 
therto had been beautiful, suddenly changed, and we were assailed by 
a fearful storm. However, the whale-boat was hoisted over, and 
manned by four sturdy “ down-easters,” along with THomas LincoLn | 
