THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 118 
so necessary for its flight, but equally detrimental to 
its swoop. 
In some interesting observations, by Colonel Mon- 
tagu, on the habits of this bird in captivity, the same 
fact is noticed. When the bird was placed on the 
water of a pond, nothing could induce him to at- 
tempt to dive, and from the manner of his putting 
the bill, and sometimes the whole head, under water, 
as if searching for fish, it appears that the prey 
is frequently so taken. It is probable more fish are 
caught in their congregated migrations, when the 
shoals are near the surface, than by their descent 
upon wing; for the herrings, pilchards, mackerel, 
and other gregarious fishes, cannot at that time avoid 
their’ enemy, who is floating in the midst of profu- 
sion. In the act of respiration there appears to be 
always some air propelled between the skin and the 
body of this bird, as a visible expansion and contrac- 
tion is observed about the breast; and this singular 
conformation makes the bird so buoyant that it floats 
high on the water, and does not sink beneath the 
surface, as observed in the cormorant and shag. The 
legs are not placed so far behind as in such of the 
feathered tribe as procure their subsistence by im- 
mersion; the Gannet, consequently, has the centre 
of gravity placed more forward; and when standing, 
the body is nearly horizontal, like a goose, and not 
erect like a cormorant, 
The Gannet collects a slight heap of withered 
grass and dry sea-weeds, on which it lays and hatches 
its eggs. They perform this duty by turns, one 
foraging while the other sits. The roamer, after 
8 K2 
