230 FULLY WEB-FOOTED BIRDS 



could be gathered annually, while at the same time the num- 

 ber of birds would steadily increase." 



As will be inferred, the Gannet lives wholly upon fish, 

 and is an expert deep-water diver. In his report on his "Ex- 

 plorations in Newfoundland and Labrador," Dr. Lucas gives 

 the following interesting account: 



While lying at Grindstone Island we first made the acquaintance of 

 the Gannets, whose headquarters are at Bird Rocks, and had a good op- 

 portunity to watch them fishing. The birds are usually associated in 

 small, straggling flocks, and, with outstretched necks, and eyes ever on 

 the lookout for fish, they fly at a height of from 75 to 100 feet above the 

 water, or occasionally somewhat more. The height at which the Gannet 

 flies above the water is proportioned to the depth at which the fish are 

 swimming beneath, and Captain Collins tells me that when fish are swim- 

 ming near the surface, the Gannet flies very low, and darts obliquely in- 

 stead of vertically upon its prey. 



Should any finny game be seen within range, down goes the Gannet 

 headlong, the nearly closed wings being used to guide the living arrow 

 in its downward flight. Just above the surface, the wings are firmly 

 closed, and a small splash of spray shows where the winged fisher cleaves 

 the water to transfix his prey. Disappearing for a few seconds, the bird 

 reappears, rests for a moment on the water, long enough to swallow his 

 catch, then rises in pursuit of other game. The appetite of the Gannet 

 is limited only by the capacity of its stomach, and a successful fisher may 

 frequently be seen resting on the water, too heavily laden to rise without 

 disgorging a part of its cargo, which it sometimes must do to escape from 

 the pathway of an approaching vessel. 



Any person who is accustomed to diving, even from a 

 very moderate height, knows well the serious disturbance to 

 vision caused by the shock of impact with the water. That a 

 Gannet — or any other bird — can fall from even a height of 

 twenty -five feet, saying nothing of a hundred, take the water 

 plunge, and retain its gaze upon its prey sufficiently to follow 

 and capture it, surely betokens a special optical provision 



