44 



COMMON G AN NET. 



-f-SuLA bassana, Linn. 

 PLATE CCCCXXV.— Adult Male and Young. 



On the morning of the 14th of June, 1S33, 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 breed. 

 For several days I had observed numerous files proceeding northward, and 

 marked their mode of flight while thus travelling. As our bark dashed 

 through the heaving 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 awhile 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 innu- 

 merable 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 reaching 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 hitherto 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 and my son. I remained on 

 board the Ripley, and commenced my distant observations, which I shall 

 relate in due time. 



An hour has elapsed; the boat, which had been hid from our sight, is now 



