COMMON GANNET. 49 



before him, one might think that his own vision had been defective, had he 

 not been careful to note down at once the result of his observations. And 

 as this is a matter of habit with me, I will offer you mine, good reader, not 

 caring one jot for what has been said to you before on the subject. 



I have seen the Gannet plunge, and afterwards remain under the surface 

 of the water for at least one minute at a time. On one occasion of this kind, 

 I shot one just as it emerged, and which held a fish firmly in its bill, and 

 had two others half-way down its throat. This has induced me to believe 

 that it sometimes follows its prey in the water, and seizes several fishes in 

 succession. At other times I have observed the Gannet plunge amidst a 

 shoal of launces so as scarcely to enter the water, and afterwards follow them, 

 swimming, or as it were running, on the water, with its wings extended 

 upwards, and striking to the right and left until it was satiated. While on 

 the Gulf of Mexico, I wounded a Gannet, which, on falling to the water, 

 swam so fast before the boat, that we rowed about a quarter of a mile before 

 we reached it, when it suddenly turned towards us, opened its bill, as if 

 intent on defending itself, but was killed with the stroke of an oar by one of 

 the sailors. When shot at without even being touched, these birds often 

 disgorge their food in the manner of Vultures; and this they always do when 

 wounded, if their stomach and gullet happen to be full. Sometimes, after 

 being wounded in the wings, they will float and allow you to take them, 

 without making any attempt to escape. Nay, my young friend, George C. 

 Shatttjck, M. D., of Boston, while with me at Labrador, caught one which 

 he found walking amongst a great number of Guillemots, on a low and rocky 

 island. 



When they are on their favourite breeding rocks, and about to fly, they 

 elevate their head, throw it backward, open the bill, and emit a loud pro- 

 longed cry, before launching themselves into the air, in doing which they 

 waddle a few paces with their wings partially extended. After starting, 

 their first motion is greatly inclined downwards, but they presently recover, 

 and seem to support themselves with ease. When they are twenty or thirty 

 yards off, you observe them shaking the tail sideways, and then hiding their 

 feet among the under coverts of the tail. At other times they suddenly 

 open their feet, moving them as if for the purpose of grasping some object 

 below, in the same manner as some Hawks, but only for a few moments, 

 when again the tail is shaken, and the feet hidden as before. They beat 

 their wings and sail alternately, even when flying around their breeding 

 places. 



On the ground the movements of the Gannet are exceedingly awkward, 

 and it marches with hampered steps, assisting itself with the wings, or keep- 

 ing them partially open, to prevent its falling. Their walk, indeed, is 



Vol. VII. 7 



