436 PELICAN. 



it is found on the coasts of Newfoundland, where it breeds, migrating 

 in winter as far as Carolina. It is probably farther spread than 

 we formerly imagined, as a specimen has been met with in New 

 Holland.* 



In addition to what has been said above in respect to the Gannet, 

 we are greatly indebted to Col. Montagu for a most acute investiga- 

 tion of many curious particulars, not before known. It must have 

 been observed, that this bird does not dive after its prey in the 

 manner of the Corvorant, but appears to be incapable of so doing, 

 on account of the comparative lightness of the body in respect to its 

 bulk, owing chiefly to the air vessels in different parts of the body, 

 communicating with the lungs, whereby it is rendered so remark- 

 ably buoyant. This circumstance has been before treated on by the 

 late Mr. J. Hunter, f who informs us, that birds in general are more 

 or less provided with such air vessels, and besides, that in many the 

 bones likewise are filled with air ; but, we believe, that no bird is 

 so completely furnished with them as the Gannet ; indeed the Gull 

 tribe are never known to dive ; for it is probable, that this incapa- 

 city may be partly owing to the density of plumage, few birds being- 

 more fully clothed with feathers. But as the observation of Col. 

 Montagu, above alluded to, will be more fully understood in his 

 own words, we cannot do better, than recommend the perusal of his 

 researches in the Supplement to the Ornithological Dictionary. 



We have also to notice here the detection of an apterous insect 

 in the cellular membrane,.]: at present, we believe, the only instance 

 of such a circumstance. - 



A.— Sula major, Bris. vi. 97. Id. 8vo. ii. 490. Tern. Man. d'Orn. 595. Id. Ed. ii. 907. 



Grand Fou, Bvf. viii. 372. 



Great Booby, Gen. Syn. vi. 610. 25 A. Cat. Car. i. pi. 86— the head. 



Size of a Goose, but the tail longer. Bill a little more than 

 five inches long and grey brown ; irides hazel ; space between the 



* Drawings of Mr. Lambert. f Phil. Trans. 



% Wernerian Transactions, vol. i. p. 192. pi. 7. f. 1, 2, 3. 



