$74 NATURALIST'S 



Observations by Labat. 



turn their head with one eye downwards, and 

 continue to fly in that posture. As soon as they 

 perceive a fish sufficiently near the surface, they 

 dart down upon it with the swiftness of an arrow, 

 seize it with unerring certainty, and store it up 

 in their pouch. They then rise again, though 

 aot without great labour, and continue hovering 

 and fishing, with their head on one side as 

 before. 



*** This work they continue with great effort 

 and industry till their bag is full, and then fly to 

 land to devour and digest at leisure the fruits of 

 their industy. This, however, it would appear 

 they are not long in performing ; for towards 

 night they have another hungry call; and they 

 again reluctantly go to labour. At night, when 

 their fishing is over, and the toil of the day 

 crowned with success, these lazy birds retire a 

 little way from the shore ; and though with the 

 webbed feet and clumsy figure of a goose, they 

 will be contented to perch no where but upon 

 trees among the light and airy tenants of the fo- 

 rest. There they take their repose for the night; 

 and often spend a great part of the day, except 

 such times as they are fishing, in dismal solem- 

 nity, and as it would seem half-asleep. Their at- 

 titude is with the head resting upon their great 

 bag, and that resting upon their breast. There 

 they remain without motion, or once changing 

 their situation, tlH'.the calls of hunger break their 

 repose, and till they find it indispensibly neces- 



