224- 
natural HISTORY 
three or four eggs, about the size of those of the goose,, 
and of a pale green colour. 
In China these birds are said to be bred up tame, for 
the purpose of fishing, and that one man can easily ma- 
nage a hundred of them. When a fisherman intends to 
fish, he carries them out into the lake, perched on the 
gunnel of his boat, where they continue tranquil, and ex** 
pect his orders with patience. When arrived at the pro- 
per place, each flies a different way, on a given signal, to 
fulfil the task assigned it: and it is very pleasant on this 
occasion to behold with what sagacity they portion out 
the lake or canal where they are upon duty. They hunt 
about, they plunge, they rise a hundred times to the sur- 
face, until they have at last found their prey. They then 
seize it with their beak by the middle, and carry it to 
their master. When weary they are suffered to rest for 
a while, but they are never fed till their work is over* 
In this manner they supply a very plentiful table; but 
still their natural voracity cannot be restrained even by 
education. While they fish, they have always a string 
fastened round their throats, to prevent them from de- 
vouring their prey; as otherwise, they would presently 
glut themselves, and discontinue their pursuit. 
Fulmar. (PL 37.) This bird is the largest of the pe- 
tril kind, which is known in the British Isles. It is supe- 
rior to the size of the common gull, being about fifteefv 
inches in length, and in weight seventeen ounces. The 
bill is very strong, yellow, and hooked at the end. The 
head, neck, and all the under parts of the body are white; 
the back and wings ash coloured, the quills dusky, and 
the tail white. It feeds on the blubber of whales, which 
supplies the reservoir, whence it spouts with a constant 
stock of ammunition. This oil is esteemed by the inha- 
bitants of the north as a sovereign remedy in many com- 
plaints both external and internal. The flesh is also con- 
sidered by them as a delicacy, and the bird is therefore 
in great request at St. Kilda. It is said that when a whale 
is taken, these birds will, in defiance of all endeavours, 
light upon it, and pick out large lumps of fat even while 
it is alive. 
