THE GANNET. 
' 255 
flying lower than when observed here before (June 11, 1827), 
none from the comparatively less height dashed down to seize its 
prey as they then did from twice the elevation : the water this mor- 
ning was only tolerably smooth ; on that occasion it was calm as a 
mirror. June 24, 1 833. — Same locality and time of morning ; gan- 
nets flew past us in one direction, until seven collected together ; 
they then kept flying in company, though not in a regular flock, 
about the same place for some time, not one descending for prey ; 
a few others were seen on wing and on the water, but not fishing. 
When passing the Copeland Islands, on the 17th of May, 1849, 
at seven o'clock in the evening, several gannets appeared, which I 
should expect took a flight before roosting-time to the Craig of 
Ailsa. Proceeding to and from the Mew Island (from Grooms- 
port), and when there, on the 16th of July, 1850, we saw about 
twenty gannets on wing, singly, or not more than two in com- 
pany. Not one of those observed in the course of several hours 
was fishing; the sea was rather rough. All seen on this and 
former occasions here were adult, excepting one to-day, which was 
in the next stage to maturity, being partially white ; it was in 
company with an adult bird. When landing on the island we 
saw an old gannet in the possession of two boys, who had caught 
it on the water. It was still living, not having suffered from the 
capture, but was very much emaciated in the body, though no 
external wounds were visible. As usual with birds in poor con- 
dition, it was very much infested with parasitic insects. Adult 
birds, as well as others, apparently in perfect health, and taken on 
the water by fishermen — who imagined them to be overgorged — ■ 
have frequently come under my notice. 
Within the entrance of Belfast Bay they are commonly to be 
seen throughout summer and autumn, but very rarely do the 
adult birds come far up the estuary. Within three miles of the 
town, two appeared on the 14th of May, 1832, one of which was 
struck down with an oar and secured. On the 27th of April, 
1850, a fine old male was taken off Holywood, by becoming 
so entangled in a fisherman's float-lines that it was drawn into 
his boat, and quite uninjured. Young birds have not unfre- 
