246 
SOLAN GOOSE. 
the scapulars and wings, and a few on the back, with 
sometimes one and sometimes both the centre tail- 
feathers. The flight and habits at sea are also very 
interesting to witness ; when returning to the rock, 
it pursues a straightforward course, at a considerable 
elevation, without turning to the right or left; but 
when fishing, it may be seen suddenly to turn, and 
prepare itself for the plunge, and then follow its 
survey, the sight having either been mistaken, or 
the prey disappeared ; but, when certain, the course 
is in a moment stopped, the wings closed to the 
sides, and a perpendicular descent is made, often to 
a considerable depth, if we may judge from tho 
period of immersion ; the spray dashes up, and the 
bird is for some time lost, until it again appears with 
a fish in its beak, which is soon got into the proper 
position, aud swallowed head downwards. The 
Solan Goose is said to be taken by a fish attached 
to a board, the force of the stroke killing the bird ; 
but we have not been able to ascertain whether its 
ordinary prey is pursued after the plunge, or is at 
that time transfixed, like the prey of the herons. 
It ranges far from its breeding-place to fish, pur- 
suing the species that swim in shoals, or tracing 
the resort of some particular food ; it roams up- 
wards, opposito to Leith, and seawards to and beyond 
the Fern Islands ; it will turn from its course to 
look at any unusual object, and its curiosity is some- 
times fatal to it ; we have procured birds that have 
thus come to inspect our craft, generally sailing 
