203 
COMMON GANNET. 
Sula bassana, Linn . 
PLATE COCCXXV. — Adult Male and Young. 
On the morning of the 14th of June, 1833, the white sails of the Ripley 
were spread before a propitious breeze, and onward she might be seen gaily 
wending her way toward the shores of Labrador. We had well explored 
the Magdalene Islands, and were anxious to visit the Great Gannet Rock, 
where, according to our pilot, the birds from which it derives its name breed. 
For several days I had observed numerous files proceeding northward, and 
marked their mode of flight while thus travelling. As our bark dashed 
through the heaving billows, my anxiety to reach the desired spot increased. 
At length, about ten o’clock, we discerned at a distance a white speck, which 
our pilot assured us was the celebrated rock of our wishes. After awhile I 
could distinctly see its top from the deck, and thought that it was still 
covered with snow several feet deep. As we approached it, I imagined that 
the atmosphere around was filled with flakes, but on my turning to the pilot, 
who smiled at my simplicity, I was assured that nothing was in sight but 
the Gannets and their island home. I rubbed my eyes, took up my glass, 
and saw that the strange dimness of the air before us was caused by the innu- 
merable birds, whose white bodies and black-tipped pinions produced a 
blended tint of light grey. When we had advanced to within half a mile, 
this magnificent veil of floating Gannets was easily seen, now shooting 
upwards, as if intent on reaching the sky, then descending as if to join the 
feathered masses below, and again diverging toward either side and sweep- 
ing over the surface of the ocean. The Ripley now partially furled her 
sails, and lay to, when all on board were eager to scale the abrupt sides 
of the mountain isle, and satify their curiosity. 
Judge, reader, of our disappointment. The weather, which hitherto had 
been beautiful, suddenly changed, and we were assailed by a fearful storm. 
However, the whale-boat was hoisted over, and manned by four sturdy 
" down-easters,” along with Thomas Lincoln and my son. I remained on 
board the Ripley, and commenced my distant observations, which I shall 
relate in due time. 
An hour has elapsed ; the boat, which had been hid from our sight, is now 
