208 
COMMON GANNET. 
before him, one might think that his own vision had been defective, had he 
not been careful to note down at once the result of his observations. And 
as this is a matter of habit with me, I will offer you mine, good reader, not 
caring one jot for what has been said to you before on the subject. 
I have seen the Gannet plunge, and afterwards remain under the surface 
of the water for at least one minute at a time. On one occasion of this kind, 
I shot one just as it emerged, and which held a fish firmly in its bill, and 
had two others half-way down its throat. This has induced me to believe 
that it sometimes follows its prey in the water, and seizes several fishes in 
succession. At other times I have observed the Gannet plunge amidst a 
shoal of launces so as scarcely to enter the water, and afterwards follow them, 
swimming, or as it were running, on the water, with its wings extended 
upwards, and striking to the right and left until it was satiated. While 
on the Gulf of Mexico, I wounded a Gannet, which, on falling to the water, 
swam so fast before the boat, that we rowed about a quarter of a mile before 
we reached it, when it suddenly turned towards us, opened its bill, as if 
intent on defending itself, but was killed with the stroke of an oar by one 
of the sailors. When shot at without even being touched, these birds often 
disgorge their food in the manner of Vultures ; and this they always do when 
wounded, if their stomach and gullet happen to be full. Sometimes, after 
being wounded in the wings, they will float and allow you to take them, 
without making any attempt to escape. Nay, mj young friend, George C. 
Shattuck, M. D., of Boston, while with me at Labrador, caught one which 
he found walking amongst a great number of Guillemots, on a low and rocky 
island. 
When they are on their favourite breeding rocks, and about to fly, they 
elevate their head, throw it backward, open the bill, and emit a loud pro- 
longed cry, before launching themselves into the air, in doing which they 
waddle a few paces with their wings partially extended. After starting, 
their first motion is greatly inclined downwards, but they presently recover, 
and seem to support themselves with ease. When they are twenty or thirty 
yards off, you observe them shaking the tail sideways, and then hiding their 
feet among the under coverts of the tail. At other times they suddenly 
open their feet, moving them as if for the purpose of grasping some object 
below, in the same manner as some Hawks, but only for a few moments, 
when again the tail is shaken, and the feet hidden as before. They beat 
their wings and sail alternately, even when flying around their breeding 
places. 
On the ground the movements of the Gannet are exceedingly awkward, 
and it marches with hampered steps, assisting itself with the wings, or keep- 
ing them partially open, to prevent its falling. Their walk, indeed, is 
