GANNET. 
5 67 
of the cliff in search of them. They then act in 
pairs ; one fastens himself to the end of his asso- 
ciate’s rope, and, in places where birds have nestled 
beneath his footing, he permits himself to be lowered 
down, depending for his security to the strength 
of his companion, who is to haul him up again ; 
but it sometimes happens that the person above is 
overpowered by the weight, and both inevitably 
perish. They fling the fowl down to the boat, 
which attends their motions, and receives the booty. 
They often pass seven or eight days in this tremen- 
dous employ, and lodge in the crannies which they 
find in the face of the precipice. 
