48 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
The rocks of St. Kilda (an ifland on the weftern 
coaft of Scotland) abound with thefe birds ; the 
inhabitants live upon them and their eggs; they 
take them in the fame manner as the bird-catchers 
in Norway, by climbing among the rocks, or being 
jet down by ropes. 
Fifhermen know when fhoals of Herrings or 
Pilchards are near, by the Gannets, who always 
attend them; for Herrings and Pilchards are their 
Chief food. ‘They feldom fly over the land, but 
wind all along the coaft, at an equal diftance from 
the fhore. 
The Gannet can cover its eye with a mem- 
brane, or fkin, to prevent it from being hurt; for 
the Gannet darts headlong with furprizing {wift- 
nefs into the water after the fifh. 
Sometimes fifhermen tie a Pilchard toa board, | 
and Jet it float on the fea; and the Gannet will 
fly down, and {trike it, with fo much force as to 
~ break its neck. 
The Booby is another {pecies of Pelican. Birds 
of this fpecies are called Boobies, becaufe of their 
great ftupidity, and the habit which they have 
of fhaking their heads; and becaufe they fuffer 
themfelves eafily to be caught, or to be beaten 
down with a ftick ; for they do not feem to be 
at all afraid of man. One caufe perhaps of their 
| | feeming 

