. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. 290 OEDERS OF BIRDS—FULLY-AVEBBED SWIMMERS spots they can find, there is no l>ii'd which man cannot reacli witli a Run, no nest to wliicli he cannot chmb, or be lowered at tlie end of a rope. Sea-l)irds everywhere are persecuted by man, either for their ejifi's or for themselves. In their iH-eeding-season the (iamiets are con- tinually visited by Indians and whites, who take their eggs. "Scarce a day passes," says Mr. Lucas, "without a visit from fishermen
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. 290 OEDERS OF BIRDS—FULLY-AVEBBED SWIMMERS spots they can find, there is no l>ii'd which man cannot reacli witli a Run, no nest to wliicli he cannot chmb, or be lowered at tlie end of a rope. Sea-l)irds everywhere are persecuted by man, either for their ejifi's or for themselves. In their iH-eeding-season the (iamiets are con- tinually visited by Indians and whites, who take their eggs. "Scarce a day passes," says Mr. Lucas, "without a visit from fishermen in search of eggs, or murres. i\Iany barrels of eggs are gathered during the season, and alto- gether the birds lead a rather precarious ex- istence. There is a law regulating the taking of eggs, and if this were observed, or could be strictly enforced, a large number of eggs could be gathered annually, while at the same time the number of birds would steadily ; As will be inferred, the Gannet lives wholly Upon fish, and is an expert deep-water di\'er. In his re]:>ort on his " Explorations in Newfound- land and Labrador," Mr. Lucas gives the fol- lowing interesting account: " While lying at (Irindstone Island we first tnade the acquaintance of the Gannets, whose head-quarters are at Bird Rocks, and had a good opportunity to watch them fishing. The birds are usually associated in small, straggling flocks, and with outstretched necks, and eyes ever on the lookout for fish, they fly at a height of from ;) to 100 feet above the water, or occa- sionally somewhat more. The height at which the Gannet flies above the water is proportioned to the depth at which the fish ai-e swimming beneath, and Captain Collins tells me that when fish are swimming near the surface, the Gannet flies very low, and darts obliquely instead of vertically upon its prey. "Should any finny game be seen within range, down goes the Gannet headlong, the nearly closed
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