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Updated: June 3, 2025
These birds became more numerous as we approached the shore, and as soon as we got into soundings, we saw gannets, which we continued to see as long as we were upon the bank which stretches off Anguillas to the distance of forty leagues, and extends along the shore to the eastward, from Cape False, according to some charts, one hundred and sixty leagues.
It was a rock of a remarkable shape that stood a short distance from the fishing-pool. It could not be otherwise, the gannets had led us to their old haunts. We were approaching our island. I looked at my companion she was praying.
The light boat glided almost imperceptibly through the water at every stroke of the oar. Nero lay as still as if his former lesson had taught him the necessity of remaining motionless; and the gannets now and then expressed their satisfaction by a shrill cry or a rapid fluttering of their wings.
As soon as we got into Soundings we saw Gannets, which we continued to see as long as we were on the Bank, which stretches off Laguillas 40 Leagues, and Extends along shore to the Eastward from Cape False, according to some charts, 160 Leagues; the Extent of this Bank is not well known, however, it is useful in directing Shipping when to haul in to make the land. Saturday, 16th.
While the gannets, whose eggs had been deposited on the ground without nests refused to move as we approached only exhibiting their alarm or displeasure by loud croaks, and allowing us to catch hold of them without resistance the frigate birds, more wary, rose from their perches, inflating their blood-red pouches to the size of large cocoanuts, as they ascended high up in the air above our heads, or flew off to sea; others circled round us screeching wildly and flapping their wings.
A row of houses all erected since his young days still blocked the view of the harbour. He halted, rested his elbows on a low wall and watched the gannets at their evolutions the poise, the terrific dive, the splash clearly visible at more than a mile's distance.
The smooth but treacherous surface of the channel reflected sharply the cliffs and foliage, and its mirror-like stillness was only broken at rare intervals, by the sudden appearance of a seal in search of a fresh supply of air, or by the efforts, delayed until the very last moment, of a few steamer-ducks, gannets, or cormorants, to get out of our way.
I have heard of men catching gannets by tying a fish on a board, and letting it float; and when the gannet strikes at it he drives his bill into the board, and cannot get it out. But is not that cruel? I think so. Gannets are of no use, for eating, or anything else. What a noise! It is quite deafening. And what are those black birds about, who croak like crows, or parrots? Look at them.
As the first file approached, I looked again, to see if I could make out what they were. God of Heaven! They were gannets. I crawled back to my companion as rapidly as my feeble limbs would allow, to inform her of the discovery I had made. Alas! I found that I was unheeded.
Had he fallen on the rock, he would inevitably have had his shell broken, and would himself have become the prey of the pirate. There were also sooty terns and gannets. It was interesting to watch the careful way in which the latter guarded their eggs, placed in holes on the ground.
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