p. 210

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Status: Complete

202

The Flying Fish

We several times had the flying fish. [underline] [Exotetus?] [end underline]
fly into the ports on the [Gun?]-Deck. They are about the
size of a moderate sized mackerel. Their wings are
merely lengthened fins on each side of the body and
are almost as long as the body of the fish. I have often
from the deck watched their flight, and I calculated
at two or three hundred yards, but it might not be
so far, as by the eye alone it is difficult to measure
distance on the water when in motion.

I have seen them strike the top of a wave as
if for moistening their wings, and then keep on
in their flight but I cannot say I [underline] saw [end underline] them move
their fins as a bird does its wings, for the purpose
of progression.

The sailors believe that some large fish is
in pursuit of them for prey, and that is not unlikely
and we read [thats?] birds pursue and catch them
in their flight but although I have seen birds about
when they were out of their native element, I never
saw an instance of their being so caught.

[Drawing of a school of flying fish being pursued by birds above water.]

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