MOVEMENTS OF THE GANNET AT THE BUTT OF LEWIS 57 



a drifter hauling her nets ih miles west, A large area 

 around was speckled with drifting birds apparently gorged. 

 Some flocks passing flew to the place, others passed on S.W. 

 unheeding. From 6 to 7 p.m. till after sunset Gannets 

 passed very numerously east and S.E., very few west. 



iS^/i July. — Half an hour before sunrise Gannets began 

 passing in both directions. Birds coming from the west were 

 flying high before a fresh S.W. wind, those going S.W. flying 

 low over the surface of the water. 



2^th July, 7 to 8 A.M. — Gannets passing west at the rate 

 of one every second for an hour, after which there was 

 a slight decrease. Only a few going S.E., the direction 

 whence all the others were fcoming. About two miles north 

 about a thousand were continuously diving among a shoal of 

 herring or mackerel. Over a hundred gorged birds rested 

 on the water to gradually rise and fly westward. Several 

 were seen going north in the direction of Sulesgeir. About 

 a dozen were at the same time diving within a few yards of 

 the rocks for saith. West-going birds flying low; S.E. -going, 

 much higher. Light S.W. wind. 



^th Aug. — Half an hour before sunset Gannets flying 

 numerously east and west. At and after sunset none seen. 

 Weather fine; little or no wind. Next morning (6th) single 

 birds began coming from S.W. half an hour before sunrise, 

 then gradually in small flocks, till at half an hour after 

 su rise they were passing at the rate of 200 every five 

 minute.s. The first coming from S.E. about fifteen minutes 

 before sunrise was also a single bird ; but small flocks 

 soon followed, till at half an hour after sunrise they were 

 passing at the rate of 150 every five minutes. It is noted 

 that the first seen in the mornings and the last at nights are 

 generally single birds. 



\^th Aug. — All afternoon flying as numerous as ever, 

 both east and west, till the usual time after sunset. 



yd Sept. — No apparent abatement in numbers of Gannets 

 passing. 



Motor boat from Port of Ness, at Sulesgeir from 7th 

 to loth Sept., brought about iioo young Gannets, which 

 sold at IS. each, an advance of 3d. or 4d. on the usual price. 



51 ^1 



