The Pink-footed Goose 193 



weather experienced, though this appeared to be no 

 deterrent to the earlier nesting solans, whose eggs were 

 in evidence quite up to former dates early in April. The 

 entire pasturage of the Rock is computed at seven acres 

 — a statement scarcely creditable considering the bald ap- 

 pearance the Rock presents to the passing traveller — and 

 at one time gave excellent sustenance to a score of sheep, 

 but is now given over to the birds and rabbits. Parched 

 as it was by the excessive drought and intense heat of 

 May and June, the rabbits suffered from lack of supplies, 

 many of the young ones being found dead. In the east 

 rookery the solans sit in the full glare of the mid-day sun, 

 their saliva-dripping bills slightly agape, and throats 

 vibrating rapidly, suggestive of a dog under similar 

 conditions. To leave the egg exposed for any length of 

 time to such scorching heat would probably be fatal to 

 the embryo chick, so the patient brooder must wait the 

 return of its mate, foraging far at sea, before going itself 

 in quest of supplies. Many years ago I was informed 

 that the female alone incubated the solitary egg and 

 was fed by the male bird on the nest. This, I have 

 found is incorrect. Both birds share in incubation, and 

 never leave the nest till relieved by their partner. After 

 hatching out, and when able to partake of solid food, the 

 chick is fed by both parents, and in the later stages 

 develops an appetite which appears insatiable, taxing 

 the resources of the old birds to their utmost. The 

 average weight of an adult solan is eight pounds, but 

 this is frequently exceeded by the fledglings, which pile 

 an adipose tissue at an alarming rate just prior to taking 

 flight, which in many a case is rendered ludicrously 

 abortive by their superfluous avoirdupois. Conse- 

 quently, many of the young birds on leaving the nest 

 find their wings unable to support their bulky bodies, 

 and spend their first few days floating in the water, 

 assimilating their surplus fat before finally taking their 

 departure. This is generally undertaken immediately 

 they gain the effective use of their wings, and, strange 

 to say, without waiting for the general exodus of their 

 elders in late November." 



