THE GANNET." 



There is one spot which, in connexion with these birds, is entitled to particular notice. 

 Old Hector Boece, speaking of the Bass Rock as it appeared in the sixteenth century, 

 says : " It is ane wounderful crag, risand within the sea, with so narrow and strait hals 

 for passage, that na schip nor boit may arrive, bot all arneslie at ane part of it. This 

 crag is callet the Bas ; unwinnabill by ingine of man. In it are coves, als profitable for 

 defence of men, as (if) thay wore biggit be craf'tv industry. Every thing that is in that 

 crag is full of admiration and wonder." None of the remarkable features of the Bass 

 Rock have since been lost. " Rising abruptly to the height of four hundi'cd and twenty 

 feet above the level of the sea, about two miles from the shore, and three miles cast from 

 the ancient royal burgh of North Berwick, it presents to the stranger," says the Rev. T. 

 Mc Grie, " one of the most striking objects on entering the mouth of the Firth ; and to 

 the visitor in summer, when the dark-broad rock is encircled with myriads of sea-fowl, 

 whirling around in all varieties of plumage, and screaming in all the notes of the ai|uatic 

 scale, when it may be said, — 



' 'I'lic Klc i-. lull (if TloiMS, 

 Sounds, anil irild airs, thai give dclifjlil and Inn 1 not,' 



the scene appears like enchantment, and loaves an impression not easily forgotten." 



" Suhi HiisKann. 



