CONTENTS ix. 



CHAPTER X. 

 Abandoned Breeding -places - - - - - 314 



Former Breeding-places now no longer inhabited — Alleged 

 Breeding-sites of the Gannet in England — In Scotland — 

 In Ireland — And on the Coast of Canada. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Estimated Number of Gannets - ... 322 



An Estimate of the Gannet Population — Compared with 

 what is known about other Birds — Lack of definite Statistics 

 — A Census Jolui Wolley's idea — Puffins the most abundant 

 of all Sea-birds at the present Tin\e. 



CHAPTER XII. 



NlDIFICATION AND InCUBATION - - - - 333 



Habits of the Gannet during its nidification — Incubation — 

 Duration of incubatory Period — William Evans's experi- 

 ments — Absence of a Hatching-spot not hitherto noticed 

 except by Faber — The Gannet's Egg. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 The Nestling ------- 359 



Hatching and Rearing of the Nestling — Young Gannets — 

 Their Ways and Manners as they advance to maturity — 

 The Periods of a Young Gannet's Existence — Its Flight 

 out to Sea. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

 Habits of Gannets ------- 370 



The Gamiet's Habits — Its affectionate Disposition — The 

 Cause of its Gaping — Selous's theories — Its Discordant Cries 

 — An Imitation of the Elements — Its hours of Sleep. 



CHAPTER XV. 

 Food and Fishing -.-.-.- 386 



Habits of the Gannet contiiuied — Its Food — -The amovuit of 

 Fish required — Its methods of Fishing — When Plunging — 

 When Feeding on Fry — IMr. Eagle Clarke's observations. 



