88 THE GANNET 



whole, the best idea of its grim aspect. On the left of the 

 photograph are the west cliffs, where the Gannets breed in 

 what looks like inaccessible security, while on the right can 

 be seen the old tower which Pennant found such difficulty in 

 climbing up to. As we reached this square tower a fine old 

 Raven, disturbed in his repast, rose from the ground, 

 leaving a half-eaten rat behind him. A few pairs of these 

 birds breed in the cliffs every year — long may they continue 

 to do so, and keep the rats, of which there are too many, 

 in check. We afterwards saw five Ravens on the wing 

 together. 



Mr. Thomson, who acted as our guide, informed us that 

 the arrival and departure of the Gannets were much the 

 same as at the Bass — that is, they come at the end of 

 February, and nearly all quit the Craig in October, being 

 of all the fowl the first to come and the last to go ; and 

 for this a sufficient reason may be found in the fact of 

 their requiring a longer period for the incubation of their 

 eggs, as well as for the nurture and up-bringing of their 

 young. 



It is only on the most precipitous cliffs, which Mr. Lawson 

 says are known as the Main or Goose Craigs, and which 

 face westwards, that the Gannets are found, and here their 

 breeding area extends, though not without interruptions, 

 for fully three-quarters of a mile, from what is marked on 



