THE BASS ROCK 247 



date until the end of the eighteenth century we have no 

 further returns, but then comes in Dr. John Walker's record 

 in his "Essays " of 1296 young ones taken in one year — 

 probably a year between 1764 and 1770 — but this is not 

 particularised.* 



In 1848 we find Professor Fleming writing, in his article 

 before quoted, of 1800 young Gannets, as if he actually 

 knew of that number having been taken (" The Bass Rock," 

 p. 395). In 1850 John Wolley says 1700 were taken, 

 and adds " about half," meaning probably that George 

 Adams, the keeper, had told him it was about half the 

 young ones, and that nearly as many more had been 

 allowed to fly (" Ootheca Wolleyana," II., p. 455). In 

 1865 Mr. E. T. Booth puts the number of young gathered 

 at about 1500, and in 1874 at 800, j and in 1876 I was 

 told it was still about 800. { 



Of these figures the highest which can be relied upon is 

 1700. We may hold Wolley 's authority to be sufficient for 

 that number of young Gannets taken in 1850. Now, 1700 



* "Essays on Natural History" (1808). 



f " Rough Notes," III. 



J In September, 1885, Downie the lessee told Mr. Evans that he had taken 

 2000 eggs but no young ones that year, indeed, they had ceased to be 

 taken. In 1880, about 1800 eggs were taken : at the present time the 

 number gathered is about 100, but no one eats tliem. 



