CHAPTER XII. 



NIDIFICATION AND INCUBATION. 



Habits of the Gannet during the period of its nidification — 

 The period of incubation — Absence of " a hatching-spot " in 

 the Gannet — Its egg. 



The Gannet' s Nidification. — Having now discussed all 

 the Gannet's breeding-places, used and disused, and hazarded 

 a guess at the number of individuals resorting to each of 

 them, we pass on to another and different section of this 

 bird's life-history, and we cannot do better than begin with 

 what is the most important period of every bird's existence — 

 its nidification. I know that there are some naturalists 

 who look upon very minute details of a bird's habits and 

 economy as superfluous. Others there are on the contrary, 

 and I think these are much better advised, who deem that 

 every note, every attitude, every change in flight or gait, 

 every alteration as regards food and nidiflcation, and every 

 moult of feather must have its reason, and accordingly be 

 worthy of study — whereby we may elucidate its meaning. 

 Assuredly, if there is anything lying behind the feathers 

 of a bird which is akin to the mind in a human being, 



