THE NESTLING 371 



and September the 4th, two hundred and fifty young Gannets 

 made the plunge, and with it took their departure from the 

 Bass Rock. It happens occasionally that some retarded 

 individuals are much later in going away from their ledges 

 than September, though that is the usual month ; in 1904 

 the Rev. H. N. Bonar tells me that there were a few young 

 Gannets still unable to fly on November 9th, which was 

 very exceptional. On the other hand I have known 

 a strong flyer, which must have lost its way in a fog, 

 to be picked up in Norfolk on the 2nd of September — 

 a bird which, judging from its appearance, must have 

 left the Bass Rock about August 17th, and Mr. R. L. 

 Patterson mentions a still earlier one on August 22nd, off 

 Belfast.* 



For some days before their actual departure the young 

 Gannets may be seen continually flapping their long black 

 wings, which is done, it is to be presumed, to relax the joints 

 and strengthen the ligaments ; ten or twelve young Gannets 

 may be viewed going through this performance at the same 

 time on the ledges. Notwithstanding so much preparation 

 some make a bad start, and I was told at Ailsa Craig, 

 where there is a belt of rock-strewn shore to be crossed, 

 that they not infrequently fall on to it. In squally 

 weather others lose their balance, and are carried by a 



* "Birds, Fishes, and Cetacea of Belfast Lough," p. 51. 



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