456 



THE GANNET 



Gannets as Food. — There was a time when the young 

 of any sea-fowl which put on fat abundantly, were thought 

 to be good- eating by those who lived near enough to their 

 haunts to benefit by them. Salted Puffins were eagerly 

 consumed by our not over-particular ancestors, and young 

 Shearwaters were drawn out of holes with long hooks. 

 The Puffins possessing a distinctly fishy taste, appear to 

 have been permitted by the Romish Church in some places, 

 to be eaten in lieu of fish. It was evidently to this 

 indulgence that Richard Oarew alludes when he speaks 

 of the Puffin as '' being exceedingly fat, kept salted, and 

 reputed for fish, as coming nearest thereto in their 

 taste."* Young Shearwaters might also be eaten in Lent 

 without prejudice. f Young Fulmar Petrels were rated 

 highly by the dwellers on St. Kilda, and are still the stand- 

 ing dish there, although to an Englishman their taste is 



* " Survey of Cornwall " (1602). 



t " The Ornithology of Francis Willughby," p. 334. 



