458 THE GANNET 



meat for the household of King James. In 1525 " auce 

 solanes " were served to his son James V., at Holyrood, 

 and in 1529 the careful larderer bought them for the 

 King's hunting seat in Fife, Falkland Palace, where birds 

 of all kinds, and Geese in particular, were in request for 

 those who sat at the royal table. *t In 1592, the rights 

 of the laird of the Bass had so swelled in importance 

 that it was necessary to apply to Parliament for their 

 protection, and - an act was thereupon passed, in which 

 special mention was made of the Solan Geese, which no 

 fisherman or skipper residing at Dunbar, North Berwick, 

 or any other town in the vicinity, was henceforth permitted 

 to take by hook or by net, nor might they kill any 

 profitable fowl which repaired to this isle to breed. J 



For a long time after this, in spite of an English mon- 

 arch's unfavourable opinion of them,§ the esteem in which 

 young Gannets were held abated but little, if we may judge 



* See page 177. 



t Several sorts are entered by the careful larderer in his accounts, viz. : 

 Auca campestris (Wild Goose, perhaps the Pink-footed Goose), A. silvestris 

 (Wild Goose of some sort), ^4. domestica (Tame Goose), A. virides (green 

 or young Geese), A. pasta (a fed or fatted Goose.) Seal was purchased for 

 the larder, whole or in quarters, also Porpoise. 



X See p. 194. 



§ Charles II. was heard to remark that there were just two things which 

 he did not like in Scotland — the Solan Goose and the Solemn League and 

 Covenant. 



