464 THE GANNET 



Now the Gannets in this vast breeding-place, which is 

 the metropoHs of the species, have an easy time of it, being 

 unmolested in September, as they are not required either 

 for their flesh, their feathers, or their grease. 



At Ailsa Craig Gannets are no longer eaten, but at 

 Sulisgeir and 8ule-Skerry they are still collected in some 

 quantities for consumption by the fishermen and peasantry 

 of Lewis. 



During the summer of 1911, two boat-loads of young 

 Gannets arrived at Ness from Sulisgeir and the Stack of 

 Sule-Skerry, as I learn from Mr. Macleod, the harbour- 

 master of Ness, which were salted after the breast-bone had 

 been removed, and then laid flat in barrels. 



In the Fseroes, I learn from Mr. J. Olsen, young Gannets 

 are still relished, some being boiled and eaten hot, others 

 being pickled for a few days, and then dried and eaten raw. 



Gannets' Eggs. — In St. Kilda Gannets' eggs were formerly 

 held to be good alike for food and physic, and as recently 

 as 1902 Mr. J. Wiglesworth found that the top of Stack 

 Lii had been cleared of them by the natives.* There is 

 no call for them at the Bass Rock for eating, but visitors 

 are glad of some as specimens. At Ailsa Craig they are 

 more appreciated, and a good many are eaten. I have 

 once tasted one boiled hard, and thought it fairly good. 



*«'St. Kilda," p. 49. 



