470 THE GANNET 



as to be an almost insuperable difficulty, yet, by expoi^ing 

 them to a hot sun or to the heat of an oven, it was possible 

 to overcome it temporarily. At most breeding stations 

 where feather-collecting went on, the supply included the 

 plumage of Puffins, Guillemots, and Razorbills, and at 

 St. Kilda of Fulmar Petrels ; but at the Bass Rock Gannet- 

 feathers alone were taken, as far as I have been able to 

 ascertain. It was an old industry there, of very long 

 standing, if a small one.* In 1767 the value of a stone 

 of Gannets' feathers was ten shillings sterling at the Bass.j 

 In 1874 it was eighteen shillings (E. T. Booth). Eighty 

 Gannets, if not more, were needed to produce a stone 

 (241b.), J and three stone of feathers were required to make 

 a bed of moderate dimensions. 



At St. Kilda. — When the Rev. Neil Mackenzie took ujj 

 the pastorship of St. Kilda in 1829, the feather-trade 

 was inconsiderable, but when Mr. J. Wilson went there 

 in 1841, it appears that two hundred and forty stone was 

 payable by the islanders as rent to the proprietor, Mr. 

 Macleod. In 1847 each family had to contribute seven 

 stone ("Zoologist," 1848, p. 2058). Subsequently we 

 learn from Mr. Wiglesworth, trade expanded, and 



* Feathers are mentioned as an item of great value by Swave in 153o, 

 and by John Caius in 157U. See pp. 181, 187. 



t p. 251. 



J An English stone is less than the Scotch weight. 



