GANNETS OR SOLAN GEESE (Sitla Bassa/ia) 



This plate reproduces photographs taken by Mr. R. A. L. Van 

 Someren at the Bass Rock, a well-known breeding-haunt of this 

 bird. A general view of part of the rock is given at i, showing 

 Gannets and nests. Two of the latter are represented on a larger 

 scale in 2, each of them containing a large white egg, while a 

 brooding bird is seen in 3. An unfledged nestling, with feathers 

 beginning to sprout, is shown in 4, and the loose, untidy character 

 of the insanitary nest will be noted. It is very roughly made of 

 bits of sea-weed, pieces of turf, grass haulms, and other available 

 materials. The young Gannets are hatched out as blind, feather- 

 less, unattractive-looking creatures, but soon become clothed with 

 a thick covering of pure white down. Later on this is succeeded 

 by speckled brown and white plumage, which, after passing through 

 several other stages, gives place to the almost entirely white attire 

 of the adult. Gannets are not fully mature until they have attained 

 the age of four or five years. 



