GANNETS. 35 



we had opened a point of the distant cliff which was 

 cut into a series of rocky ledges, like a wide flight of 

 steps leading to some magnificent building. On these 

 were seated a dozen or twenty gannets, beautifully 

 snow-white birds, with black tips to their wings, larger 

 than geese. We could easily have scrambled to their 

 rock, but our friend was reluctant to have them dis- 

 turbed. This fine bird used to be numerous here ; 

 and G-annet Cove and Gannet Kock received their 

 appellations from the hosts of these birds that used to 

 make that neighbourhood their resort; but having 

 been much annoyed by idle gunners from the main, 

 they had deserted the island, ic was feared finally. 

 Lately, however, a few pairs have returned, to the 

 gratification of the proprietor, who is desirous of their 

 increase. In truth, they are noble and beautiful birds ; 

 their long pointed pinions enable them to wheel and 

 glide about in the air, to soar aloft, or swoop, or float 

 on motionless wing at pleasure with the utmost grace ; 

 while the contrast of the black wing-tips with the 

 general whiteness of the plumage, cannot fail to elicit 

 admiration. As they sail near, we perceive that the 

 neck and poll are tinged with buff ; but this excep- 

 tion to the general purity of the vesture is not at all 

 conspicuous, nor universal. Their cry is, " crak, crak, 

 crak," uttered on the wing. The snowy purity of the 

 mature plumage is said to be reached through several 

 alternations of opposite hues. The young, when newly 

 hatched, are black and quite naked: their first coat of 

 down is white; this is succeeded by a plumage of 



