336 OUR RARER BIRDS 



grass-grown steps lead upwards to a door, which is placed 

 here evidently for the purpose of protecting the rock from 

 the intrusion of trespassers for be it known the Bass is 

 private property, arid rented as such. Passing through the 

 doorway and the ruins beyond, we climb in a westerly 

 direction to the top of the cliffs. But little of interest to the 

 ornithologist is to be seen. Land -birds are not entirely 

 absent from this isolated rock, however, for the Eock Pipit 

 flits before us uttering its monotonous chirp, and a little 

 Willow Wren wanders restlessly about, evidently ill at ease 

 so far from the trees and bushes. No Gannets breed on the 

 southern slopes, for they are not suited to their purpose, 

 their breeding-places being principally confined to the north, 

 north-east, and west cliffs. But when the summit of the 

 cliff is reached the scene that bursts upon our gaze is one 

 that well-nigh baffles all description. Thousands upon 

 thousands of Gannets fill the air, just like heavy snow- 

 flakes, and on every side their loud harsh cries of carra- 

 carra-carra echo and re-echo amongst the rocks. 



The Gannets take very little notice of our approach, 

 many birds allowing themselves to be actually pushed from 

 their nests. Others utter their harsh notes, and with flapping 

 wings offer some show of resistance, only taking wing when 

 absolutely compelled to do so, and disgorging one or two half- 

 digested fish ere they fall lightly over the cliffs into the air. 

 On all sides facing the sea the Gannets may be seen. Some 

 are standing on the short grass at the edge of the cliffs fast 

 asleep, with their head buried under, their dorsal plumage ; 

 others are preening their feathers ; whilst many are quarrel- 

 ling and fighting over standing room on the rocks. All the 

 birds, however, seen around us are not nesting those whose 

 plumage is in any degree speckled with darker feathers are 

 immature, and will not breed until they obtain their fully 

 adult dress, which is not until they are four or five years old. 



