456 NATATORES. SULA. SOLAN GANNET. 



of the Frith of Clyde ; St Kilda ; Souliskerry near the Ork- 

 neys ; the Skelig Isles upon the Irish coast, and the Bass 

 Rock at the entrance of the Frith of Forth. Upon the preci- 

 pitous rocks of these islands they breed in innumerable mul- 

 titudes, occupying all the ledges and summits wherever they 

 Nest, &c. find sufficient space for the nest, which is formed of a mass 

 of sea-weed, and other materials, which they either find on 

 the rocky cliffs, or gather from the surface of the sea as they 

 pass on the wing. They lay but one egg each (not two, as 

 stated by TEMMINCK), exceeding in size that of the Cormo- 

 rant, but much less than the egg of the Common Goose, 

 with which it has been compared, Its colour, when first 

 laid, is white, but it soon becomes soiled, and as incubation 

 proceeds, acquires a yellowish or clay-coloured appearance. 

 The young, when hatched, are naked, their skin smooth and 

 of bluish-black, but covered in a few days with a white 

 down, which, growing rapidly, soon becomes very thick, giv- 

 ing them in this state the appearance of large powder-puffs, 

 or masses of cotton. Over this warm clothing, the regular 

 plumage gradually extends ; and after about two months 

 they are fully fledged and able to take wing. Great num- 

 bers of the young birds are annually taken upon the Bass 

 Rock, not merely on account of the feathers and down, for the 

 bodies are also sold in the neighbouring towns, and in the 

 Edinburgh market, at the rate of Is. 8d. each, being much 

 esteemed, when roasted, as a relish a short time before the 

 hour of dinner. Their flesh is very oily and rank, and 

 though habit has reconciled the Scotch to such an unusual 

 whet, few strangers would find their appetites increased, after 

 partaking of such a dish. This precipitous rock (the Bass) 

 is rented from the proprietor at L.60 or L.70 per annum, 

 and as the proceeds chiefly depend upon the produce of the 

 Gannets, great care is taken to protect the old birds, which 

 the tenant is enabled to do from the privilege possessed by 

 the proprietor, of preventing any person from shooting or 

 otherwise destroying them within a certain limited distance 



