264 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



they are found on the shores of Norway, in Iceland, and in 

 the Ferroe Islands, on the coast of Newfoundland, and on 

 the north-west coast of America. The Bass Rock, to which 

 reference has been made, is one of the principal stations 

 upon our shores frequented by these birds. This is an 

 island at the entrance of the Firth of Forth, a singular ba- 

 saltic mass, rising perpendicularly from the sea to the height 

 of four hundred feet, and bearing a scanty herbage which 

 pastures a few sheep. This island is reported to be rented 

 from the proprietor for some sixty or seventy pounds a year, 

 the proceeds depending chiefly upon the produce of the 

 Gannets. On this island the great proportion of the birds 

 build on the ledges of the precipitous face of the rock, but a 

 considerable number also place their nests on the summit near 

 the edge, where they can be walked among. During incu- 

 bation, in consequence of being unmolested, they become 

 very tame, and where they are perhaps most accustomed 

 to visitors, will suffer themselves, we are told, to be stroked 

 with the hand, uttering only a singular and guttural note of 

 remonstrance. The rent of the breeding- stations of this 

 bird is paid chiefly by the feathers ; but the young birds are 

 also sold, both in a fresh and salted state, the Bass furnish- 

 ing yearly, it is believed, from fifteen hundred to two thou- 



