GANNET OR SOLAN GOOSE. 461 



Farroch, Tarrock, Kirm, Kirra, Cree, Cree, Krak, Kraksm address 

 which they utter with great rapidity; but ultimately, finding that 

 it makes no impression, they change it to a loud call for Grog. 

 While standing surrounded by an excited multitude of open bills 

 I noticed my guide, one of the Cantabay boatmen, apparently 

 absorded in thought. "Is there any risk of them biting?" I 

 ventured to inquire. "Oh, no, sir!" he rejoined; "I was only 

 thinking how like they are to oursels" 



With regard to Dr Macgillivray's statement as to this bird occa- 

 sionally laying two eggs, it may be presumed that the fourteen 

 nests which he was informed had been seen to contain that 

 number were situated on the accessible slope already referred to. 

 In the height of the breeding season excursionists were almost 

 daily on the rock, and I have seen persons out of wanton mischief 

 exchange the contents of some of the nests, which were very close 

 to each other, and even leave two and three eggs for one bird to 

 sit upon. That nests have been tampered with in this way 

 regularly there can be no doubt; indeed, one of the boatmen 

 confessed to me on one occasion that the nesting habits of the 

 Solan Goose could be made to suit the fancy of any particular 

 visitor ! The nest is built of pieces of turf and masses of sea- weed, 

 which become so much shrivelled by the heat as to necessitate 

 constant repairs. The old birds, therefore, are continually 

 carrying materials which they find floating on the sea. I have 

 occasionally seen small branches of trees introduced. Martin, in 

 his description of the Western Islands, mentions that the steward 

 of St. Kilda told him of having found a red coat in one nest, and 

 a brass sun dial, an arrow, and some Molucca beans in another. 



The principal food of this bird consists of fishes of moderate 

 size, such as whiting, haddock, and sethe. It is also partial to 

 herrings; and I have seen numbers in the sheltered bay of 

 Millport, in Cumbrae, plunging in pursuit of the Poor Cod 

 (Morrhua minuta), which in certain seasons frequents the bay in 

 shoals. The prey is generally, if not always, secured when 

 swimming above a sandbank a fact which any observer may 

 test for himself by taking up his position for an hour or two at 

 any part of the coast where he can from a height look down upon 

 the floor of the sea on a clear day. The spots of sand are easily 

 perceived in contrast to other parts which are covered with rocks 

 and sea- weed. I have many times watched the Gannets flying to 



