THE SOLAND GOOSE. 369 



Martin assures us, that the inhabitants of that small island con- 

 sume annually near twenty-three thousand young birds of this 

 species, besides an amazing quantity of their eggs. On these 

 they principally subsist throughout the year; and from the num- 

 ber of these visitants, make an estimate of their plenty for the 

 season. They preserve both the eggs and fowls in small pyra- 

 midical stone buildings, covering them with turf-ashes, to prevent 

 the evaporation of their moisture. 



The gannet is a bird of passage. In winter it seeks the more 

 southern coasts of Cornwall, hovering over the shoals of herrings 

 and pilchards that then come down from the northern seas ; its 

 first appearance in the northern islands is in the beginning of 

 spring, and it continues to breed till the end of summer. But, 

 in general, its motions are determined by the migrations of the 

 immense shoals of herrings that come pouring down at that 

 season through the British channel, and supply all Europe, as 

 well as this bird, with their spoil. The gannet assiduously at- 

 tends the shoal in their passage, keeps with them in their whole 

 circuit round our island, and shares with our fisherman this ex- 

 haustless banquet. As it is strong of the wing, it never comes 

 near the land ; but is constant to its prey. Wherever the gan- 

 net is seen, it is sure to announce to the fishermen the arrival of 

 the finny tribe : they then prepare their nets, and take the her- 

 rings by millions at a draught ; while the gannet, who came to 

 give the first information, comes, though an unbidden guest, 

 and often snatches its prey from the fisherman even in his boat. 

 While the fishing season continues, the gannets are busily em- 

 ployed ; but when the pilchards disappear from our coasts, the 

 gannet takes its leave to keep them company. 



The cormorant has been remarked for the quickness of his 

 sight ; yet in this the gannet seems to exceed him. It is pos- 

 sessed of a transparent membrane under the eye-lid, with which 

 it covers the whole eye at pleasure, without obscuring the sight 



