370 THE SOLAND GOOSE. 



in the smallest degree. This seems a necessary provision for 

 the security of the eyes of so weighty a creature, whose method 

 of taking its prey, like that of the cormorant, is by darting head- 

 long down from a height of a hundred feet and more into the 

 water to seize it. These birds are sometimes taken at sea, by 

 fastening a pilchard to a board, which they leave floating. The 

 gannet instantly pounces down from above upon the board, and 

 is killed or maimed by the shock of a body where it expected no 

 resistance. 



These birds breed but once a year, and lay but one egg, which 

 being taken away, they lay another if that is also taken, then 

 a third ; but never more for that season. Their egg is white, 

 and rather less than that of the common goose, and their nest 

 large, composed of such substances as are found floating on the 

 surface of the sea. The young birds, during the first year, differ 

 greatly in colour from the old ones ; being of a dusky hue, 

 speckled with numerous triangular white spots ; and at that 

 time resembling the colours of the speckled diver. 



The Bass island, where they chiefly breed, belongs to one 

 proprietor; so that care is taken never to fright away the birds 

 when laying, or to shoot them upon the wing. By that means 

 they are so confident as to alight and feed their young ones close 

 beside you. They feed only upon fish, as was observed ; yet 

 the young gannet is counted a great dainty by the Scots, and is 

 sold very dear ; so that the lord of the islet makes a considerable 

 annual profit by the sale, 



