Nest, &e. 
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 
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-pufts, 
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 1s. 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 
