XXXIV. 

 SULA BASSANA. (Briss.) 



Solan Goose, Gannet. 



The Solan Goose breeds together in great numbers, and is 

 confined to four localities upon the British coast. Ailsa Crag, 

 in the Frith of Clyde, Souliskerry, near the Orkneys, the Bass 

 Rock, in the Frith of Forth, which it entirely whitens with 

 its numbers, and the far St. Kilda, where, with various other 

 sea birds, it forms the almost entire food of the poor inhabi- 

 tants, who capture it while seated on the nest by means of 

 a hair noose ; this being fastened to the end of a long stick, 

 is slipped over the head of the bird, which is drawn off its 

 legs, and soon strangled : thousands of the sea birds thus 

 caught are either eaten whilst fresh, or dried for winter store. 



The weather had been stormy, and the long unbroken swell 

 of the Western Ocean, which met us as we got sight of the 

 lonely isle, was everywhere enlivened by multitudes of Gan- 

 nets, which were either winging their way home or buoyantly 

 topping each succeeding wave. The Shearwater Petrel too, 

 which was skimming with great rapidity over the surface of 

 the water, following the rise and fall of every billow, added an 

 interesting wildness to the scene. 



It was all we saw of the feathered tribes of this lonely spot; 

 when we reached the island every wing was motionless. It 

 was night, and the full moon was throwing its bright light 

 upon those rocks, which, though now apparently bare and 

 deserted, would again on the morrow swarm with life. 



We were to have spent a day amongst the islands, but in 

 consequence of our steam boat having been delayed two days 

 in the Sound of Harris by bad weather, our captain was 



