GANNET. 185 
GANNET. 
Suna Bassana, Linn. 
Pl. XXXIIL, fig. 3. 
Geogr. distr.—N. Europe, straggling southwards to the coasts of 
Africa. In Great Britain it is tolerably common, breeding on the 
Bass Rock, St. Kilda, Ailsa Craig, Lundy Island, Skellig Islands, the 
coast of Kerry, and the Stack of Suliskerry near the Orkneys. 
Food.—Fish. 
Nest.—Of grass and seaweeds in the shape of a flattened cone with 
a small central depression ; about 20 inches in diameter at its base, 
and from 6 to 8 inches high. 
Position of nest.—Usually in the most inaccessible parts of the 
highest rocks. 
Number of eggs.—l. 
Time of nidification.—V-VI. 
Mr. E. T. Booth, in his ‘ Rough Notes’ (Part V.), makes 
the following observations on this species :—‘“‘ The note of 
the Gannet is powerful, though far from musical. If 
interfered with while sitting on the nest (and they seldom 
make a move unless threatened), the old birds will strike 
at the aggressor with their sharp-pointed bills, giving vent 
at the same time to a succession of hoarse, croaking 
sounds. Before daybreak I have, on two or three occa- 
sions, climbed to the summit of the Bass, and looked down 
on the silent multitudes collected on the ledges, while the 
first rays of the rising sun lit up the scene. In almost 
every instance the male and female were sitting side by 
side on the nest, the young, if small, being hidden from 
view, and those of larger size in most instances snugly 
nestled between the parents. As the daylight increases, 
first one and then another stretch out their necks, and, 
uttering a low note, rise up and flap their wings. It is 
soon an animated sight ; the old birds may be seen on all 
sides rubbing their heads together and going through the 
most amusing antics, the larger nestlings frequently 
thrusting up their heads between the pair and joining in 
the performance.” 
According to Mr. Howard Saunders an egg of the 
Gannet has been found as early as March, though, as a 
rule, incubation does not commence until the early part of 
May. 
