192 



BIRD GALLERY. 



MODEL OF PART OF A CLIFF OF THE 

 BASS ROCK. 



The Bass Rock is one of the most celebrated breeding-stations on 

 the east coast of Scotland, and every spring countless numbers of sea- 

 birds resort there for the purpose of nesting. It rises some 420 feet 

 above the level of the sea^ and the accompanying photographs give 

 some idea of the bird-life which covers the ledges of this rock. The 

 part reproduced accurately represents two shelves situated high up on 

 the precipitous face of the rock, on vrhich the three following species 

 of sea-birds were breeding, socially, and in close proximity to one 

 another. 



No. 148. KITTIWAKE. (Rissa tridactyla.) 



Throughout the winter months this Gull is generally distributed 

 along the coasts of the British Islands, but in summer it resorts in vast 

 numbers to rugged cliflFs for the purpose of nesting. Large breeding- 

 colonies are to be found on the Fame Islands, Flamborough Head, 

 the Scilly Islands, Lundy Island, and round the coasts and islands 

 of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The nest, usually formed of seaweed 

 and lined with grass, is placed on a ledge of rock and contains two or 

 three pale buff eggs, spotted with reddish-brown and ash-grey. 



The trivial name " Kittiwake " is derived from its note. 



No. 149. GANNET or SOLAN GOOSE. (Sula bassana.) 



During the autumn and winter months the Gannet is found through- 

 out British waters, but in spring it repairs in countless numbers to 

 some isolated rock to breed. The most noted breeding-colonies are at 

 Lundy Island, Grassholm, off Pembrokeshire, Ailsa Craig, Sulisgeir, oflF 

 the Butt of Lewis, Boreray in the St. Kilda group, and the Bass Rock 

 in Ireland it breeds on the Bull Rock off Co. Cork and on the Little 

 Skellig. It feeds on fish, which are obtained by plunging, often from 

 a great height. The nest of seaweed and grass contains only one egg, 

 which is pale blue overlaid with, a chalky-white coating. The young 

 are naked when hatched, but soon become covered with white down, 

 whidh in a few weeks gives place to dark feathers tipped with white. 

 The mature plumage is not assumed till the fifth year. 



