434 PELICAN. 



Bass, whence the Latin name. It generally makes its first appear- 

 ance in March, and departs in August or September, according as 

 the inhabitants take or leave the first egg. The nest is composed of 

 various materials, such as grass and sea plants, intermixed with any 

 thing that the bird finds floating on the water. It is the general 

 opinion that the female lays only one white egg, rather less than 

 that of the Goose;* if this egg is taken away, the bird will lay a 

 second, and should this be taken, a third, but beyond that can 

 furnish no more for the season. The young Gannets are brought 

 to Edinburgh, and sold at 20d. a piece ; and being roasted, are 

 served up a little before dinner by way of whet; but the inhabitants 

 of St. Kilda make these birds a great article of food, and are said 

 to consume annually no less than 22,600 young birds, besides an 

 amazing quantity of eggs. They preserve both eggs and fowls, in 

 small, pyramidicai stone buildings, covering them with turf ashes, to 

 preserve them from moisture. To procure these birds, the natives 

 run great hazard, in being lowered from the tops of the cliffs by 

 ropes, and not unfrequently perish in the attempt, f The Laird of 

 the Bass Island said to make £130 sterling of the Soland Geese 

 there taken. J After leaving their breeding places, they are found 

 in various parts of our Island, pursuing the herrings and pilchards 

 round the coast, and returning there in spring;§ it has been observed, 

 that when they pass from place to place, which they sometimes do 

 in flocks, of five to fifteen each, they keep low, near the shore, but 

 never pass near the land ; on the contrary, doubling the Capes, and 

 projecting parts, keeping at nearly the same distance. The inha- 

 bitants of St. Kilda sometimes tie a herring to board, and set it 

 afloat, so that the Gannet, by falling furiously upon it, may break 

 it's neck in the attempt. This, however, appears to be discouraged. 



* Weighs three ounces and a quarter. — Orn. Diet. 



t Br. Zool. See this represented in Arct . Zool. Introd. p. xxix. pi. iw 

 % Ray's Select Remains, p. 193. 



§ Are seen also in winter, though in smaller numbers, but all depart for their breeding 

 places in April. 



