2 
GAN NET. 
There are reckoned to he about three acres of pasture * on the upper portion of the Rock ; and up till some 
twenty years ago the birds made use of several open grassy slopes above the buildings on the south side and 
also on the summit of the cliffs towards the north. The nests on these spots have now disappeared ; hut at 
the time of my last visit a very moderate climl)er might, without the slightest risk, explore many of the ledges 
still resorted to. In the early part of the season, wlien the birds commence laying, a small number of eggs are 
annually taken. A few are houglit l)y collectors at the price of sixpence each ; and I have heard the boatmen 
informing credulous sightseei’s tliat a score or so were sent regularly to London, as Loyalty was pleased to 
approve of them for breakfast. I cannot vouch for the truth of this statement, having omitted to make any 
inquiry. But a single egg is deposited ; and the men in charge of the Lock declare that, unless this is removed 
the morning after it is laid, the female will make no further attempt at nesting for that year. In a few 
instances, perhaps once or twice during a season, I have remarked a couple of eggs. It is usually supposed 
when this occurs that two pairs liave made use of the same nest or the eggs have been moved by visitors. The 
bird engaged in the duty of incubation invariably, before sitting, spreads the webs of one foot carefully over 
the egg, next places the other foot as closely as possible over the first, and then drops onto the nest. I have 
watched this habit in the wild state and also with those I kept in confinement. 
The Bass is a busy sight about the latter end of June, by which date young birds are to he observed on 
most parts of the Lock. While small and uncovered with down the nestlings are seldom left unprotected, one 
or other of the old birds remaining constantly on guard. It is amusing to watcli the greetings that take place 
between the pair Avhen one returns after a lengtliencd voyage in search of prey. The whole of the food carried 
to the Lock is swallowed when caught, and afterwards disgorged either on or close to the nest. The pieces 
of fish that are throAvn up, Avhether Avhole or in fragments, are again greedily devoured with much clamour by 
both parents. AVhen their meal is partially digested the young bird is fed. The nutriment supplied to the 
nestling in its earliest stages is in either a soft or almost liquid state : the old bird, stooping forward, stretches 
down its head sideways, and opening its jaAVS to the fullest extent, completely conceals its diminuti\'e offspring; 
the young one then helps itself to the preparation ejected into the gullet of the parent. 
Though the food is usually picked up either in the Eirth or a feAV miles at sea, I have noticed adult 
Gannets on tAvo or three occasions fishing off the Dogger Bank in the latter part of June. It is most probable 
that these birds Avere from the Bass, though the distance could he little short of tAvo hundred miles. While 
fishing or cruising in the North Sea, hetAA'cen tAA'enty and thirty miles off the Lock, I noAV and then observed 
small parties returning from their fishing-excursions. When a supply can he obtained in the Eirth, the birds 
are to he seen dashing doAvn incessantly, and repeatedly making their Avay to the Lock to discharge their cargo. 
In the half-rotten mass of fish on some of the ledges at is easy to recognize the result of each catch laying in 
the shape in Avhich it AA'as disgorged. Half a dozen herrings or three or four mackerel may commonly he 
noticed neatly and compactly Avedged together. In some instances the heads are partially digested; this 
probably occurs after a protracted journey in quest of food has been undertaken. As many as half a dozen 
of such parcels of fish arc at times to he counted round a single nest ; though considerably larger, they 
strikingly resemble the bundles of dried sprats exhibited on the counter of the fishmonger. There are also 
among the cracks and crevices of the rocks countless portions in a state of decomj)osition. The whole of the 
refuse forms a most uninviting and repulsive spectacle, AA'hile the disgusting odour that assails the nasal organs 
can he more easily imagined than described. As the young increase in size, and the nests and ledges become 
thoroughly saturated Avith guano, the elFect is considerably heightened ; the stench that arises from the 
steaming nests under the scorching rays of the summer sun after a Avet morning is positively overpoAvering. 
* Some years back a score or so of sheep used to bo sent out to feed on the island. A pulley fixed among the old fortifications on the south 
face of the rock, -where the clifl's are perpendicular, was employed to land the animals, lifting them aboTO the narrow and slippery footway up which 
visitors are forced to make their way towards the summit. 
