GANNET. 
7 
of this gathering 
Gulls of various species, Divers, Guillemots, and Razorbills were also in attendance in tens 
of thousands, the surface of the water for miles being perfectly alive with mixed swarms of noisy and ravenous 
sea-fowl. The white plumage of the countless multitudes of Gannets, as they flew in circles and dashed down 
incessantly helow^ the waves, appeared, when viewed at a distance against the dark and wintry sky, like clouds 
of sleet or snow drifting before the wdnd. On the 13th of May, 1880, 1 observed two or three immature birds 
of one year old flying in an easterly direction in the Channel, about five or six miles off the coast. 
During the summer months hut small numbers of birds of the previous year make their appearance in the 
neighbourhood of the Bass. In no case are they permitted to intrude themselves on the ledges frequented 
by the adults; they may occasionally be seen sitting on some of the grassy slopes near the summit of the 
Rock, in company wdth the non-breeding birds of two, three, or four years of age. I am of opinion that 
but a small percentage of the Gannets in the immature stages show themselves at the Rock ; most probably 
the greater number pass their time entirely at sea till they have reached maturity. 
Ihe actions of the Gannets on land are somewhat clumsy; their nests, however, are in most instances 
placed close to the edge of the cliffs, and hut few steps are needed to cross the intervening space. When 
launching themselves into the air, they appear for some distance to gain hut little assistance from their 
wings, a consideiable di’op being made before they strike out from the rock. The graceful curve effected as 
the birds sw^oop out from their breeding-ledges is sure to attract the notice of strangers wdien viewing 
their haunts for the first time : on rising from the water they also flap for several yards over the surface, until 
they attain sufficient power to mount into the air. I much doubt whether a Gannet could rise from the 
ground, if flat, unless assisted by a strong wdnd. 
Previous to the passing of the Sea-Bird Act, the Geese on the Bass occasionally suffered from the 
depredations committed by boatloads of strangers, who sailed round the Rock and expended a quantity of 
ammunition in blazing at the busy swarms engaged with their nests. Numbers were also shot by the 
fishermen from Dunbar and other parts of the coast. There was some excuse for these poor fellows, as they 
made use of those they obtained for food, and when bait was scarce a skinned carcass was not unfrequently 
employed as bait for their crab-pots. 
The note of the Gannet is powerful, though far from musical. If interfered with while sitting on their 
nests (and they seldom make a move unless threatened), the old birds will strike at the aggressor with their 
sharp-pointed hills, giving vent at the same time to a succession of hoarse, croaking sounds. Before daybreak 
I have on two or three occasions climbed to the summit of the Bass, and looked down on the silent multitudes 
collected on tlie 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 tlirusting up their heads between the pair and joining in 
the performance. AVhen once the day’s work has fairly commenced tiiere is a constant clamour froin all 
quarters, as the birds in rapid succession start off in search of prey. The cry of the young in the first instance 
is a feeble squeak, which shortly increases in strength, but does not attain full power till after leavin^^ 
the nest. ° 
Some remarkable descriptions of Gannets’ nests have appeared in print, in w hich the structures were 
stated to have been piled up to an altitude of several feet. I am at a loss to account for such assertions 
having seldom noticed one where the materials were accumulated to a greater height than six or ei<>-ht inches' 
Seaweed and tussocks of coarse grass, torn from the pasturage near the summit of the rock, arc used in 
building, fresh supplies being continually added, even after the young are hatched. The birds frequently 
