10 
GA^’NET. 
“ 1880, February. Materials for building were collected by the old pair during the raonth, and a 
foundation of the nest was laid down. Constant encounters with their neighbours, who persisted in stealing 
whatever they could lay hold of, somewhat delayed the completion ; and it was not till well on in April that 
tlie structure assumed anything approaching the correct proportions. From this date it was seldom left 
unprotected. 
“ May 19th. An egg was noticed this morning in the Gannets’ nest. 
“June 4tli. The pair continued sitting closely, the nest being at all times tenanted by either tlie male 
or female. One or the other was almost incessantly employed in carrying fresh materials (grass, seaweed, and 
feathers) and adding to their nest ; the structure, however, being flattened down by their weight, increased 
but little in size or height. 
“ 20th. On visiting the Gannets in the evening, I remarked the male and female both asleep by the side 
of the pond and the egg unguarded. This was the first time it had been left exposed to view. 
“ 21st. The female was again sitting. For several days the other pairs of Gannets were uneasy, and 
frequently attacked the sitting bird ; possibly they Avere enraged by the pertinacity Avith Avhich all their 
nesting-materials were seized by one or other of the old pair and appropriated. 
“ 30th. The glimpse that AA-as obtained of the egg shoAV'ed that it Avas cracked and chipped. 
“July 1st. In the niornmg the young bird (a small, black, shapeless monstrosity resembling a toad) Avas 
partly clear of the shell, and fully hatched by mid-day. The female had apparently not left the nest for several 
days. 
“ 2nd. The male Gannet mounted guard on the nest, and both remained side by side till night. I 
noticed the young one stretching its small naked Aving-joints Avhile the parents AA'cre shifting positions OA’-er it, 
“ 3rd. One of the old birds plucked a number of feathers from its back, placing them carefully on the 
nest. This Avas a somcAvhat useless proceeding, as on flapping its Avings shortly after the Avhole AA^ere bloAvn aAvay. 
“7th. Both old birds sitting on the nest. The young one now sliovAxd the eyes open : iris dark hazel ; 
eyelid and circle livid slate-colour ; beak a dull slate, white at the point ; a slight sprinkle of down on the 
head. The body was invisible under the old birds, 
“ 8th. Obtained a better vieAv of the youngster. There was no doAvn except on the head. Both parents 
on nest almost continually. 
“ 9th. Young Gannet very noisy, squalling in the most vigorous manner. The old birds were feeding it 
on several occasions Avhen visited. 
“ 10th. The doAvn on the nestling increased on the head and sprouting all over the back. The beak was 
noAV about three quarters of an inch long. 
“ 11th. This Avas the first day on Avhich I obtained a chance of closely watching the operation of feeding 
the young bird. Uad I not prev'iously vieAA’’ed the performance at a distance on the Bass, I should certainly 
have imagined the young one Avas about to be swalloAved by an unnatural parent. The old bird, for a fcAV 
minutes before commencing, gave CA'idence, by certain movements in the neck, that the food AAms being prepared 
and gradually brought up. The nestling Avas calling faintly and lifting up its head open-mouthed, Avhen the 
old bird dropped forward, and, opening the beak to an enormous extent Avith the head draAvn sidcAA^ays, 
apparently scooped the young one into its mouth. Being almost entirely concealed, the actions of the young 
one could only be conjectured. From haAung frequently obseiwed their movements Avhen of larger groAvth, it 
is evident that they help thcmselA'es to the preparation ejected into the throat of the parent. 
“ 14th. Young Gannet much increased in size, but no more doAvn shoAA'ing, less, in fact, being discerned 
than AA'as noticed some days previously. Doubtless the grimy feet of the parents, almost perpetually spread 
over the back, Avere responsible for the ajAparent diminution. 
“ 19th. Male and female fighting most viciously, the male apparently desiring to come to the nest and the 
