12 
GANNET. 
“ 21st. The old birds again took up with the young one on the opposite side of their enclosure, both male 
and female attendin'? to it, 
“ 22nd. Old birds still with the young one, and occasionally driving off any of the other birds that 
approached too close for their liking. They still supplied it with food, sometimes in the form of soup and at 
times whole fish. 
“ 24th. The male had done the greater part of the feeding, and I again observed him bringing up 
portions of fish, which the young one took by thrusting its head down the parent’s throat. 
“ 25th. Having noticed the young Gannet continually spreading its wings, I had them clipped today. 
I did not imagine it could rise under ordinary circumstances from so small a space ; it was, however, quite 
possible the bird might be carried away during a sudden gust of wind. The old birds were busily employed 
in plucking off the small portion of down that remained on the head. 
“ 27th. The young Gannet had now lost every particle of down, but w'as still looked after by the 
old birds. 
“ October 2nd. This w'as the last date on which the young one was observed to be fed by the parents. 
“ 1881, March 30th. The young bird had by this time changed but slightly from the nestling-plumage. 
There were a few white feathers showing about the breast, neck, and back of head. Beak dull pale horn ; iris 
a pale lead-tint ; circle round eye pale lead, with a bluish tinge ; feet black ; the markings on legs and toes an 
indistinct dirty white.” 
The same pair of Gannets nested again in 1881, the egg being laid on May 8th, the young one 
hatched June 21st, and full-fledged by the 4th of September. It would be useless to record a second 
time the observations concerning the development of the plumage of the nestling : in almost every 
j)articular its progress corresponded precisely with the growth of the young one of the previous year. One 
fact, however, ought not to be omitted, as it tends to bear out the impressions I had formed on the Bass, 
viz, that the adults Avill not tolerate the presence of birds in the immature stages in the vicinity of their 
quarters. On the 11th of July, while the male and female were engaged Avith the latest babby, the other four 
adults (AAdiose constant squabbles OA'cr their oaa u nesting-arrangements had put a stop to ail hopes of domestic 
felicity) suddenly, and AAdthout the slightest cause, set upon the unoffending young bird (now just turned a 
tAA'elvemonth old), and so severely injured it that recovery was hopeless. 
I have seen statements to the effect that the Gannet is unsuited to confinement, and ill repays the 
consideration Avith Avhich it is treated. The poor creatures are by nature endoAved AAuth a voracious appetite, 
and, if starA'ed, necessarily become ravenous and possibly spiteful. MTien looked after by those acquainted 
Avith their requirements and willing to supply them Avith a sufficient quantity of food, none of the feathered 
tribe could be found Avhose habits are more interesting, and but fcAV so harmless and gentle. 
From the time they AA'ere first removed from the nest, the young birds I procured at the Bass had varied 
in temper and disposition. Some Avere particularly confiding, folloAving those they Avere acquainted Avith 
round their enclosure, endeaAmuring to draAV their attention ; Avhile tAVO or three Avere morose and shy, resenting 
the slightest familiarity AA'ith harsh screams and a lunge from their powerful bill. With a single exception, 
they became more amiable as they progressed in years. While in the first plumage their appetite is far 
greater than in the more advanced stages, six, eight, or even ten herrings being occasionally SAvalloAved at a 
single meal. I liaA'e repeatedly Avatched a bird Avith the tails of three or four herrings protruding from 
its mouth, and still eagerly looking out for another fish. Two, or even three, of the largest Irish mackerel 
Avere at times consumed by one individual, though the bird for some minutes exhibited signs of extreme 
discomfort, being incapable of bending its neck or even turning its head. The number of sprats that a 
hungi’y Gannet could consume Avould, I should imagine, amount to several hundreds. Mackerel, herrings, 
and sprats appear to be their fa\"Ourite food. It is strange that they Avould at once reject a pilchard if offered 
