EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 69 



The nest is very large, at least four-and-a-half feet across, and 

 with scarcely any depression in the centre, the top being covered 

 all over with green moss. 



The eggs of the Black Stork are from three to five in number ; 

 dull white in colour, coarse in texture, full of small pores, and 

 with very little gloss. They vary in length from 2"8 to 2*45 

 inches, and in breadth from 205 to 1*85 inch. On an average 

 the eggs of this bird are smaller than those of the White Stork, 

 but large eggs equal in size small eggs of the latter. They vary 

 considerably in shape, some specimens being much rounder than 

 others ; they are, however, readily distinguished by the green 

 colour of the inside of the shell when held up to the light. 



FAMILY PELECANIDM, 



OB PELICANS. 



In this family are included all the Cormorants, Gannets, Tropic- 

 Birds, Frigate-Birds and Pelicans. Of the latter the following 

 species has been included in the British List : — 



THE WHITE PELICAN. 



{Pelecanus onocrotalus.) 

 Plate 19, Fig. 3. 



Only one specimen of this bird has been said to have been killed 

 in England, and then it was believed to have been an escaped 

 bird. This event happened as long ago as 1663, so that the claims 

 of the Pelican to be considered British are of the most slender 

 character. The egg is white and chalky, like those of the other 

 members of the family. 



THE GANNET. 



(Sula bassana)* 



Plate 19, Fig. 4. 



The Gannet is a resident in the British Islands, but is confined 

 to a few breeding colonies. It is an oceanic species, and is only 

 known to nest on some of the islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, 

 colonies being found in the Faroes, Iceland, and the rocks in the 

 Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in North America. 



* Dyspovus bassanus — Sharpe, Handb., II., p. 218. 



