TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS 



115. Booby. Siila leucosastra. 



Range.— Tropical coasts and islands of the At- 

 lantic; north casually to Georgia. 



The common Booby is an abundant bird on 

 some of the islands of tlie Bahamas and Bermu- 

 das; it is commonly called the Brown Booby be- 

 cause the upper parts are of a brownish gray. 

 These birds, as do the other Gannets, have great 

 powers of flight and without apparent effort dart 



Chalky bluish white, nest stained 



about with the speed of an arrow. They are 

 quite awkward upon their feet and are not very 

 proficient swimmers. They rarely rest upon the 

 water except when tired. Hundreds and some- 

 times thousands of them breed in company, lay- 

 ing their eggs upon the bare rocks. Sometimes 

 a few sticks or grasses will be placed about the 

 bird to prevent the eggs from rolling away. They 

 generally lay two eggs, chalky white and nest 

 stained. Size 2.40 x 1.60. Data. — Key West, Ba- 

 hamas, April 14, 1891. No nest; two eggs laid on 

 the bare rocks. 



s- V- 



Boul>v 

 Red-footed Booby 



115.1. Brewster's BooBY. Sula brewsteri. 



Range. — Pacific coast from Lower California southward. This Gannet re- 

 places the common Booby on the Pacific coast. It nests abundantly on many 

 islands in the Gulf of California, and in company with the blue-footed variety, 

 on San Pedro Martir Island. They generally lay two eggs, placing them upon 

 the bare rocks and surrounding them with a ring of sticks and seaweed to keep 

 them in place. The eggs are chalky white and cannot be distinguished from 

 those of the other Boobies. Data.^ — San Benedicto Is., Lower California, May 

 18, 1897. Single egg laid on the sand amid a few blades of grass. 



11 6. Red-footed Booby. Sula piscator. 



This is another species that is only occasionally taken on the Florida coast. 



The habits of the birds and their nesting habits are the same as those of the 



others of the family. Two chalky white eggs are laid. Data. — San Benedicto 



Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg. Nest a few twigs of rank 

 grass. Collector, A. W. Anthony. 



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