90 



BIRDS OF AMERICA 



by taxidermists, who usually mount the bird in the air, they creep awkwardly, with much 



standing on its feet like a Gull. The usual gait flapping of wings, to a suitable height, and then 



is an awkward waddle, or it proceeds in a series drop, sometimes in the water before regaining 



of hops. I have also seen them push themselves their equilibrium, when they are among the most 



along by means of their feet. Before launching graceful of sea-birds." T. Gilbert Pearson. 



GANNETS 



Order Steganopodcs; family Siilidcs 



IHE Gannets constitute the family Sulidar, and comprise the birds of that name 

 (also called "Solan" Geese, "solan" being apparently from a Scandinavian 

 term meaning "sea") and the Boobies. " Gannet " is thought to be derived 

 from the Old English gan, meaning " gander " or "goose-like." There are 

 eleven species in the family, and of these one is essentially a northern bird and 

 migratory, while the others range along the tropical and subtropical coasts 

 of the world. All are strictly sea birds, but they prefer the coastal w^aters and 

 are not found at any considerable distance from land except when they are 

 migrating. On the wing they move rapidly, alternating vigorous wing work 

 with periods of sailing. They feed almost exclusively on fish, which they 

 capture by diving from the wing, often from a height of forty feet or more, 



and with such force that they disappear entirely beneath the surface, their impact being 

 sufficient sometimes to send the spray ten feet into the air. This constitutes one of the 

 most picturesque and vigorous feats performed by any sea bird. Fish of considerable size 

 are swallow^ed practically whole (which is made possible by a throat which can be greatly 

 distended), and are disgorged for the young. All members of the family are highly gregarious, 

 and nest in large colonies on uninhabited coasts or isolated islands. The bird builds a rude 

 nest composed of seaweeds and grass and lays one or two eggs, chalky-white or dull white in 

 hue. 



The Gannets are comparatively large birds, their length being from about two to three 

 feet. Their wings are relatively long, and acutely pointed, while the tail is wedge-shaped 

 and consists of from twelve to eighteen feathers. Their legs are short and stout and placed 

 nearly at the center of the body. The feet are completely webbed. The neck is rather long, 

 and the head large. The bill is strong, cylindrical, and tapers to a point where it is slightly 

 curved, though never actually bent into hook form. The plumage is compact and its char- 

 acteristic coloration is white on the body with black or dusky wings and tail, though some 

 species are sooty-brown or dusky. 



BOOBY 



Sula leucogastra ( Boddacrt) 



A. O. U. Xuinher i 1 5 



Other Names.— Brown Booby ; Yellow-footed Booby ; 

 Catesby's Booby ; Booby Gannet. 



General Description.— Length, 30 inches. Color 

 above, dark brown ; below, white. 



Color. — Adults: Plumage, dark brown, abruptly 

 white from neck on under parts; bill and bare parts 

 of head, variably colored, mostly dull greenish or yel- 

 lowish; feet, similar; iris, white. Young: Plumage, 

 grayish-brown, paler below variegated with white on 

 under parts from neck ; bill and feet, obscured. 



Nest and Eggs. — Nest: On low bushes of tropical 

 keys ; constructed of sticks and weeds ; in some local- 

 ities eggs deposited on bare sand or rocks, without any 

 attempt at nest building. Eggs : i or 2. dull chalky 

 white. 



Distribution. — Atlantic coasts of tropical America 

 and Pacific and Indian oceans ; rare on south Atlantic 

 and Gulf coasts of the United States from South 

 Carolina to Louisiana ; accidental on Long Island, 

 N. Y., and in Massachusetts. 



