HABITS OF THE GANNET 377 



that Gannets are so in a marked degree seems undeniable. 

 This is confirmed by several observers. Mr. Mattmgley 

 has recorded it of the Australian Gannet.* The follow- 

 ing is Mr. Kirkman's account of the greeting which 

 a Gannet was seen to give to its expectant mate 

 on returning to their joint breeding-ledge at the Bass 

 Rock. " It seems to have inexhaustible affection, and 

 inexhaustible energy in manifesting it ; at the end of 

 the season its ardour is as strong as at the beginning, 

 and its mate is no whit behindhand. For over a minute 

 a pair might be seen, the two birds face to face, wings 

 slightly raised, their necks stretched upwards, either 

 strenuously wagging their heads from side to side, or, if 

 closer together, clacking their beaks like castanets." 

 As another Gannet was moving away from its mate, 

 continues Mr. Kirkman, " the latter took occasion to 

 show her affection by gently preening his back feathers. 

 The retreating bird at once stopped, unbent, curved its 

 neck gracefully backwards, and then followed an inter- 

 change of most lover-like caresses. "f This sort of thing 

 can be seen, with variations, any fine day in July, on 

 the Bass Rock, but it cannot be the affection of 

 courtship, because the courting season is passed. Even 



* Sula serrator, " Victorian Naturalist," XXV., p. 19. 

 t F. B. Kirkman, " Pall Mall Magazine," 1910, p. 595. 



