20 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXV. 



everywhere on a bird's body in a haphazard fashion, as one would 

 naturally expect judging by their appearance on a fully feathered 

 bird, but they have well-defined areas, which differ in pattern in 

 most of the species. The other parts of the surface of the bird's 

 skin being covered with the overlapping feathers that grow in 

 these feather forests makes it appear as if its feathers were 

 growing from every part of its body. Herewith is a terse descrip- 

 tion of the phases of plumage of Sula serrator from the most 

 immature form upwards : — 



(i.) The young of the Gannet, when first hatched, is blind and 

 naked, the colour of its skin being a deep chocolate-black, 

 whilst its weight is about 2 or 2^ ozs. 



(2.) Almost devoid of any covering except for a light patch of 

 white on crown of head ; fore-neck, interscapulary region, lower 

 back, rump and flanks, hinder crown, nape, hind neck, breast, 

 and along the wing in region of humeral feathers showing a 

 faint growth of down. Auricular region, lores, chin, throat and 

 lower throat bare, the skin being brownish-black. Bill i inch 

 long, and the total length about S^^ inches. Irides dark, with a 

 yellowish spot or streak on skin beneath the eyes. Note. — All 

 the series that are feathered have this yellowish spot. Tips of 

 wings in 3, 4, 5 series almost bare ; this enables them to use both 

 their wings and legs as a means of propulsion, and it is a 

 remarkable fact that the immature young Gannets " walk " about 

 on all fours, so to speak. 



(3.) Sparsely covered with white down. Throat and region 

 around the eye bare. Length of bill, i^^ inches. Length, 

 about 9 inches. 



(4.) Body covered with thick white down, except upper back 

 and nape, which is sparsely covered. Hinder crown, region 

 around the eyes, chin, throat, and lower throat bare, whilst there 

 is a scanty growth on the crown. Length, about 12 inches. 

 Bill, i}i inches. 



(5.) Covered with white down, excepting upper back, which is 

 thinly covered. Hinder crown almost bare. Forehead, region 

 around the eye, chin, throat and lower throat bare. Bill, i}^ 

 inches. Length of bird, about 13^ inches. The growth of 

 down in this specimen is now found starting at the sides of lower 

 throat. 



(6.) Covered with thick white down; forehead, region around 

 eye, chin, and throat bare. Lower throat showing faint growth 

 of down. Crown with distinct tuft of down standing up like a 

 casque, evidently a special adaptation to soften the concussion 

 in its adult stage when it strikes the water in its headlong descent. 

 Bill of this specimen measured 2j^ inches. Length of bird, 

 about 16^ inches. 



(7.) Same as No. 5, only having the growth of down more 



