SULIDA.: GANNETS 
117. Sula bassana 
GANNET. 35 inches 
Adult. Entire plumage white, except the ends of the long quill 
feathers which are black; bare skin at base of bill yellow; tail 
long and pointed; billlong. Immature. Brownish, lighter below 
a white band across the tail. Large, pure white birds, larger than the 
Black-backed Gull; they may be seen some distance off shore hunt- 
ing for fish; they are powerful divers, plunging into the water from 
a height of seventy-five to a hundred feet; they fly with neck 
stretched out, singly or in small flocks. 
Breeds. North of New England. Visitor off the coast, April to 
June, September to December. Some winter off Long Island. 
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