BOOBY 

 115. Sula leucogastra. 30 in. 



This species, commonly called the Brown Booby, is 

 brownish black with the exception of a white breast and 

 underparts. Young birds are entirely brownish black; 

 bill and feet greenish yellow; eye white. They are 

 one of the most abundant breeding birds upon many of 

 the Bahaman and West Indian Islands. They have 

 great powers of flight and dart about with the speed 

 of arrows, carrying their long bill and neck at full 

 length before them. They are awkward walkers, and, 

 owing to their buoyancy, it is difficult for them to 

 swim under w^ater, but they are unerring in securing 

 their prey by plunging upon it from a height. 



Nest. They breed in colonies of thousands, laying 

 their two eggs upon the bare sand or rocks. The eggs 

 are chalky w r hite, more or less nest stained. (2.40x 

 1.60). 



Range. Breeds in the Bahamas and West Indies; 

 wanders north casually to the Carolinas. 



