334 suLiD^E : GANNETS. 



FAMILY SULID^ : GANNETS. 

 COMMON GANNET; SOLAN GOOSE. 



SULA BASSANA (L.) 



Chars. Bill rather longer than the head, cleft to beyond the eyes, 

 very stout at the base, tapering and a little decurved toward the 

 tip, which however is not hooked ; the tomia irregularly serrate, 

 or rather lacerate ; nostrils abortive ; gular sac little developed, 

 but naked ; wings rather long, pointed ; tail long, stiff, wedge- 

 shaped, 12-14-feathered ; feet more nearly beneath centre of 

 equilibrium than in some other families of this order. General 

 configuration somewhat that of a goose ; body stout ; neck 

 rather long ; head large, uncrested ; plumage compact. Adult : 

 White, with black primaries ; the head washed with amber- 

 yellow ; bill not yellow ; lores, sac, and feet blackish. Young : 

 dark brown speckled with white, below from the neck grayish- 

 white, each feather darker edged ; quills and tail blackish. 

 Length, about 31.00 ; extent, 60.00 ; wing, 17.00-21.00 ; tail, 

 about 10.00; bill, 4.00. 



Leaving now the long array of Ducks, which we have 

 passed in rapid review, it being necessary to condense 

 our notices in some cases in order to bring all the birds 

 of New England within the compass of two small vol- 

 umes, we enter upon a group of web-footed birds which 

 are distinguished by having all four of the toes palmated. 

 This order of Stcganopodes, or Totipalmati, includes the 

 six families of the Gannets, Pelicans, Cormorants, An- 

 hingas, Frigates, and Tropic-birds, all but the last of 

 which furnish representatives in New England. 



The Gannet occurs in winter along our whole coast, 



