THE BIRD BOOK 



117- GANNET. Sula bassana. 



Range. North Atlantic, breeding, in America, 

 only on Bird Rocks in the St. Lawrence. 



These are the largest of the family, being 35 

 inches in length. They feed on fish which they 

 catch by diving upon, from the air. When flying 

 their neck is carried fully extended. They rest 

 on the water when tired, the numerous air cells 

 beneath the skin, causing them to sit high up in 

 the water and enabling them to weather the 

 severest storm in perfect safety. The only known 

 breeding place in America is Bird Rocks, where 

 they nest by thousands, placing their nests in 

 rows on the narrow ledges; the nests are made 

 of piles of seaweed, mud and stones. They lay 

 but one egg of dingy white color and covered with 

 a chalky deposit. On St. Kilda Island, off the 

 coast of Scotland, they breed by millions. They 

 are very tame and will frequently allow them- 

 selves to be touched with the hand. It is said 

 that thousands of the young are killed by fisher- 

 men every year and marketed in Edinburg and 

 other places. Data. St. Kilda Island, Scotland, 

 June 18, 1896. Single egg laid on a large mass of 

 seaweed on a sea cliff. Collector, H. McDonald. 



Chalky bluish white 



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