DIRECTORY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 



29 



in the Gulf of California ; accidental on the Banks of New- 

 foundland. 



B. Gannets. Sulidae. 



Ocean birds of from moderate to large size ; white with 

 black QJ; brown primaries ; Fig. 30. 



bill, pointed; space about 

 face, naked ; gular sac rath- 

 er small, not wholly feath- 

 ered ; tail, graduated, with 

 central feathers not very 

 much elongated; toes, ful- 

 ly webbed; external nos- 

 trils, absent, fig. 30. Nests, 

 placed on the ground, on 

 rocks, and on trees ; they 

 are bulky structures, com- 

 posed of sticks, sea-weed, 

 and other coarse materials. 

 Eggs, one or two, white, E, B, a, 1. 1-10. 



covered with a chalky incrustation. Flight, steady, direct; 

 wing-beats, rather rapid ; turn in air and circle with ease ; 

 procure their prey by diving directly downward from a con- 

 siderable height, becoming completely submerged ; the feet 

 are usually wholly concealed in flight ; walk well and perch 

 on trees with ease. Cries, harsh and loud. Downy young, 

 white. Sexes, similar. Tropical, subtropical and temperate. 



a. GANNETS. Sula. 

 Characters as above. 



1. GANNET, S. BASSANA. 39.00 ; white, becoming buff 

 on neck and head ; primaries, brownish-black ; bill, bluish- 

 white ; iris, blue ; naked space about face, and gula sac, dark- 

 bluish : feet, bluish with lines of green along tarsi and toes. 

 Young, dark-brown, streaked and spotted with white, fig. 30, 

 upper bird, adult ; lower, young. Breeds on islands in the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence in May ; migrates north in March and 

 April, south from Sep., to Nov. ; winters from N. E. to Fla. 



