THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 543 



scarcely exceeding a Smew. This specimen went to the Museum 

 of Lund. I was for a long time of opinion that the example in 

 question belonged to a separate species ; but, after receiving from 

 Collett the measurements of Norwegian Shags, I no longer enter- 

 tain any doubt as to its identity with the present one. 



Unlike that of the preceding species, the breeding range of the 

 Shag appears to be very narrowly confined, being apparently re- 

 stricted to Iceland, Great Britain, the Channel Islands, the west 

 coast of Norway, and the north coast of Lapland. 



Gannet Sula. The only European species of this genus is 

 represented in Heligoland, or rather on the sea around the island. 

 Six other species are said to be distributed throughout all the 

 oceans of the world southwards to New Zealand, none of which, 

 however, appear to have visited Europe. 



347. Gannet [BASSGANS]. 



SULA BASSANA, Brisson. 1 



Heligolandish : Gent. Name of the species. 



Dysporus bassanus. Naumann, xi. 14. 



Gannet. Dresser, vi. 181. 



Fou blanc. Temurinck, Manuel, ii. 905, iv. 569. 



To any one who has seen this handsome, stately bird, in its 

 dazzling white plumage, soaring over its native element, the ocean, 

 in its wonderful flights, the name ' Tolpel ' [i.e. ' awkward, clumsy 

 fellow'] must indeed seem utterly undeserved, and, hi fact, a 

 slander. Unfortunately, in Heligoland it occurs only hi solitary- 

 instances, though during nearly all months of the year (January 

 and February, if these months are accompanied by severe frost, 

 may be excepted) and in all the various stages of plumage, from 

 the dark early dress to the pure white perfect plumage of the 

 adult bird. 



Countless swarms of these birds frequent the coast of Scotland, 

 that land so profusely endowed with scenic beauty ; and it is a 

 great enjoyment to watch their merry bustle from the summit of 

 some lofty cliff, with the sea heaving and rolling far below ; while 

 near and far flocks of the birds, in snowy plumage, are to be seen 

 soaring over its broad expanse of green. 



The breeding stations of this species lie within a comparatively 



1 Sula bassana (Linn. ). 



