PELECANIN^E. SULA. 225 



general integument ; tarsus very short, sharp behind, scaly, 

 with three lines of small scutella, which run along the toes. 

 First toe rather small, directed a little forwards, middle toe 

 longest ; all connected by webs ; claws moderate, slightly 

 arched, that of the third toe pectinate. Plumage close, on 

 the head and neck blended ; wings very long, narrow, acute ; 

 tail rather long, graduated, of twelve or fourteen feathers. 



The Gannets belong especially to the warmer regions. 

 One species extends far into the temperate and colder parts, 

 proceeding on both sides of the Atlantic in summer into the 

 arctic seas, or taking stations for breeding at intervals. They 

 fly at a moderate height, with a steady motion, and plunge 

 headlong after their prey into the water, on which they 

 never swim about in quest of food, and into which they can- 

 not penetrate otherwise than by falling from a height. 



288. SULA BASSANA. SOLAN GANNET. 



Bill pale bluish-grey, tinged with green at the base ; bare 

 space about the eyes, lines on the bill, and gular membrane, 

 blackish-blue ; feet brownish-black, the scutella light green- 

 ish-blue ; claws greyish- white ; plumage white; upper part 

 of head and hind-neck buff-coloured ; primary quills brown- 

 ish-black. Young when fledged with the bill greyish-brown, 

 the bare spaces on the head pale greyish-blue ; the feet dusky ; 

 head, neck, and upper parts dark greyish-brown, each feather 

 with a small terminal triangular white spot; lower parts 

 greyish- white, spotted with greyish-brown ; quills and tail- 

 feathers brownish-black. 



Male, 39, 74, 20|, 4, 2 T ^, 3 T 8 g , T V Female, 38, 73. 



Gannets are sometimes seen on the southern, coasts of Eng- 

 land in winter. Generally, however, they arrive in February 

 or March, and depart in October. There are o breeding- 

 places in England, and but few in Scotland : the Bass Rock, 

 Suliskerry, Ailsa Craig, St KUda, and Ilonay. They form 

 their nests of turf and sea- weeds, placing them on the rocks, 

 or sometimes on the ground. In each nest there is only a 

 single egg, of an elongated oval form, bluish- white, with a 

 chalky surface. The young are at first covered with close 

 white down, and at the end of three months are able to fly. 

 They are fed with partially digested fish poured into their 

 throats. The Gannet alights heavily, stands in an inclined 

 position, walks very awkwardly, launches on wing in a curved 

 line, extends its neck and feet, flies rather steadily and slowly, 



p 



