

The Gannets i 3 3 



"It is more or less gregarious by habit, the number seen together varying 

 with the attractions of the locality, and ranging from eight or ten to thirty, or 

 even several hundred. In the breeding season it moves in pairs. It is a diurnal 

 bird, and if unmolested, returns each night to the same roosting place. When 

 asleep it is said to stand with its body almost erect. 



"This is said to be the very first among fresh- water divers, disappearing be- 

 neath the surface with the quickness of thought, moving scarcely a ripple on 

 the spot, and reappearing, perhaps with its head only above the water for a 

 moment, at a place several hundred yards distant. If hit, and only wounded, 

 this bird readily baffles all the endeavors of the sportsman to secure it. When 

 swimming, and unmolested, it is buoyant, and moves with its whole body above 

 the water, but when in danger it sinks its body, leaving only the head and neck 

 out of the water, presenting the appearance of a portion of a large snake." 



At times these birds rise to a considerable height in the air, 2000 or more 

 feet, probably, where they soar with ease, remaining in the air for a considerable 

 period of time. They nest somewhat in colonies in swamps, selecting secluded 

 localities where they are not likely to be interrupted. The nest is a rather loosely 

 made structure of sticks, leaves, and moss, and is placed in low bushes over the 

 water; the three to five eggs are bluish, covered with a whitish chalky deposit. 



THE GANNETS 



(Family Sulidce) 



Gannet, Booby, and Solan-goose are the names variously applied to the 

 members of this small family. The first, and perhaps most widely employed, is 

 Gannet, a word derived apparently from the Old English gan, after the manner of 

 gander and goose. The simple or foolish appearance of the birds, especially when 

 on land, furnishes an explanation of the name Booby, while the last mentioned, 

 or Solan-goose, is seemingly from the Scandinavian, signifying "Sea- goose." 



The Gannets, or Boobies, are large birds, ranging from about twenty-eight 

 inches to thirty-six inches in length, with rather long, very pointed wings, and a 

 long, wedge-shaped tail of twelve to eighteen feathers. The bill is stout, sub- 

 cylindrical and pointed, tapering gradually toward the extremity, which is very 

 slightly curved but never hooked. The nostrils are completely closed in the 

 adults, a provision, as will be seen later, against injury while feeding, and in 

 several of the species there is a naked band of greater or less length down the 

 middle of the throat, while in the remaining species the whole upper part of the 

 throat is naked. In a majority of the species the plumage is white throughout 

 except the wings and tail, which are usually black or dusky; in the other species 

 the color is dusky or sooty brown. 



The Gannets are birds of temperate and tropical seas, and are often found at 

 great distances from land. Their food consists entirely of fish, especially her- 

 rings, the presence of which they often indicate to fishermen. "Their prey," 



