BRITISH BIRDS. 131 



186. Phalaeroeorax graeulus (Linn.). SHAG. 



Hab. Western Europe. 



Adult : plumage glossy blackish-green ; tail of 1 2 

 feathers instead of 14 as in P. car bo spring crest 

 situated on fore-part of head and recurved forward ; bill 

 blackish, under mandible yellow at base ; bare skin of 

 gape black, speckled with yellow ; iris green ; feet and 

 webs black. Length 26*00. Young : above greenish- 

 brown ; below greyish-brown, mottled with darker brown. 



Found on all the most rocky coasts of the British Isles ; 

 it is much more common than the preceding species in 

 the Shetland, Orkneys, and Hebrides. Nesting habits 

 and eggs similar, but latter are smaller ; size 2*45 

 by 1-45. 



GENUS CI. SULA, Brisson (1760). 

 Bill long, straight, of a lengthened and slightly com- 

 pressed conical shape, upper mandible veiy slightly decurved 

 towards the point. Face and throat naked. Wings long ; 

 tail moderate, pointed. 



187. Sula bassana (Linn.). GANNET. 



Hab. Coasts of the North Atlantic. 



Adult : whole plumage white, excepting the primaries 

 which are black ; head and neck tinged with warm buff. 

 Length about 32*00. Young : above deep brown, mottled 

 with white ; below mottled with dark grey and pale brown ; 

 full adult dress is not assumed until the bird is four or 

 five years old. 



Breeds on the Welsh Coast and also on Lundy Island, 

 but nowhere in the east of England ; there are many 

 large colonies around the Scotch coasts, and two off the 

 south-west coast of Ireland. Nest : a pile of seaweed, 

 grass, etc. The single egg is bluish-white but covered 



K 2 



