Ordee ANSERES.J [Fam. PELECANID^E. 



SULA SEKRATOK. 



(AUSTRALIAN GANNET.) 



Sula australis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 177 (nee Steph.). 



Sula serrator, Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terror, Birds, p. 19 (1844). 



Dysporus serrator, Finsch, J. f. O. 1867, p. 339. 



Native name. — Takapu. 



Ad. albus : pileo et collo postico clare ochrascenti-fulvis : remigibus brunnescenti-nigris, scapis flavicantibus, 

 versus apicem brunneis, secundariis intimis albis dorso concoloribus : cauda, alba, rectricibus quatuor 

 centralibus brunneis, ad basin albis : rostro saturate cano : regione ophthalmica nuda, cyanescenti-cana. : 

 plaga, nuda ad basin rostri et fascia gulari nuda nigricanti-canis : pedibus saturate brunneis, tarso et 

 pedibus antice viridibus : iride pallide argentescenti-brunnea. 



Adult. General plumage snowy white ; the crown of the head and back of the neck deep sienna-yellow ; the 

 primaries, secondaries, and four central tail-feathers brownish black, with white shafts, darkening towards 

 the tips. Irides pale silvery brown ; bdl dark pearl-grey ; bare space surrounding the eyes bluish grey ; 

 bare skin at the base of the beak and down the centre of the throat blackish grey ; legs and feet dark 

 brown, with a broad line of bright apple-green down the front of the tarsus and continued on the toes. 

 Total length 35 inches; extent of wings 70; wing, from flexure, 19; tail 10; bdl, along the ridge 3 - 5, 

 along the edge of lower mandible 4; tarsus 2; middle toe and claw 3 - 75. 



Remarks. The form of this bird is specially adapted to its plunging-habits, the body being very elongated 

 and compressed on the sides, the neck long and powerful, and the head wedge-shaped in front, with a 

 flattened crown. The throat is capable of great dilatation ; and the bill, which is longer than the head 

 and strongly formed, has a peculiar hinge-like development, the purpose of which is very obvious : on 

 each side of the rounded culmen there is a deep longitudinal furrow, which forks laterally about an inch 

 from the tip ; below this the sides of the upper mandible are sUghtly convex, and towards the base there 

 is a jointed notch, which, being elastic, adds considerably to the expansive power of the bill, as a means 

 of seizure. A bare membrane, extending from the base of the upper mandible, occupies the lores, turns 

 sharply round the eyes, and ends in a narrow process about an inch in length and in a line with the 

 gape ; a similar membrane covers the throat, and passing down the middle of the gular pouch, termi- 

 nates acutely. The tongue is rudimentary, being only a quarter of an inch in length, and free at both 

 extremities. The nasal apertures are extremely small. The feet are strong, the toes webbed to their 

 extremities, the claws short and convex, the middle one being flat and pectinate on its inner edge. The 

 tarsi and toes are armed anteriorly with a line of soft scutella, which differ in colour from the sur- 

 rounding parts. The total weight of the bird is only 3 lb. 



Tue Gannet is comparatively common on our coasts, and, during tempestuous weather, enters the 

 bays and harbours in quest of its food. 



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